Same roots. Different people.... but we both like each other... and think it's a lot better doing life together... most of the time (well until Kim is tired of Katina's "energy.")
Our Story
Before Besters had a Name...
Hey friends and strangers – this is Kimberly. Katina is the creative master mind behind our website, and she asked if I could help with some of the writing. For the record, I despise fake, fluffy, perfect sounding writing and I have been insistent that my role in this endeavor be kept as low key/pressure free as possible. With that in mind I will string a few words togethers that are informative and be done. I could and probably should omit this entire first paragraph, but I won’t as it serves as a promise to myself, not to obsessively overthink this.
Katina and I are sisters! Yes – that means we had no choice in the relationship – it was forced upon us, but thankfully we approve. Let it be known that Katina is FIVE yes FIVE whole years older than I am. We often get told we look like twins which I can be okay with, but some people have had the audacity to suggest I might be the older one. I can only assume it’s because I’m taller and more mature.
Yes, we are sisters – have been…well…since birth…crazy how that works. With 5 years between us Katina thought she got a real live baby doll to play with at my birth. I am told she would spend hours entertaining me. We’ve been close ever since.
Through the years we have experienced a lot and we have lots of thoughts on lots of things. While we have similar core beliefs and values, our opinions on some of the details can vary quite a bit and that’s what makes our friendship even more fun…especially for the spectator we’ve been told.
Meet Kimberly...
This is Kimberley. (Actually Katina, myself, is writing her bio because well she wrote that introduction to us and now she is out of words… but no worries because I have lots of words!) Kimberly is the peacemaker in the family. When Kimberly came with me on a design appointment she felt I was being way too mean telling the client what they needed to change to make the place look fabulous. I tried to explain that they literally pay me to tell them that stuff, but Kim kept trying to apologize for things I said and telling them it was still a nice place! I think I might be the only person Kim is not in any way afraid to tell me what she is REALLY thinking to!
She’s the quieter one at first but don’t let her fool you. She has loads of deep thought provoking thoughts, she does love people (just not a lot of people at once and sometimes she just wants no one) and she’s actually very smart. I joke with her at times about being smart, but last week our Daddy reminded us that Kim has a higher IQ than me… like a really smart IQ. I can see that. Kim is really kinda smart. If you ever need something researched to death, just call Kim. She’s on it!
In other news, Kimberly (I call her Kim.. obviously) has three kids and one awesome husband. One is still a teen but the others are off figuring out their way in life. They have a pretty creative family from music to art, gardening, leather and wood work and so much more. Oh ya… she would want me to tell you that they also have two dogs and two cats. Kim created the Besters word several years ago as a gift to me so I think that means she cares about people too. And hey… when I said, “I have an idea” well now we have a website and a podcast! Hehehehehe….
Meet Katina...
“I have an idea” is a phrase Kim has heard more times than she probably cares to count. But some of those ideas turn out pretty well! I love creating something out of nothing from a business, a beautiful room or an event with equal parts meaning and mayhem. I’m an entrepreneur and teacher at heart. Kim is often my sidekick behind the scenes helping make it all happen.
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Raising my two girls has been my greatest delight, though parenting isn’t for the faint of heart. My oldest is out in the world doing the adulting thing. My youngest joined our family through adoption and has a gift for loving people. Parenting has taught me to be intentional but surrender the outcome. Divorce has taught me to grieve and keep moving. I’m happiest with a good laugh, a hard question and a conversation where nobody has to pretend.
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I’m not sure I’d still be standing without Kim. She’s carried me through some dark, can’t breathe days and kept coming back. Overall this life gig has taught me that people matter. That’s why we started Besters: to keep learning together and encouraging all of us to love people well because well… life is just a lot sometimes.