Today we’d like to introduce you to Kymberly Akpowowo.
Kymberly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I had a cushy life growing up until I didn’t and I wasted a lot of time trying to figure things out throughout my late teens and early to mid-twenties. By 27, I realized that I hadn’t achieved nowhere near as much as my peers or what I thought I should have and I’ve been playing catch-up ever since. Today at 36, those feelings of inadequacy are still as prevalent as ever and every move I’ve made I question. My 30’s were supposed to catch me up and even get me ahead in life. Two degrees, a bunch of failed attempts at entrepreneurship, and an autoimmune diagnosis later, I realized not only was I tired but I sucked at this class called life.
Chasing the perception of what I thought my life should be wasn’t getting me anywhere. After three years of running in behind this falsehood, not only was I tired but I understood that I had been going about things all wrong.
My decision to become a virtual assistant came out of peer necessity as I struggled to make ends meet monthly. One day I decided that enough was enough and to stop complaining and change my circumstances.
Social work is not for everybody howsoever,it took a lot of courage, dedication, and hard work for me to start, finish, study, and get licensed to be in this profession. I made an investment in myself and want to see results. I will be the first to tell you that unlike other professions, the return on investment is a bit slower and I’ve had to do a bit more leg-work post-graduation and post-licensure but I wouldn’t change anything. What did need to change is how I approached my profession. Despite my passion to help, I had to realize my potential and do away with this “Vow of Poverty” mentality that many social workers wear as a badge of honor. Yes, having a purpose and doing something you love is invaluable. I know this is why I chose to be a social worker.
I simply have a heart for people. The problem was my heart was shrinking and I was going unfulfilled. Perhaps I was better suited for something else I thought. I was right, but going to school for another degree, while it would get me more money; it wasn’t the answer to fulfilling my passions and purpose. After journaling, therapy, and some soul searching, I remembered I can be both a social worker and create the life that I want. I just had to think outside of the box. Many social work programs do not prepare you for entrepreneurship but I was determined. Even if it meant creating my own blueprint.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I totally understand why the road to entrepreneurship is riddled with shortcuts and detours. It’s hard as hell!
First, let me say that I take myself WAY too serious. I realize that I had invested so much energy into achieving my goals that I was experiencing burnout. At my best, I was performing at a mediocre level and that was my fault. For the past three years, I had plagued myself with feelings of inadequacy and self-comparison to friends, family members, and worst of all people who I don’t even know absent of their social media profile. SMS and Social Media Stalking is real. I had become my biggest Goliath. If I was going to be committed to helping social workers think outside the box to increase their earning potential and achieve more; I had to officially get over myself and get out of my own way. Oh, yeah and I also had to accept that sometimes your degree just isn’t enough.
To help, I embarked upon a 30-day journal challenge that changed the game for me. One of the hardest things to accept is all the jacked up and not so great things about ourselves that are often at the heart of many obstacles and limitations that we experience. I discovered SO much about myself that I was brought to tears on more than one occasion. Outside of putting aside all of the expectations and perceptions about entrepreneurship. I would say one of the largest obstacles would definitely be self and the need to do mindfulness work. The need to develop robust coping skills is critical while you are building a business.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Through Kymberly A. Professional Support Services, I help social workers and other helping professionals show up bigger, better, and stronger in the digital space. My goal is to become the subject matter expert for outside the box helping professionals.
Through my business, I have honed in on my passion to not only help, but I want to educate and empower social workers who are interested in learning how to use their social work education and experience to lead a successful and sustainable life. Whether it be consulting or coaching them through their own entrepreneurial journey or providing guidance in their current career to help them reduce burnout I am your go-to.
One of my most important contributions that I will make in this lifetime will be what I have instilled and left behind for the next generation to learn and grow from in hopes of making their lives a little easier. I am a licensed social worker and realized early in my career that my job is to teach others how to “social work differently.”
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would like to give a HUGE thank you to my therapist, friends, family, and colleagues who have legit been a sounding board for my multiple ideas and projects and have carried me through some rough storms throughout this journey They know who they are and I love each and every one of them to the moon and back!
Pricing:
- Hourly rate starts at 38.00 per hour
- Basic-Professional $348
- Pro-Professional $498
- Elite-Professional $648
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kymberlya.com
- Phone: 682-557-8361
- Email: kymberlyava@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialva2therapists?igshid=18vceohnc7qpa
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/kymberlyaVA/?_rdr
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