Meet Kaylin Roman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaylin Roman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kaylin , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

When I think about where I get my resilience from, it takes me back to my childhood. I’ve always been a go-getter, determined to find a way forward no matter the challenge. Whether it was learning to ride my first bike or pursuing bigger goals, giving up was never an option.

As I’ve grown, life has taught me that things don’t always go as planned, but resilience is about continuing to fight and adapt. My entrepreneurial journey has been one of my greatest teachers. When I started my first business with vending machines, I learned the value of hard work and dedication. Later, I ventured into the event space business, which truly tested my resilience. I poured everything into finding the perfect venue, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, things fell apart. The financial strain and setbacks were overwhelming, but I refused to give up. Instead, I pivoted and started offering event rentals to generate revenue while I worked toward my bigger dream.

Eventually, I launched Shape and Serve, my tennis fitness business, which has been a major success. This journey has pushed me beyond my limits, helping me grow both personally and professionally. Starting and building a business is never easy, but the challenges taught me to trust the process and keep going. Just the other day, I looked at a summary of Shape and Serve’s progress, and it brought a huge smile to my face. Seeing hard work pay off is one of the best motivators to keep pushing forward—even during the toughest times. Resilience is what keeps me moving, growing, and striving for more.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Kaylin Roman, and I am an entrepreneur from the vibrant city of Decatur, GA. My journey into entrepreneurship began in 2022 when I came across Nehemiah’s program for event spaces. Inspired by his guidance, I purchased the program and dove headfirst into building my dream business. By 2023, I had secured a space for my event center, The Social Haven, and worked tirelessly to get it ready for opening. Unfortunately, I encountered significant setbacks that prevented the launch. Despite the challenges, I didn’t give up—I invested heavily in my dream, even acquiring event rentals at a great price to offer all-inclusive packages when my space eventually opens.

Though The Social Haven is currently on hold, I am still determined to find the perfect location and bring my vision to life. In the meantime, I had to pivot to keep my entrepreneurial dreams alive and cover my financial obligations. I turned to my God-given talent: tennis.

I created Shape & Serve, a business that introduces individuals of all ages to the transformative power of tennis—not just as a sport but as a pathway to improved physical health, mental well-being, and community connection. Shape & Serve is about creating an environment where fitness feels empowering and the thrill of tennis becomes a catalyst for positive change and lifelong wellness.

My tennis journey began when I was 8 years old, and my passion for the sport deepened over time. I earned a 4-year athletic scholarship to college, where I served as the captain of my tennis team from sophomore to senior year. My accomplishments include being named CIAA Rookie of the Year, earning All-CIAA Women’s Tennis Team honors, and reaching the CIAA Women’s Championship as a runner-up. After college, I discovered my passion for teaching tennis and helping others transform their lives through the sport.

Since launching Shape & Serve in April 2024, I’ve been able to positively impact over 1,000 people through tennis classes, retreats, brunches, afterschool programs, and community events. My mission is to expose more people—especially within the Black community—to tennis as an affordable, accessible, and fun way to stay active and healthy.

My vision development of an indoor tennis facility on Atlanta’s east side. Currently, there are no indoor tennis courts in the area; the closest is 20 miles away and charges $160 for a single lesson. This facility will address a critical need for year-round access to tennis while also serving as a hub for social gatherings and community engagement. It will host Shape & Serve’s afterschool program for kids and offer adults an enjoyable way to stay fit. By making tennis more accessible and affordable, this facility will foster a love for the sport and promote healthier lifestyles in my community.

Additionally, We will officially launch The Social Haven, my event space company. The Social Haven LLC is more than just a venue—it’s a visionary community event space committed to inclusivity and connection. Our mission is to provide a welcoming environment where people from all walks of life can celebrate milestones, engage in meaningful activities, and give back to the community through philanthropy.

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?

When I reflect on my journey, the three most important qualities and skills I’ve learned are:
1. Support: Finding the right support system can be challenging, but I believe that God places the right people in your life at the right time. These individuals help guide and uplift you when you need it most. Surrounding yourself with supportive people can make all the difference in achieving your goals.
2. Resilience: Not everything will go as planned, and setbacks are inevitable. Resilience is about believing in yourself, even when things feel impossible. You have to be your biggest motivator and keep pushing forward, no matter how tough it gets. Trust in your dreams, and don’t give up the fight.
3. An Open Mind: While you don’t have to follow everyone’s advice, it’s essential to listen and remain open to learning from others. People who have experienced similar challenges can often provide valuable insights and help you avoid potential mistakes. At the same time, personal experience is one of the best ways to grow. Though it can be painful at times, those lessons shape you into a stronger, wiser person.

These qualities have been critical in my journey, helping me overcome challenges and grow both personally and professionally.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

When I think about who has been the most helpful in helping me overcome challenges, I have to say my friends. They’ve been my biggest supporters, and without them, I truly don’t know how far I would have come. I’m so incredibly grateful for each of them.

First, there’s Kelly Perry—she helped me through one of the most challenging periods of my life. Her support during the early stages of The Social Haven was invaluable, and I’ll always appreciate her for that.

Then there’s Brianna Golson, the MVP behind so much of the background work for Shape and Serve. Not only has she been an incredible help, but she was also my very first client, believing in me enough to book a full month of sessions.

My bestie Ashley Rush is another godsend. She’s always been there to help me achieve my goals, offering her support every step of the way. Her dedication and hard work inspire me, and I’m beyond grateful to have her in my corner.

When I first started Shape and Serve, I reached out to my friends and asked them to come out so I could experiment with ideas and structure. Looking back, it was such a beautiful moment. Their support meant the world to me.

Shoutout to Sonjala, JoJo, Brianna, Kandlar, Jene, Kristie, and so many others—the list goes on! I wouldn’t be where I am without each and every one of them. Thank you for believing in me and standing by my side.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ShapeandServe.org
• Instagram: Shapeandserve , Iam.kaylinjanee
• Youtube: Shapeandserve