Today we’d like to introduce you to Keeley Shree.
Hi Keeley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story really begins with a childhood dream that has come full circle in the most beautiful way. When I was in second grade, I told my dad I wanted to be a doctor – something he never forgot. That desire to heal people and make them feel better has always been at my core, though the path to fulfilling it looked quite different than I originally imagined.
As a native Houstonian, I initially followed that childhood dream by pursuing nursing in college. But life has a way of revealing our true gifts when we least expect it. While working as a receptionist at an insurance agency, the owner recognized something in me and promoted me to Marketing Assistant, having me help with golf tournaments and client appreciation events. The moment I started designing those experiences, I discovered something magical – I would lose complete track of time, entering this incredible flow state where the work energized rather than depleted me. That’s when I knew I had found my calling.
I changed my major to Corporate Communication with a minor in Marketing at University of Houston and never looked back. For over 15 years, I built a successful corporate career in marketing and event planning across the insurance, oil & gas, and real estate industries, eventually becoming a Marketing Manager for a Fortune 500 company. But after losing my father in late 2021 and my grandmother, Celesta, 4 months later in early 2022, I realized that life is precious and short, and it was time to bet on myself.
In 2022, I left my corporate position to launch SOULESTA Creative, named after my grandmother Celesta, who was truly a renaissance woman. I was raised by her in Alabama, and she always made sure I had the most incredible birthday parties. Everything I know about homemaking, business, finances, and how to treat others comes from her wisdom. Our signature yellow color 💛 is inspired by her famous lemon cakes and her resilient spirit taking life’s lemons and making them into something sweet.
What drives me every day is my deep belief that celebrations and having something to look forward to are essential wellness experiences. In our busy, often stressful world, these moments of joy and connection literally lift our spirits and heal our souls. When I see the happiness on someone’s face during a perfectly planned celebration, when I watch families come together to honor a milestone, when I help create memories that will last a lifetime – that brings me profound joy. I realized that my second-grade dream has come true after all. I am healing people and making them happier, just through the power of thoughtfully designed events rather than traditional medicine.
Designing event experiences isn’t just what I do – it’s my gift to the world. Every celebration we create at SOULESTA Creative is an opportunity to remind people of life’s beauty, to honor their precious moments, and to bring communities together in joy. That’s the kind of healing our world needs more of, and I’m grateful every day that I get to be part of creating those transformative experiences for others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Entrepreneurship has definitely not been a smooth road, and I think it’s important to be honest about that. While I was passionate about starting SOULESTA Creative, I was also dealing with some unexplained health issues that were part of my motivation to leave corporate life. I was experiencing heart palpitations, bleeding disorder issues and some other things and knew I needed the flexibility to prioritize my health and figure out what was happening.
What I didn’t expect was that my first month in business would bring a cascade of new, frightening symptoms. I started experiencing vision and hearing issues, followed by dizziness, fainting episodes, severe shortness of breath, and oxygen drops even while awake. The brain fog and memory problems were particularly challenging for someone trying to run a detail-oriented business. There were days when I simply didn’t have the capacity to take on certain projects, and I had to rely heavily on word-of-mouth marketing because I lacked the energy for more intensive promotional efforts.
I’ll never forget a destination event in Austin where I started having a medical episode. My assistant had to drive me to urgent care while she handled the client meeting entirely on her own. It was humbling and scary, but also showed me how important it is to build a strong support system in business.
The financial strain was significant too. Medical bills were mounting while my income was inconsistent, and finding proper, affordable health insurance as a new entrepreneur was a major struggle. After years of testing, countless doctor appointments, and advocating for myself through the healthcare system, I was finally diagnosed this year with POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
But here’s what I’ve learned: while this journey has been incredibly challenging, entrepreneurship has actually been a gift during this time. The flexibility to schedule around doctor appointments, to rest when I needed to, and to track my symptoms properly – I don’t think I would have gotten my diagnosis as quickly if I’d still been in a traditional 9-to-5 role. Corporate life doesn’t always allow for the time and attention that managing a chronic condition requires.
This experience has taught me that life happens, and you can’t always plan for it. Money can be made again, but time and health are precious resources you can’t get back. I’ve learned to show up as my best self every single day, even when that ‘best’ looks different than it did before. I focus on finding gratitude through the challenges and remembering that my struggles have made me more empathetic to my clients who are also navigating life’s ups and downs. Sometimes the most meaningful celebrations are the ones that happen despite – or even because of – the obstacles we’ve overcome.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about SOULESTA Creative?
I’m the founder of SOULESTA Creative, a full-service event planning company based right here in Houston, where I’ve been designing unforgettable experiences professionally for over 15 years. While we handle all types of celebrations, we primarily specialize in corporate events and have built strong relationships with several repeat clients who trust us to deliver excellence year after year.
