Welcome to another addition to our mini-series, let’s dive in. PaSH is centered around sharing inspiring stories, breaking down stereotypes, and sharing the authentic, behind-the-scenes moments that make entrepreneurs so amazing. Let’s dive into, “Beyond the Spotlight: Kelsey Nicole Nelson on Legacy, Leadership, and Living Her ‘Why'”.
Meet Kelsey Nicole Nelson
Kelsey Nicole Nelson aka KNN is a business owner, entrepreneur, sport journalist, professor and communications specialist based out of Washington, D.C. Nelson is the Founder and President of KryptiaNN, a boutique award-winning media and communications consulting firm and of Listen In With KNN an award-winning podcast network, that hosts two internship programs for college students. Outside of business, Kelsey also works as the founder of the community action project, Books Breaking Borders: Books to end Educational Bankruptcy.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be and why?
One theme song to describe my multimedia communications and consulting company KryptiaNN would be “Never Give Up” by Yolanda Adams. The line in the song that resonates with me the most is “To fulfill your divine purpose, You’ve gotta answer when you’re called. So don’t be afraid to face the world, Against all odds.” My business is three years in and is a testament to staying the course, never giving up and remaining fearless of what lies ahead knowing I can conquer each obstacle with grace and stability. Many people spend a lifetime trying to find their purpose, and through my business, I have found my own purpose — to assist others through the ends and means of communications.
I have worked with individuals to build their self-confidence and remind them of their self-worth through my personalized one-on-one consulting and group sessions. I have seen clients excel in my public speaking seminars and go on to complete their first professional and paid speaking engagements. If I had given up and not followed God’s plan, I would not have been able to meet any of these individuals. I believe we were all brought together for a reason. The divine timing combined with new clients combined with trust and belief in what KryptiaNN offers has allowed me to help impact lives and businesses. My business is in the people business and my clients remind me everyday of my “why” which is why I won’t give up.
What’s one stereotype about entrepreneurs that you’d love to break?
There are so many stereotypes that exist but the one about entrepreneurs I would love to break is that everyone that enters the industry becomes successful. Success looks and feels different for everyone. And a common denominator of success is that the timeline looks different for everyone. People think entrepreneurship is just what folks see on social media. People see some of the glitz and glam that comes along with being a successful entrepreneur but not the endless behind-the-scenes work that happens before the success comes and what’s needed to keep the success going. Too many think success can just come easy without wanting to put the work in to build the business behind it.
What’s your go-to mantra or quote when the going gets tough?
My life mantra is to “Use your platform for a purpose fueled by your passions.” This is inspired by my parents who inspired me everyday, working hard to provide. My life quote is “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” I remind myself of this everyday. I’ve been blessed to have a platform as a sports broadcast journalist, professor and communications specialist which has lent me various skills in different industries meaning there’s always work. I am also grateful to have a network of loyal and faithful supporters who have cheered for me at every step and stage of the journey which is a reminder that too many folks believe in me to ever give up.
How do you keep your creativity flowing when motivation is low?
For me it’s hard to shut my brain off. My mind is always constantly gravitating to the what’s next? Since I was a child, my biggest fear is what happens to a raisin in the sun or if my dream is deferred. As someone who always loved poetry I never wanted to know the answer to that question as I read Langston Hughes. I’ve always been goal-oriented and my mind is always constantly moving as I do believe I am my ancestors dream and I carry the weight of my family. To keep motivated, I keep moving, never complacent but always looking to grow. You’ll often find me in and around the city or traveling, speaking at conferences or leading workshops, involved in industry networking events and very keeping engaged in various communications and media groups. Being around people lends to new ideas, thoughts and creativity.
What’s one misconception people have about your industry that drives you crazy?
The entrepreneurship journey is not for the weary. Entrepreneurship requires time, love and care for yourself and your business throughout the journey of starting, maintaining, expanding and planning for the what’s next for your business. I think often people think entrepreneurship is an easy route when they are first getting into it, but many don’t realize the grit and grind needed. Working in the fast-paced communications and media industry means you’re always moving and that work never truly slows.
In a world full of trends, how do you keep your business authentic and true to your vision?
