Life & Work with Erica Kafka

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Kafka.

Hi Erica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Our story is a long road that’s still unfolding. A few years ago we decided we wanted to craft our life in a direction that filled our desires to be connected locally while simultaneously begin able to work and effect change globally. We began to invest our time, energy, and resources into a socially impactful store that would be a space for promoting brands that were doing good, providing a space for continued learning, and creating a hub for the community all with the central pillar of give back, pay forward. It took about a year of planning to get the foundation built with a really small, but mighty and like-minded team.

Unfortunately, as we were ready to sign a lease and bring Brave + Kind Co. to life, Covid shut down our city. We refocused our efforts on working in collaboration with a few local artists to create customized pieces featuring their amazing work. You can find a few of our goodies here: https://braveandkindco.com/

We launched a few small collections last year and this year we wrote a children’s book about being kind to the Earth and others. We are set to release the book early next year with anticipation for several more books in the series to be released through the year. See snippets on IG: @braveandkindkids

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This has been anything but a smooth ride. There have been lots of ups and downs. We had been set to launch in March 2020, but it was clear the world had other plans.

As a result of Covid, we’ve had to step back and settle into patience. We subsequently welcomed our daughter into the world in 2021 and will welcome our son in early 2022. We’ve gotten quite savvy at pivoting over the last 2 years and aren’t afraid of shifting the model and the vision.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While Brian and I run Brave + Kind Co., we also have full-time jobs in the field of addiction medicine. I am a Physician Assistant specializing in virtual alcohol treatment with a brilliant start-up, North Star Care. Brian is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in virtual opioid treatment with Ophelia. Brian’s focus is on community engagement and development while mine is on clinical education.

We have worked in the field of addiction for many years and find it an amazing and rewarding space to be a part of.

We work with companies that are committed to changing the narrative on addiction, treating patients with true compassion, ensuring patients have a voice in their care and removing the stigma around addiction. We work with inspiring teams and are honored to show up every day to our work. You can learn more about these companies here: https://ophelia.com/ and here: https://northstarcare.com/

We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
It is being in love with your life every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://braveandkindco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveandkindco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveandkindco
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/braveandkindkids/ 

Image Credits
Shyla Smith and Courtney Caldwell @HoundstoothDesignUSA