Meet Kimberly Winborne, CFEI | Community Builder, Entrepreneur, Podcast Host, & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Winborne, CFEI and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?

“Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fears, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson, “Our Deepest Fear”

I love this poem because I ran across it at a time in my life when I did a lot of good behind the scenes, but was living in a grave amount of fear that kept me from having the courage to serve out loud, whether that pushed me to the front of the stage or kept me there. See, I wasn’t what I call “in the kitchen” or “behind the curtain” just because I loved it there. I was also there because I was afraid to be rejected if I was too “SEEN.” There’s something very comforting about hanging in the shadows, but it can also be a dangerous place. I hung in the shadows because of the eyes of people, the comments, and opinions that come with stepping out from behind the curtain. I reserved center stage for the “stars of the show.”

This particular portion of this poem spoke to me, in that it appeared as the “teacher” in my life. There’s an old proverb that states, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” I was in a position where I knew I needed to overcome fear, people-pleasing, past pains, shyness, and the insecurities of others which I allowed to influence my self-worth. I needed to understand what I know now, that has become the title of my signature speeches and also a play on my last name, Winborne– we are all BORN to win. “Playing small” didn’t align with what I had for goals, and how would I “make manifest the glory of God” in me if I continued to do so? I needed to be available for even just the ONE person that needed ME to step up so that I could fulfill my ultimate desire of service to the community and help light the fire that ignites the flame in them. This poem is one of the major influences that helped me to understand that the light within me (in each of us) is relevant, necessary, and should not be dimmed.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have to start by saying that pursuing a career as an entrepreneur was a desire I focused on since I was a child. I then made the choice to pursue that when I ran into a crossroad in my life and had to determine what direction I would head next. Life’s design is founded in the tiny observances that we overlook through life, but unconsciously keep with us. They stir up the joy when you’re doing things that have nothing to do with your job, for instance. You may often find that you seek them out and will easily tire yourself out doing them for free. These things are at the core of you, yet somewhere along the way, many of us lose the ability to trust ourselves to guide and lead our paths, so we end up in careers and other situations which don’t truly serve us, and often times, no one else. If we follow it, we may feel alone in the process, lack resources and confidence, and ultimately give up on it and many other things, deciding to settle for what “makes sense.” In my business and through the resources that I offer, often times through affiliation, it is my goal to ensure that those who I meet, but especially those I mentor, coach, or consult, will be able to identify what they want from their lives and/ or businesses, define it, design it, discover someone who is doing it to learn from, and then go and do it. This was a major lesson for me, because while I was familiar with apprenticeship, the idea of a mentor in the area of personal development, etc was not something that I saw as a valuable use of my time. When I finally realized the beauty of the relationship with a mentor, my life changed. This is a part of my brand story.

I am not like everyone else because I am uniquely made, just like we all are. It is important to me to help those who I come in contact with to understand that they can achieve anything with intentionality, commitment, and discipline. I provide exceptional accountability and care, as well as an extensive network that I consistently try to build in order that I may provide even more resources for clients and the community. I believe in collaboration over competition and make it a point to model this message. My clients remain with me for the long haul, which is one of the things that I am most proud of. I have built communities, as well as assisted others in doing the same, showing them how to build relationships, build their network, and create and implement the art and science of (networking and) collaboration in their daily practices, which is how I got where I am today. This is what I am known for and how many would describe me– “Networking Queen,” “Collaboration Queen,” “The Connector,” or “The Collaborator,” to name a few titles I’ve been given. For years, I was hired by companies to teach/ facilitate workshops with this focus. The Coffee and Collaborations Radio Show, then podcast, and now media company was developed inspired by this as well. This excites me, along with witnessing the transformation and evolution of those who I work with. To see more collaboration happening among business owners as we continue to forge ahead toward the achievement of greater goals is priceless. Together we can do so much more!

Getting to where I am today as a financial strategist, philanthropist, author, coach, podcast host, mentor, speaker, and workshop/ seminar facilitator is all predicated on my ability to do collaboration well or fail at it. For instance, getting my book, The Debt Detox published took working with a graphic designer in order to execute that, especially at one of the most challenging times in my life–after a car accident which totaled my car and left me with a fairly serious concussion. It not for collaboration and relationship-building, it would not have happened. I operate in this same way in every aspect of my businesses and has been what I contribute to what I have done to overcome the many challenges that are a part of my winning story. I would also add prayer. As a result of community, especially the one I mentioned before called The Praying SheE.O, I have been able to overcome many challenges. I am now in a position in my business where I am being asked to train others to do what it is that I do, which is an honor that blows my mind. That one YES to myself to overcome fear years ago led to this. I look forward to continuing to push. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best friend and I would (without a doubt) have a spa day! We may book an overnight stay at a resort that has a “Girlfriends package” where we can get a spa service per person. I would love to get a massage or facial and then hang out in the spa most of the day sipping a delicious beverage, and catching up in our robes and slippers. We would also be sure to eat really well also! I am a vegetarian who is also gluten free, so my best friend often joins me in choosing to eat gluten free. We would pig out at whatever location we choose to eat if the resort’s restaurant isn’t ideal, but that would be my first choice. Yet another option is to hire a personal chef and invite some other friends over for a girl’s night that evening. Yes, I love group gatherings and so does she! You can have fun anywhere as long as you have an open mind to appreciate the experience before you. We can travel out of the country or remain here in Raleigh, North Carolina. When you don’t get an opportunity to see someone you love daily, it is more about the quality time together that makes all the difference. Oh, my best friend lives in Charlotte. 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To the most amazing mother in the world, Pamela Hines Orr, there are not enough words to explain the magnitude of the influence you have had on me. I thank God for designing me for you. Then to my community of support, including family, friends, and my mentors, collaborative partners, prayer partners, especially in The Praying SheE.O. Group, those who have partnered with Kimberly Winborne, LLC and Beauty 180, Inc. 501c3 to speak, facilitate workshops, and offer your time in many ways, to those who have trusted me with your most trusted information, including your personal challenges and struggles, and lastly, the educators who have impacted and encouraged my journey, thank you to all of you. I want to shout you out for the inspiringly dope souls you are!

Website: www.kimberlywinbornellc.com

Instagram: @iamkimberlywinborne or @kimberlywinbornellc or @beauty180inc

Linkedin: Kimberly H. Winborne

Twitter: @kimberlywinsllc

Facebook: @kimberly.winborne or @kimberlywinbornellc or @beauty180inc

Youtube: Coffee and Collaborations Media

Image Credits
All of these photos were released to me/ my company as owner or for use. Photography primarily by Pharenheit Photography Richard Font Photography (around the table teaching) Media Team at The Way Church (speaking in a green dress with a young lady with short hair) JHG Photography & Videography (I had blonde hair and was hosting a Tea)