Melissa Curtin 0:04
Thank you so much for joining me for the Reinvention Adventure: Road Trip to Your Future, an interview series where we hear personal stories about people who have forged entirely new paths in their professional and personal lives, and are now living life in new and unexpected ways.
I'm Melissa Curtin, certified reinvention coach. My mission is to guide people who feel as if they've lost their way back to feeling alive, excited and reconnected to a vision so that they have a renewed sense of purpose and a clear direction forward. My real job is to be your travel guide on the adventure to reinvent your life.
We all reinvent ourselves many times during our lifetimes, sometimes consciously, and by choice and other times, like so many changes, reinvention is forced upon us. I believe that reinvention doesn't have to be excruciating. While it still may be painful in various ways, ideally, it's a healthy and invigorating growth experience.
Today we're hearing from Kashonna Holland. Kashonna is president and CEO of Simply Kashonna. She's a life coach, motivational speaker, author and corporate trainer. Her business is founded on three key principles: bold, fearless, and courageous living. And that's what you're going to hear from her today. So welcome, Kashonna, thank you so much for joining us.
Kashonna Holland 1:24
Thank you so much, Melissa for having me. I am excited about being here. I'm excited about just sharing with your listeners today.
Melissa Curtin 1:33
Thank you. Kashonna, as I was getting ready for the interview, I was reminded about the first time I saw you. I was at the beginning of my reinvention journey, just being out of a job and still trying to find my way into my identity as a coach. We were at a community meeting and you stood up in the front of the room to introduce yourself.
Hi, I'm Kashonna Holland. I'm a life coach. And I was sitting in the back of the room, thinking, look at her go. I remember I had to leave early. I wrote down my number because I didn't even have cards yet and snuck up to the front of the room. I asked if we could get together? And within a day or something you kindly wrote me. We had coffee and the rest is history.
Kashonna Holland 2:18
Yes, absolutely. I remember that day. And I remember how pleasant you were in terms of sneaking up and just giving me your information. I remember our coffee date as well. So clearly, it was just an amazing connection. And we've been connected ever since I am so this blessed to have you in my life.
Melissa Curtin 2:38
Thank you. If we could start with just a little bit about your background. Like Where did you come from? Where did you grow up? What about your family? I mean, so much of who we are, is how we grow up. So just tell us a little bit about yourself, please.
Kashonna Holland 2:55
Absolutely. So I am originally from Houston, Texas. I'm sure you will hear my Southern twang come out somewhere in this interview. I am the oldest of two children, and also the oldest grandchild. So I grew up, like I said, in Houston with a hint of Louisiana. And I like to say that because my grandmother was from Louisiana. So I grew up with a lot of Louisianan influence in my life. Needless to say food was kind of the center of our family. We love to eat, and we love community. That was something that was huge in my family, community as well as our faith. And so I grew up in a tight knit community, but also just really holding on to a faith that we all so dearly cherish to this day. Growing up, I was a cheerleader in high school, I was popular amongst friends, and just really was an ambitious teenager. And everyone pretty much knew that something was going to happen with me, you know, they weren't quite sure what it was. My teachers were strongly encouraging me to pursue life and to pursue success.
I've always had that kind of encouragement and that push to do something great. And so I, with that being said, I didn't have a choice, Melissa, I had to be successful. I just didn't know how that would look.
Melissa Curtin 4:21
I love that. So you just demonstrated how reinvention starts literally from the day we're born. Right? Do it over and over. We adapt, right? So before we move on to where you are now, do you remember what you wanted to be when you were a little girl?
Kashonna Holland 4:35
I wanted to be a lawyer. Okay, I was because I knew that I could probably talk my way into helping someone win a case. So , I had the confidence and the determination to do this. I was just super super pressed about being a lawyer. And of course that evolves but I knew I loved to talk. So I wanted to be a business woman. So I majored in international business when I first applied to school. And then I started realizing that I love to help people. So I then became an HR representative and worked for a staffing agency where I helped people to find jobs. And honestly, I thought that that was really what I was going to do, so much so that I started my own staffing agency for a very short period of time, didn't last too long.
All the intricate details were not quite what I was looking for. Then I stepped out of that. And I began to work for another human resources company. And I worked for a bank and for an oil and gas company. So I've always at the core of everything that I do, the common denominator, if you will, was people. I loved helping people. So even though I shift jobs and moved quite frequently, I had to look at the core of what all of those jobs entailed. And that was to make people better. That honestly, is the goal and the destiny and my purpose in life, if you will, is to help people become better.
Melissa Curtin 6:17
That is so you. You know, I always say this to you, but you are such a dynamic speaker. I mean, I could listen to your talk all day long. That is I mean, you are a motivational speaker, you're a coach. So all of those threads, and that's what I always love to see is that piece from when you were a little girl. I really could actually see you in a courtroom. Cause you're a strong, you'd make a good case. But we're always on our way to somewhere and you like you just shared, you're built on this. And then you go to this and you go to that. So can you talk with us about that kind of reinvention path that lead you to where you are now with your own business and as a coach and this combination of, of services that you provide?
