Meet Quinnetta Claytor, MHA, SBSP | Certified Business Strategist & Executive Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Quinnetta Claytor, MHA, SBSP and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Quinnetta, how do you think about risk?
Calculated risk-taking is imperative while becoming your most optimal self both personally and professionally. Risk-taking forces you to be uncomfortable and being uncomfortable fosters growth and the opportunity to tap into one’s full potential.

Risk-taking shapes, molds, and develops you!
Risk-taking creates pressure and pressure creates diamonds!
Risk-taking stretches you!
Risk-taking unlocks our greatest potential!

After graduating from college at the University of Iowa, I took a risk and moved to Richmond, VA for graduate school where I barely knew anyone. This life decision forced me to be comfortable with being uncomfortable where I quickly built a network, fostered new genuine friendships, and tapped into new personal and professional opportunities that shifted my mindset, goals, and understanding of life. After graduating from graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University, I took another risk and decided to move to Washington, DC which was one of the best decisions that I could have made during that phase in my life. I was both impacted and influenced by extremely talented, ambitious, like-minded individuals who sharpened me as a woman and a professional. Most recently, I moved to Houston, TX where I have been able to build my business and expand my connections, clientele, and impact throughout the city. Each city has served its purpose and I am grateful for the courage, tenacity, and fearlessness that allows me to continue blossoming year after year!

I say all of that to say, calculated risk-taking can literally change the trajectory of your life and your journey for the better and collapse time in terms of reaching and exceeding your goals. If anyone is debating on moving for that new job opportunity, changing career fields to follow your true passion, investing in that attractive real estate deal, or starting your own business to better align with your purpose…consider this a sign to go for it, if it truly makes sense for you and what you envision for your life and legacy!

What should our readers know about your business?
At Q. Clay, we believe in transforming good people into exceptional professionals, and we provide a number of services geared towards personal and professional advancement such as strategic planning, executive coaching, brand management, resume revisions, portfolio development, mock interviewing and motivational speaking.

With over 12 years of healthcare executive and consulting experience, I have always possessed an innate affinity for helping people through their matters whether they be personal or professional. My friends, family, and colleagues always come to me for advice on “what would you do if” or “how would you navigate this situation” so it was a natural fit for me to create a business platform to positively impact as many people as possible given my unique business acumen and personal experiences. The journey has not always been easy and I have had to navigate the losses, the “no’s”, the “what-ifs”, and the “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s”. As the saying goes, hindsight is always 20/20. But I always remember, if it’s worth it…it won’t be easy and what is truly for you will never miss you. For those very reasons, I continue to maintain an attitude of gratitude throughout the wins and the losses, the highs and the lows, and the peaks and the valleys…it all shapes my ever-evolving story.

I am most proud of the business’s continued traction, growth, and impact since its inception. Our primary goal is to inspire, motivate, and empower people across every background, ethnicity, and industry. It always puts a smile on my face when a client lands their dream job with a stellar resume or executive portfolio or a client wows a potential investor with a top-notch business plan. I am motivated by my clients’ growth, results, and testimonials, which is reassurance that I am in alignment with my purpose.

3 Major Life Lessons that I have learned along the way

1. Identify your special sauce and dip every fry in it! What I mean by your “special sauce” is determining your unique value proposition – your strengths, your experiences, your exposure, your perspectives that make you distinctively you – that is your POWER! Be confident, courageous, and bold in that notion.

2. Surround yourself with ambitious life learners who will challenge and refine you. Create a personal/professional Board of Trustees, individuals that you can rely on for advice and guidance. Appreciate the colleagues and friends that celebrate your wins and also respectfully call you out when you need to make adjustments, that means that they genuinely care.

3. Most times it’s never personal…in life, in love, in business. How people show up. How people react. What people do or don’t do most times really has nothing to do with you. Some people unknowingly project their fears & insecurities onto other people, so never take it personally.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Now that’s a great question! A week-long trip would definitely start with some amazing food and relaxation…and we cannot forget our routine gym workouts to balance out the delicious eateries and libations! Here are a few things that I would be sure to do with my bestie each day!

-Sunday: Dinner Reservation at a swanky, well-reviewed seafood restaurant or steakhouse in the River Oaks or Museum District area, maybe Ouzo Bay, Loch Bar, or Gatsby’s Steakhouse. I like my salmon and steak cooked medium with a few extra seconds on the grill!

-Monday: Wellness/Spa Day with nail appointments; shoutout to Nikki at Le Bijou Salon and Spa; followed by massages, 2-hour Thai massages to be specific!

-Tuesday: Taco Tuesday at Blanco, Cyclone Anaya, or El Tiempo Cantina!!! Corn tortillas, extra guac and chips please!

-Wednesday: Shopping at the Galleria Mall and dinner at Mezze Grill, they have the best kabobs and salads!

-Thursday: Lunch Downtown with an epic high-rise view and afternoon naps; as adults, we need our naps, especially around this time of the week LOL

-Friday – Happy Hour/Dinner at Uchicko, The Warwick, or Moxie’s – all great ambiances!

-Saturday – Lounge for some of the day and do a 5 course tasting at Eunice. Their libations and ambiance are also top-notch!

-Sunday Funday in the Third Ward – 5015, Turkey Leg Hut, Faces, The Spot, The Address – hopping from spot to spot until we have to head to Hobby or Bush for the bestie’s departure flight! SN: we cannot forget to get some BBQ at one of the food trucks in the 3rd Ward so my bestie can enjoy it on the flight back home!

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 would like to dedicate my shoutout to Henry and Carmelita Claytor (my father and mother). My momma and daddy shaped who I am and continue to shape who I am becoming. My parents are dedicated, steadfast, consistent, God-fearing, genuine, strong, wise, courageous souls who instilled core values that allow me, and my little sisters, to walk through this world with an aura of confidence and reassurance that cannot be bought. The mere thought of what they both sacrificed to ensure that my little sisters and I were prepared and positioned for success literally gives me chills! Their tutelage was and still is, simply priceless and I owe my ambition, fearlessness, loyalty, consistency, virtue, determination, and success to both of them. Thank you Momma and Daddy, love you deep!

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