Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Frantz.
Hi Kimberly , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Get in! We are going down memory lane.!
As a little Black girl growing up in Mississippi with dreams bigger than her eyes, the big apple was the only place on my radar. Did it make it to the big Apple you ask, I guess you will have to keep reading to see.
I come from humble beginnings, from a childhood where you did not need much to make a memory. I was quiet, a little reserved, and more observant than people realized. But I was also funny, you know, the kind of funny that would catch you off guard once I got comfortable.
I grew up in the ’90s and early 2000s, and sometimes I think that era gave me my love for creativity in a way I did not fully understand as a child. Before everything was documented, curated, and posted, we were simply living.
I loved the arts in all its forms. I was fascinated by movement, sound, fashion, entertainment, and the way people could make you feel something simply by being themselves.
Looking back, I realize I was always creating, I just did not have the language for it yet.
That childhood feels like nostalgia in real time and in many ways, I know the little girl I was is still with me and guides my every move. She’ is still curious, still playful, still dreaming, and will forever hunt the good stuff because it could always be worse.
My journey has never been about choosing just one version of myself, but it is about extending grace to my past self and braving the storm for my future self.
I am an Army Veteran, a career professional, a creative, a community builder, and someone who genuinely believes life is meant to be experienced.
After serving as an Army Officer, I transitioned into Human Resources, where I discovered that many of the skills I developed through my military experience—leadership, discipline, problem-solving, communication, and the ability to navigate complex situations—translated naturally into helping people and organizations thrive. Eventually, I found what felt like the perfect career fit for me: a role where I could combine strategy, people, advocacy, and problem-solving while making a meaningful impact.
Outside of my career, I create beauty and local lifestyle content, capturing the little moments that make life feel beautiful. I love discovering places around my city, getting dressed up, experimenting with beauty, dancing my way through the streets, and finding new ways to turn everyday experiences into something worth sharing.
I am also passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen and can genuinely connect with others. It has not always been sunshine and rainbows over here, so I show up as the person I wish I had growing up. I host a walking group centered around community and wellness, and I co-host a podcast where we have honest conversations about life, ambition, relationships, healing, and everything in between.
For me, creativity is not limited to a camera or a microphone. Sometimes it looks like dancing when no one is watching. Sometimes it looks like starting a conversation with a stranger, making someone laugh, or simply being friendly when the world could use a little more kindness.
That is really what my creative journey is about: creating a life that feels authentic to me and bringing other people along for the ride.
I have learned that you do not have to put yourself into a box and you do not have to accept the box that others place you in either. I am multifaceted.
Wherever I go, I want to leave a little sunshine behind.
Now that we are to the end, I am sure you are wondering if I made it to the big apple or not. I did, but only as an upperclassman on the weekends while attending the United States Military Academy and in my real-life dreams strutting on the runway in New York Fashion Week.
Hope you enjoyed the ride!
Kimberly
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but practicing gratitude has been one of the things that has carried me through some of life’s most challenging seasons. I’ve also learned the importance of mindfulness and asking for support when I need it. With a background in Psychology, I’ve always been fascinated by the tools and coping strategies that help us navigate life with greater intention and resilience.
Some of the most challenging chapters of my life include attending the United States Military Academy, commissioning as an Army Officer in a combat arms battalion, deploying twice, and eventually transitioning from military service into the civilian world. Each experience challenged me in different ways, but they also taught me adaptability, perseverance, and the importance of knowing when to pivot. Those lessons continue to shape the woman I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work as an Employee Relations Partner, with a primary focus on investigating workplace concerns and helping navigate complex employee matters.
I’m passionate about justice, integrity, accountability, and open communication, and those values show up in both my professional and personal life.
One of the things I’m most proud of is my ability to pivot. I’ve learned to embrace change, adapt when necessary, and find a way forward—even when the path doesn’t look the way I expected.
What sets me apart is my confidence. I’m comfortable owning who I am, trusting my voice, and stepping into new spaces knowing I belong there.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If there’s one quality I believe has been most important to my success, it’s integrity. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, keeping my word, treating people with respect, and staying true to who I am in every room I enter. My career, my relationships, and my creative journey have all taught me that success means so much more when you can be proud of how you achieved it. For me, integrity is more than a value, it’s my compass. I want my character to speak just as loudly as my accomplishments.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kimshelle_
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kimberlymfrantz
- Other: TikTok: @kimshelle_
