We recently had the chance to connect with Nelly Kaakaty and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Nelly, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Thank you so much for having me! Well, I have three young children who keep me laughing. As a parent, you do a lot of talking and teaching and you hope something you said along the way sticks with them. The other day, my oldest totally repeated something I said to her about feelings to her younger sister–and I was so proud! I acted like I wasn’t listening, but I heard her say, “it’s OK to take a break and try again,” which I have definitely said to her, many times. So that made me laugh and feel proud.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure, I am Nelly Kaakaty and I am dedicated to making learning accessible to all kinds of minds. I am focused on supporting kids and families with learning differences, especially in communities that need more resources or access to information. My younger brother struggled in school and I was so puzzled by this as a kid because I knew he was bright and capable. It just didn’t translate to his grades or behavior. He was labeled as a behavior problem and instead of being seen as a kid who was having a hard time, teachers thought he was giving them a hard time. He didn’t get the support he needed and it wasn’t until many years later we learned he had ADHD. I truly believe if he had gotten early support, it would have altered the course of his life. I want to ensure no child falls through the cracks and no family feels unsupported.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom will forever be the hardest-working person I know. She came to America from Egypt a little over 40 years ago and built a business from nothing. She worked several jobs on the side, never complained, and taught my sister and me to be independent and never give up on our goals. The most impressive part about that is that she built her business around her children and her desire to be a present mother. She took us to work with her as kids and we spent weekends helping at her store. I definitely didn’t always like it as a kid, but as an adult looking back, I realize I learned so much in that time. Our mom had us talking to customers and helping them at a young age so we learned how to communicate, listen, and help others. She instilled a work ethic and heart for service that is the foundation of who I am today.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I think healing is a continual process, so I won’t pretend things are not still challenging at times. My dad passing away unexpectedly during my senior year of high school is definitely a defining wound of my life. I miss him every day. Losing him shattered our reality and a part of the healing process has been acknowledging that life is short and temporary and that we should take not one second for granted. I rely heavily on prayer and my connection to faith to help me continue to grow and heal.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I will always believe in a better world. I think people work hard to convince us things are hopeless, too hard, impossible, etc., and I just refuse to believe that. So for me, as I work with kids and families, I am deeply committed to lifelong change and will always believe it’s possible. A big part of my job is to help them see that too.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
I will never regret the times I said “no” to things so I could spend more time with my children and family. Being a mom who works outside of the home (all moms work!), I have struggled with thoughts around “Should I stay home with my kids full-time? Should I be working in schools? Should I this? What if I…etc.” -lots of questioning! But I will never regret always keeping my faith and family at the center of all I do. It is always worth it, keeps me grounded, and I am forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://learningwithdrk.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningwithdr.k/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellykaakaty
