We recently had the chance to connect with Kimberly DeShields-Spencer and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building isn’t visible to the world. It’s not the businesses I run, the brands I’ve developed, or the accolades that come with hard work. Those things are seen and celebrated, but what I’m most proud of exists quietly in the spaces where most people don’t look. It’s the foundation of faith, resilience, and intentional influence that I’ve built behind the scenes, in the lives of the women I serve, love, and guide.
It’s in the prayers I’ve whispered when I felt alone, the hard conversations I’ve had when I needed to lead with truth, and the times I’ve chosen courage over comfort—even when it was unpopular or unseen. It’s in the moments I’ve poured into others, encouraging them to believe in themselves, step into their purpose, and rise beyond what they thought possible. That work doesn’t show up on a stage or in a headline, but it changes lives in ways that ripple far beyond the moment.
I’m also building a model for my sons—a living example of what it means to lead with integrity, faith, and strength. I want them to see what a life of intentional influence looks like. I want them to witness that success isn’t measured by visibility or recognition, but by the lives we touch, the courage we inspire, and the legacy we leave behind. I want them to know that true impact is quiet, consistent, and purposeful, and that building something lasting often requires patience, sacrifice, and faith in what can’t yet be seen.
Every day, I strive to show them that leadership is more than titles or accolades—it’s about showing up authentically, lifting others without expectation, and standing firm in your values even when it’s uncomfortable. I want them to carry that understanding forward, to know that the work we do in the quiet moments—the prayers, the guidance, the encouragement, the sacrifices—shapes character, molds destiny, and leaves a lasting imprint on the world.
So yes, what I’m most proud of is invisible to most people. It’s unseen, uncelebrated, and often misunderstood. But it is the most real, the most meaningful, and the most enduring work of my life. It’s the foundation of faith, empowerment, courage, and integrity that I hope not only transforms the lives of the women I influence but also guides my sons to become men of purpose, vision, and heart. That is the legacy I am building, quietly but powerfully, every single day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kimberly DeShields-Spencer, founder of Behind Her Brand and UImpact. UImpact is a branding and marketing agency built for leaders, visionaries, and creatives who refuse to settle for ordinary. I started UImpact because I noticed a gap in the way brands were being developed—too often, they were created without soul, without purpose, and without the ability to make a true difference. I wanted to build something that went beyond logos and campaigns—a space where brands could be intentionally shaped to leave a mark, influence lives, and drive meaningful impact in their industries.
UImpact exists for the bold, the forward-thinking, and the dreamers who aren’t afraid to step off the beaten path. Our clients aren’t just looking to be seen—they want to be remembered, celebrated, and impactful. They want a brand that tells their story, amplifies their vision, and inspires action. And that’s exactly what we help them do.
At UImpact, we specialize in creating provocative, unforgettable branding and marketing solutions. But more than that, we help our clients think bigger, push harder, and dream further than they ever thought possible. We combine strategy, creativity, and innovation in ways that don’t just make brands look good—they make them meaningful. Every campaign, every design, every brand story we craft is built on the principle that your brand can be a vehicle for influence, transformation, and lasting impact.
What truly sets UImpact apart is our approach. We don’t just offer services; we build experiences. We combine connection-based consulting, immersive experiential design, and forward-thinking marketing strategies to empower our clients to:
Build influence that resonates beyond the surface
Maximize impact that creates real change
Forge brands that are not only seen but remembered for the difference they make
Behind every project is a team dedicated to understanding your vision, amplifying your voice, and helping you step boldly into your purpose. And while our work is deeply creative and strategic, at the heart of it is a mission: to support leaders who are using their gifts to make the world better. Whether that means creating a brand that inspires a movement, designing a campaign that sparks action, or developing a strategy that turns vision into reality, everything we do is rooted in purpose.
For me, UImpact is more than a business—it’s a legacy. It’s a model for my sons to see what it means to live and lead with integrity, courage, and intention. I want them to witness firsthand that influence isn’t measured by visibility alone, but by the lives touched, the impact made, and the purpose lived out every single day. My hope is that they grow up understanding that true leadership is rooted in service, intentionality, and a willingness to take bold steps even when the path is uncertain.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding UImpact’s reach so that more creative professionals and leaders can step into their power and leave an indelible mark on their industries. I want women and men alike to realize that their brand isn’t just a business—it’s a platform for influence, a reflection of their purpose, and a tool to create meaningful change. My team and I are here to help them align their vision, elevate their presence, and activate their potential in ways that are bold, innovative, and unforgettable.
At its core, UImpact is about more than marketing or design. It’s about empowerment, transformation, and intentional action. It’s about creating a community of leaders who challenge the norm, embrace their purpose, and leave a legacy of influence and impact. When creativity meets purpose, extraordinary things happen—and that is exactly what we aim to make possible for every client we serve.
Because at the end of the day, UImpact isn’t just helping brands grow—it’s helping people and organizations step boldly into their calling, make waves in their industries, and leave a mark that matters long after the campaigns are over. And that is the work I am most proud of.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful takes me back to high school. I was asked to write the school play—a request that completely caught me off guard. At the time, only my teacher knew about my love for writing and storytelling. I was painfully introverted, quiet in the back of the classroom, and though my imagination was vivid, I rarely let anyone see it. The thought of not only writing the play but later directing it felt terrifying.
But I said yes.
