Meet Ketrina Mitchell: Non-profit youth organization director/Entrepreneur

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

Hi Ketrina, how do you think about risk?
In my life and career I have always been a risk taker. When I met my late husband in 2008, while we were dating he was diagnosed with A.L.L. a rare form of childrens cancer. We married in 2009 and left our corporate jobs, pooled together our savings we had in the bank and our 401k savings and invested in starting our non-profit, I Beat ALL. In 2011, we acquired a 12500 square feet facility, again, stepping out on faith. We didn’t have a strong client base, only a business plan I created from the internet and the will to provide youth services. We simplified our lifestyles, downsized and have never looked back. Not being able to have consisent income being an entrepreneur is difficult but the reward is great. Even after his untimely passing in 2018, I have continued the organization and am focused on its success, growth and opportunity it gives young people.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Faith is what has kept me going in business all of these years…I am proud that there are so many people that have supported the organization, I have mentored children from ages 6 through their early twenties. We have had children in the program from middle school who have now graduated college and come back and work or volunteer their time. Consistency in the business model and the message is what has kept us viable It has not been easy, especially dealing with my late husbands cancer, times of having to leave chemo and go to coach games or weeks in the hospital and leaving to go run the afterschool program or summer camp. Being transparent, accepting the challenges and sometimes failures, and learning from them has been the key. It has not been easy and there have been many sleepless nights, moneyless days and times where I have considered giving up. The feeling of giving up has always been short lived when you realize the impact that the facility and the organization have on peoples lives. I want the world to know that the IBALL brand is about never giving up, being fearless and being consistent.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite spots in the city are: Ten ATL, Nouveau ATL, Lemongrass Spa and Nikos. I would also take them to hang out at Piedmont park or any park in the perimeter area.

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 recognize Dwynell Mitchell, the founder and all the members of I Beat ALL Inc.

Website: www.ibeatall.org

Instagram: ibeatall44

Image Credits
@upwardnow