Podcast Summary: "Becoming a Bawse with Kimberly Blackwell"

Podcast: Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett (with producer Dinora)
Guest: Kimberly Blackwell
Air Date: October 17, 2023
Podcast Network: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

The episode “Becoming a Bawse with Kimberly Blackwell” is an empowering conversation between host Crystal Renee Hayslett and business powerhouse Kimberly Blackwell. Together, they dive deep into what it means to be a “boss” – in business, relationships, and life. The two women discuss authenticity, success, significance, partnership, personal growth, generational influence, Black women’s excellence, the power of faith, and navigating high-performance environments. The episode is filled with practical wisdom, memorable quotes, and plenty of laughter and real talk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Meeting, Energy & Building Meaningful Connections

• First Meeting Story: Crystal and Kimberly reminisce about their first meeting through mutual friend DeAndre Tristan and how their genuine energy and authenticity sparked a lasting friendship.
• Nurturing Connections: Kimberly emphasizes she is intentional about whom she builds with:

  "I do know a lot of people, but there aren't a lot of people that I will take the time to nurture something meaningful." (01:40)

• Moving Quietly & Selectively:

  "I'm very humble. I know from where my best blessings flow. And I stick and move very quietly and selectively." (02:23)

• Lesson in Networking: Kimberly shares life “free game”:

  "You get better things without a plus one, ma’. You don’t always need a plus one." (02:49 - 02:58)

Authenticity, Style, and Privacy

• Expressing Through Style: Kimberly recounts her first job in retail and always loving to express herself through fashion—voted best dressed as a freshman in college.
• Value of Privacy:

  "I am a hyper private person ... I like that people don't know what I do. Those who need to know, know." (18:27-18:46)

• Being a Mystery in the Room: Both discuss the power of letting work and presence speak, especially as Black women in high-profile environments.

The Gathering Spot Conflict: Leadership & Mediation

• Navigating Business Crises: Kimberly shares how she stepped in to mediate a public business dispute between Black-owned companies, using her business acumen, privacy, and influence to resolve tensions.

  "A lot of things can be resolved through communication...When God gives you superpowers, they should be used for a greater good." (09:36-10:53)

• Leadership for Community:

  "We owe it to our ancestors and our next leaders to get in the way." (11:09)

Family, Upbringing, and Words of Affirmation

• Parental Influence: Kimberly describes being raised by loving, affirming parents – her mother, a schoolteacher-turned-superintendent, affirmed her and her siblings daily calling them “geniuses.”

  "At an early age, my mother was a schoolteacher...she calls us genius. And so those words of affirmation...We were not like, where we didn't feel that we could be anything that we wanted to be." (11:39–13:29)

• Modeling Lasting Partnership: Kimberly credits watching her parents’ marriage and teamwork, as well as her athletic background, for her discipline, ability to take criticism, value of team, and sustaining relationships.

  "Marriage really isn't 50/50. There are shifts...do you have a partner that understands the shifts?" (16:35)

Romance, Independence, and Security

• On Finding Love & The Right Partner:

  "It takes a secure man to deal with me...What I'm not willing to do is to dial back my blessings to accommodate any insecurities." (18:27–18:47)

• Having It All: Both discuss the reality of finding both love and career success, referencing Kimberly’s parents’ unique story and their own journeys in dating and relationships.
• Soft Girl Era & Submissiveness: Kimberly talks about the importance of vulnerability and being able to “turn off” boss mode at home:

  "Men need to feel needed...how do I show up as a woman and understanding...I subscribe to the word. I know what it means to be submissive." (29:13–29:36)

Friendship, Giving, and Expectations

• Giving Heart & Managing Expectations:

  "I needed to stop expecting me from other people...Just because it's not reciprocated the same way doesn't mean they're a bad person." (25:09-26:22)

• Friendship Breakups & Loyalty: Both discuss the pain and process of outgrowing friendships, jealousy/envy within circles, and handling those transitions with compassion and boundaries:

  "The reveal is just that, a reveal. And what you can do is maintain the friendship, but it will be different." (37:26–37:37)

Faith, Gratitude, and The Power of Testimony

• Unapologetic Faith:

  "I'm unapologetic in my faith. Because when God has been as good as he is and will be for me, I will not hide it." (32:05)

• Humble Beginnings: Kimberly recalls driving a Honda with a coat hanger holding up the bumper, running her business from a 600 sq ft apartment:

  "For the grace and mercy of God...if you have a problem with me talking about how good He is then we probably not gonna talk a lot." (33:00)

• On Favor:

  "Favor ain't fair...Because we can say, and it's not a brag or a boast, it's a praise." (33:31–33:37)

Navigating Corporate Spaces & Bringing Culture to Commerce

• Being The Only One In The Room: Kimberly often works with and leads in environments as the only Black woman, leaning into her expertise and building tenured relationships.

