We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly DeShields-Spencer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
You know, people see a business that’s thriving today and often think it all happened overnight. And I get it—movies, social media, even media coverage love that shiny, instant-success story. But the truth? That “overnight” part is usually just the tip of the iceberg. The real story—the years of sweat, doubt, and figuring it out—is what people rarely get to see.
When I look back at scaling my business, I see it as a journey of small, intentional steps. Some days, it felt like I was climbing a mountain in the dark. I’d stay up late, thinking through emails, content, strategies, wondering if I was doing enough—or if I even had what it takes. I questioned myself constantly. I remember nights where I’d close my laptop and just sit in silence, asking God, “Am I really making a difference? Should I even keep going?”
And yet, in the middle of all that, there were small victories that kept me moving forward. Like the first time a client sent me a message saying my work had truly changed the way they approached their business. Or the day I realized I could actually charge what my services were worth without fear. Those moments were small, but they were huge. They reminded me why I started and that my effort wasn’t in vain.
Scaling up wasn’t a straight line. There were twists and turns I never expected—things that made me pivot, sometimes completely, and other times just tweak my approach. I invested in programs that didn’t work. I overcommitted and had to learn the hard way about boundaries. I learned that saying no sometimes isn’t failure—it’s protecting your energy so you can do your best work.
What also mattered was who I surrounded myself with. The women and men who encouraged me, challenged me, and reminded me of my vision when I couldn’t see it clearly myself—they were indispensable. I leaned on them, celebrated wins with them, and even sometimes cried with them. Building a business is never meant to be done alone.
And the truth is, even today, it’s still a journey. I still face doubts, setbacks, and decisions that feel uncomfortable. But now, I can see how every late night, every risk, every “small win” built into something bigger than I could have imagined at the start. That middle phase—the part everyone skips over—is where the transformation really happens. It’s where you learn patience, resilience, and faith. It’s where you build your legacy.
So yes, my business is bigger today than when I started. But the real story isn’t about size—it’s about showing up, again and again, trusting the process, and holding onto the reason you started. The world needs these real stories: the messy, beautiful, hard, and joyful moments. Because that’s what inspires, teaches, and equips the next wave of women to rise. And that, to me, is worth telling every single day.
Kimberly, 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?
For those who haven’t met me yet, I’m Kimberly DeShields-Spencer, and I’ve spent my career helping women and businesses not just grow—but thrive with purpose, clarity, and impact. My journey into this work didn’t happen overnight, and honestly, it wasn’t a straight path. I’ve always been drawn to seeing potential in people and ideas, to helping others take what’s inside them and bring it into the world with confidence and strategy. That drive naturally led me into marketing, brand strategy, and business consulting, where I could combine creativity, practical systems, and mentorship into a single craft.
Through Behind Her Brand, the work I do spans helping women entrepreneurs clarify their vision, craft authentic brands, and implement strategies that actually move the needle. From full-scale marketing strategies and brand audits to coaching and actionable guidance, I help clients solve the problems that often hold them back: uncertainty about their next move, inconsistent messaging, and the overwhelm of trying to “do it all” without clarity or support. My goal isn’t just to help women build a business—it’s to help them build a legacy.
What sets me apart isn’t just my experience—it’s the way I approach the work. I lead with care, authenticity, and a deep belief in the people I serve. I challenge women to step into their worth, embrace bold ideas, and take actionable steps toward their goals, all while keeping faith, integrity, and heart at the center. I don’t just offer a blueprint; I walk alongside my clients, helping them navigate both the wins and the messy middle of building something meaningful.
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built through Behind Her Brand—a space where women can see themselves reflected, find encouragement, and gain tools to grow without comparison or competition. I’m proud of the way our clients, readers, and collaborators have taken what we’ve shared and transformed it into something real in their lives and businesses. That ripple effect—that lasting impact—is what truly matters.
If there’s one thing I want potential clients, followers, and friends of the brand to know, it’s this: Behind Her Brand is about more than business. It’s about empowerment, courage, collaboration, and doing work that matters. My work is here to help women realize their value, take bold steps, and create impact that lasts far beyond any spreadsheet, social post, or launch.
