We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kiyanni Bryan . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kiyanni below.
Kiyanni , appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
In 2016 I began to feel the feeling of there was something more. By this time I played around with the idea of owning a business, but hadn’t launched out because of fear. I had so many ideas I didn’t know where to start and I began to feel burdened with the deep feeling that there was ‘MORE” to life than what I was living. When I look back at it now, I believe it was God aligning and positioning me for greater and for me to better understand my purpose. I lacked fulfillment. Going into the new year of 2017 I attended a conference that was a training environment that empowered me and strengthened me in the very thing I was lacking. I came home from that conference in January 2017 and wrote my first book in 4 weeks. I connected with an editor from my church and began the journey of attempting to be a self-published author. That year I went on to be a part of a national best-seller book project with an international author and wrote another 2 books on my own. All in less than a year. After so many emails and DM’s of people asking me “how” did I do this and what are some of the pitfalls, I turned it into a business by creating a step-by-step process to take authors through based on my experience, my downfalls, and my training. I had to figure out the most effective process to cater to both NEW and seasoned authors to maintain relevancy in the industry. The idea was short-lived and the execution was immediate because it was draining me of time and energy to avail myself to help people in that capacity. All it did was grow over time. Five years later my publishing company has had many authors, as well as my business consultancy has impacted the lives of other coaches. We have learned a lot and have grown. That first year was really trial and error, I wanted to quit several times and at least twice I put the business down. I didn’t feel fulfilled when it began, due to a lack of boundaries and planning I actually felt burdened. I learned how to balance it all and now have a full staff that went from two people to now 14 people. With support for the vision the load is lighter and the vision is manifesting for us and those we aid.
Kiyanni , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was in corporate America for 15 – 20 years, in the banking and financial services industry. I love operations, processes, and systems that achieve optimal success for the desired end result of service. Although this was my career for a time in business, I equally had a passion for social work & counseling. I received my BA in Psychology & Christian Counseling with a minor in Special Education and it shifted my life into purpose. About 5 months after my degree I became a certified life and business coach, and the following year a certified Christian mentor. The services I provide are coaching and consulting in the areas of Christian spiritual development, work-life balance, time management, life strategy to pursue purpose, small business start-ups, brand establishment, implementation processes for business, and book publishing. I also provide books, courses, and merch as products offered.
I am a leadership coach and house many of the development processes under the umbrella of leadership.
One of the main problems that I solve is mental confusion for those that feel stuck, and or not knowing where to start. My client’s most common testimonial is the mental clarity and understanding of what they need to do, who they are, and the strategy to achieve their goals.
I would say what I’m most proud of is I have stayed authentic and genuine throughout my process. I too remain a student even though I have students and mentees. The greatest component of any leader is humility and a servant’s heart.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Today I am a full-time entrepreneur, and sometimes me saying that I still can’t believe it. (Smile) It has been a journey over the years, where I was used to a steady income that I knew when and where it was coming from – to have to create streams to ensure the bills were paid.
I did my businesses on the side for about 4 years or so, before the Lord thrusted me out into the deep. What I mean is that I knew God was calling me into full-time ministry, for me this meant working my businesses full-time. In addition to my business consultancy and publishing company, I have an association for troubled kids that will be forming into a nonprofit. Everything I touch ends up being ministry. This doesn’t mean I don’t assist people that don’t believe what I believe but it does mean I’m intentional about representing Christ in every space I enter. I do so with the same poise, precision, and professionalism as I did while in corporate America.
Doing 1 on 1 coaching in the evenings and weekends was okay in the beginning. Over time the demand for me began to overwhelm me while I tried to maintain a full-time job, go to school, and be a single parent to my daughter who was an athlete. I was the mom cheering in the stands and refused no matter what to miss a game. I also did community volunteer work with several organizations and sat on boards for nonprofits. My life was FULL and as I learned how to be a leader the demand continued to grow.
The major milestone was when I realized the potential for growth if I only worked on my business full-time versus sparingly. I think I was still trying to believe in myself back then, that I could do it and that it was possible for me to do ONLY this. I began to map out each service, how many people could I help, and how often could I help them. How to get new clients and which clients would be long-term or just a short-term service. The main thing was writing out bills and obligations to ensure to strategically planned the funds coming in to take care of the major bills and scale back on minor non-necessities until I gave myself time to grow.
I will I could say I had this elaborate plan and my transition was perfect, but that wasn’t so. I didn’t have 6 months of savings and my plans had some loopholes that I didn’t notice until I was already in the thick of it. It was rough at some points but worth the journey and the lessons learned. It gets easier when you learn to pivot with flexibility and be open for whatever may come next. Learn to enjoy the journey.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
At the beginning of my publishing business, there were only two of us and a big dream. I had learned to be the best solopreneur that I could be by creating so many systems, writing out my processes, and automating as much as I could without turning into a literal robot myself.
Over time I was graced with men and women that not only understood the vision but believed it, and grew a passion for it. I now oversee a total of about 20 people in all businesses, and I have learned from them as much as they learn from me.
When managing a team be personable, be honest, be direct and most importantly BE YOU! Don’t have multiple personalities although you may have to wear different hats for the moment, be genuine and stay yourself. What builds morale are these things listed along with humility, and consistency. You have to be vulnerable to the degree of their maturity level and then be transparent so they can relate and find a place to connect. Build relationships and something I do by spending time with each individual, as well as in group activities. We also pray for each other, and love on each other, encourage and uplift each other.
They will respect you and honor you when they know you are human, and it will take the pressure off of you while giving you room to grow in your role. Remember in managing a team you don’t want to dictate but explain, identify gifts, and teach as much as possible. Cultivating the best in them transitions you from a manager to a leader.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.writeitoutpublishing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiyannib/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiyanniB
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiyanni-s-bryan-87136356/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kiyannib4623
- Other: https://www.kiyannibryan.com/