Kate Kearns is a mother, wife, author, and entrepreneur. Her list of accomplishments continues to grow and includes running her digital marketing business, serving as president of Village Elementary PTO, building and growing her lifestyle apparel brand Live Nado, and more.
Kearns grew up on Maryland's East Coast in a family of seven. In her early 20s, Kearns visited San Diego on vacation, and she immediately fell in love. “[I] I decided this is where I was meant to be,” she told me. “I moved back home, worked double restaurant jobs for three months straight, got my life together, and drove cross-country with my dog, a car full of plants, two of my best friends, and a moving truck. .”
Since that leap, Kearns has moved seven more times, living in places like Tahoe and Chico. This move also led to her meeting her current husband, JT, and welcoming their two children. After many moves, her family of four settled here in Coronado. “To say there were no hurdles, no obstacles, no major obstacles would be a huge understatement, but we did it with adventure, courage and faith,” Kearns said.
Moving to Coronado was one of the family's top goals in life, and once they accomplished that, they decided to move on to their next big goal. It's about starting a business in this town. “When we got here, it was more magical than we could have imagined. We said, 'This town needs a brand,'” Kearns recalled. “There are many brands in Coronado, but we wanted to create a brand through our eyes, driven by our love of the beach, palm trees, great weather, and military presence. , I have a strong desire to serve this unique and cohesive community that embodies a deep and iconic history.”
And so Live Nado was born. Live Nado is currently an online shop only, but Kerns hopes to open a flagship store in the future. Our online shop offers a variety of apparel, including hats, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and more that uniquely represents Coronado's relaxed lifestyle. Kearns added that the store plans to expand soon to offer more apparel options to the area. “Live Nado is different from other apparel stores because we bring directly what we love about Coronado and San Diego,” Kearns explained. “Whether you live here or travel, Live Nado will become a Coronado staple brand with its love of the West Coast and active beach lifestyle.”
When choosing the brand name, “Live Nado” felt both honest and happy. For the Kearns family, Live Nado is more than just a name, it's an idea. It represents riding our bikes around town, riding the ferry to work, dancing at Concert in the Park every summer, and celebrating everything that makes Coronado home. “I love being able to bring an atmosphere of gratitude, joy, and peace into my life. “You'll see,” Kearns began. “Live Nado represents you, our community, our city's aesthetic, and the military fabric woven into our city's history that makes us unique.”
Kerns has an extensive background in sales and digital marketing, which she brings to her role at Live Nado. Her husband and co-founder, JT, serves as the company's business-savvy leader, head of operations and finance, and “big-picture” visionary. “My husband, co-founder and entrepreneur, he owns three e-commerce businesses in the hardware store,” Kearns told me. “His role is paramount in keeping Live Nado on track.”
Kearns wears multiple hats all the time, but she finds ways to navigate each aspect of her busy life. “I've become much better at taking things one step at a time and focusing, compartmentalizing, and strategizing instead of multitasking,” she explained. “I'm always challenging myself, always being a new learner and growing my brain, and I'm committed to being comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Beyond the challenges she faces as a business owner, Kearns is grateful for the opportunity to teach her daughters how to follow their dreams. “One [of the most rewarding aspects] “I have taught my daughters that if you work hard and don't fear failure, you can make any idea a reality,” she said. “It was also rewarding because it was the first time I saw someone I didn’t know wearing our hat…and finally, I was able to give back to the community in a way I couldn’t through my own bank account or community foundation. and sports sponsorship. ”
The Coronado Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Live Nado at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Many family members, friends and supporters gathered to celebrate the Kearns family and their dedication to Coronado. “The supporters who came out to cheer us on and our first outward gesture to Coronado to say, 'We're here,' was a monumental next step,” Kearns said. said. “It was an honor to be noticed and supported by the small business-centric community. It felt really great and empowering to be recognized. It was our flag on the ground. That’s what we’re here for.”
Kate and JT Kearns want to continue expanding their brand during the coronavirus pandemic while helping people remember what makes this town so special. “[Live Nado is] Even if it's not forever, it helps you remember where you live and how to embrace it every day. We're making it happen by taking in the details of why living during the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on our lives. ”
To view and purchase Live Nado apparel, please visit the website https://www.livenado.com/.
VOL. 114, no. 13 – March 27, 2024
