Meet Kelsey Settle

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelsey Settle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelsey below.

Kelsey, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Developing confidence and self-esteem has been a journey, not a destination, for me. Growing up, I struggled with self-doubt like many others and most of my doubt was centered around body image. The turning point came when I realized that confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about embracing your imperfections and owning your story.

For me, this journey involved a few key steps. First, I surrounded myself with a community of like-minded people. Whether it was family, friends, or mentors, having people who believed in me helped me start believing in myself. I also made a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone. Each small victory—whether it was putting myself in front of the camera on our social media or speaking at public events—built my confidence brick by brick.

Another important factor was aligning my actions with my values. Knowing that my work had a positive impact gave me a deep sense of purpose and self-worth.

Lastly, I practice self-compassion. I remind myself that it’s okay to make mistakes and that each setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Celebrating wins, both small and large, and acknowledging my progress has been crucial in building my self-confidence muscle.

By staying true to myself and my values, I’ve been able to cultivate a sense of confidence that feels both authentic and empowering.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m thrilled to share a bit about what I do! I wear a couple of hats—first as the owner of Green Roost, a curated boutique that focuses on ethically made and sustainable products, and second as the founder of Retail Rituals, a coaching business dedicated to supporting small-town retailers, which is launching later this year.

Green Roost will always be my “first baby.” We carefully select items that are not only stylish but also align with our values of partnering with impact-driven brands. What excites me most about Green Roost is our relationship with our customers. When someone finds a perfect gift or a piece that makes them feel amazing, we, in turn, feel amazing. We’ve become more than just a store; we’re a community where people can feel good about their purchases and their impact on the world.

Retail Rituals is where I will get to share my passion for helping fellow entrepreneurs. There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching small-town retailers thrive, and I’d love to help more of them succeed. I believe in the unique charm and potential of small towns, and I love the idea of coaching other business owners to tap into that magic.

Both of my businesses are deeply personal to me, and I’m committed to making a positive impact through them. Whether you’re shopping at Green Roost or seeking guidance through Retail Rituals, you’re part of a community that values authenticity, sustainability, and growth.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that have been most impactful in my business journey are resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to continuous learning.

1. Resilience: Building a business comes with its fair share of challenges and setbacks. Resilience has been crucial in helping me bounce back from disappointments and keep moving forward. During my first month of business ownership, I was thrown two very large curveballs that could have easily derailed me, but instead, I used them as learning tools and pushed forward. My advice for those early in their journey is to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Each setback is a stepping stone to success. Cultivate a mindset that sees challenges as opportunities to grow and improve.

2. Authenticity: Being true to myself and my values has been fundamental to my journey. Even though it seems to be a trending buzzword, I feel that authenticity allows you to build trust and connect deeply with your audience and community. To develop authenticity, you must stay aligned with your values. Don’t be afraid to show your true self, including your vulnerabilities. People appreciate genuine connections and are more likely to support you when they feel you are being honest and real.

3. Commitment to Continuous Learning: Entrepreneurship is always evolving, and staying relevant means constantly learning and adapting. I’ve made it a point to stay curious and open to new ideas. For those just starting out, I recommend setting aside time regularly for self-improvement. Invest in yourself—be it industry trends, new technologies, or personal development. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to grow. My biggest step in continuous learning has been my decision to hire a business coach and join a mastermind. Both have helped my business scale and stay relevant in the changing business world.

For anyone just starting out, remember that growth takes time. Be patient with yourself, stay resilient, be authentic to yourself, and never stop learning.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Feeling overwhelmed is something we all experience, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. When I feel overwhelmed, I rely on a few key strategies to help me regain my balance and focus.

-Take a Step Back: The first thing I do is take a step back and breathe. It’s important to pause and give yourself a moment to clear your mind. Sometimes, just a few minutes of quiet or a short walk can make a huge difference in how you’re feeling.

-Prioritize and Organize: I find it helpful to make a list of everything that’s contributing to my stress. Once it’s all down on paper, I can prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Breaking things down into smaller, more manageable steps makes the workload feel less daunting.

-Delegate: As a business owner, I’ve learned the importance of delegation. You don’t have to do everything yourself. It took me years to learn this but, trusting your team and assigning tasks to others not only lightens your load but also empowers those around you.

-Focus on One Thing at a Time: I’ve found that multitasking can often lead to more stress and lower quality work. I try to focus on one task at a time, giving it my full attention before moving on to the next. This helps me stay more productive and reduces the feeling of being pulled in multiple directions.

My advice to anyone feeling overwhelmed is to remember that it’s okay to ask for help and take breaks. Prioritize your well-being, and recognize that taking care of yourself ultimately benefits your business and those around you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopgreenroost.com
• Instagram: @greenroost
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/greenroost
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-settle

Image Credits

Jessica Stallings