Though we’re Houston-based, our reach extends far beyond Texas. We’ve planned luxury destination events at some of the most prestigious venues in the country, including three different Ritz-Carlton properties and other high-end hotels across Arizona, California, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, and right here in Texas in Austin. There’s something magical about creating elevated experiences in these stunning locations while maintaining that personal Houston hospitality touch.
What truly sets us apart is what I call being “calm and creative” – which is actually the name of my LinkedIn newsletter. Event planning is inherently unpredictable. No matter how meticulously you plan every detail, something will inevitably go wrong. That’s where I shine as what I like to call a “glamorous problem solver.” My clients consistently comment on how calm and seamless everything feels, never knowing what might be happening behind the scenes.
I’ll give you a perfect example: we once ran out of food at a wedding reception. The bride and groom had no idea until our recap call the next day. The moment I noticed we were running low with more guests to be served, I immediately ordered additional food from a nearby restaurant for delivery. The guests were happy, the couple enjoyed their perfect night, and crisis was averted. That’s the kind of invisible excellence we’re known for.
Brand-wise, the element I am most proud of is our signature yellow color.💛 It’s a tribute to my late grandmother, Celesta, and her famous lemon cakes and it helps keep her memory and legacy alive. I wear yellow to most public events, and it’s become such a strong brand identifier that people will approach me saying they knew it was me because of the yellow. I regularly get calls from clients and friends who say they saw something yellow or lemons somewhere and immediately thought of me. To me, those associations are the ultimate validation that our strategy to create a memorable, uplifting brand that resonates with people is working.
Yellow isn’t just a color choice – it’s intentional. Yellow symbolizes joy, energy, and endless possibilities, which perfectly embodies everything I want the SOULESTA brand to represent. When people see that sunshine yellow, I want them to think of celebration, warmth, and the kind of elevated experiences that create lasting memories. We’re not just planning events; we’re creating moments of pure joy that remind people of life’s beauty and give them something wonderful to look forward to and remember.
My goal is for our clients to know that with SOULESTA Creative, they’re not just getting an event planner; they’re getting a dedicated partner who brings calm expertise and a joyful spirit to their most important occasions, ensuring their experience is truly seamless and unforgettable. Whether it’s a corporate gathering, a milestone celebration, or a destination experience, my intention is always the same: to create moments that people will carry with them for a lifetime.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Success in entrepreneurship is never a solo journey, and I’ve been incredibly blessed with an amazing support system that deserves so much credit for where SOULESTA Creative is today.
First and foremost, I want to give a huge shout out to all my friends and family who have supported me from launch day until now. Venturing into the unknown of entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but having people in your corner cheering you on makes all the difference. Their belief in me has carried me through the challenging moments and celebrated with me during the victories.
My team has been absolutely instrumental, especially given my health challenges over the past three years. I honestly couldn’t have done this without them. Jessica, my Content and Visuals Coordinator, lives in another state but is always there to provide remote support whenever I need it. She’s been crucial in keeping our brand consistent and our marketing efforts moving forward.
Alexandra, my Event Operations Coordinator, has been a true lifesaver. She actually worked for me previously in my corporate days, and it’s been an absolute gift to have her by my side again. She’s had to step up and handle entire events and client meetings on her own when my health issues flare up or when I’m traveling. Having someone you can completely trust to execute things exactly the way you would yourself – that’s invaluable in this business. She’s not just an employee; she’s a true partner in making sure our clients receive the exceptional service they deserve.
I’m also incredibly grateful to everyone who shares and refers our services to others. Word-of-mouth support is one of the most powerful ways to help entrepreneurs, and it’s completely free. Those referrals have been the backbone of our growth.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing clients who trust us to create something special for their most important moments. They’re not just customers; they’re the reason I get to live my dream every day. And I have to thank all our event vendors who help bring these visions to life – from florists to caterers to photographers. They’re true partners in creating magic.
Finally, I want to give a special thanks to Michelle Morris for nominating me for this feature. She leads a women’s networking group called the Thrive Tribe, and I’m so grateful for her and all the incredible lady bosses in that group. They’ve provided the best support and community throughout this entrepreneurial journey. The encouragement, collaboration, and support I’ve received there remind me that even though entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, there’s a whole tribe out there lifting each other up.
At the end of the day, SOULESTA Creative is not just me— it’s the collective energy of every supporter, teammate, client, and collaborator who has helped make it possible and I’m humbled by how many people have played a role in our story.
Pricing:
- If you don’t need full service event planning, I have Event Strategy Sessions starting as low as $198 and DIY Event Templates starting at $28.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soulestacreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulestacreative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulestaco
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeleyshree/
Image Credits
Cameron Washington
Deji Osinulu Photography
Emile C. Browne
Jared Hernandez
JMATT STUDIOS