Kashonna Holland 6:57
Absolutely. So one of the things that I noticed as I was going through my entrepreneurial journey, which I did not know that it was that at that time, is I would just go from job to job and I was not able to settle in. I was moving jobs every one to two years. I just was not content. And then I became one of the associate pastors at a church. And this was like the ultimate job, right? Because I get to work with people. I get to love on people. And this was like it. Yes.
And then I was challenged, I was challenged to go, Melissa, outside of the walls. I was challenged to get outside of my comfort zone. I was challenged to grow. I was challenged to become more impactful. And I was challenged to become even more relevant.
I decided to take advantage of that challenge. I decided to say okay, I will accept the challenge and do what I need to do. And I did that honestly, by a huge leap of faith because I had no idea how this was going to look. To culminate this moment in my life, I went skydiving.
Now. Brace yourself for this amazing story. Me and my best friend decided we were gonna do this. So we went skydiving, and we got up in the plane. And as we got up in the plane, what happened was the guy that I was in tandem with, Arnold, opened the door to the plane. We were 10,000 feet in the air. And he says to the pilot, I can't find a hole. That's it. Now, I don't know much. But I'm just trying to put context clues together. Can't find a hole. Does that mean we can't jump? And so the pilot says, 'Don't worry, I have to go back down for gas anyway.' And I'm thinking, 'Oh, now we're 10,000 feet in the air. He can't find a hole. He doesn't have gas. We have a problem here.' Okay. So we went back down. And my best friend says Kashonna, 'You know, you don't have to do this, right?' I said, 'No, no, no, I am not going to miss my moment and this is my moment'. It was then that I understood that I had a specific moment in time, an opportunity, that I was not sure would come back around. So I had to make a
decision at that time. Was I was going to allow the obstacles to stop me from going to the next level, or was I was going to take my moment, and I decided to take that moment. And it was the most beautiful moment that I ever had. Jumping out of a plane, seeing things from a different view and just embracing all of God's creation. I will never forget that moment.
So as my life has evolved on so many different levels, I've realized that I can never miss an opportunity. Therefore bold, fearless and courageous has always been my tagline. And I didn't realize that at that time, Melissa -- but in everything in my life, it has taken boldness, it has taken courage, and it has taken fearlessness to go to the next level. So every time I get ready to make a decision on something, and I'm nervous about it, I know that's an indicator that it's time to go to the next level. So my evolution has not been something that's been easy. But it's been something that has been mine, it's been my journey. And I've embraced that journey every step of the way. It's caused me to go outside of my comfort zone, it's caused me to shed some tears. Honestly, it's caused me great discomfort. It's caused me to lose some people in my life that were very near and dear to me. But it's caused me to get to the next level, the level that I'm called to, not that I'm passionate about, because I understand that passion is an emotion, and emotions don't last forever. But it's the place that I am called to. And when I got to that place, I'm constantly evolving, even in that place, I realized that I'm in my sweet spot. And once you get in your sweet spot, it's hard to uproot you.
Melissa Curtin 11:30
Oh, Kashonna I love that story. Thank you so much for sharing, I can only imagine. Every time you come to that precipice, right? We use that metaphor all the time aboout jumping out of an airplane or jumping off a cliff. Yeah, you did it. And I can imagine that you can physically go back there. I mean, what's stopping me now?
But I want to pull out that element that you just mentioned about being called, because you just shared that, and I had chills the entire time with your story. But I have a hunch that you answer the calling. And when I'm working with my coaching clients, and I'd be curious what you see in yours, the people are at their most miserable. And I mean, I will say miserable, because misery it is misery when as humans we are being called and we're not answering that call. And the clarity part is hard, right? Getting down that path is hard. But I like what you said it is around the intentionality. And when I'm called, I'm going. Yes, I might be afraid. Yes, the plane might have to go back down and come back up. But we don't live linear. Our lives are not linear paths. It is a windy road, right?
Kashonna Holland 12:45
Oh, my goodness. Absolutely. I think what has happened, unfortunately, Melissa, is our culture has dictated that this entrepreneurial journey is easy. Just go for what you want. Just do what you want to do. Live life to all of that is great. But we forget the the main point is that it takes work. Everything, every day is not golden. It's not rainbows, Skittles and unicorns. It's really getting up -- as you use the word intentionality -- is getting up with intention. Is getting up with purpose. It's understanding that you've been called to this place. And even in my discomfort, even in the not wanting to do it, even in the shrinking back and not feeling like I'm worthy, I'm still called to it. And that takes a lot of strength, it takes a lot of courage, honestly, to keep going for it. Here's the thing that I had to understand. And this is again, a part of my call, I had to understand that I have been called to places where sometimes people have not - they may not understand. I've been called to tables, where people don't necessarily look like me. And it honestly may make them uncomfortable. I've been called to people who may reject me at first, until they realize that I have something to say. And when you know you've been called to that place, even though it doesn't feel good, you know that you've been called to it. And so you lean -- no, no, no --you step into it bold.
