Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Johnson.
Kayla, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I’m from the South Side of Houston, raised in Missouri City. My mother had me at the tender age of 15 and was fortunate to have my grandmother, grandfather and gang of aunts to assist her with raising me. My father was absent but there were rare moments far and few between that he would care to spend time with me.
I vividly recall a memory of when I was 19 and my dad had asked me to meet him at his mother’s because he wanted for he and I to spend time together. What was supposed to be an opportunity for the restoration of our relationship, turned into him becoming enraged, threatening to physically harm me and clarifying, in case I had ever questioned, that he never wanted me, I was an accident and he never loved me. Believe it or not, this moment was the closure I needed to move on from the dad-hurt that came from never truly having one.
My mom being a young single-mother, experienced many challenges as she raised me while still growing up herself. We moved all over the South side of Houston so I never had the opportunity to develop long lasting friendships. The inconsistency of my childhood leads to a deep depression I encountered my first two years of college. This experience is what inspired and began the Time To Exhale Networks project. Realizing that my story, although it’s been tailored to my journey, is not unique and there’s a solution needed for those who are facing the same trials became the preface for the Time To Exhale Networks Mission.
Has it been a smooth road?
Certainly not! As I mentioned, I endured one of the darkest moments of my life the first two years of my college career. Although it’s what fueled my drive to bring tools to others experiencing the same situation, when going through the motions, it was quite painful. I also moved often and was the only child until I was 12 years old, so building relationships was/has been one of the most difficult things for me to do. I believe the hardest part about it is having to get out of my own way so the challenge ahead can be dealt with and learned from in order for it to not be repeated.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Time To Exhale Networks is a solutions-based social network that focuses on the conservation of the total person through social engagement that influences intentional dialogue amongst millennial’s. We create an environment that provides tools to learn, heal, grow and develop, spiritually, mentally and emotionally through our Events, Podcast and YouTube Channel with more ways to connect coming the last quarter of 2019 and into 2020. I am most proud of what sets us apart from any other social network being that we are intentional about providing tools to our peers and next generation. We want to leave a legacy of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, but first, we have to clear the fog so that they can see themselves being capable of achieving their dreams.
By day I’m an Executive Administrative Consultant for The Kyra Company Business Development firm where we bring strategic solutions to the development for small business and corporations. In addition, I serve as the Project Administrator for Imagine Excellence, INC Youth Leadership Organization where we teach and encourage students to align with their leadership abilities and to see themselves as the future leaders of tomorrow. Honestly, I believe I specialize in bringing solutions and support, its what brings me joy.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I’d definitely recommended Houston as a good place for any type of business to flourish because it’s so diverse with people, style, and taste.
Contact Info:
- Email: timetoexhale.tte@gmail.com
- Instagram: @timetoexhalenetworks , @thekaylajohnson
- Facebook: @timetoexhale.tte
Image Credit:
Tynaya Cossie, Gabraella King, Pawel Lindsey
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