Hello Queen!! We are sooo excited for this Woman to Woman Talk! Tell us first, what was your childhood like? What were some of your best memories?

Hi Queen, I first want to say thank you for this!!! My childhood was good, fun, family oriented! I was the baby girl , so I was a little spoiled, but I learned my independence at the same time. Some of my best memories is spending time with my family (mom, dad, and brother) on Sundays at the house eating watching movies, chilling really! I remember taking family cruises and vacations for the holidays with all the family (aunties, uncles, grandparents).

What qualities would you say you’ve always had that are present in the work you do today?

Qualities that I have always had and been blessed and grateful for are loyalty, being dependable, hardworking, responsible, and respectful. My mom always made sure we were raised on character.

We love that you work as an assistant to some of the masses favorite moguls! Tell us how you got into your career and who some of your fav people to work with have been!

I began my career in assisting after I graduated from college. After graduating from California State University, Sacramento I moved back home to Atlanta and I couldn’t find a job.

While I was in college I was working in promotions at the radio station as an assistant, but the station got merged so jobs were let go. Anyway, when I moved back to Atlanta I couldn’t find a job and I was extremely depressed, so I had to start from scratch as an intern. I became the community relations intern at The Atlanta Voice under Jae Nash and she really opened my eyes to assisting even being a career. She believed in me, she actually bought my LLC for Pearls and Cuffs Assisting.

I actually have enjoyed every last one of my clients because they all taught me a lesson and helped me get to where I am now.

What are some things you’ve learned about being an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur, I have learned it is definitely a process and a journey. No day is the same and Lessons are learned everyday.

Kyerra Weldon

You definitely have to be consistent and fight through and work hard. I have learned you have to be disciplined and have to network and get you and your business out there. Don’t forget social media is a big one too.

What advice do you have for WOC looking to be elite in their professional roles, as in the preferred choice by respectable clients?

This is a hard, but needed question. The first thing that comes to my mind is to be yourself. If I had to give some advice I would say just always be respectful, professional and others. Set an example, I would code switch in situations I had. Lastly, think how you can be relatable, but still set yourself apart.

Have you ever had a horrible day in business and if so, how did you overcome it or turn it around?

Girl…… yes I have had a horrible day before in business. Being an assistant is very demanding and a lot on plate sometimes. One day I just felt I was making all the mistakes, I was overwhelmed, I was stressed. My client was mad at me and I felt everything was going wrong. I just had to stop, pause, breathe and pray!

What are some techniques you use to unplug or unwind when you’re not on duty?

Sooo for me unplugging and unwinding is….

1. therapy time with my therapist.

2. Spending time with my family, boyfriend, and friends.

3. A little retail therapy

4. Sleeeeping

5. A nice massage every once and awhile.

Whenever you don’t know how to do something that’s required of your next level, how do you begin to learn? What steps do you take to better yourself professionally?

I ASK for HELP!!! I am not afraid to ask for help from my colleagues, mentors, etc. Sometimes, a little youtube and google search helps too. To grow professionally, I go to networking events, put myself out there, reach out to my mentor for her to challenge me and just figure out how not to be stagnant. Most importantly, I ask God for guidance.

Please share some moments with us that you’re most proud of! And why?

God has been so good! I am proud to be an author. I never thought that I would be a writer and helping people. I am proud that I had the opportunity to host the Atlanta Women’s Expo and got to interview Fantasia. I am proud of the growth I have made professionally and personally. Lastly, I am proud to be a homeowner.

What’s next for you? Is there anything else you’d like to share? Also – How can we support/follow your journey?

What’s next for me….. Honestly, I don’t know. I pray everyday that I live the life God has planned for me. However, I can say that I am working on an agency and planning a class for people who want to be an assistant.

I would love for everyone to purchase my book, The Assistant’s Playbook on my website at http://www.pearlsandcuffs.com
Please follow me at @keetheassistant @pearlsandcuffsco to see what’s next and DM for any questions or concerns!