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

Ketrina, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I started this organization with my late husband Coach Dwynell Mitchell back in 2009. He had been diagnosed with A.L.L. and could no longer work in corporate America. With his basketball background and my background in the arts and business set up, we Formed iBALL (i beat acute lymphocytic luekemia) We started doing outside basketball camps and eventually rented space to host summer camps and an after school program. In 2011, we took all of our savings and 401k and found our current facility. During the course of the years, we underwent remission 3 times, on and off chemotherapy, and highs and lows with the business. He had an incredibly strong faith, much stronger than mine, and always believed cancer would never beat us and that as long as we had each other, we could have a successful business. Those that knew our story, knew that we would be able to instill a certain fight in their children and we always led with our hearts and not money. Without grants or assistance, we have been able to be self sustained all these years with our programs. Although Coach Mitchell lost his battle with cancer, I am continuing the legacy of what we started together. Its the youth that keep me going-I can never give up and have to continue to live as an example for them on tenacity and fight!

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

I started creating youth programs many years ago, starting with The Diamond Program, which taught piano, voice, modeling and pageantry. I started working in corporate America, handling small business start ups and project management. I have an entrepreneur spirit, as well as a servants heart, and thats why I have been successful working with children. I believe in love and logic when problem solving and what I want potential clients to know is that my business sense along with my patience, enables me to be able to communicate effectively and help them achieve levels of success. I am now moving on to not just the daily program operations (after school program, training camps, teams) but to athlete management. I assist students with building their brands and getting the right exposure to assist with their future endeavors. (44Agency) I am set apart in the sports industry by being an African American female basketball gym owner.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me are my existing clients. I am in a heavily referal based business. If a parent has a great experience at our facility they are going to tell their family members, coworkers and friends. I encourge honest reviews and solicit feedback from my existing customers that new clients can obtain and relate to.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After the passing of my husband, I was operating a full day summer camp 2 weeks after and I have not stopped since! Since 2009 it has been he and I, now it is just me! I faced the challenge head on and still to this day, face the challenge of the grief process and trauma while maintaining the business. Coach Mitchell left me with very big shoes to fill and not only do I fill those shoes, I have to be an example to the youth I serve. It is about maintaining the legacey simultaneously carving my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: ibeatall.org
• Instagram: ibeatall44
• Facebook: ibeatall inc
• Linkedin: ketrina mitchell
• Twitter: ibeatall44
• Youtube: i beat all inc
• Yelp: i beat all inc