Influential Woman · Technology and Marketing
Kalena Waters-Gardner
Founder of Bleuprint | Brand Loyalty Architect | Marketing Strategy, Tripsetta
Davidson, MI 48423
Her Story
About Kalena
Kalena is a creative strategist, entrepreneur, and emerging technology leader dedicated to helping brands build meaningful connections with their audiences. As the founder and creative director of Bleuprint, an AI-powered brand strategy platform, she works at the intersection of branding, marketing, consumer psychology, and digital storytelling. Through Bleuprint, Kalena helps entrepreneurs, creators, and businesses establish intentional brand foundations, develop scalable marketing systems, and create content that resonates with people on a deeper level. Her work reflects a passion for combining innovation with strategy to help organizations grow with clarity and purpose.
With more than five years of experience in technology and marketing, Kalena has built a diverse professional background spanning marketing management, project coordination, social media strategy, content development, and client consulting. She has contributed her expertise to organizations including Tripsetta, Metro Parent Magazine, CMJ Software, and 100K Ideas, gaining hands-on experience in audience engagement, campaign development, brand positioning, and digital communications. Her career path also reflects remarkable determination, balancing professional responsibilities with academic pursuits while continuously expanding her knowledge of emerging technologies and marketing trends.
Kalena earned her science degree from Oakland Community College in 2024 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marketing at Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business. Inspired by her grandmother’s example of kindness, generosity, and service to others, she strives to lead with empathy in both business and life. Beyond growing Bleuprint, she is working to launch her own nonprofit organization and remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities that help communities thrive. Her advice to young women is simple yet powerful: stay focused, dream big, and never allow self-doubt or distractions to stand in the way of your goals.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kalena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my grandmother, whose unwavering faith, kindness, and generosity have been a guiding influence in my life. She has always been committed to helping others, even while facing her own challenges, and her selflessness has inspired the way I approach both my personal and professional endeavors. Her example has taught me the importance of leading with compassion, serving others, and making a positive impact wherever I can.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Kindness pays. It 100% does. I'm very forward with offering people value up front, and then behind there's a paywall where they can understand that you're going to get substantially more value if you worked with me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay focused and don't be afraid to dream big. Life has many distractions. Try not to fall into those traps... don't be afraid to dream big, because as a Black woman, I feel like I never thought about dreaming extremely big like Bill Gates or Elon Musk, but that's not true. I can be whoever I want to be as long as I dream big and have a blueprint.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge is myself. I find it interesting how much I can doubt myself sometimes... trying to figure out what alignment looks like for myself, and having the faith that what I'm building is going to be what I want it to be.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Treating people how you want to be treated. I don't think there's any reason to be stingy or any reason to be mean to people... I don't believe that's how life is supposed to go, in life or business.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.