Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Keyona

We recently had the chance to connect with Keyona and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Keyona , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is definitely busy but purposeful. I’m a mom first, so my mornings start with making sure my kids are ready for school and our home is flowing. After that, I shift into business mode whether that’s working on Twisted Tingz Lemonade, planning events like my Boss Up Wealth Summit & Mixer, or mentoring others on credit and financial growth. My days are a mix of creative work, handling logistics, and connecting with people, because everything I do is about building community and creating opportunities. By the evening, I’m balancing family time with late-night brainstorming sessions I call it my CEO hour. No two days are the same, but every day I’m working towards growth for myself, my family, and the people around me.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Keyona, and I’m the founder of Twisted Tingz a brand that started with my signature lemonades and has grown into a movement of flavor, empowerment, and community. Twisted Tingz is unique because it’s not just about a drink it’s an experience. Every twist on the menu has a story and a vibe, designed to bring people together and leave an impression.

Beyond the lemonade, I also focus on financial empowerment and mentorship. I run challenges and programs that help people take control of their financial future, while also creating mentorship opportunities for youth so they can learn early about business, money, and leadership. I believe in building a foundation for the next generation while helping adults rewrite their financial story today.

That passion is what inspired me to create the Boss Up Wealth Summit & Mixer a space for entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals to connect, learn, and celebrate. What makes my story unique is that I built my brand while facing challenges most people would’ve let stop them. Instead, I turned those obstacles into fuel. Today, I’m focused on scaling Twisted Tingz, expanding Boss Up events, and continuing to pour into my community through mentorship and empowerment.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think what breaks the bonds between people is usually a mix of pride, lack of communication, and unhealed hurt. When people stop listening to each other, stop being honest, or let ego take over, it creates distance. Life struggles can also pull people apart when they don’t feel supported or understood.

What restores those bonds, though, is humility, compassion, and a willingness to rebuild. Sometimes it takes forgiveness, other times it’s simply consistency showing up for people even in small ways. For me, community is about creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and connected. That’s part of why I build my businesses and events the way I do: so people can come together, find common ground, and remember that we’re stronger when we support each other.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized it was the very thing that made me relatable and strong. For a long time, I thought I had to pretend I was okay, but all that did was keep me stuck. Once I started being honest about what I had been through the struggles, the setbacks, the disappointments I noticed it gave other people permission to be real too.

That’s when I turned my pain into power. I used it to fuel my creativity with Twisted Tingz, to inspire others through my financial empowerment programs, and to pour into mentorship for the next generation. Instead of letting pain silence me, I let it shape me into someone who can stand in front of others and say, ‘If I can get through it, you can to

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
“My closest friends would say what really matters to me is family, faith, and purpose. They know I’m always thinking about how to create better opportunities not just for myself, but for my children, my community, and the people connected to me. They’d probably also say I care about growth I don’t like staying stuck in the same place, I’m always pushing for the next level. More than anything, they’d say I value loyalty and real support. I give my all to the people and projects I believe in, and I expect that same energy back.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing? 
What I would regret most is not using all of my gifts. I’ve been through too much to play small, so if I didn’t take the risks, launch the ideas, or pour into the people I was meant to impact, that would be my biggest regret. I don’t want to leave this world with dreams still inside me. I’d regret not showing my kids and my community what’s possible when you turn pain into purpose and vision into reality. My goal is to live so fully that by the time I leave, there’s nothing left in me unused.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Twistedtingz_