Kendra Jeffers is a wife, mom, and second youngest of 10 children. She is caring, intuitive, creative, and personable, with a sense of humor. She is also passionate about helping empower others through education, mental health therapy, and coaching. In her own words, “I love to travel, read, and spend time with family and friends.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
As mentioned, I group up in a house with a large family. Although my parents only read at a third-grade level, they ensured that education was first for my siblings and me. I loved school because of my passion for learning. I grew up in West Palm Beach, FL. While in school, I played different sports until I was 13, when I had a severe neck injury that prevented me from continuing. In high school, I substituted sports for modeling because of my 5’11 stature.
I am a double alumna from Howard University in Washington, DC. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Management Sciences and a Master’s in Education with a concentration in School Counseling. While doing undergraduate studies, I worked several jobs to support myself through college because my parents could not afford to pay for my studies. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in hospitality, college admissions, K-12 education, and mental health. I have been fortunate to help people through my two passions: education and mental health.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I knew I wanted to start my own business from a young age. I only envisioned retiring from my own company. My professors from graduate school encouraged us to create multiple income streams, one being entrepreneurs in private practice. After interning with a seasoned clinical psychologist who owned her private practice within her home, I decided to go for it! In 2012, I opened K Jeffers Therapy, and in 2020 I renamed the business to Purpose-Driven Consulting, LLC- DBA- Thrive Thrive Business. Also, I own Kendra Jeffers Coaching, LLC, established in November 2022.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
My current initiative is called Teen B.L.A.S.T coaching program to provide 1:1 and group coaching to teens who require support managing anxiety, stress, and self-esteem. I have been coaching teenagers and young adults in my private practice with such issues, but I’m limited because of my license jurisdictions, which has caused me to have to refer to those clients when they leave the state to attend college. Teen B.L.A.S.T is an online coaching program designed to help teenagers 14-18 prevail through the peaks and valleys of high school and transition to college, which is a critical time for them. The benefit of Teen B.L.A.S.T. being an online coaching program allows me to work with clients worldwide. Now, I am looking for 20 teens to join the Teen B.L.A.S.T. program for six weeks free of charge! If interested, please direct your inquiries to https://www.thepanicrelief.com/call.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
Usually, I am a very humble person. Others must remind me of my achievements because I move from one thing to the next. Aside from being a proud African-American female owner of two businesses, I’d like to mention creating and implementing the “All-Stars Reading” program while teaching as a Special Education Needs Coordinator in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The program offered reading intervention and enrichment to English as a Second Language students in grades 3-5. As a result of the program, the students’ reading scores improved significantly.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
It takes a lot of capital to start a business and it would benefit our young budding women entrepreneurs to be given the resources to help start their businesses. I would like to see more women entrepreneurs be given funding to aid their business ventures
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
There has been a significant increase in women in leadership roles today, which is extraordinary. Women earning equal pay as men for doing the same role is a change that is needed in so many ways. Women in leadership capacities should also be given the support and autonomy required to do the job. Frequently, most women exceed the requirements to serve in leadership roles but are usually not respected, viewed, or supported while in those roles. A paradigm shift will likely occur to improve such issues.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
To our young women leaders, I recommend the following:
- Know your “Why” and allow it to anchor you and what you do.
- Strive to be a life-long learner.
- Surround yourself with people who make deposits in your life instead of withdrawals.
- Connect or follow those who inspire you.
- Take care of yourself (e.g., mind, body, and spirit).
- Remember that person you work with matters, not their title.
- Learn and know your business’s intricacies before training others.
