We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Norrea Kelly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Norrea Kelly, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, has always been rooted in a deep desire to break the generational curses that have impacted both sides of my family. I grew up knowing that I wanted to create something bigger than myself—a legacy that could change the trajectory for those who come after me. This ambition has driven me through financial hardships, personal challenges, and a never-ending journey of self-improvement.
Juggling multiple businesses like my vending machine company, Vendrea, and my modeling agency, KellyCo Agency—while pursuing a business management degree and learning day trading, has pushed me to find balance in the chaos. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about pushing forward; it’s about finding purpose in every step of the journey, even when the road gets tough. My strength also comes from knowing that I am building something not only for myself but for my family, my community, and those who look to me for guidance.
Another huge part of my resilience has been my independence. I’ve always taken on leadership roles, whether managing teams or being at the forefront of my ventures. This experience has taught me how to navigate difficult situations with confidence and to make decisions that align with my vision. At times, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world—balancing school, work, family, and relationships—but through it all, I’ve learned to trust in my ability to rise above any challenge.
Ultimately, resilience, for me, is about embracing the challenges while keeping my eye on the bigger picture. It’s about building, growing, and not letting temporary setbacks hold me back from achieving my dreams.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Norrea Kelly, and I’m passionate about creating businesses that not only thrive but also make a positive impact. I’m the founder of KellyCo Agency, a modeling agency dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their unique beauty while connecting them with incredible opportunities in the fashion industry. What makes KellyCo special is our focus on authenticity and diversity—we believe that true beauty shines when people are confident in who they truly are. We’ve been fortunate to partner with amazing brands, like Glo Melanin and Aamorah’s Beauty Collection, to showcase our models and celebrate their success.
In addition to KellyCo, I also run Vendrea, a vending machine business that aims to innovate the way beauty and lifestyle products are delivered. My entrepreneurial journey also includes exploring day trading under Akashx, which has broadened my business perspective.
KellyCo Agency has recently launched a brand-new website, designed to better showcase our models and the exciting work we do. We’ve also partnered with Amber’s, a production company, Origami Restaurant, where we’ve hosted exclusive events, and Shop With Flo, a boutique that aligns with our vision of fashion-forward thinking. These collaborations allow us to elevate our models and bring exciting new opportunities to the table.
Looking ahead, we’re preparing for some big events, including fashion shows and collaborations with top beauty brands, which will give our models even greater visibility.
What excites me most is seeing the impact we’re having on the fashion industry and our community. Whether it’s helping models discover their confidence or working with brands that align with our vision, I’m focused on building a legacy that makes a difference.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, the three most impactful qualities have been resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of community.
Resilience: Building businesses comes with challenges, and resilience has helped me bounce back from setbacks. For those early in their journey, develop a growth mindset. Embrace challenges as learning opportunities and surround yourself with supportive individuals.
Adaptability: The business landscape is constantly changing, and being open to new ideas and feedback has been crucial. My advice is to stay curious and informed about industry trends, and don’t hesitate to experiment with new approaches.
Strong Sense of Community: Building connections has been fundamental to my success. I encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to actively network, attend events, and seek mentorship. A strong support system can open doors to new opportunities.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I believe in emphasizing strengths while also being open to improving weaker areas. Focusing on what I do best—like creative problem-solving—has allowed me to drive impactful projects and contribute significantly to team success.
For example, I took the initiative to enhance my data analysis skills through a course, which improved collaboration with colleagues and strengthened our team dynamic. I think a balanced approach—leveraging strengths while developing new skills—leads to both personal growth and team effectiveness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kellycoagency.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyco__agency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellcyo
- Twitter: @KellycoAge56992
Image Credits
sia B
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