Meet Kimberley Pugh | Business Owner, Justice Impacted Student Advocate, & Reentry Consultant

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

Hi Kimberley, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factors behind both my personal success and the success of my brand is the power of community, compassion, higher education, and humanity. As someone who had to start life over with very little, I would not be where I am today without building relationships with like-minded individuals who understood my journey and supported me along the way. Their compassion reminded me that I was more than my past and helped me see the possibilities for my future. I also committed myself to continuous growth through higher education, earning my bachelor’s and master’s degree and expanding my knowledge well into my late 30s and early 40s. Education gave me the tools, confidence, and perspective needed to create new opportunities for myself and others. Most importantly, my success is deeply rooted in humanity and the belief that most people are not looking for a handout, but simply a helping hand. When we choose to uplift, encourage, and invest in one another, we create lasting change that impacts individuals, families, and entire communities.

What should our readers know about your business?
My professional journey has been anything but traditional. Today, I am the Owner and CEO of Blue-Lyon Transportation and Commute, LLC, a workforce transportation company dedicated to helping employers improve retention, reduce absenteeism, and provide reliable transportation solutions for their employees. However, my success story did not begin with a business plan; it began with a second chance, a commitment to personal growth, and a desire to solve real problems that impact working families every day. What sets Blue-Lyon Transportation apart is that we do more than move people from one location to another. We help connect individuals to opportunities. We understand that transportation is often one of the biggest barriers to employment, especially for individuals who are rebuilding their lives, supporting families, or working to create a better future. Our company partners with employers to provide safe, dependable transportation while improving employee attendance, retention, and overall workforce stability. The accomplishment I am most proud of is building a business that creates solutions while making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Watching employees arrive at work consistently, maintain employment, and continue providing for their families reminds me why this work matters. I am also proud that Blue-Lyon Transportation was built on values such as compassion, accountability, safety, and respect for every individual we serve. Getting to where I am today was not easy. There were many obstacles, setbacks, and moments when giving up would have been the easier option. I faced challenges that could have easily defined my future. Instead, I chose to invest in myself through education. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that success is never achieved alone. Community, compassion, mentorship, education, and faith have all played critical roles in my journey. I learned that asking for help is not weakness, that resilience is built one decision at a time, and that every challenge carries an opportunity for growth. Most importantly, I learned that people are often not looking for a handout; they are looking for a helping hand and an opportunity to succeed. What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that my story is one of hope, perseverance, and purpose. Blue-Lyon Transportation was founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to opportunity and that businesses can be successful while still caring about people. My journey proves that a person’s past does not determine their future. Through education, hard work, faith, and the support of a strong community, transformation is possible. If there is one message I hope people take away from my story, it is this: your circumstances do not have to define your destiny. Every day presents an opportunity to choose growth, create impact, and build something greater than yourself. That philosophy is the foundation of who I am and the driving force behind Blue-Lyon Transportation and Commute, LLC.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to Atlanta for a week, I would want them to experience the city through my eyes. The first thing we would do is take a ride through Atlanta so I could show them the communities, culture, and landmarks that have shaped my life. Along the way, I would listen closely to what excites and inspires them and use that to help plan the rest of their visit. One stop would definitely be Centennial Olympic Park, where we would enjoy a picnic. As a proud Grady Baby, Atlanta holds a special place in my heart, and that park represents many of the memories and experiences that make this city home. I would also take them to Life University so they could meet some of the professors, mentors, and friends who played a major role in my educational and personal transformation. Another important part of the week would be introducing them to my business associates and professional network. Many of these individuals have become like family to me, and they have been instrumental in my growth as an entrepreneur and community leader. Of course, we would make time for fun by attending an Atlanta Hawks or Atlanta Falcons game, creating memories and taking plenty of pictures along the way. I would also take them to the King Center because Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service, justice, and compassion continues to inspire the work I do today. And when it comes to food, brunch at Flavor Rich would be a must. Dinner, however, would be entirely their choice because the week would be about sharing the places that have shaped me while also creating an experience centered around what brings them joy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are two organizations and one individual I would like to recognize because they played a significant role in shaping who I am today: Life University, Mrs. Kareemah Hanifa, and Wayne-Sanderson Farms.

First, I want to acknowledge Life University. Life University opened the door for women behind prison walls who desired to pursue higher education and create a better future for themselves. The professors, deans, and university leadership did much more than provide me with an education; they helped me rediscover who I was. Through that experience, I reconnected with Kimberley Pugh, the little girl with big dreams, a compassionate heart, and a belief that anything was possible. After earning my Associate of Arts degree, I continued my educational journey by completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Positive Psychology. Today, I am continuing that journey by pursuing my Master of Business Administration degree.

My second shoutout goes to Mrs. Kareemah Hanifa. She has been a source of compassion, encouragement, accountability, and unwavering support throughout my journey. Kareemah consistently reminded me that my circumstances did not define my potential and that I had the ability to overcome any obstacle placed before me. She opened doors of opportunity, but she also taught me an important lesson: opportunities are only meaningful if you are willing to walk through them. Her guidance, wisdom, and faith-inspired leadership have had a tremendous impact on my life, and I am deeply grateful for her presence and influence.

My final shoutout goes to Wayne-Sanderson Farms. When I was hired as a Second Shift HR Coordinator, I had no idea how much that opportunity would change my life. I learned from incredible HR professionals, plant managers, supervisors, and associates from many different cultural backgrounds. What stood out to me most was the company’s commitment to its people. While production goals and business objectives were important, there was also a genuine effort to support associates as individuals. Through that experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges many working families face, and it helped inspire the work I do today. It was there that I realized most people are not looking for a handout; they are simply looking for a helping hand and an opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. That lesson became one of the foundations of both my personal mission and my brand.

Website: https://bluelyontransportation.com