Her ideas took on a “life of their own,” as Alexander says, and spurred a line of products based on the music. Olivia the Octopus, The Jamaican Yams, and Bull & Bear were born, and then educational products for children such as hand puppets and musical CDs.

With the help of two partners who later joined her, the company has grown its series of educational tools and services centered on the arts. Byron Counts, a songwriter, singer, producer and engineer, joined the company and serves as vice president and musical director. Dr. Norma Jackson, director of international programs at Benedict College, is vice president of international marketing and assists Alexander in taking her messages and products overseas to South America and Africa.

Barriers to Success

Using her savings account as start-up funds for the first four years, Alexander was unable to take a paycheck during that time. But she insists the business has been a blessing in disguise, hooking her up with talented volunteers and ensuring she brings her visions to life. She admits a focus on creativity often has been at the expense of the financial side of business.

Alexander discovered the S.C. Women’s Business Center (SCWBC) through the University of South Carolina’s International Relations Council and through the S.C. Export Consortium. SCWBC Counselor Eva Boning worked with Alexander when she was having trouble locating a manufacturer to make her puppets and other related accessories. Boning introduced Alexander to many local contacts, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Columbia counselor and Clemson Apparel Research.

Strengths Outweigh Weaknesses

Alexander says her musical talent and organizational skills are the two greatest strengths that have helped her achieve success with Auntie Karen, Inc. Everything she has done was accomplished in a very short timeframe on a shoestring budget. And because of her prior relationships in the business community and media, she has been able to secure low-cost services and free publicity.

As if the corporation were not enough, Alexander also started the Auntie Karen Foundation, a global 501(c)(3) charity that creates and implements a series of reproducible community outreach programs centered around educating children ages 3 through 22 through the arts. Pilot programs in South Carolina are being documented and refined so that other communities around the globe (initially in South America and Africa) can duplicate them. 

The foundation’s signature fundraiser – The Legends of…Concert Series – introduces the contributions of African-American artists to jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues music. The foundation’s Artpreneur classes bring artists into classrooms and teach them how to teach their skills to children. And the annual Young Entrepreneurs Conference helps children become enthusiastic about entrepreneurship. During the conference, kids are introduced to a showcase of young business people under the age of 25 who have created successful companies. And SCWBC is presenting basic business management training as part of the conference.

“We started listening to the needs of the community and addressed them,” says Alexander about the foundation’s events. Through art, music, and entrepreneurship, Alexander aims to empower children to think, create, and sell their own products and services.

3419 Hazelhurst Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29203
(803) 748-7124
www.auntiekareninc.com / www.auntiekaren.org