Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsey Rene. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kelsey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Growing up, much of what I envisioned demanded risk. From embracing a new sport at 17, to performing on stage. To and act. To be seen. I wanted for girls that looked like me to be considered marketable, considered a worthy talent with potential.
The risk was the bet. The risk was showing up. A risk because I wasn’t good. I wasn’t anyone.
What was a risky bet turned into a small-business, and the opportunity to bring passions to life: I am writing a book and filming a new project in June
Kelsey, 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 am a former athlete and Olympian for Team USA. Early in wrestling, I was hugely involved in my College Ministry, with aspirations to pursue the Ministry full-time.
Currently I operate Repurposed and Big Love Beads, and am co-writing a children’s book
What sets me apart, is simply being who I am. What sets many of us apart is an intangible that we have to trust in, long before anyone else sees it.
Repurposed •||• Big Love Beads
Repurposed was created because of my own background. The vision: meet the needs and to connect the individuals of a community in a way I hadn’t seen. A lot of thrift or consignment businesses target a specific niche— what many in the industry have encouraged for me. I’ve represented so many of these niches, and continue to trust instincts in much of the decision making. Sometimes I miscalculate, other times spot on. The vision is to reach humans, not only minimalists. Not only thrifters. Not only individuals needing an olive branch. Maintaining this line of thought, I’ve connected with some of Arizona’s most inspiring and influential business women.
– Big Love came about in the later stages of running Repurposed, scheduling meetings with prospective partners, with 5 rescues at home, still trying to break even, film work, and family obligations aka life. I needed a lot of meditation, but also to feel.. accomplished. A win. I was working on branding for Repurposed, and came across a seller ad for beads. I love vibrantly colored jewelry, more ornamental (like a painting) than as an accessory. Art as a form of meditation, sure, but I wondered if beading could be a nod to knitting. I found a couple of basic kits at the store and began creating.
–The path of a female business entrepreneur is anything but smooth or straight, but it is one of instinct and innovation. I didn’t search for the needs of the people, I simply looked at my own, and decided that if I felt some fulfillment and joy from these concepts, there was no doubt that women and men alike could find that same fulfillment.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Unlearning that what I’ve always seen is the proven approach. With growth, knowledge, and change, I’ve learned that there can always be a new idea, creation, example, approach. You can always try again. Something can always be changed. Cultures can evolve. Faith can appear. People can become someone new. And it’s never too late.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Just basic exposure to other cultures early in life can resolve a lot of what’s happening in the world. So much of what goes misunderstood is often the result of false information- whether intended or not.
With the exception of a couple of highly accomplished wrestlers that received limitless visibility from the wrestling entities, most of us weren’t afforded those platforms online. I remember one publisher telling me that “maybe when I win a medal, i’ll have a real story to tell” and told me to reach out after the next Olympics. And many female entrepreneurs have many stories like that. Having opportunity and exposure are two huge components of tapping into my own creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iamkelseycampbell.com/
- Instagram:@biglovebeads or @repurposedbykr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-campbell-8bb97249/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1uA04vGcQ1mOgEYSBaZg7A
- Other: www.repurposedbykelsey.com tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkelseyrene
Image Credits
Photographer: Chadwick Fowler, David Huff, Larry Slater, Richard Immel I had a hard time uploading (some didn’t upload), I have others I can share at a later time ^not intended for the article^