We’re looking forward to introducing you to Krystal Yates. Check out our conversation below.
Krystal, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day – after my coffee of course – are all about working on my business. Because I spend so much of my day providing deliverables, I really dig in every morning so I don’t get lost in the weeds. I start by reviewing emails and updating my to do list. I’m one of those obnoxious people who have a mostly clean email inbox. I delete it, file it, or schedule it out if it can’t be handled same day. It is my secret weapon to keeping so many balls in the air. Next, I spend an hour on business growth. That includes strategy sessions, updating marketing materials like the website, LinkedIn, and reading up on industry news. These are all things that get pushed to the bottom of the do list if they aren’t prioritized but are so important to growing my business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Krystal Yates, founder of Integrity People Group and EBR HR Experts, two brands built around helping people and businesses thrive at work. Through Integrity People Group, I partner with small businesses to remove the stress and guesswork from HR by offering flexible, people-centered consulting, recruiting, and compliance support. Through EBR HR Experts, I help job seekers navigate their career paths with confidence through resume development, coaching, and on-demand training.
What makes my work unique is that I operate on both sides of the table, supporting employers and employees alike. That dual perspective helps me create balance and understanding in how each side thinks, communicates, and succeeds. I’ve seen firsthand how the right HR strategies and career guidance can transform workplaces and lives, and I’m passionate about bringing that insight to every client and conversation.
We combine HR expertise with coaching, emotional intelligence, and modern hiring insights to help people position themselves for the roles they truly want. Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding our on-demand training programs, designed to make high-quality career guidance accessible anytime, anywhere.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I truly believed I was a follower. I remember a moment in middle school when our teacher asked everyone to raise their hand if they were a leader or a follower. Without hesitation, I chose “follower.” It felt comfortable, safe, even.
Looking back, I can see that I was never really a follower at all. Even then, if something needed to get done, I was the one who quietly stepped up. I didn’t see that as leadership; I just saw it as helping. Over the years, I’ve realized that’s exactly what leadership is. Seeing a need and taking action, often without waiting for permission or a title.
Today, I fully embrace that side of myself. I may not always be the loudest voice in the room, but I’m the one who steps in, brings people together, and makes things happen. I was a leader all along; I just didn’t realize it yet.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most has been the fear of disappointing others. It’s something that’s woven through so many parts of my life, including school, work, and relationships. I’ve always wanted to be the person people could count on, and somewhere along the way, that turned into a quiet pressure never to let anyone down.
For years, I said yes when I was already stretched thin. I worked harder, longer, and tried to meet every expectation, even when it came at my own expense. It took me a long time to realize that trying to make everyone happy was costing me peace, balance, and sometimes even joy.
I still care deeply about how my actions affect others. That’s part of who I am, but now I remind myself that disappointment is part of being human. You can’t show up for everyone all the time, and you don’t have to. What matters more is showing up honestly and doing your best from a place of integrity rather than fear.
That realization has shaped my leadership approach today. Whether I’m coaching a client or guiding a business owner through a tough decision, I try to model the same balance: empathy without overextension, accountability without perfection. It’s not about being everything to everyone; it’s about being authentic and present where it matters most.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is people. Helping them grow, succeed, and feel seen. Whether it’s an employee finding their voice, a client gaining clarity in their career, or a business owner finally feeling confident about their team, those moments light me up.
They’d also tell you that integrity matters deeply to me. It’s not just part of my company’s name, it’s how I try to live my life. I care about doing the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing, and treating people with honesty and respect along the way.
At my core, I’m someone who wants to make things a little better for the people around me. That shows up in my work, my friendships, and even the small day-to-day moments. If my friends see that in me, then I know I’m living my values in a way that really matters.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I made their lives a little better. Not because I built the biggest business, but because I showed up with integrity, kindness, and a willingness to help.
I want the story to be that I believed in people. That I gave my time, my heart, and my knowledge freely, and that I created spaces where people felt safe, capable, and valued.
Most of all, I hope people remember that I tried to live what I taught: that success and compassion aren’t opposites, and that you can lead with both. If that’s the story people tell about me when I’m gone, then I’ll know I lived the kind of life I set out to live.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.integritypeoplegroup.com
Image Credits
Macy Alexander Photography
