Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kimberly Nesmith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kimberly, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I never envisioned myself as a business owner. As a generational educator, I fought the urge to be an educator for many years. However, after completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and becoming a teacher, I didn’t have many aspirations of changing careers, much less owning my own business. However, after a drastic life change, I was determined to step out on faith and teach others, like me to bring their passions to their purpose.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Kimberly M. Nesmith and I’m on a mission to normalize representation of children of color in children’s books to support families with print rich, healthy, environments where children and adults thrive. It is my goal to provide daily motivation and encouragement for lifelong success and to empower authors to share their stories with the world!
As veteran educator, my favorite job has always been coaching. Coaching sports, yes, of course that’s fun. But I especially love coaching teachers and leaders to transform their schools and districts.
I strive to bring diversity to children’s books and am an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all classrooms. I don’t do this just because it’s what I love, but it’s what our children deserve, want, and need.
As an author of best selling books. I enjoy listening and speaking with children. I especially enjoy spending time with my family and friends to spread the love for reading and learning throughout.
Kimberly M. Nesmith is not only my name, but it’s also my brand. By joining the Kim Crew and diving into the Coach Kim experience, you’re bound to have a positive experience that can transform your learning and thinking.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My story of resilience is one that is very personal but is one that tells my story of why I’m where I am today. On September 5, 2017, I left my job as a school principal on what should have been a normal time, but for me was early.
During a trip to the grocery store, I didn’t make it home. I was arrested for child neglect, that later turned into child endangerment and spent the night in a 10×10 cell. It was an experience I’ll never forget, but taught me about the undeniable grace that God affords us on a daily basis. It taught me to love unconditionally and take no moment with my littles for granted. It taught me that no matter who you are, how humble you may be, or how kind you may be, people can be cruel. It also taught me that my job was not my journey. It was just a job and my journey was to touch many more people on a broader path.
Throughout this journey of character persecution and judgement, I became stronger than ever. 
My perseverance for equitable outcomes for children and minorities reignited. My love for children, families, and diversity inclusiveness was just what I needed to push me beyond my imagination. Today, I’m appreciative of this journey and I’ll forever be indebted to this experience and continuous years of torture and slander to really know who and who’s I really am.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
Coming from a line of educators, I’ve always loved reading a writing. After spending my first semester in college in a computer science program, knowing good and well I don’t enjoy math like most, was one of the worst and best decisions I’ve ever made. Worst because I wasted my parent’s money. Best because I confirmed that becoming an educator was the right career path for me, even though I felt I was genetically cursed.
Publishing books was not something I knew how to do. I did extensive research and began to learn from many self publishers within the business. Now, I work with others to support them in publishing their books through individualized coaching and DIY courses.
I’ve learned so many lessons in this publishing journey and I’m still learning. My biggest take away from becoming a published author is helping everyone understand that we each have a story that should be told. It’s up to us to identify how we should tell that story. I help people tell their stories in books.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kimberlymnesmith.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachklmn
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/coachklmn
Image Credits
Jazzy Jay Creations Abstract PhotographE