How Army Veteran and Mother of Four Makeeka Harris Found a Fulfilling Post-Military Career With Kidcreate Studio

As a proud Army combat veteran with more than 10 years of military service under her belt, Makeeka Harris knows where drive and determination can take you. Growing up with seven siblings, and now as a mother of four, she also knows the fun in making a mess. What Harris didn’t know, however, was that her post-military career would tap into both of those bits of knowledge—until she found Kidcreate Studio.

After being honorably discharged to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and spend more time with her husband, Darren, and their family, Harris found herself evaluating the business landscape in her home of Fayetteville, North Carolina in search of something that would be both personally and professionally fulfilling.

“I started looking into franchising as I was getting out of the military, which is how I found Kidcreate Studio,” Harris recounted. “It caught my eye because it was a new, unique concept that’s also recession-proof. I also loved that it’s a kid-based business, which allows me the chance to be a mom and a business owner simultaneously.”

Kidcreate Studio offers art classes, camps and birthday parties that enrich children creatively, socially and intellectually. Attractive concept and business model aside, though, the motivation of a mother advocating on behalf of her children is what ultimately sold Harris on the concept. As the mother of three daughters, Deja, Makayla, and Deanna, and a stepson, Camren, Harris could identify with the passion that fueled Kidcreate Studio’s creation.

> “[Kidcreate Studio founder] Lara Olson’s story also really resonated with me—when her child was experiencing some frustrations academically but excelled creatively, she decided to take matters into her own hands and make a difference in the name of her son’s growth and achievements, which I found very compelling,” Harris said.

In December 2017, Harris hit the ground running and never looked back.

**Now approaching two years in business, Fayetteville’s family-centric community? has embraced the local children's activities space?. Because Fayetteville is home to the second-largest military installation in the U.

S., Harris has reveled in the opportunity to serve her fellow military families with her new business. In fact, she currently has partnerships in place with a number of community organizations, including Cumberland County Parks & Recreation, the Cumberland County Library and the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County to host on-the-go classes to connect with even more families in the area.

“It’s great exposure because people are constantly learning about Kidcreate,” Harris said. “Cumberland County Schools provide a lot of great programs for kids that we’re able to supplement at our studio. We’ve also had a lot of success with the birthday parties that we host because there’s nothing else like us out there—the kids really enjoy spending time with us.”

Due to their strong family dynamic, Harris’ children are very much infused into the fabric of their mom’s Kidcreate Studio location. “My kids themselves are instrumental in spreading the word about our studio because they’re walking proof that Kidcreate is a great, enriching opportunity for children,” Harris said.

As far as why she thinks her studio has resonated so well with the Fayetteville community since opening its doors, Harris pointed to the city’s growing economy and the market need for an art-related activities space strictly for kids. Most emphatically, though, Harris have the credit for Kidcreate’s success in Fayetteville to the studio team that has helped her along the way.

“I have a really great team—it consists of people who love art, children and genuinely having a good time in life,” she said. “You don’t have to be a great artist to work with Kidcreate, you just have to care about children. For anyone that is looking for something that has a great work-life balance and is also fun, this franchise is something really great to consider.”