We recently had the chance to connect with Kristy Edwards and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Coffee first, always. Then, I do a devotion and pray. I find that spending a few minutes in God’s Word, helps every part of my day and every relationship, both personal and professional. After that, I go to the gym and do a good workout and finish off with about 15 minutes in the steam room and then sauna. After that, I shower and my day is non stop!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kristy Edwards, Founder of Neatly Balanced. I started the business in 2020 just a couple weeks before Covid hit. We offer complete home organizing services, moving packages and donation pick ups! We focus on removing any and everything clients no longer want, use or wear, and we donate those things to 14 local non profits, that help those in need.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This may seem silly but as a little girl, probably three or four, my family was in Pigeon Forge, TN and went to a water ski show (those were big, back in the day). I was completely drawn in to the girls in fancy, glittery sequined outfits performing stunts on water skis and I decided I wanted to meet them after the show. So, being outgoing even as a child, when the show ended, I convinced my parents to walk me down to where some of them were signing autographs. I simply asked if I could go backstage and see their costumes. One girl said “Sure” and took my hand, and walked me down the “stage” area and took me backstage for about 10-15 minutes. Looking back, I can’t believe my parents just let me go with her but it was a different time. As I toured the dressing rooms, all the other girls were asking me questions like how old I was, where I was from, etc. so I asked if I could have a costume to take home. They found a poofy hair thing, a sequin band that went around my wrist like a bracelet, and a few other accessories that would fit me and then walked me out to my parents all bedazzled. It showed me that you never get what you don’t ask for! The answer may just be “yes” so ever since, I never hesitate to ask to speak to someone I really want to meet, or ask advice from people I look up to.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I stopped being scared. I lived a lot of my life in fear – mostly fear of letting people down. People have always had pretty significant expectations of me (or so I have felt) for many reasons. For most of my life I lived in a way that would rarely let them down. After the Harvey Weinstein scandal when women began speaking out about things that had been done to them, I realized I had nothing to be scared of, concerning things I’ve also lived though that until then, no one knew about. I began speaking at various events, churches, even just in conversation, because if I can help even one person with whatever they’re going through, it’s worth it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Getting those in need basic essentials. That’s the backbone of my business and a huge part of what we do. There is no reason that a child should go to school in winter without a coat and proper boots/shoes. There’s no reason anyone, child or adult, should go to bed hungry. There is no reason every single person shouldn’t have a toothbrush, etc. I’m committed to doing everything I can to make sure they have basic essentials that so many of us take for granted.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I lived my life authentically, full of integrity and that I always tried to help others. Integrity is what you do when no one is watching, and I truly live my life trying to help others in ways many people will never know about or praise me for. I don’t do it for the praise – I do it because it’s the RIGHT thing to do. What you see from me in public is what you see in the privacy of my home. I’m always looking for ways to do more, help more and alleviate suffering.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.neatly-balanced.com
- Instagram: @neatlybalanced
- Linkedin: @neatlybalanced
- Facebook: @neatlybalanced
Image Credits
Promotional photo of Kristy by Katy James. All other photos by Neatly Balanced team
