We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lakeea Kelly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lakeea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

It is my hope that my legacy will be one that is identified as a godly leader that always presented herself with authenticity, good character, and integrity. I have always said that I want to be known for being true to my convictions and beliefs no matter who understood them or not. I am an author, and it is always said that your books will out live you. With that being said, I want a legacy of books and manuscripts that will impart godly wisdom and empower generations after me to be everything that God has called them to be. I am a dreamer; however, I believe dreams do come true. My legacy will also be a community of properties for my children and children’s children, and a TransHERmation Academy that will transform women from all over the world from the inside – out. Leaders will be birthed from my Academy that will not only be skillful, but they will be known for their good character. I have a saying that states “skill unlocks the door, but character opens the door.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

My name is Lakeea Kelly, and I am an author, Certified Life Coach and mentor. Writing is something that I have always enjoyed doing since I was a little girl. As a little girl, I attempted to write a novel as I had a desire to write a book. Growing up writing was my way of expressing myself and dealing with emotions. I wrote poems and rap songs too. During my high school years, I was enrolled in a creative writing class and aspired to become a journalist. As I became an adult, my love for writing was buried, until one day God awakened the gift that was inside of me. I started to receive words of me writing a book. It was one day at work that the Holy Spirit inspired me to write my first book – “TransHERmation: How God can Take Everything You’ve Been Through and Transform You for His Glory.” As women began to read my book, that would ask me about a workbook. They read about TransHERmation, but now they wanted to learn “how” to transform. I listened to my readers, and then wrote a workbook – “TransHERmation: How God can Take Everything You’ve Been Through and Transform You for His Glory Next Level.” It was my workbook that birthed out the TransHERmation Academy. The TransHERmation Academy assists women that are struggling with rejection, fear, a lack of identity, low self-esteem, and past hurts transform from the inside – out so that she can stand out as a courageous, authentic – godly leader in her chosen career, profession or business. The Academy assists women with applying biblical principles to their lives that will cause them to stand out and get recognized in their professional life and business. I have a passion to see women show up as their best selves from a place of confidence and boldness. I love to see women healed, delivered and walking out their purpose. In addition to the Academy, I coach and mentor women one-on-one from all over the world that are struggling with moving forward in their purpose. I consider myself a unique coach because I use practical biblical principles to assist my clients. Not only that, I step into the role of a mentor by sharing some of my life experiences where applicable. I am like a trusted friend to my client’s that prays with and for them. My clients have the opportunity to solve their problems alongside of me and not alone. My approach with my client’s has created long lasting professional relationships. I am most proud of the testimonials that I have received from past clients regarding the impact that I have had on their lives. One of my client’s Tisha Rios stated “ I have had the privilege of working with Lakeea for about 3-4 months now & my goodness has it been absolutely life changing. I had worked with 3 therapist prior to discovering her and even after those 3 individuals, I was still feeling stuck, like I was at a standstill in my life. I needed help getting over that hump, I needed help pushing forward and rediscovering/creating myself and all that I was and am and that I could become. Lakeea has been heaven sent, like prayers answered. I initially went in with a leap of faith as I knew I had just made an investment in myself and I needed to see it all the way through & I DID! After the first session, I knew I liked her because I wanted more. I didn’t want the session to be over. I had so much to say lol. Lakeea has done things for me and my life that I don’t even think she is fully aware of lol. When I speak to others about therapy/life coaching/mentors, I never hesitate to mention her and all that she has helped me through.” It is my clients, and the change that I get to witness that encourages me to keep going and using my gifts for God’s Glory!

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I make it a priority to keep in touch with my clients periodically. I will send my clients an email to check on them, and to see how things are going. I believe in being genuine with my clients by showing them I care outside of a sale. Building lasting clients is all about getting to know them genuinely and through connection. A simple “hi, how are things going, what is new in your life, goes a long way.”

I foster brand loyalty by being true to what I stand for, which is transformation, authenticity, inspiration, biblical principles, godly character, professionalism, boldness, personal development and growth. Brand loyalty is not only about my colors, photos, social media status or attire, but my brand is who I am. I believe in “being” the very essence of your brand. In my opinion, it is hypocritical to present a brand that you – “yourself” does not represent.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn when building a business is to start where I am versus where I am going. As I stated earlier, I am a dreamer, which means I’m also a visionary. In the beginning, I was very zealous and was implementing things in my business that was not the right time to do so. I wasn’t doing the wrong things; however, it was the wrong timing. I was still in the foundational stages. I spent unnecessary money on coaching systems when I didn’t have the clientele. I was still establishing my brand (who I am to my clients). It is very important to be clear on who you are and what you do when building a brand that attracts clients. I went all the way in without understanding the foundational aspects to build a successful business. I am still implementing foundational aspects and in great anticipation of a solid business. I have learned to start where I am while building towards where I am going.

It’s also vital to do the inner work; the personal and character development while building a business. Without the inner work, you will crumble when challenges come because they will. The inner work is the most important, but often the most overlooked. Another favorite saying of mine is that “ you don’t have to be perfect, but it’s important to be emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy.”

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Transhermation
• Other: Book@lakeeakelly.com

Image Credits
Daja Excel-Johnson