We had the good fortune of connecting with James Kelly II and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I would say the habits that really shaped my success journey are patience, perseverance, discipline, and integrity. Patience taught me not to rush the process but to the research to limit the learning. Perseverance is the driving force that keeps me moving when things got tough. Discipline helped me stay consistent and weigh my decisions and avoid failure. Lastly, integrity made sure I did things the right way even when no one was watching. Those four together inspired by my relationship with Christ have been my compass through every challenge and opportunity.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Well, my journey really started about 25 years ago when I had this deep desire to work for myself. My wife and I tried a few small businesses. First we started a printing shop, then a catering business, and even selling prepaid cell phone cards. We learned a lot during those early years, sometimes the hard way. We realized the importance of having a solid business plan, sticking to a budget, staying disciplined, and being careful about who you share your business details with. Those lessons prepared me for my next chapter by working in the corporate world, where I learned the ins and outs of a business system called Lawson. I started as a functional user, then transitioned into understanding how it worked at the foundational and database levels. That experience taught me how companies run their back office and the systems it takes to successfully track revenue and expenses. With that knowledge, I founded my own IT systems company and ran it for 17 + years. During that time, I helped over 20 companies add more than $250 million on their bottom line. But my wife and I never forgot we both came from the underserved communities of South Central Los Angeles and Compton in the ’70s and ’80s which reminded us to give back. So we began offering free financial freedom and wealth advisory classes in communities that often don’t have access to that kind of information both in Southern California at first, and later here in Texas where we now live, serving League City, Dickinson, and Texas City.

Over the past 20 years, life has tested us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. My wife was told in 2002 that she had six years before she loses her quality of life, and I was told I wouldn’t see December 2024. But here we are both still standing by the grace of God. Those experiences have only strengthened our desire to pour into others and invest in our communities. With savings we set aside, we created a new business plan: investing in commercial building leases in underserved neighborhoods, while continuing to provide education, services, and better living opportunities. We researched, built our budget, spoke to neighbors about what the community needed, and moved forward with faith and determination.

There’s a quote I love from an unknown author that sums up our journey:
“Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard.
Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard.
Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard.
Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard.
Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard. Pick wisely.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, the first thing I’d do is bring them to our home, get them settled into the guest room, and cook a delicious meal to welcome them. We’d catch up on old times, sit out on the patio with a drink and dessert, and talk while the sun sets and let the evening mellow us out. The next morning, we will map out a week of fun. We’d start with some local spots like the Texas City Dike for the views and fresh air, then spend a day at The Strand in Galveston exploring shops and history. We would also make time for the Houston Museum District, wander through Westheimer’s Mall at the Galleria, and fit in a local game for some sports excitement. For food, we got to hit up a great sushi restaurant one night, a wine bar with a real vibe and of course, an unforgettable seafood spot. I’d also take them grocery shopping at the Hong Kong Market, Phoenicia Specialty Foods, and the fish markets in Kemah. In between outings, we would spend most nights at the house playing pool, playing games, cooking, and laughing late into the night. We’d visit my nearby family, share stories, and I’d take them to see our Community Roots Holdings properties, so they could catch the vision of how we’re investing back into the community. By the end of the week, they wouldn’t just have visited the area, enjoyed our cooking and the heart of this blessed place we call home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give thanks to my dad, who taught me to always pray for wisdom, knowledge, understanding, health, and strength. Something I pray for even today which God has shown great favor in my life. My mom’s incredible work ethic continues to inspire me every single day. My wife, Michelle, with her unwavering love and devotion, pushes me to become more than I ever thought I could be. And to my three children for your love, your patience, and for shaping me into the father God intended me to be.

Website: https://crh-llc.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crholdingsllc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/community-roots-holdings-llc-2147a736a/

Twitter: https://x.com/CRHoldingsLLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576936184428

Image Credits
Michelle Kelly – CREO
LaNeicia Kelly-Palmer – COO
James Kelly II – CEO
JMC Remodeling and Repair

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