Melissa Curtin 14:30
I think you jump into it.
Kashonna Holland 14:32
You jump into it boldly. And you know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I'm a little different in that regard where I appreciate the places that are easy, but the places that are hard are the ones that I'm okay with because I've been graced in. So I just keep moving.
Melissa Curtin 14:56
It's interesting to hear you talk about this because I think about two things. One, it's intentional, but it's also practice, you do it over and over. And thank God when you jumped out of the plane, you live to tell about it. But that is also a metaphor for you keep doing it. And you say, 'Well, here's the worst that can happen. And I've lived through this. And I've lived through this. And I've lived through this.' All a whole series of, to use your term, evolution of reinvention, right? So that's just the entrepreneur. But you are also a mother of three, your a sister, a daughter, a friend. Like all of these roles that have nothing, I mean, they obviously support your business in terms of your well being. But that's the other part. And we're not even touching on that, right? All those aspects that you've had in your personal life, of all the roles that you be play the world, right?
Kashonna Holland 15:48
Talk about evolution? I mean, and there are some places or some areas in your life that you forget to tend to, if you will. You forget to nurture, because you're so busy working on this area, that it's like, 'Oh, I forgot that I have this area as well.' You know, I remember growing my business and going through a divorce at the same time, and my children needed me. I was like, wait a minute, okay, hold on, hold on, you know. And we had to have a family meeting. And I had to let them know, listen, I am in a season of my business where I am the sole breadwinner in the house. That means that I have got to put everything I have into building this business and making it work. That means that I may not be at every game, I may not be at every recital, I may not be at every practice, or whatever the case may be, because I need to put my energy into this to make sure that we are sustained, and that we have everything that we need. And to get everyone on one page was very important to me as a mother. So even when we're talking about, you know, your journey and your evolution, I stay away from the word balance. And I say find harmony in it, find harmony, because there's always one part of your life that's going to play louder than the other part. So make sure that you tend to that part that's playing louder than the other, but you don't forget that there's something in the background, is going to be key to your success.
Melissa Curtin 17:25
Yeah, I agree 100%. I never use the word balance. That whole work life balance? No, none of that. So what would you say to people who are on -- I mean, it's their journey of life -- but you know, they're sitting there right now and they're like, 'You know, what, I need to I need to, I'm being called to reinvent.' What kind of advice would you give them?
Kashonna Holland 17:46
Allow yourself to get outside of the zone, if you will, of comfort. Melissa, you and I have talked about this book called "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks. And I tell you that book, it has definitely changed the way I just see my life and its totality. Understanding that I am great in what I do. I love that people are getting from it and really learning and being built and they're growing and all that good stuff. I'm operating in my zone of excellence, right? But to get to my zone of genius, it's going to require me to let go of some of the things that I want to hold on to so desperately because they validate me. So what happens then is I have to step out of what I'm used to, I have to step out of what I am great in, to become greater. So if you were wanting to know what in the world do I do, if I know that I'm called to greater, but I'm in a pretty good spot right now. It's really letting go of you. It's understanding that there is more of you to discover, and stepping, jumping into that.
Because that opportunity may never come around again. And I just, I refuse to allow myself to stay in this space of mediocrity. I always want to be excellent in everything that I do. Because that's what I'm called to. I'm not called to mediocrity. I'm called to excellence. And so I step up into that space, that zone, that call to, so that I can touch more people. And that's what, I believe that that's what we are afraid of. And every day, Melissa honestly, it's a prayer for me that my capacity will be enlarged because I understand that where I am now, I don't have the capacity to handle the next level, right? If I am allowed to get to this next level, okay, then I know I'm going to need the capacity to sustain the next level as well. So get out of your own way. Get out of your own way and let go of the things that are comfortable for you so that you can experience greatness on a whole different level. It's waiting for you.
Melissa Curtin 20:17
Such good advice. You've inspired me today. I can't thank you enough for joining us on the our Reinvention Adventure: Road Trip to Your Future. You are on your way to whatever is next and it is such a joy and it's my honor to be with you on that path. Thank you so much for sharing your personal story and for being with us today Kashonna.
Kashonna Holland 20:38
My absolute pleasure, Melissa, thank you. And I know that we just touched the tip of the iceberg, but definitely I appreciate the opportunity to just open up the hearts and minds of your listeners today.
Melissa Curtin 20:53
Thank you so much.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai