We had the good fortune of connecting with Keena Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keena, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Over the years, I have learned that work-life balance is key to a lot of positive factors of a successful career. Initially, all I knew was work and could not find the balance of both home and career. I worked long days and long nights. I always thought that if I worked harder and longer than my peers, I would show myself worthy to be where I was And promote faster. I thought if I give all my time to my business, it would grow faster. I’ve missed many lunches, kids events at school, and even vacations (I worked while on them). Looking back, I see it did not help me be more valued, respected , or mentally prepared for success. It did not help me reach my goals any faster, nor be promoted at work. It was ultimately turned into an expectation in some cases. It was understood that Keena would stay late, or Keena will work on it. Last but not least, after giving work my all, I was not given any additional credit or recognition above the person only giving bare minimum. Finding balance today, I see it helps me to be more aware and creative. Today, I’m rested and more productive. I focus on my mental and physical well-being. The importance of spending my time wisely became clear to me and it was needed for my success. I now prioritize and allow some things to wait in turn leaving time in my day for family and self rejuvenation. I feel great and excited about what’s to come! I am more refreshed and not burned out before my day starts. It shows not only in the energy that I bring to each day, but also in my working relationships. My family is appreciative of my presence more and I realize they are more successful.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant for a leading Healthcare/Managed Care company and I have my own Corporate HR Consulting company. I have a career in Human Resources and HR Consulting that stretches over 18 years. I achieved the success I have today by not becoming complacent with current knowledge and my current position in life. I am always looking at ways to improve my skills, obtain new knowledge, and be an asset! I keep striving to learn more and share what I’ve learned. I invest in people the way someone else invested in me. I remember my 1st HR job, my manager met with me and told me to always be ready to walk in a room/meeting and always know that I belong! She told me how to dress the part, speak the lingo, and capture the attention in the room. I was so blessed that she taught me early to always be prepared because you never know who is watching. That advice stuck with me. I use those same principles when I speak to youth today prior to graduation about how to land a professional opportunity. I provide information and tools on how to interview, what to wear, how to be engaged during the interview and not just go through the motions of the interview. Finally, I teach them how to close an interview! I advise on things like asking about next steps, and timeframe on the decision. I encourage them to be so confident that they not leave the interviewer wondering if there is anyone better! In my 1st HR role, I was promoted 3 times within a year because I was eager and always accepting a challenge! I asked questions, showed interest and found a way to learn to work outside of my comfort zone. I absorbed knowledge and feedback then implemented changes where needed. I am still doing that today. I want the world to know that you can set your own expectations and goals to be attainable according to YOUR strengths. I try to find small victories in my professional career daily and that motivates me to keep going! I’ve built my career and brand from the ground up on foundations and principles of faith and family while focusing on my purpose to manifest my destiny. I am currently recruiting for hundreds of clinical positions for my corporate position and I also incorporate opportunities for HR Consulting in my own business. I offer services for resume writing, interview coaching, preparation and career coaching as well. I am a motivational speaker occasionally speaking to high school students, career centers, and at career fairs providing motivational career growth information. Finally, I also am a marriage/relationship ambassador! I’ve been married for 21 years and I often appear with my husband providing encouragement and promoting how to have a successful career as well as a successful marriage/relationship for couples. It is very rewarding!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my BFF was coming to town, I would take them to some great places in the city! I would try to find some authentic original places to eat as well as some staples. I would show them places that could be exciting to visit. We could start with a great breakfast/brunch at Atlanta Breakfast Club. They are absolutely phenomenal and the food will leave a lasting impression. Sightseeing is up next. Let’s take in some history like at the King Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. I would recommend that we visit the Aquarium and tour World of Coca Cola. A nice lunch or early dinner would be at a great place like Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours or Rays on the River. For dinner, we must stop in at my hubby’s favorite restaurant, C. Ellet’s Steakhouse at the Battery Atlanta for an amazing dinner with a great ambiance. I definitely would recommend we get a good walk with nature at the belt line after we make a stop at Ponce City Market! Finally, before they leave, a weekend picnic and night out at the Whisky Mistress or Katz Cafe for some great jazz!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout out to all of the people that have connected to my destiny, mission and vision for my life. Thank you for believing in me and trusting in my brand! You took an interest in me and played an intricate part in helping me reach many milestones in my career! To my husband, Jernard Wells, thank you for pushing me to be all that I can be! Thank you for showing me there is nothing that we can’t accomplish if we stay grounded in faith and focused. To my mother, Girtha Hoggs, my father, Morgan Clayborn, and my Mother-in-law, Gwendolyn Willis, I thank you for providing great examples of stability, parenting, love and support in my life when needed most! While building a career, building a business, and building a brand, you have held me down with the kids, guidance, love, while providing great parenting examples. You’ve shown great examples on love, wisdom, direction and and the fundamental principles of having a family and a career. I would like to thank my oldest daughter, Carleisha Jones, and oldest sons, Jernard Wells Jr. and Kameron Wells, for stepping up and leading their younger siblings as well as overseeing their well being while I work and have traveled! Thanks to my sister, Kesha Richmond and my niece, Keshandria Jeffries, for coming to stay with my children while I have traveled for work over the years. To my other children, Keenan, Jacobe, Jasmine , and Zoe, thank you for letting me off the hook for lunch dates, cheer camps, football games, etc., but still showing up for me! Through love and support, I’m able to keep going because you all know that I’m doing it for you! I Shout them out for letting me be a mother while doing what I love, Talent Management and Human Resources. Shout Out to my former managers, mentors and colleagues (Leighann Stradford, Wendy Henriques and Kerrie Swant that sowed seeds of knowledge, trust, faith and believed in my skills and abilities. Thank you providing leadership skills, directives, and motivation in the office for me that shaped me throughout my career and still adds to my success today. Shout out to my current manager, Clancy. I thank you for always encouraging, supporting, and giving me an opportunity to thrive! I thank you for allowing growth and for offering tips that highlights my strengths while developing my weaknesses! Shout out to my former peer, Donna Lowe, for providing moral support during my career and having my back in and out of the office! I thank you for operating and living HR “even when no one was watching!” Thanks for doing what was right on my behalf and being a great example of perseverance! I often am motivated to keep going just from your strength! I also want to thank Donna for sharing her platform and inviting me on the “Donna Show” to discuss all thing Talent Management and work-life balance! As a mother of 9, we need visibility sometimes to encourage and show being a mother and living your dreams are possible. You  believed in my skills and abilities enough to allow me to speak to her viewers and your clients and for that, I’m grateful! To my business colleague (often mentor) and friend, Rushion McDonald, I thank you for leading with your gifts and trusting me with a great successful opportunity that changed lives for many great individuals! Shoutout to you for showing me how to build a brand and how to never doubt my ability to be great. You are a great example for reinventing for success! Thank you for teaching me to believe in my success, set reachable goals, and never stop striving to be better than I was yesterday. I’ve learned so much from you all! I’ve taken all of this support, advice, and leadership examples to become the success I am today!

Website: Hautecuisine.store
Instagram: Keena1031
Linkedin: Keena Wells
Twitter: Keena1031
Facebook: Keena Wells
Youtube: KeenaWellsTV

Image Credits
Photo credits: Niya Matthews Donna Lowe Jernard Wells