We recently had the chance to connect with Kranay Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kranay, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Would I Hire Myself?
If I were in the position to evaluate myself as a potential hire, I would confidently say yes, I would hire me. The primary reason is because of my proven ability to take initiative, remain resilient under pressure, and consistently deliver results. Throughout my academic journey and entrepreneurial ventures, I have balanced multiple priorities—college coursework, managing a digital business, creating content, and leading a small team. This demonstrates not only strong time management skills but also a commitment to excellence, even when faced with demanding responsibilities.
Creativity is another quality that makes me an asset. I am not someone who simply completes assignments; I innovate and seek opportunities to add long-term value. For example, I have built digital products, designed membership models, and curated resources that extend far beyond short-term success. My ability to generate fresh ideas and translate them into tangible systems reflects an entrepreneurial mindset that employers and organizations benefit from.
Additionally, I bring leadership and adaptability to any role. I remain flexible and open to learning. Whether it is tackling complex pharmaceutical calculations or adjusting a marketing strategy, I approach challenges with determination and resourcefulness.
That said, I also recognize the importance of growth. One area I continue to work on is learning not to take on too much at once. My ambition sometimes leads me to stretch myself thin, but I view this as an opportunity to refine my ability to prioritize and set boundaries. This self-awareness ensures that I am not only willing to acknowledge my areas for improvement but also committed to addressing them.
In conclusion, I would hire myself because I embody the qualities of a dedicated, creative, and passionate professional. I bring vision, innovation, and leadership to every opportunity, while also striving to improve where I see gaps. Ultimately, I am someone who does not just fulfill a role but elevates it, and that is why I would be a valuable addition to any team.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kranay, the founder and visionary behind “Kranay,” a brand dedicated to helping people take control of their time, mindset, and goals through stylish, intentional tools and resources. My journey began while I was in college, balancing heavy coursework, entrepreneurship, and my personal life. It wasn’t easy; there were moments of burnout, frustration, and feeling like there weren’t enough hours in the day. That’s when I realized I needed better systems to stay focused and organized, not just for myself, but for others who were facing the same challenges.
What started as creating digital planners and self-development resources has grown into a brand that resonates with students, young professionals, and ambitious women around the world. What makes “Kranay” special is that it’s rooted in real experiences. Every product reflects challenges I’ve faced and lessons I’ve learned about balance, resilience, and growth. I’m not just designing a planner to look nice on someone’s iPad or laptop. I’m building tools that help people actually manage their days, chase their goals, and build confidence in their ability to succeed.
I also believe in creating with intention. My planners and resources aren’t “one-size-fits-all.” They’re crafted to be flexible and customizable, because everyone’s path looks different. Whether you’re navigating college life, launching a business, or balancing a career with personal goals, I want my products to fit seamlessly into your journey. That adaptability is what sets my brand apart; it’s not just about organization; it’s about empowerment.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding the reach of my brand. I’ve built a strong foundation with digital products, but my vision extends much further. I want to take these tools into physical form real planners that people can hold, write in, and carry with them every day. My dream is to see “Kranay” products on shelves at Walmart and other major retailers, making them accessible to a wider audience. Beyond that, I’m working to bring my resources into workshops, where people can not only use the tools but also learn strategies to apply them in their daily lives for lasting transformation.
Looking ahead, I’m also passionate about integrating technology into the brand’s future. One of my long-term goals is to develop an app that brings all of my digital tools together in one seamless platform. The app would allow users to plan, track, and customize their journey wherever they go, making success and organization accessible in the palm of their hand. This step would allow me to bridge the gap between digital, physical, and interactive learning experiences, giving people multiple ways to connect with the tools they need most.
At the end of the day, my story and my brand are about more than planners. They’re about showing people that with the right tools, you can bring structure to chaos, turn ideas into action, and achieve success on your own terms. That’s the energy behind “Kranay,” and that’s what I’m so excited to keep building.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and needs to be released is the version of myself that believed I had to do everything alone. For years, I equated independence with success, thinking that if I managed every detail myself, it would prove my strength and determination. That mindset helped me build my foundation, but it also left me overworked and overwhelmed.
Now, I recognize that growth requires trust, collaboration, and balance. Letting go of that “do-it-all-alone” mentality is allowing me to step into a new chapter one where I can lead with clarity, welcome support, and focus on the bigger vision. Releasing that old mindset doesn’t mean losing my drive; it means making space for a stronger, more intentional version of myself to take over.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience, humility, and the importance of resilience in a way success never could. Success often feels like the reward, the shiny moment everyone sees. But suffering forced me to sit with discomfort, to face challenges I couldn’t just push past overnight. It taught me that growth isn’t always glamorous; sometimes it’s painful, quiet, and deeply personal.
