We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Kreslyn Kelley-Ellis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Kreslyn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Service! I was a school principal assigned to a high poverty school and I felt limited by the system’s bureaucracy to fully serve my students and families. I was well connected in the community and I knew that if I walked away I could serve creatively, freely, and impact-fully. Simply put, I wanted to serve my community and make a difference in the lives of as many people as possible.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Dr. Kreslyn LLC, we provide a premier experience in coaching and consulting. I am blessed to coach and facilitate training for leaders and top-level managers in organizations committed to developing their own. Training is customized to meet the individual needs of the person and/or organization in the areas of leadership and diversity. I am also fortunate to coach women in the areas of life, love, and leadership. Our ultimate mission is assist others in overcoming limiting thoughts, beliefs, and actions that hinder their growth, development, and success.

Since, almost always, values, morals, and principles come into play during coaching, consulting, and/or training, I have recently obtained a certification in Spiritual Coaching to provide integrative tools and techniques to clients who struggle with embodying their spiritual values in their everyday work. Since this was something I struggled with, too, it is what I am most proud of at this moment. Taking steps like this one is a strategy I use to overcome my fears as an entrepreneur.

Another way I deal with challenges in business and in life is through prayer. Praying, listening, and obeying the voice that comes from within me has always led to success. This strategy also poses its own challenges, because what often comes from within are hunches that I have never considered or probings that are contrary to my written plans; but, I have witnessed over and over again that when I betray myself by delaying, denying, and denouncing that internal guidance, more struggle ensues. Finally, getting where I am has not been easy “AT ALL”, my journey came with many failures and set backs, however, I never quit on myself. I followed one of my life mottos, “you don’t fail unless you quit.” Simply put, I have never been willing to give up on the vision that was given to me.

The greatest lesson learned is that my vision was given to me honor and hold in integrity by only sharing it with the individuals who can somehow support it. Some people had their own ideas of what I should have been doing, and that is because they were not given the vision. Because of this, I have learned another valuable lesson and that is to eliminate people, from my life, who drain me of the energy I need to reach my goals and to surround myself with people who believe in and inspire me. These lesson require inner peace and power which were gained by learning to trust myself, standing on my own without others approval, and getting up whenever I fail. This is an example of living an empowered life, which is what my brand is all about. I have taken these steps many times in life: they helped me overcome poverty, illness, poor relationships, limited thinking, debilitating guilt and shame, and other failures, which is why I am committed to helping others do the same.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am new to Houston, but I have actually had to opportunity to entertain my best friends, here in the fall of 2020. Because of the pandemic, our selections were limited. Nevertheless, on their extended stay at the elegant JW Marriott, downtown, we still managed to have a blast as we enjoyed a beautiful picnic in Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park; chatted it up over dinner and champagne in the night air, on the patio at Doris Metropolitan; walked to On the Kurb in Midtown for brunch and mimosas; reserved the upstairs section of Sambucas, where we indulged on appetizers, drinks, and dinner, while enjoying the live entertainment; and wrapped up with Sunday brunch at Mia Bella Trattoria in Vintage Park. I would definitely do this all over again!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give a shout-out to my husband, Lorenzo Ellis, who has supported me in my endeavors. He is a successful construction manager and leads hundreds of employees. He not only provides financial freedom needed for me to take the risks running a business requires, but he also serves as my business coach, bringing many years of experience to the table. Without him, my entrepreneurial journey would be a daunting task.

Website: www.drkreslyn.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kreslyn-kelley-ellis-5502b629/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKreslyn

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KreslynKelley

Other: tiktok.com/@drkreslyn

Image Credits
Neville Simpson

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