It’s always been the same for me. I’m true to it, not new to it. My business philosophy is the same way I go through living my life. My entire KNN brand involves integrity, authenticity, innovation, hard work and joy. This is what every client can expect when working with me as my company is just a larger extension of me. I show up the same way in the environment and that is as me. That’s enabled my business to build trusted relationships where KryptiaNN is able to set trends and not have to follow them. At KryptiaNN we keep clients ahead.
Can you share the story behind starting your business and what inspired you to take the Leap?
The inspiration to start my business was the community behind me. I have always been encouraged to build my own. From a young age, people I have always dreamed of building a business empire that encompassed all the efforts I put behind my passions. The COVID-19 pandemic is when the courage to officially secure the LLC began because it was a reminder you never know what the future holds but you can control your current reality. I refused to sit idle as people continued to reach out asking if I could assist them with various communications and media projects.
How do you stay motivated and innovative in your business?
Navigating the day-to-day needs and operations of a business can be hectic and time consuming. But what keeps me motivated is remembering my “why.” I am driven by legacy. As a multifaceted woman, entrepreneurship has provided me with the freedom I’ve always wanted. I am motivated today because I have what I always wanted, which is access to opportunity. And today I am living with the chance to grow my access to opportunity.
The motivation and inspiration is consistent. Living in the nation’s capital you are surrounded by successful individuals, so the inspiration is daily and everywhere. There are many successful entrepreneurs here everywhere you look and Washigton, D.C is a place where entrepreneurs are uplifted. I see them consistently at networking events throughout the city, and we are always swapping stories and sharing resources.
My interns also keep me motivated, as they see in me what’s possible when talent meets faith, combined with an undeniable grind. My intern class has a relentless work ethic which is a reminder of the people who count on me daily and my motivation is to never let them down, they have my word.
Can you discuss any partnerships or collaborations that have particularly impacted your business?
My companies have had the wonderful opportunity to partner with corporations, nonprofits and associations as well as individuals. But I think the heart work we have had a chance to collaborate with is the most meaningful, especially for my company KryptiaNN.
One of the partnerships I am most proud of is KryptiaNN’s collaboration with the Center for Black Educator Development for the annual #WeNeedBlackTeachers campaign for the second year in a row.
Through this campaign, I was able to have my company lead influencer marketing outreach which brought notable names to the campaign like Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Darius Harris who has been featured on Real Housewives of Potomac, former NFL player and Washington Commanders broadcast talent Sanatana Moss and many more. This campaign has helped me to showcase the positive ways we’re able to provide additional support for nonprofit campaigns to help shed light on their mission, message and goals. In particular with this campaign we were able to highlight the fact that research shows that Black students who’ve had a Black teacher in elementary school are more likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college. This public awareness campaign helped to draw in new audiences to this important message.
Another nonprofit we had the chance to work with this year was Tickets for Kids to support the 3rd Annual DMV Partnership Celebration helping to secure a one-on-one conversation with Super Bowl champion Kyle Arrington. Again this was a wonderful opportunity to bring an athlete/influencer deeper into cause work.
Throughout the year, we will continue to partner with nonprofits to support and expand their storytelling efforts and to help build capacity aiding in the development of storyboards, communications campaigns and editorial calendars.
What is one lesson you’ve learned through your entrepreneurial journey that you think everyone should know?
Sometimes when you’re in the grind you forget to enjoy the process of the journey. As a business owner I have learned to give myself grace and space. I have learned through the ups and downs of business life as an entrepreneur, they are all new unique experiences that connect you to new situations or people for a purpose. With business you never fully know what to expect, but I have learned that it’s okay to give yourself a learning curve. No one knows it all in the beginning and throughout the process you will continually learn about yourself and the business.
I’m forever grateful for every lesson I have learned as an entrepreneur because it’s given me the ability to understand every step of this journey is what God has laid out for me. The beauty of following God’s plan is seeing what he has in store for you. One lesson I’ve learned is that support for your business lives everywhere. Oftentimes, when you are in the midst of handing business, it can feel isolated and lonely. But this year something really special happened that reminded me, I am not alone in this journey. I earned my first official business owner recognition, which is and has been special. Getting recognized as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year, in the most powerful city in the world, by the DC Chamber of Commerce is something I will never take for granted. It means a lot for a powerful business entity to see and support me. I hope to use the award to inspire others that there is always someone out there watching and supporting.
Thank you for reading this addition to our mini-series. To read more amazing Q & A’s click here or check back next month.
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