An Inspired Chat with Kenya Elliott Tanner of Danville, VA

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kenya Elliott Tanner. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Kenya, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to fully walk in the vision I once was hesitant to embrace, building my spa into something bigger than I ever imagined. Back in 2021, I took the leap of faith to quit my job and go all in as a full-time spa owner. Since then, I’ve invested in high-quality technology, elevated my services, and created a space where clients can experience transformation on every level.

What I used to fear, which was trusting myself, betting on my own dreams, and leading boldly, is now the very thing I feel called to lean into even more. The next chapter isn’t about playing small, it’s about expanding, scaling, and showing others that it’s possible to create the life and business you desire when you refuse to settle.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kenya Elliott Tanner, and I’m the proud owner of Bodied by K, a spa I launched in 2019, while working as a Nurse. I began my full-time voyage in 2021, leaving my job of 9 years to follow my passion. What makes my brand unique is our use of high-quality, cutting-edge technology combined with customized care to give clients transformative results. At Bodied by K, we’re more than just treatments—we’re about confidence, self-care, and creating a welcoming space for everyone.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was in 2018 when I lost my mom, just two months after helping four children grieve the loss of their dad. At the same time, I was still in school. That year was absolutely devastating, but it also revealed a strength in me that I didn’t know I had. I managed to finish school summa cum laude, help lead a grant-funded project from the ground up, and launch my business.

That season of loss and perseverance taught me that life is fragile, but also that we are capable of overcoming more than we think. It shifted my perspective, now I live with a deeper sense of purpose, gratitude, and determination to build something meaningful, not just for myself but for others.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Some of my most defining wounds came from loss and the pressure to keep going when I felt like falling apart. In 2018 I lost my mom, and shortly before that I’d helped four children grieve their dad while I was still in school. That season taught me how fragile life is and how resilient I am. Healing didn’t happen overnight. I leaned on therapy, faith, and my husband and children as well gained strength by knowing they needed me. I made self-care nonnegotiable, channeled my grief into purpose and learned to set boundaries so I could preserve my energy. Over time, those wounds reshaped into my greatest strengths: empathy, focus, and a fierce commitment to create a safe, transformative space for others.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Most definitely!! I’m authentically, Kenya!
I show up in my spa as my best, most professional self. I want clients to feel confident and cared for. What people don’t always see are the hard lessons and quiet work behind it. That’s by design, and it keeps me grounded.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is for sure my faith, my resilience, and the love I carry for others. Titles and material things don’t define me, what lasts is my character, my perseverance and the way I make people feel when they’re in my presence. What would remain is my faith, my purpose, and the legacy I’m building of strength, compassion, and transformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bodiedbykllc.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/bodiedbyk_llc