  “When I partner with a corporation, it’s not to be here today, gone tomorrow...I know consumers, I know what it looks like in the sense of business transformation.” (44:06–46:48)

• The Power of Proximity: How courtside seats and being present in unexpected spaces leads to lucrative opportunities and visibility for other Black women:

  "You never know just what that means...it means something to see you as a Black businesswoman go sit down, feet on the wood, courtside." (49:27–50:08)

Authentic Confidence & Code Switching

• Authenticity as a Superpower:

  "I think that when people connect with you in your purest form of authenticity, I don't have to switch up...I'm comfortable in my skin...I can go and switch, but it's not code switching." (55:10–57:41)

• Bringing Others Up: Kimberly advocates for mentorship and sponsorship, for Black women especially, in all her deals and opportunities:

  "Your network can determine your net worth...it is very easy to stay in circles that look like us. Get up and get out." (39:57–40:12)

Performance, Pressure & The Reality of Being a Woman Leader

• Navigating Stereotypes:

  "You show up confident...But being a powerful woman like you are often is called challenging, difficult, and a bitch, for lack of better words." (61:30)

• Preparation & Humility:

  "Prepared. Over prepared. Oh, you have to be over prepared. Collaborative. And also coachable." (61:42–62:27)

Significance Over Success

• Building a Legacy of Impact:

  "It's not about success. It's about significance." (68:58)

• Giving Back: Advocating for continuous self-improvement, investing in learning, and always finding a way to pay forward your blessings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A candle loses none of its light by lighting another.” (39:12, Kimberly)
• “Take the high road. It will never fail you.” (41:03, Kimberly)
• “If you know without a shadow of a doubt that this is what you are supposed to be doing, then you stay the course.” (88:29, Kimberly)
• “If at your core, you do everything rooted in love…I’m shrewd, I’m direct…but if you know, my heart and my intention is always rooted in love…the power in how you receive, digest, everything I do will be taken in its proper context.” (96:01–96:33, Kimberly)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:09 – Introduction & meeting story
• 01:26 – The importance of energy and intentionality in relationships
• 06:05 – “What does she do?” – Kimberly explains her role and career
• 07:43–11:09 – Navigating The Gathering Spot crisis, “using superpowers for good”
• 11:15–14:21 – Family, upbringings, words of affirmation, and partnership
• 18:27–20:38 – On privacy, dating, and security
• 22:28–25:33 – Growth in relationships & self-inventory
• 25:38–30:45 – Friendship, giving, and managing expectations
• 31:48–34:39 – Being unapologetically faith-driven
• 37:13–43:03 – Handling jealousy, friendship transitions, and staying positive
• 44:06–50:08 – Being a Black woman in corporate spaces, authenticity, and proximity
• 55:10–58:01 – Authentic confidence and not code switching
• 61:30–63:22 – Challenges as a confident Black woman leader
• 68:58–69:13 – “It’s not about success, it’s about significance.”
• 80:42 – Advice for aspiring businesswomen and navigating fear/insecurity
• 87:27 – Listener letter: transitioning to entrepreneurship and overcoming fear
• 94:56 – “We’ve glamorized this whole thing about being your own boss. I just want people to be a boss, period, in whatever position that is.”
• 95:09 – “Keep it __, sweetie” signature close; Crystal chooses “significant,” Kimberly chooses “in love.”

Actionable Advice for Listeners

For Aspiring Women in Business:

• Understand what you can afford to do, and learn the ropes within corporate environments before launching out.
• Invest in continuous learning.
• Be strategic with your relationships—build a strong network and seek mentorship/sponsorship.
• Stay authentic—be yourself in every room.
• Find your community or “tribe” for support.

Navigating Transition & Fear:

• Don’t expect immediate success—start small, scale up, and don’t quit your day job prematurely.
• Minimize overhead, reinvest profits, and be resourceful.
• Follow your gut, but pair passion with practical business planning.

Episode Takeaways

• Authenticity, faith, and humility are foundational for leadership, business, and life as a Black woman.
• Legacy matters more than titles; success is about significance.
• Being a boss isn’t defined by entrepreneurship only – you can boss up in any role, organization, or community.
• Invest in yourself—your skills, your network, your tribe.
• Find ways to give back and lift others as you climb.
• Keep It Positive, Sweetie: No matter how challenging the environment or complicated the relationship, remain rooted in love, positivity, and authenticity.