Today we’d like to introduce you to Kellie Shirley.
Kellie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I graduated from Georgia College in 2015 with a Bachelors in Public Relations/Advertising. I immediately went into a corporate job and realized just shy of a year that I absolutely hated it and that it was not in any way what I wanted to be doing with my life; therefore, I trusted my gut and left to pursue other things. I was not really sure what I wanted to do exactly, which made me question whether or not I had made the right decision of leaving my company. I had interests in SO many things (real estate, event planning, fitness, marketing, etc.) that I was so overwhelmed! But I knew deep down that I hated the desk life and being micromanaged by bosses (not to mention that I was tolerating those things for a career that I wasn’t even very passionate about) that no matter what route I chose, I knew I would be much happier having branched out on my own. And I was right.
I have always had a passion for health and wellness in some capacity. During college and even after graduation, my friends would always text me with questions about foods to eat/meals to prep/how to cook something, etc. Over time, they slowly encouraged me to make an Instagram, so I could engage with people and share what I knew on a larger scale. At first, it was very casual, with no business concept in mind, but simply an outlet where I could share information with many friends at once and also have some fun. The original name was actually ‘ohhkaleyeah.’ Little did I know, that it was going to receive WAY more interest than I ever expected, which forced me to take what was a “casual” account to the next level and actually become a company. This incentivized me even more to develop a larger social media presence, while also posting recipes, blogs, and even work with clients one-on-one. With the idea to build a company, I wanted a fresh start and a new name, so my little brother actually came up with what is now known as Health & Kellness. It is a perfect combination of what I want my company to represent with a little dash of my personality on the side.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely NO way has it been smooth sailing. The reality is that almost any big decision in life comes with having to prepare for failure or poor decisions along the way, and I, in fact, have had many of each. To be honest, there have not been any real major struggles per se, but I think the most challenging thing has simply been getting my message out there and convincing people of the importance of what I have to offer. I focus on a lifestyle change – it is not a diet, regimented list or calorie count. As a culture, we are so submerged in a “diet” mindset that it is challenging to convince people that health is truly more than how many times you workout per week or how many total calories are on your plate. It is the quality of the food that matters. Although it has been a challenge to get that message across or gain clients from it on my own, it only motivates me more to continue to network and lead by example through my personal lifestyle and community events.
For any women out there wanting to branch out and do your own thing, do not give up! There will be bumps in the road, there will be tears and frustration but there will also be so much joy and satisfaction, that in the end… that is what makes it all worth it. A few pieces of advice:
1) Be patient. Through all of the initial work needed to simply build a brand to all of the marketing efforts to gaining clientele and actually making money, it takes time! I am a very results-oriented person and I have wanted both of my businesses to thrive and pay me in full from day #1, but that simply is not realistic. Your hard work will pay off – just stay true to your brand and take it one step at a time.
2) Let your passion shine through. Use every day to showcase not just what you are doing, but why you are doing it. The clients will come, the opportunities will come, the money will come as long as there is passion standing behind you and your business.
3) Do not take on more than you can handle. I am someone who wants to be involved in anything and everything, but at the end of the day, you have to find what you are best at and stay in your lane. It is better to be amazing at one thing, then average at fifty.
4) Do not forget to prioritize a work-life balance. It is easy to get caught up working 24/7 when you are your own boss and your income relies solely on you and your own motivation. But when Friday night at 5 PM comes around, shut off the computer, and go grab a margarita with your friends. At the end of the day, your work will always be there for you, but your friends may not. Besides, if you are your own boss, you do not have anyone yelling at you for deadlines or when it is acceptable to leave work anyways — therefore, shut off at 2 PM and go get a mani/pedi for some self-love.
5) Learn from others. I will be the first to say that I struggle with this, but never underestimate what someone else can teach you. Go to networking events, set up coffee dates, read articles, listen to podcasts and ask questions. After all, everyone you will ever meet knows something that you do not.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
To say it simply, I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach influencing a healthier lifestyle, one day at a time. I believe that this process is truly a marathon, not a sprint, and every single day and every little change makes a huge difference! On a smaller scale, I work one-on-one with clients either through personal health coaching sessions or even through other services such as grocery shopping tours, pantry cleanouts or cooking classes. On a larger scale, I am the co-creator of ATLFitspo, Atlanta’s monthly fitness + wellness expo. The goal of this event is to bring both topics under one roof because I believe that you cannot truly achieve total wellness without both elements. Attendees are not only able to participate in a workout, but they are also able to listen to a health seminar and engage with some of the city’s most popular fitness and wellness vendors. It can be so overwhelming in today’s society to break down all of the information regarding our health, that my #1 goal is to simply educate others about the benefit and importance of adapting to a healthier lifestyle and to make the transition as relatable, enjoyable and educational as possible.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I believe that two of the biggest barriers to female leadership narrow down to two things: lack of confidence or the fear of being under-qualified. Whether it is starting a personal business or taking on a larger leadership role, it can be challenging for women not to compare to what others are doing or feel as though they are ‘good enough’ to accomplish something great. As much as I have let myself get caught up in the same thoughts at times, women need to feel confident with what they have to offer and that they CAN, in fact, accomplish great things. I think it is important for women to also recognize the importance of taking a risk. Sometimes, life is not perfectly laid out and that taking risks can actually lead to some of the greatest opportunities. I believe that some ways to overcome these barriers are simply to remain involved in the community, to network with those around you, and to not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Being around other like-minded women only helps to build confidence in yourself, but also with what you are wanting to achieve in life, both on a personal and professional level.
Contact Info:
- Website: healthandkellness.com
- Email: kellie@healthandkellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthandkellness_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthandkellnesss/?ref=bookmarks
- Other: https://www.healthandkellness.com/\
Image Credit:
Taken all by myself except for two professional ones, taken by Tori Gleeson
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