Through suffering, I learned empathy, the strength to start over, and the ability to appreciate even the smallest victories. Success shows you what’s possible, but suffering shows you what you’re truly made of. And that lesson has given me a depth and perspective I could never have gained from winning alone.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
When people scroll through my social media, see my collaborations, or interact with my brand, they often assume they know exactly who I am. The public version of me looks polished, ambitious, and put together. I’ve even developed a reputation for being the “perfect girl,” the one who juggles school, business, and content creation with ease. On the outside, it can seem like I have everything figured out. And while that image reflects parts of my truth, it doesn’t capture the full story.
The “perfect girl” label has followed me for a long time. In some ways, it’s a compliment, because it recognizes the effort I put into my work, my appearance, and my brand. But at the same time, it can feel heavy, because no one is truly perfect. The public version of me, the one people see online, at events, or through collaborations with brands like SHEIN, Boohoo, and Macy’s is authentic, but it is also curated. It highlights my strengths, my wins, and my vision. It leaves out the late nights, the doubts, and the moments when I question whether I’m really doing enough.
The private me is far from perfect, and that’s what makes me real. Behind the scenes, I am constantly thinking of new things and new ways to grow. I spend hours sketching out ideas for planners, brainstorming how to expand Kranay LLC, and mapping out what it would look like to take my digital products into physical stores like Walmart or even integrate them into an app. I push myself to innovate, but I also wrestle with setbacks and insecurities. The private me is the dreamer, the strategist, and sometimes the worrier. That side doesn’t always make it into the public eye, but it fuels everything I share.
I’ve come to see that both versions of me are equally real. The public me, the “perfect girl,” inspires others to believe in themselves, to stay organized, and to chase their goals. The private me is where the true growth happens the trial and error, the resilience, and the lessons that shape my character. Without the private version of me, the public version would have no foundation. Without the public version, the private version would never have the opportunity to impact others. They are not contradictions; they are two halves of the same person.
This dynamic also ties into a larger truth about how society pressures people, especially women, to fit into a narrow definition of success. We’re told to be either ambitious or nurturing, either serious or fun, either entertaining or informative. Just as I’ve been told to pick one niche on social media, society often tells us to choose one identity. But I’ve always pushed against that idea. I don’t believe in either/or; I believe in both. That’s why I combine fashion, personal development, and education on my platforms. That’s why I’ve built a brand that informs, entertains, and inspires. I’m not one thing, and neither is anyone else.
So, is the public version of me the real me? The answer is yes but it is not the entire me. The “perfect girl” image may reflect my discipline, my ambition, and my achievements, but it doesn’t tell the whole story of my growth, struggles, or dreams. The real me is layered. I am both the polished influencer and the restless creator behind the scenes. I am both the girl who looks like she has it all together and the girl who is still figuring things out every single day.
In the end, the real me lives in the balance between those two sides. The public me gives people something to aspire to, while the private me reminds me to stay humble, adaptable, and resilient. Together, they make me who I am not perfect, but authentic, driven, and always evolving. And that is the version of me I want the world to see.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
In society, we’re constantly told that life is about choosing between one path or another. You can either be practical or creative, either play it safe or take risks, or either entertain or educate. Growing up, I often felt that pressure of the world trying to put me into a single box, as if success could only come from narrowing myself down to one thing. But deep down, I’ve always known I wasn’t meant to be “either/or.” I was meant to be both.
That even showed up in my social media journey. Everyone told me to pick one niche if I wanted to grow to focus only on fashion, or only on personal development, or only on education. But I didn’t want to limit myself, because all of those lanes represent who I am. By choosing to embrace all sides of me, I opened the door to incredible opportunities: brand trips with SHEIN, collaborations with Macy’s and Boohoo, podcast invitations, and so much more. None of that would have happened if I had played small and boxed myself in.
Along the way, I also heard the saying, “A jack of all trades is a master of none.” For years, people used it as a way to make me doubt myself, as if doing many things meant I couldn’t be excellent at any of them. But what most people don’t realize is that the original phrase actually ends with “…but oftentimes better than master of one.” And that’s where I see myself. I’m not scattered; I’m versatile. I don’t lack focus; I’ve mastered the art of integration.
My brand, Kranay LLC, is living proof of that. It’s where fashion, creativity, personal growth, and education collide. My planners and digital tools aren’t just about schedules they’re about inspiration, empowerment, and giving people the confidence to chase their goals. I’ve built something that informs, entertains, and inspires all at once because I refused to accept the false idea that you can only be one thing.
So when people ask if I’m doing what I was told to do or what I was born to do, my answer is simple: I’m doing both. I’m blending the structure I was told to follow with the passion I was born to pursue. And in that balance, I’ve created a path that’s fully my own. I’m not “a jack of all trades.” I’m a master of weaving them together and that’s what makes my story, my work, and my brand truly unique.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kranay.com
- Instagram: @kranay_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kranay_
- Other: Tiktok: @kranay