I want everyone who interacts with this brand to feel seen, supported, and inspired to move forward in their own way—because every woman’s story, every business, every idea deserves to thrive.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What helped me build my reputation in this market wasn’t luck—it was intentional, consistent effort, and a clear commitment to serving with integrity and impact. I never relied on hype or shortcuts. From the very beginning, I focused on showing up fully for the women and businesses I worked with, taking the time to understand their challenges, their goals, and the potential they sometimes couldn’t see in themselves.
I built trust by being dependable, honest, and unapologetically real. I celebrated my clients’ wins as if they were my own, and I didn’t shy away from calling out areas that needed more focus or effort. People knew they could rely on me to give guidance that was practical, actionable, and rooted in experience—not empty promises or generic advice. That consistency in action, paired with authenticity, made a difference.
Another factor was leadership through visibility. I made it a priority to show up in spaces where my audience could see me—not just to promote, but to teach, mentor, and encourage. Whether it was through workshops, coaching calls, speaking engagements, or content, I wanted people to know that Behind Her Brand was a space they could trust, a platform where their growth and impact mattered. Over time, that presence reinforced my credibility and positioned me as someone who not only talks about empowering women and building businesses, but actually helps make it happen.
I also embraced vulnerability strategically. I didn’t pretend the journey was perfect, and I wasn’t afraid to share the challenges, mistakes, and lessons along the way. That transparency allowed people to connect with me on a human level, which made the professional trust even stronger.
Ultimately, my reputation is built on results and relationships. People know me as someone who champions women, delivers outcomes, and approaches business with courage, clarity, and care. It’s about showing up fully, every single day, making deliberate choices, and never compromising on the standards I set for myself or my clients. That’s the difference between being noticed and being trusted—and it’s what continues to define Behind Her Brand today.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
For me, keeping in touch with clients and building loyalty isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a philosophy. It’s rooted in the belief that people don’t remember what you sold them; they remember how you made them feel, the support you offered when they were uncertain, and the guidance that helped them grow. That belief shapes every interaction I have through Behind Her Brand.
I remember one client early in my journey who was struggling to launch a new program. She was overwhelmed, unsure, and honestly questioning whether she was capable. Instead of sending a generic guide or checklist, I took the time to listen. I scheduled a call where I let her share her fears, her doubts, and her dreams. Together, we created a small, actionable plan. The following week, I sent a resource I knew would help her overcome a specific challenge, along with a personal note celebrating the small progress she had already made. Those small, intentional touches made a world of difference. She not only successfully launched her program but became one of the most loyal members of the Behind Her Brand community—someone who trusts, engages, and advocates for the brand because she knows the care is real.
I’ve found that loyalty is built through consistency. I show up for clients in ways that are meaningful and human—whether that’s celebrating a milestone, sending encouragement during a challenging season, or simply checking in to ask, “How’s it going?” I also create opportunities for connection and growth—workshops, coaching calls, live events, and community spaces where clients can learn, collaborate, and celebrate together. That sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than themselves, is what deepens loyalty naturally.
Another key element is honesty. Loyalty grows when people trust that you’re giving them your full truth, not just what’s easy to say. I don’t shy away from giving constructive feedback when it’s needed, and I celebrate wins while helping navigate challenges. This combination of care, accountability, and guidance reinforces trust and strengthens relationships over time.
I also intentionally embrace the personal side of business. I share my own journey—the wins, the struggles, and the lessons learned—so clients see that they’re not alone in their challenges. That authenticity resonates deeply and helps build a connection that goes beyond transactional interactions.
At the heart of it all, loyalty is about showing up consistently, intentionally, and with heart. It’s built in the small, human moments—notes of encouragement, celebrations, honest guidance, and spaces for real connection. That’s what I strive to create every day through Behind Her Brand: relationships rooted in trust, empowerment, and authenticity, where women feel supported, seen, and inspired to rise—and where those connections last long after the program ends or the project wraps.
Contact Info:
