Meet LeAndra Kentish | Marketing Manager & Dreamweaver

We had the good fortune of connecting with LeAndra Kentish and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LeAndra, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from the NY/NJ area where the hustle is real. Everyone I know had multiple jobs, hobbies and talents that they were committed to. Experiencing that range of opportunity and diversity in community gave me the confidence to explore and the desire to create.

My family was always super connected. We’d gather frequently, go on vacations and create memories together. This influenced me to honor the moments and time I spend with people and to gravitate towards spaces where I can nurture those connections.

My mom specifically was/is so crafty and good with her hands. She’d sew, scrapbook, cook, and create all the time. So naturally I learned to love taking things from concept to creation. I’d say she’s the reason for my resourcefulness and imagination. Together, the ability to create and connect are a core piece of my personality and who I am today.

What should our readers know about your business?
At RTWPOPUP, community starts at the dinner table. The spaces I create through food and fellowship are a direct call to the intimate experiences and connection I was yearning for after moving to a new city. In the six years of producing thoughtfully curated events, I’m most proud of feeding guests much more than dinner. Our guests are hungry for interaction and leave our dinners with open minds and a better sense of community. Our ability to socially disarm our attendees and create natural, organic, and easy ways to connect with other guests is most definitely what sets us apart. It is one of my best personal traits and I attribute my business success to that very characteristic.

While far from easy and still far from my end goal, the lesson that still seems to reign true on this journey is to follow my dreams with action. I’d get nowhere without trying but success is the compounded effect of all those attempts. So while it’s still something I’m working on, staying consistent when it comes to my input and building upon my brand is my biggest challenge.

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and I personally teeter between the stability and security of my 9-5 and the creativity and grit required for my business. For anyone feeling like they have to choose one over the other, choose you. Trust your intuition to decide on what feels right, attainable and a little scary. You are your own blueprint and do not need to follow the script from anyone else’s life. God will always make room for you if you are aligned with His will.

On that note, my business started as an event platform and supper club and has grown in its range of services. Along with private events, I now also offer business strategy and consulting, go to market planning, digital marketing and more under Kentish Creates. God has found a way to make sense of all my talents and time put in nurturing them, leaving me with a better understanding of myself and what I was made to do. I and my brand are intentional, thoughtful and genuine – this is what I want the world to know.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I wanted to show someone a good time here, the first place I’d take them is to my house haha! But seriously, I love hosting and I think a personal touch of closeness and comfortability is the perfect start to any good trip. We’d catch up over a home cooked meal and some Prosecco and get mentally and physically prepared for the rest of the trip’s events.

I’d start the first full day with Tiny’s No. 5 or Breakfast Klub for breakfast. We’d drive through some of Houston’s most beautiful neighborhoods like River Oaks and Bellaire. Then we’d pivot to a dope art exhibit at one of Houston’s many museums. For a night out, I’d take my friend to Off The Record or Sugar Room for great music and vibes without the hassle of needing table service. We’d spend the next morning getting chai tea lattes from Common Grounds or Wild cafe and doing some shopping in Rice Village. We may do Jazz in the Park, go to a Rockets game or something active like Horseback riding or line dancing to tap into our inner cowboy. The last stop of the trip would have to be at Ruggles Black though for the perfect meal to end an amazing trip.

To me, the best part of Houston is its diversity. There’s so much to enjoy when you’re open to new people, places and experiences and Houston truly has a scene for everyone. So being able to share just a glimpse of that would make my friend’s visit one to remember.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to shout out God for the journey He’s allowed me to have. I am in awe of how intentional He is! The people I’ve interacted with and the places I’ve experienced are a testament of His favor and grace. I’m most grateful for the courage He’s given me to pursue my ideas and make them real. And to my community of friends, family, and prayer warriors who push me to be better, be fearless and be myself; shout out to y’all!

Website: rtwpopup.com

Instagram: @rtwpopup