Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyra Hardwick.
Kyra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I think back as a middle child, I have always been the leaders of the “let’s fix it” movement. I don’t remember ever saying “oh that’s impossible” or “there is no way that can be accomplished”. I don’t know when or where but an incredible deposit was made in my DNA and that extra boost of “Make It Happen” and that has been my driver. I remember being in a corporate role with a major insurance carrier, my mentor shared with me that I was a “Make It Happen” kind of leader. I took on challenges like emerging from my peers to lead them without the fear of failing. I set goals that made sense when I said them but in hindsight have always been a bit unreasonable. I don’t do limits well, I consider the limitations and find another way to maneuver.
In high school, I was a student mentor and coached my classmates into better decisions. I have faced countless obstacles, but I recently realized that I never took personal ownership of them or placed them in my bag as a challenge that would not work its way out. I really believe that my nontraditional growth path has been a good proving ground for me. After working over 15 years in Corporate America as an operations professional in several industries, working double time in my non-profit Imagine Excellence, Inc. (a youth leadership development organization founded in 2008) I remember walking through the halls in my office saying “I am ready to get out of here”… ready to do my own thing, ready to spread my wings.
These were all internal thoughts, and I was smart enough not to leak it, not even a little bit to my team nor my peers. I was the only director level African American woman in the organization, and I knew from the moment I arrived my path was monitored and challenged. Of which neither detoured me. I simply knew that I needed to use my strong Midwest work ethics and leadership acumen, constantly dress for boardroom domination, keep my hair and nails on a two-week rotation and most importantly deliver on my operational objectives that elevated my team in the process.
After rubbing the CFO and his trusty side-kick the wrong way by sticking to my ethics, morals and constant values, affirming that doing what was right and legal was the only method I cared to use to win. I was released from the organization. I knew that a compromise regardless of who the initiator would be redirected to me. If my name was on the objective I was going to be the one that they would roll right under the bus. I gathered that I pushed back one time more than egos and the corporate strategies could withstand, and I received a meeting request (of which I missed because I was literally having one of my most productive days ever) to meet the CFO and the HR Director in his office. I was absolutely caught off guard… well, kind of.
At the close of the meeting, the paperless firing was converted to a layoff with a sizeable severance to support a “healthy” transition. With all of the style and grace, I could manage to display. I packed my office, said goodbye to my team got in my car and went to lunch. I said well, now you have what you’ve been secretly asking for. I reached into my purse to grab a stack of cards thought I would start making calls. Quickly, I returned the cards back to my purse realizing I did not have a plan at all. So, at lunch, my sister talked me through the next steps, realizing I was talking in a loop. Nine months later I got another job… yes nine months later.
Taking a job that motivated my humility and helped me to focus on developing my entrepreneurial muscle. I simultaneously spent the six months working… delivering the same excellence for far less pay. I do mean far less and taking every free and low-cost course I could on how to become an entrepreneur. I learned everything I could and took copious notes and applied them as promptly as possible. I took another opportunity that paid more for the remainder of the year after being sought after by an innovative Christian leader to develop their professional brand. That was how I learned that I had exactly what it takes to build the master blueprint for any business completely.
During my last month with that Christian leader, I leaned fully into my business. I then started to apply the information gained. The vision that evolved and innovation that surfaced was incredible. I realized that building my own organization was the gift that I received over a year ago when I was fired/laid-off by the CFO. I like to say that I was kicked out of corporate, I serve corporate best as a thought-leading consultant that influences operations and develops high performing teams. I am a transformative leader, determined to deliver effectively through highly engaged emotional intelligence. December 15, 2015, The Kyra Company was officially on the roster!
Targeting small to midsized businesses and their senior leadership. We have impacted 100’s of businesses with results that simply knock the “realistic” right out of you! Clients have achieved 300% gross revenue increases in less than a year. The Kyra Company, LLC leverages the leadership, empowers the CEO and address the people, process and profitability issues that impact company performance and outcomes. We’ve launched author’s, health, beauty and wellness businesses, media management companies, personality brands, staffing firms, revenue cycle, specialty medical providers, construction, educational platforms, development company’s, non-profit organizations, engineering firms, real estate firms, and boutique bakeries and more.
We impact the business life cycle in a variety of ways and seek the most impactful way to create an aligned eco-system around every major initiative that we engage. Our corporate partners received focused organizational developmental centralized around their divisional needs. We build and enhance business and the leaders that lead them. Our goal is to make sure your business succeeds overall. The beauty and the challenge of becoming a business owner and evolving on the go are gained through consistency and a “no matter what” approach to winning. As a mother, wife, daughter, sister and a friend I’ve had to find the invisible balance we all talk about to show up for those I love in the midst of discovering the entrepreneur way.
