Today we’d like to introduce you to Versandra Kennebrew.
Hi Versandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a Detroit girl, born and raised, and that’s where my entrepreneurial journey began. In 2000, I launched my holistic wellness business with a mission to bring healing to my community. For 13 years, I had the honor of serving individuals and corporations as a massage therapist, leading a team of dedicated healing artists who touched thousands of lives. Together, we operated multiple wellness centers and delivered corporate wellness programs and workshops to organizations like Ford Motor Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the City of Detroit. We weren’t just relieving stress, we were introducing a new way of living, rooted in holistic well-being.
But entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. My path to becoming a luxury spa owner took an unexpected detour—to a Detroit homeless shelter. Yes, a small business owner living in a shelter. That chapter of my life taught me that purpose-driven entrepreneurs don’t just chase profits, they solve problems and serve communities. I was navigating anxiety and depression, compounded by the weight of being my mother’s eldest child, a parent figure to my brothers, and caregiver to my father. I needed rest. I needed healing.
Emerging from that shelter, I was met with encouragement from my clients—one even told me that if I didn’t write about my experience, I’d be doing a disservice to humanity. That moment birthed my first book, *Thank God for the Shelter: Memoirs of a Homeless Healer*. Writing it was deeply therapeutic, and it has since inspired women in shelters across the country to hold onto their dreams and reclaim their power.
Relocating to Atlanta marked a new beginning. I transitioned from practitioner to wellness coach, and under the mentorship of Les Brown, “The Motivator,” I joined Toastmasters to refine my public speaking. That decision changed everything. It strengthened my voice, deepened my message, and led me into servant leadership. I co-hosted a late-night radio show on WRFG 89.3 FM for three years with broadcasting legend Akhenaten SLM-Bey, sharing stories and insights that reached homes and hearts across Atlanta and beyond.
With a business in College Park, Georgia—just minutes from the world’s busiest airport—I envisioned welcoming clients from around the globe. But The Creator had a master plan. When the pandemic hit, I, like many entrepreneurs, had to pivot. My experience as a Toastmasters district leader became invaluable as virtual meetings replaced in-person gatherings. I began offering online wellness coaching and workshops, and expanded into outdoor lifestyle experiences in Georgia’s state parks and the serene Pine Mountain Club Chalets Resort.
That’s when Optimal Living Retreats LP was born, built on the values of education, innovation, and collaboration. Partnering with other wellness entrepreneurs, we introduced yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and journaling during a time when the world was craving connection and healing.
Witnessing the isolation among elders and those without family support made it clear: my voice was needed. I began curating experiences and telling stories that reconnected people—reminding them that human connection is not just emotional, it’s medicinal. At a Chamber of Commerce meeting, a cable network executive heard me speak and offered me a TV show. “Optimal Living Starts Here” was created to support veterans and their families in living healthier, happier lives. Today, that show is evolving into a podcast, continuing the mission to help families reconnect and heal.
We’re facing a loneliness epidemic, and I believe the remedy lies in holistic connection—mind, body, and spirit. My journey has taught me that healing begins when we dare to share our truth, and that entrepreneurship, at its core, is a sacred calling to serve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced my share of funding hurdles—but wellness tourism presents a unique challenge. Despite its growing popularity globally, banks and traditional lenders often struggle to understand the value and scalability of a business model rooted in healing, nature, and human connection. My vision for immersive wellness retreats—combining touch therapy, yoga, meditation, and outdoor experiences—didn’t fit neatly into conventional funding boxes. That meant I had to be creative, resourceful, and deeply committed to my mission.
Another challenge has been cultural receptivity. While holistic practices like yoga, meditation, and massage therapy are mainstream in many parts of the world, they’re still gaining traction in certain regions of the southern U.S. Educating local communities about the benefits of these modalities requires time, patience, and trust-building. And when you’re trying to reach tourists visiting the Atlanta metro area, one of the busiest travel hubs in the world—you’re competing with massive marketing budgets and flashy campaigns.