I spent weeks pouring my thoughts, ideas, and heart into the script, shaping characters and dialogue that once existed only in my imagination. Then came opening night. Standing in the wings, I watched the cast bring my words to life, feeling a mix of awe and anxiety. Every laugh, gasp, and cheer from the audience was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
And then, the moment that changed everything: the play ended, the curtain fell, and the cast pulled me onstage. The audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation. I was shaking, scared, and overwhelmed—but also deeply proud. In that moment, I realized power isn’t always loud or visible. It’s quiet, rooted in courage—the courage to step into your fear, trust your gifts, and create something meaningful.
I felt like I had finally discovered my voice, not just as a writer, but as a creator and a leader capable of shaping experiences that move people. That night was more than applause—it was the first time I truly understood what it felt like to impact others with your gifts. And while I didn’t know it then, that experience planted the seed for everything I do now: building spaces like UImpact, where creativity, courage, and purpose come together to make a lasting impact.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success never could—lessons about resilience, perspective, and the depth of my own strength. Success is often accompanied by applause, validation, and visibility, but suffering strips everything away and leaves you face-to-face with who you really are. It taught me patience when there were no quick solutions, humility when I wanted to control outcomes, and faith when the path forward was unclear.
Suffering also revealed the power of empathy. I realized that the struggles we face are never just ours—they connect us to the humanity in others. It taught me to listen deeper, to lead with compassion, and to celebrate growth that isn’t always visible. And perhaps most importantly, suffering showed me that true power isn’t about comfort, recognition, or accolades—it’s about perseverance, courage, and the choice to keep moving forward when life feels heavy.
Those moments of hardship shaped me in ways success never could. They taught me that my value isn’t determined by external achievements, but by my ability to rise, to remain faithful, and to turn challenges into lessons that lift not just myself, but others around me. In many ways, suffering became the foundation of my purpose, the lens through which I now guide women and leaders to build lives and brands that matter.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
There are certain truths in my life that guide every decision I make, every step I take, and every relationship I nurture—but I rarely articulate them because they are so deeply woven into who I am that I assume others already see them. One of the most foundational is that faith and purpose are inseparable. Every choice I make, whether in business, in family, or in personal growth, is filtered through a lens of faith. I’ve learned that when life is uncertain, when challenges feel overwhelming, or when fear tries to hold me back, anchoring in purpose and trusting a higher plan creates clarity and strength that success alone could never provide.
Another truth I carry is that courage is not the absence of fear, but the deliberate choice to move forward despite it. I’ve lived this truth countless times, from stepping into leadership roles when I didn’t feel ready, to speaking into spaces where my voice trembled, to creating opportunities for others even when I feared failure. Each time I chose courage over comfort, I discovered a resilience and confidence that no external achievement could ever teach me.
I also believe, deeply, that success is measured not by accolades or visibility, but by the lives we impact and the legacy we leave. This truth shapes everything I do as a founder, a mother, and a mentor. It guides how I build brands at UImpact—not just for recognition or growth, but to help leaders amplify their influence and make meaningful, lasting contributions to their industries. And it guides how I live at home, modeling integrity, empathy, and intentionality for my sons.
Finally, I hold the quiet truth that our influence grows when we empower others without expectation. True leadership, true impact, comes when we lift others while remaining faithful to our own purpose. It’s a principle I try to live by every day, though I rarely say it aloud. It informs how I mentor, how I collaborate, and how I create communities where women, leaders, and creatives feel supported, challenged, and inspired.
These truths—faith intertwined with purpose, courage in the face of fear, impact over accolades, and empowerment without expectation—are the foundation of my life. They guide the unseen work I do, the risks I take, and the legacy I hope to leave. They aren’t flashy or headline-making, but they are the quiet forces shaping the work I’m most proud of and the life I strive to live.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the quiet, intentional moments—those spaces where life slows just enough for me to breathe deeply, reflect honestly, and simply be. Often, it’s early in the morning before the world wakes, when it’s just me, God, and my thoughts. In those still, sacred hours, I can pray, journal, or sit in gratitude, fully aware of how far I’ve come, the lessons I’ve learned, and the faithfulness of God that has carried me through both triumphs and trials. There’s a calm that comes in surrendering to the rhythm of life, allowing myself to be fully present without expectation or distraction.
I feel at peace with my family—my husband and my sons—because they remind me of what truly matters. Whether we’re laughing over breakfast, sharing stories from our days, or simply sitting together in quiet, there’s a grounding energy that comes from their presence. These moments are gentle but profound reminders that life’s greatest blessings are not always in what we accomplish, but in the love, connection, and presence we share with the people who matter most. My family is the heartbeat of my life, and being with them restores me in ways nothing else can.
I also feel peace when I’m creating. There’s a unique stillness and flow that comes from building a brand, shaping a message, or bringing someone else’s vision to life. Whether I’m designing, writing, or strategizing, these moments of creation feel like alignment—where passion meets purpose, and where I can pour my gifts into something that inspires, transforms, or uplifts. It’s in these moments that I feel fully alive, fully present, and fully capable of contributing something meaningful to the world.
For me, peace isn’t about perfection or absence of challenge. It’s about alignment—when faith, family, and purpose coexist, even in the middle of life’s chaos. It’s knowing that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing what I was called to do, and surrounded by the people and experiences that matter most. That quiet, centered feeling is what grounds me, energizes me, and reminds me that peace isn’t a place—it’s a state of being cultivated through presence, gratitude, and intentional living.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.uimpact.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindherbrand_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/behindherbrand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behindherbrand
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/behindherbrand
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