This path has been far from perfect, but as I’ve grown, I have learned many lessons and achieved goals in our first three years of business that I really never considered possible in every aspect. Our focus is sustainable growth, market expansion and preparing to penetrate new markets and plant new offices over the next five to seven years.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I believe in planning and understanding the plan and then executing with the expectation of absolute success. I am an agile leader, so I adjust quickly to issues and changes. Fully understanding the plan allows for immediate adjustments and prompt communication of the changes. Having an amazing administrator that learns the business alongside you, makes the growth and change process a bit easier to manage.
Just like most business, we’ve faced the challenges of natural disasters, specifically hurricane Harvey. It was our goal to stay focused on supporting our clients as we worked to manage our reserves as many of our clients were impacted for months after and that impacted our revenue. Some of the most incredible struggles bring about the greatest triumphs.
Another is learning people and identifying their motives. I am very trusting until you change my mind, I am so focused our intended or agreed upon reason for working together and that has taught me a few lessons. Some people are who they say they are and others are seeking a place or person to consume. This is not new information just disappointing insight that I have to keep the top of mind from the onset.
The other lessons are business 10. Stick to your operations budget. Diversify your client base and setting firm expectations at the onset of client engagement. Annual price resets and program alignments are necessary as you test your capabilities and listen to your clients as they share with you what it is that they really need. You must stay tuned in.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Business owners want to be successful, they go into business to solve a problem, to offer a solution at a mastery level. Exposing their gaps and their deficiencies without a solution is a sure way to help sink the ship. Most businesses begin because someone knows how to do a “thing” not because they know how to hire, manage, forecast, create processes, develop a team, train, recruit or sell, to say the least. Most know enough to get the entity off the ground, make 70K in year one and pat themselves on the back realizing that they did it. Think about it. You have to be able to repeat yourself (with variations of course) for twelve consecutive months, that’s something to celebrate.
Managing and maintaining your resources, clients, and mindset. That’s one complete revolution. Now when you want to improve, grow and realizes that you do not have what it takes to add team members, new business or new technology/systems that is typically when you start seeking support, guidance, and insight from someone or an organization that has the answers and support you need. We all get to the end of our know-how, or our vision lacks clarity. Support unpacks and develops your next steps. We are the professionals that will support your individual growth as we collectively grow the business. The Kyra Company is that organization. We create the safety that most leaders need to elevate. We expose the issues and walk with you to the finish line.
We care about your success, and as a result, we become vested, literally rolling up our sleeves and becoming a part of your organization. Learning what there is to know about your industry, understanding trends and market activity. Even more, we get involved and learn your company’s rhythm while learning the leader. What makes the leader tick? How are you gaining or achieving results, what does your daily/ weekly engagement look like? When a company hires The Kyra Company, LLC they get an operation, organizational development, and human resources executive team.
The CEO gains direct access to an executive strategist that is masterful at developing infrastructure and implementing. We can see the big picture while developing the systems to support the vision. CEO’s gain a vested support team that allows them to lean in and expose their vulnerabilities, unaddressed issues and develop trust we work to build a strong foundation that will support the next levels of growth. Many of our clients enter into one-year contracts and realize that we have become a part of their fabric and a vested partner inside of their business for the long term. That’s what really sets us apart within the industry.
Many of the companies that do “business development” do it from a distance, they offer solutions and leave the CEO to complete the development and implementation on their own. We have the expertise and the focus to complete this process successfully, fully engaged inside of the organization. We expose the blind spots and solve for them simultaneously for and with our clients. We bring incredible energy to businesses that fuels the vision of the leader and their team to see what’s possible as they take in the breath of possibility.
What were you like growing up?
I was the sweetest and most considerate child on the planet!! Just kidding. I was defiantly a very considerate and resilient child. I have never known a day without a smile, great music or love that I have always been open to giving.
A social butterfly, a smart girl that always tried to do the best that I could in school. I was smart but just not strong in every subject. The very first time I made honor roll I was in the 12th grade, but I made! I was a typical teen girl engulfed in music, boys, school, friends, and fashion. I have always wanted to become a successful business owner, a psychologist and a lawyer.
You can give me a journal, music and an ocean and I am set for hours and hours. I have always been a child that loved water! So my interest has been constant, writing, music, beaches, strategic thinking and reading incredible books that grow your mindset. I’ve always wanted to remain in a space of growth and change.
Pricing:
- Half Day Strategic Planning Session $2500
- Full Day Strategic Planning Session $5000
- 90 Minute Strategic Call that builds your business $595
Contact Info:
- Address: 6343 Skyline Dr. Ste17 Houston, TX 77479
- Website: www,thekyracompany.
com - Phone: 832-775-8161
- Email: Kyra@thekyracompany.com
- Instagram: @thekyrahardwick
- Facebook: @KyraHardwick
- Twitter: @thekyrahardwick
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