With a more modest marketing budget, I’ve leaned into storytelling and education. Writing articles, speaking at events, and participating in interviews like this one allow me to bridge the gap—connecting with both local residents and a global audience who are seeking authentic, transformative experiences. These platforms help me amplify my message and build relationships that go far beyond transactions. They’re part of a larger movement to normalize holistic healing and make it accessible to all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Today, I serve as a human connection speaker—a role that allows me to travel across the country inspiring audiences at conferences, women’s empowerment events, and curated couples’ experiences at retreats and bridal shows. My work centers on helping people rediscover intimacy, emotional alignment, and the healing power of touch.
I’m best known for the engaging, relatable, and transformative relationship wellness experiences I design, many of which are inspired by my latest book, *Touch Me With Love: Intimate Alignment Through Touch and Yoga”. This work blends ancient healing practices with modern relationship dynamics, offering couples and individuals practical tools to deepen their connection and reignite their joy.
What sets me apart from other speakers and facilitators is my ability to move audiences beyond inspiration into activation. I don’t just talk—I guide participants through immersive activities that break down barriers to connection and offer tangible resources they can use long after the session ends. Whether it’s a breathwork exercise, a partner yoga flow, or a journaling prompt that unlocks emotional clarity, my sessions are designed to be felt, remembered, and lived.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is my collaboration with Georgia Vet Fest, where I’ve helped organize humanitarian awards events that honor the selfless service of Georgia veterans. I call them our local superheroes—men and women whose quiet acts of courage and community support often go unnoticed. These events have been deeply meaningful, not just for the honorees, but for the families and communities they uplift.
A particularly proud moment was receiving recognition through Senate Resolution 529, introduced by Georgia Senator Ed Harbison, which commended my work as a community leader and healing artist. That acknowledgment affirmed that the work I do—whether on stage, in a shelter, or at a retreat—is making a real difference.
At the heart of it all, I’m a storyteller, a healer, and a connector. My mission is to help people feel seen, heard, and loved—and to remind them that connection is not just a luxury, it’s a lifeline.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
VoyageATL is a beautiful platform that shines a light on hidden gems, local businesses, and creatives who are making a difference—and I’m honored to be part of that narrative. This moment feels like the perfect opportunity to speak to something I hold dear: the balance between making a profit and making a meaningful impact in the world.
I believe cash is not the only currency. Embodied relationships, those rooted in presence, empathy, and shared humanity—don’t cost a penny, yet they open doors to priceless opportunities in both business and life. These connections are the heartbeat of my work.
Soon, I’ll be embarking on a life-changing journey to Africa, where I’ll serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in a rural village for more than two years. My focus will be on supporting women and children with health and wellness needs—helping families reduce child mortality and empowering women to prevent deadly diseases like malaria and AIDS. It’s a calling that blends my servant leadership with my wellness expertise, and I know the relationships I build there will be transformative.
What’s remarkable is that while I’m serving abroad, my business will continue to thrive virtually in the U.S. Thanks to the power of the internet, I’ll still be able to provide virtual speaking engagements, participate in online retreats, and connect with members of my Optimal Living Retreats online community across the globe. Like a digital nomad, I’ll be living out my mission while expanding my reach—and possibly planting seeds for Optimal Living Retreats LP to grow on the continent of Africa.
Doing business outside the box—guided by purpose, not just profit—is deeply rewarding and soul-fulfilling. I hope my journey inspires others to embrace unconventional paths, trust their calling, and remember that healing and connection are universal languages.
Pricing:
- Touch Me With Love Couples Massage & Yoga Retreats starting at $99
- Personal Development Books starting at $18
- Optimal Living Lounge Memberhip $399
- Relationship Wellness Group Experiences starting at $25
- Certification in Non-verbal Communication for Marriage Councelors $1299
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.optimallivingretreats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimallivingretreats
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/optimallivingretreats
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/optimallivingretreats
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@optimallivingstartshere
- Other: https://www.brainzmagazine.com/executive-contributor/versandra-j-kennebrew
Image Credits
DSouyle
