We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Akevia Darden. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Akevia below.

Akevia, appreciate you joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first client outside of friends and family came straight from Instagram. She reached out after seeing my posts and told me she wanted to use my services. She was all the way in North Carolina, which felt surreal because it showed me the reach of my efforts. Once we connected, she decided to move forward without hesitation, and later on, she even became a repeat customer. That moment was such a pivotal one for me…it wasn’t just about gaining a client but realizing the potential of my business. Knowing that someone believed in what I offered, even from miles away, gave me the confidence to take my hustle seriously and build it into the thriving business it is today. That first “yes” is what sparked my drive to help more people and grow my brand.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m originally from Maryland, and I graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Business Administration. My journey into the credit repair industry was both unexpected and deeply personal. It all started when I found myself in a tough spot…my credit was a mess, and I felt completely stuck. I turned to two different companies, hoping they could help me repair my credit, but neither delivered the results I needed. That experience left me frustrated and determined to figure things out on my own.

I dove headfirst into learning everything I could about credit repair. After hours of research, trial and error, and applying what I learned to my own credit, I started seeing real results. This wasn’t just a breakthrough for me…it became a passion. I began helping my friends and family with their credit, and the excitement of seeing their transformations was unmatched. Watching people achieve their goals, like buying a car or qualifying for a mortgage, was so rewarding that I knew I had to turn this into a business.

Over time, my work evolved. Many of my credit repair clients were also working toward buying a home, so it felt like a natural step to become a realtor. I wanted to help people not only repair their credit but also realize their dreams of homeownership. My personal experience buying my first home at 26 gave me an edge. I not only understood the process but also lived it…I built my dream home from the ground up, which gave me firsthand insight into what it takes to navigate such a major milestone.

What sets me apart is that I’ve been exactly where my clients are. I’ve faced the struggle of poor credit and the uncertainty of whether I could achieve my goals. That’s why I approach my work with so much empathy and determination. My goal is to empower my clients to take control of their finances, boost their credit, and unlock doors they never thought possible…whether that’s getting approved for a loan, buying their dream home, or simply feeling confident about their financial future.

I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me and the impact I’ve been able to make in their lives. For me, it’s not just about numbers on a credit report… it’s about helping people break generational cycles, build wealth, and achieve lasting stability.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand, it’s that we are here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re looking to improve your credit, buy your first home, or just need advice on where to start, I’m committed to helping you succeed. This isn’t just business to me….it’s my purpose.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience on social media was a journey of consistency, authenticity, and understanding what my audience needed. When I first started, I focused on providing value…whether it was sharing quick credit tips, breaking down complex topics like how credit works, or showing behind the scenes glimpses of my journey as a credit repair specialist and realtor. I wanted to make sure that every post resonated with my audience and gave them something to take away.

At first, I wasn’t getting a ton of traction, but I stayed consistent. I made it a point to post regularly and engage with people in the comments, answering questions and starting conversations. I also experimented with different content formats…videos, carousel posts, and even live Q&A sessions. Over time, I started to notice what worked best. Videos where I explained credit hacks or shared personal experiences, like how I built my dream home, really connected with people. They saw me not just as someone offering a service but as a real person who had been through what they were going through.

Another key to my growth was staying relatable. I didn’t try to use overly complicated jargon or come across as someone unreachable. I shared my wins and losses, which helped my audience trust me. I also leveraged trends, hashtags, and collaborations to reach more people. Collaborating with other influencers and businesses in the credit and real estate space helped me expand my reach while providing even more value to my followers.

One of the biggest things I learned is that showing up as your authentic self is everything. People connect with people, not just brands or businesses. So, I made sure to let my personality shine through…whether I was cracking a joke, sharing a motivational message, or giving raw, unfiltered advice about the realities of financial struggles.

For anyone starting to build their social media presence, my advice is simple:
Be consistent- Post regularly, even if you feel like no one is watching at first. Over time, people will notice your efforts.
Provide value- Focus on what your audience needs. Solve their problems, answer their questions, and educate them in ways that are easy to understand.
Engage, don’t just post- Talk to your audience. Respond to comments, answer DMs, and make people feel seen and heard.
Show your face- People want to connect with the person behind the brand, so don’t be afraid to show up and let them get to know you.
Experiment and learn- Try different types of content and pay attention to what works. Don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t connecting.

Building a social media audience takes time, but if you stay consistent, authentic, and focused on adding value, you’ll see the results. It’s all about building relationships and trust…one post at a time.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been social media, hands down. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have allowed me to showcase my expertise in credit repair and real estate to a much broader audience than I ever imagined. It’s amazing how powerful social media can be when it comes to connecting with people who need your services.

What works best for me is creating content that educates, inspires, and engages. I post credit tips, real estate advice, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what I do daily. When people see the value I provide upfront, they feel confident reaching out to me. Many of my clients come from videos where I break down things like how to boost your credit score, the steps to buying a home, or even personal stories about my own journey to financial freedom and homeownership.

Word of mouth has also played a huge role. A lot of my clients share their results with friends and family, and those referrals bring in new business. Plus, when someone sees how much I’ve helped someone they know, it creates trust before they even contact me.

Lastly, running ads on Instagram has been a game-changer for attracting more clients, especially renters who are ready to transition to homeownership. I tailor my ads to be relatable and to speak directly to their goals, which helps me stand out in a crowded market.

If I had to sum it up, the key to attracting new clients has been showing up consistently, being transparent, and offering real value. People trust me because they see that I care about their success, and that keeps them coming back and spreading the word.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beacons.ai/keestosuccess
• Instagram: @Keestosuccess_
• Facebook: Kee Denise
• Youtube: Pricey.Mami

Image Credits

Canva