Inspiring Conversations with Blossom Martindale of Kegazel Coaching & Consulting Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blossom Martindale.

Hi Blossom, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In a male-dominated corner of the insurance and financial services industry, I found myself burnt out, my body and spirit demanding the rest I’d long denied them. For years, I poured everything into driving success for my teams, chasing excellence at every turn. I loved the work deeply, but when the opportunity arose to become a true catalyst, helping small business owners take ownership of their futures, uplift their communities, and forge their own paths to success, without boundaries, I couldn’t turn away. When I made the decision, my friend and life coach, Sheri Riley said some powerful words to me – You have been preparing to leave for the last two years, so I am not surprised….I just didn’t realize it.

I was a performer and loved the world of dance, but when my mom said, that would not make you money, I followed my passion for fashion and worked in the fashion industry until I landed in the financial world of insurance. I worked in insurance claims before becoming an insurance agent. Owning a business is a journey of discovery—equal parts demanding, rewarding, and transformative. After years in the industry, I decided to leave the corporate world behind. With the encouragement of my mentor, Dr. Angie Parks, I earned my Green Belt certification—a milestone that deepened my appreciation for process improvement and operational excellence. Her belief in me and her passion for systems thinking sparked a new chapter in my journey.

Having spent years in coaching and development, I understood something vital: a talented team isn’t just an asset, it’s the heartbeat of every thriving business. Yet many owners struggled with sourcing, hiring, and training, losing precious time that could have been spent on vision and growth. That realization inspired me to gather a small but mighty team made up of friends, family, and mentees. Together, we began helping businesses build people-centered systems for sustainable success.

Though fully virtual, my team feels anything but distant. We meet weekly, retreat annually—sometimes even virtually—and most of my team members have been with me since 2019. I treasure them deeply. Their dedication, trust, and shared commitment to continuous improvement make all the difference. We live by the principle that duplication is waste—and efficiency, when done right, is empowerment.

In 2023, I began mentoring a young business owner, Shreya Roy, whose grit and determination reignited my own passion for this work. What began as fractional support evolved into a partnership grounded in shared purpose. Together, we’ve built systems and processes that fuel growth and innovation. More importantly, we’ve embraced a mission that extends beyond our own success: to inspire a new generation to explore the dynamic world of insurance and financial services. Because when one of us rises, we all do.

I find deep joy in the vibrant mix of work I’m involved in. I serve on the advisory board of a nonprofit dedicated to empowering teen girls to uncover their purpose and passion. I also speak globally with an organization committed to transforming the world—one leader at a time. Whenever possible, I mentor women and young people across the country and around the globe, helping them see what’s possible when they lead with intention and heart.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building the business has taught me that every new opportunity arrives with a fresh set of stumbling blocks, and the hardest ones nearly always come down to people. Like many growing firms, the biggest struggle has been the team—finding the right fit, keeping everyone aligned, and helping new hires understand the pace and pressure of the work. There are days when it feels like two steps forward and one step back, but we make a point of steadying each other, reminding ourselves that no rough patch lasts forever and that each challenge is something to be worked through, not run from.

That mindset was shaped in part by a book I read called Peaks and Valleys, which describes how every low point can become a little shallower and every high point a little higher if you actually learn from what happens in between. I carry that idea into the messier parts of the work: candidates who suddenly disappear without explanation, long stretches of silence after promising interviews, and the ongoing juggle of managing expectations for myself, teams, applicants, and clients. Helping business owners believe in their next steps, even when fatigue sets in—reminding them that mastering both themselves and their processes is what sustains sanity in the ever-evolving journey of business ownership. Those moments can be draining, but they also force us to become clearer communicators, more patient mentors, and more resilient leaders—proof that the valleys really can reshape the peaks.

At the end of the day, the brand is about building a solid foundation of excellence, with no excuses.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kegazel Coaching & Consulting Group?
We are a full-service coaching, recruiting, and consulting group, servicing several states in the US. At our core, we’re dedicated to empowering business owners, executives, and independent professionals with the tools and support they need to thrive. Our range of services is designed to meet people where they are—bridging the gap between vision and execution. Many businesses lack access to deep operational resources, so we step in as that bridge, helping owners find answers, streamline their systems, and move forward with confidence.

Our virtual team is made up entirely of independent contractors who bring flexibility, passion, and expertise to every project. Each week, we come together to celebrate our clients’ wins, examine their challenges, and refine our processes for even greater efficiency. Though spread across different locations, our shared purpose keeps us deeply connected.

Our organization operates through two dynamic departments: recruitment and coaching. Our coaching team—seasoned professionals with 6 to over 30 years in the insurance industry—hold professional licenses and bring unparalleled insight to team and leadership development. One of our experienced coaches even provides personalized tutoring for those pursuing their insurance licenses, ensuring that growth never stops.

On the recruitment side, our team members hold advanced degrees and professional licenses, supported by an HR expert who steps in when clients require specialized assistance. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do; we frequently partner with other recruiters to deliver top talent and lasting solutions for the businesses we serve.

Any big plans?
The future collaboration plan is with the Kegazel Coaching & Consulting Group and B.O.D. Services Inc. – myself and Shreya Roy will come together on a platform called CIERO (www.theciero.com). Through CIERO, candidates seeking part-time, full-time, or flexible work can discover insurance as a meaningful way to serve communities while earning a solid income. The platform attracts individuals who may not have realized that insurance offers purpose-driven, community-focused career paths. They will have a haven where they can get recommendations for licensing courses, training, coaching, and development. There will also be some AI integrated and a few other secret surprises weaved in to make scheduling easier and more affordable for business owners.

Our clients will gain access to a pool of talent with newly developed, insurance-specific skills who can support their operations virtually or remotely, more profitably. Another core feature of CIERO is its training and development, which prepares candidates to be job-ready from day one.

Because insurance has distinct regulatory and operational requirements, CIERO equips candidates with targeted training, ongoing support, coaching, and professional development, and provides guidance to business owners and partners. In addition, other recruiting partners can collaborate with CIERO by referring candidates who need training, coaching, and help securing opportunities.

At its core, CIERO’s brand stands for more than just placing qualified talent: it stays engaged throughout the journey, supporting both candidates and businesses before, during, and after the hiring process. It’s a place where you can manage everything needed for your talent pool or we will manage it for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.businessleadermarketplace.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-blossom-martindale-chfc-clu-mba-4ab61629/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/68157022/admin/page-posts/published/

Image Credits
First team image: Kerol, Semieon, MJ, Samantha
Headshots: Shreya Roy, myself
Team photo: Karrah, MJ, Samantha, Sam, Nicole, Semieon