We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly Reed recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kimberly , thanks for joining us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
“I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
In 2023, I can chuckle at this moment now, when the paramedics were getting my Dad ready to leave the house, he whispers to me, “Kim make sure you pay my Discover, my bowling for Saturday and I left you some money under my nightstand if you need it.”
In his time of suffering he thought about everything and everyone else.
This story is about my Daddy, my hero, Rhyme L. Reed.
I prayed and beseeched GOD for those powerful twins, “Grace and Mercy” as I watched through the glass of the Emergency Room Trauma Room as a team of doctors collaborated to save his life. During these moments, I also heard his feeble voice answer the doctors after every question — “Yes, whatever you need to do.”
Also during these moments, I knew the answers to some of these questions because of the sense of urgency resulted in great pain for my Daddy, and his answer remained the same, “Yes, whatever you need to do.”
Here’s where strength, endurance and respect spotlight this story.
My Daddy and I had been up for 21 hours straight, at this stage the doctors needed to give my Daddy multiple medications to strengthen the squeeze and muscles in his heart. To do this, they had to expeditiously insert a “Swan IV” (it’s a very long needle and heavy) through a vein in his neck (OUCH!) — My Daddy TOOK IT like the solider he is! NOT ONCE during the entire time did he complain. — When it was done, I was like, “Daddy, I have always respected you, but damn, it’s now in another stratosphere!
I also said, “Daddy, you never complained and you just took it all.” — His answer, “you just have to walk through it, no matter how hard.”
I witnessed a solider, unyielding selfishness, love, strength and endurance. I am grateful he is doing great!
My amazing parents taught me throughout my life, and my hero amplified in the end, entrepreneurship isn’t a simple path. It demands a mix of selfish ambition, deep passion, unyielding strength, and sheer endurance. There will be seasons of struggle that test your resolve, but the only way forward is through, no matter how hard the journey becomes.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My 15 years in Corporate America were filled with incredible experiences. I had the privilege of working with some of the most influential global organizations, collaborating with brilliant colleagues, and learning from outstanding mentors. These experiences have given me a solid foundation and have played a significant role in shaping me into the businesswoman I am today.
I started Reed Development Group in October 2007 and I absolutely love what I do every single day!
I am an Award-winning Global Diversity, Equality, Inclusion & Belonging Executive and Advisor. Bestselling Author. International Speaker. Ambassador.
Kimberly S. Reed is a true global diversity revolutionary and my vision and dedication, which have not only propelled organizations to new heights of excellence but also strengthened the core values that foster inclusive and vibrant workplaces.
I unapologetically challenge organizations to decide if they are going to have a robust DEIB strategy or a glorified roadmap. We have revolutionized the way organizations approach developing sustainable strategies using a customized and robust DEIB organizational assessment and modifying DEI language by adding the “B” for Belonging by helping develop inclusive leaders, dialing up empathy and connectivity in uncertain times which are critical to building a solid culture.
My approach has reshaped the way CEOs perceive the role of Chief Diversity Officers, emphasizing the importance of addressing racial trauma with courage and depth. As an award-winning speaker and best-selling author, audiences have shared that my compelling voice challenges organizations to elevate their business imperatives and to approach DEIB with renewed intention and strategy for the future.
As an award winning speaker and best-selling author of Optimists Always Win! – Moving from Defeat to Life’s C-Suite (Simon Schuster/HCI Communications) 100% of the book proceeds are donated to two Cancer charities. This is what I am most proud of!
My work has garnered global media attention, countless awards, and recognition establishing me as one of the most sought-after diversity experts. I was super stoked by this!!!!
I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated, two esteemed global Women’s organizations dedicated to service.
As I enter my 17th year of entrepreneurship in October, what continues to crescendo in my mind each year are —
Keep GOD first.
Being you is enough.
Know your value.
Work with people SMARTER than you.
Always deliver more than what’s expected.
You cannot get around grit and hard work. They are requirements of sustainable success!
People smell the aroma of BS.
Surrounding yourself with people who CHALLENGE and INSPIRE you can help you grow as a person and achieve your goals. Identify relationships with individuals who have similar values and aspirations, but who also bring unique perspectives and strengths to the table.
Keep your ego, humility in check, be good/kind to people or your blessings will remain average at best.
It doesn’t take money to make money. It takes COURAGE and GRIT! — GO for whatever YOU want to DO and take the BEST people with YOU!
And how truly blessed and highly favored I am!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Networking and building the right relationships are crucial when building a client base in business.
Your relationships are your currency.
I am a supreme networker! Seriously.
Access to opportunities, networking opens doors to new opportunities, including partnerships, collaborations, and client referrals. By connecting with people in your industry, you increase your chances of encountering valuable prospects.
Strong relationships often lead to referrals. When you network effectively, you build a network of advocates who can recommend your business to others. This kind of word-of-mouth marketing is invaluable for acquiring new clients.
This one was invaluable to me, networking allows you to learn from others’ experiences and insights. By building relationships with industry experts, you can stay updated on trends, best practices, and innovative approaches, which can help you refine your client acquisition strategy.
Our strategic partners keep us cutting edge, networking can lead to collaborations and partnerships that expand your reach and resources. When you build the right relationships, you may find complementary businesses to work with, creating mutually beneficial opportunities.
Being active in networking circles increases your visibility within your industry. This can help establish your brand, making it easier for clients to find and recognize you.
Networking and building the right relationships are foundational to successful client acquisition and business growth. These activities not only help you attract new clients but also create a support system for learning, collaboration, and sustainability.
Without our relationships, we have no business or brand.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Navigating life without my beloved Mom who passed away 12 years ago, the lights went off in my soul, and then facing stage IV cancer is an arduous journey. Find strength in resilience, remain optimistic despite the challenges,
Resilience is not resistance to suffering, it is the capacity to bend without breaking. And 10 years ago, LORD, 1 Rock Bottom was a residence I was happy to move out of. GOD said, here is some oxygen, stop trying to breathe underwater and allow the oxygen to flow. This will take time.
Even through you have to pivot, downright difficult times, you can build a substantial home on a good solid foundation. A person/family needs truth, a solid foundation to grow and survive through hard times, just like their home. I built a new home in 2023.
You build the house and then build the home on it. — You go through every storm, challenge, heartbreak, failure, ALL. OF. IT. to arrive at the moment in time that God says, “you are ready.”
When I decided this was what I wanted to do, I realize in this moment, I had to become stronger, work harder, smarter, more focused, wiser, patient, less tolerant of BS, and crystal clear of how I move and want to be handled in every area of my life.
Did I have fear? YES! When I opened my door, I was GRATEFUL, EXCITED and SCARED. BUT, it’s ALL GOOD!! Because GOD said, YES!
I’m FAR from perfect, however, I try my best to listen to God, live and love by his word and oftentimes I miss the mark….but God reminds us in his word, “that is okay.”….just keep walking….
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thereeddevelopmentgroup.com
- Instagram: the_corporatepreneur_ /
- Facebook: KimberlySReedCorporatepreneur
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/kimberlysreeddiversity
- Twitter: KimberlySReed
- Youtube: http://www.optimistsalwayswinseries.com/
Image Credits
Bryan Karl Lathrop Photography (professional shots with multicolored suit)