Key Moments
How She Built Her Confidence, and Then an Empire with Krissy Cela | E57
The Diary Of A CEOKey Moments
Entrepreneur Krissy Cela shares her journey from an immigrant bullied child to a multi-millionaire.
Key Insights
Confidence is built through consistent self-improvement, like in the gym, rather than external validation.
Authenticity and transparency are key to building a strong community and business.
Overcoming early hardships, like bullying and personal insecurities, can be a powerful motivator for success.
Balancing ambition with personal life and relationships is a significant challenge for entrepreneurs.
True entrepreneurial success lies in helping others thrive, not just personal financial gain.
Self-worth and happiness must be cultivated internally before seeking them externally in relationships or achievements.
FROM INSECURITY TO EMPOWERMENT
Krissy Cela recounts her early struggles, including being bullied as an immigrant child and feeling insecure about her appearance, such as having a mustache. These experiences deeply affected her self-esteem, leading her to try and please others, including a past boyfriend who cheated on her. This period was marked by a constant desire to fit in and a feeling of not being good enough, which she realized was a draining and unsustainable way to live. The shift towards self-acceptance began when she decided to focus on herself and her own well-being, a pivotal moment that set her on a path to building confidence.
THE GYM AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
The gym became a transformative space for Krissy, serving as an escape from her depression and anger. Initially intimidated and unsure of how to use the equipment, she was drawn to the weights, a domain typically occupied by men. Through consistent effort and self-directed learning, she not only built physical strength but also mental discipline. This journey provided her with a sense of accomplishment and therapy, proving that focusing on self-improvement could be a powerful antidote to life's challenges and a foundation for future success.
AUTHENTICITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
Krissy emphasizes that her success is not about her but about building a community of women who can thrive together. She attributes her ability to connect with people to her unwavering honesty and transparency, stating, "You literally either take it or you leave it." This authentic approach resonates with her audience, attracting women who have faced abuse or mental health struggles. By creating a supportive 'tribe,' she offers a sense of belonging and understanding, which she deeply values and believes is the core of her mission beyond mere business.
NAVIGATING RELATIONSHIPS AND EXTERNAL JUDGMENTS
The conversation delves into the challenges Krissy faces, particularly the judgment she receives as a young, successful woman in fitness. She notes the double standard where men are rarely questioned about their success, while women often have to justify themselves. This external pressure, combined with her past experiences, makes her introspective about relationships. Her past engagement with her ex-fiancé highlights how relationship dynamics can be strained by business pressures and differing life paths, leading to them growing apart despite mutual love and respect.
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL GRIND AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE
Krissy candidly discusses the relentless nature of entrepreneurship, describing how it consumes significant personal time and energy. She admits to struggling to switch off, often thinking about her businesses even when trying to relax. This constant focus, while fueling her professional success, creates challenges in maintaining personal relationships and achieving a 'normal' life. She acknowledges that her obsessive drive, while a key to her achievements, means something personal might have to give, leading to a contemplation of whether her current lifestyle is conducive to the personal happiness and family life she desires.
MENTAL HEALTH, LEGACY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE
Having battled severe depression, Krissy highlights that mental well-being is paramount, even more so than financial success. She shares personal moments of despair, emphasizing the importance of self-care and avoiding a 'toxic hustle' culture. Despite her entrepreneurial achievements, she grapples with doubts about having a 'normal' family life, acknowledging a need for personal happiness. Her advice to 'do it for you' underscores the necessity of prioritizing one's own health and well-being, a lesson learned through intense personal struggle and a commitment to creating a sustainable, fulfilling life beyond business.
BUILDING A BRAND WITH PURPOSE: HONOR ACTIVE AND TONE & SCULPT
Krissy discusses her ventures, including the fitness app Tone & Sculpt and her activewear brand, Honor Active. She aims for Honor Active to be timeless and sustainable, moving away from fleeting trends. For Tone & Sculpt, she emphasizes inclusivity by featuring diverse athletes like Danielle Wilson, advocating that fitness is about how it makes you feel, not just how it looks. She also touches on the importance of representation in the fitness industry, especially within the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, and discusses her willingness to leverage her platform for positive impact.
THE UNEXPLAINABLE CONNECTION WITH COMMUNITY
Despite acknowledging the sacrifices in her personal life, Krissy finds profound fulfillment in her online community. Referring to them as 'familia' or 'sisters,' she feels a deeper connection with her followers than perhaps with some people in her immediate life. This unique bond, built on shared vulnerabilities and mutual understanding, motivates her to continue her work. She describes the energy and support she feels from her community as unexplainable and a primary source of her drive, providing a sense of friendship and belonging.
RETHINKING CONVENTIONAL LIFE SCRIPTS
The conversation touches upon societal pressures, particularly for women, regarding marriage, children, and career timelines. Krissy questions traditional notions like marriage, suggesting that genuine partnership and love are more important than a legal or religious contract. She expresses a desire for a long-term partner and children but also recognizes that her current lifestyle may complicate these aspirations. This leads to a reflection on the uniqueness of individual paths and the need to question societal 'scripts' that may not fit everyone's life experience or desired outcomes.
THE VALUE OF TIME AND THE FEAR OF NOT LIVING
Krissy shares a profound fear of dying without truly living, emphasizing that time is entrepreneurs' most valuable asset. She admits to often neglecting her own well-being in pursuit of her business goals, a stark contrast to the advice she gives her community. Activities like skipping, which require intense presence, serve as a rare mental escape. She contrasts this with the regret of not prioritizing experiences and loved ones, realizing that in the face of mortality, relationships and living fully are what truly matter, a lesson highlighted by a personal loss.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Products
●Software & Apps
●Companies
●Books
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Krissy Cela's Guide to Building Confidence & Sustainable Success
Practical takeaways from this episode
Do This
Avoid This
Common Questions
Krissy Cela felt it was unfair to be judged as a woman for her appearance, while men are not. She uses such criticism as fuel to achieve more, stating that people's conclusions often reflect more about them than about her. She emphasizes that her success is built on a message of helping women, not just her looks.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Krissy Cela's fitness app and growing business, co-founded with Jack, which faced a lawsuit and experienced rapid growth.
Major global sportswear brand mentioned as an example of a trusted and loved brand with simple, sustainable products, which Honor Active aims to emulate.
Social media platform where Krissy Cela started her fitness journey, gained 50,000 followers by recording her workouts, and uses to connect with her community.
Major global activewear brand mentioned as an example of a trusted and loved brand with simple, sustainable products, which Honor Active aims to emulate.
Krissy Cela's activewear line, designed for sustainability and timelessness rather than fleeting trends, with collections named 'classic,' 'timeless,' and 'effortless'.
An online music platform founded by Jamal Edwards, mentioned in context of successful black entrepreneurs.
A nutrition company that sponsors the podcast, offering nutritionally complete meals in various forms like powder and bottles, praised for supporting busy schedules.
A 200-pound, 5'11" African-American female athlete who became a trainer on the Tone & Sculpt app, representing diverse fitness and challenging stereotypes.
UK's number one fitness creator and entrepreneur, known for her raw honesty and building multi-million pound businesses, author of 'Do This For You'.
Fellow fitness personality known for his genuine approach, mentioned by the host as being similar to Krissy in authenticity.
Founder of SBTV, mentioned as one of the few young black successful entrepreneurs in the UK, highlighting the lack of diversity in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Former U.S. President, mentioned by the host as an example of someone who inspired others and changed naive perceptions.
A lady who worked with palliative patients and documented their biggest regrets before dying, inspiring the 'deathbed thinking' concept discussed.
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