We recently connected with Kenzie Reynolds and have shared our conversation below.
Kenzie, 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?
I get my resilience from a mix of hard experiences and a refusal to let those experiences define me. Losing my dad and then having to step up to prepare his estate, including my childhood home, for sale forced me into situations I never thought I would be in. I was project managing contractors, making decisions quickly, and keeping the whole process moving forward, even though I was not technically the executor. It was heavy and emotional work, but I did not have the luxury of falling apart, so I learned how to move forward even when things felt overwhelming.
At the same time, resilience for me is not about powering through without feeling anything. It is about giving myself permission to feel it all and then choosing to get back up and take the next step. Every challenge, whether it is personal loss or the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, has built a layer of grit that I carry into my work. That resilience is what lets me show up for my clients consistently, no matter what is happening behind the scenes.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I run GSD with Kenzie, where I serve as a Fractional Executive Assistant for entrepreneurs and small business owners. My role blends strategy, problem-solving, and execution. I thrive on stepping into the chaos, creating systems, and taking on the tasks that free my clients to focus on growth and leadership.
What excites me most about this work is the ripple effect it creates. When a client has the clarity and bandwidth to scale their business, lead their team more effectively, or simply have dinner with their family without work weighing them down, I know I have made an impact. My work is not just about checking tasks off a list. It is about giving people back their time, focus, and peace of mind.
Right now I am focused on expanding the ways I support clients, including building custom GPTs that streamline workflows and make data, communication, and accountability more efficient. Exploring AI in a practical, approachable way has been an exciting next step and a natural extension of the support I provide. My brand is built on the idea of collapsing time, creating sustainable growth, and making sure my clients always know they have someone in their corner who genuinely cares about their success.
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?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful for me are adaptability, communication, and boundaries.
Adaptability has been essential because both life and business rarely go as planned. From personal loss to fast-moving client needs, I have learned to adjust quickly without losing momentum. My advice to anyone starting out is to lean into change instead of fighting it. Stay curious, keep learning, and be willing to test new tools or approaches even if they feel uncomfortable at first.
Communication has been the key to building trust with clients. Clear, proactive communication prevents misunderstandings and sets the tone for strong working relationships. For those early in their journey, I recommend practicing transparency and over-communicating until you find the right rhythm with your team or clients.
Boundaries may not sound glamorous, but they are what keep me effective. Without them, burnout creeps in fast. Setting limits around availability and defining expectations has allowed me to serve clients better and sustain my energy. My advice here is to remember that saying “no” to things that drain you is actually saying “yes” to the work and relationships that matter most.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who values collaboration, trusts the process, and is ready to let go of the tasks that are pulling them away from the work only they can do. The people I work best with are leaders who recognize that their time is their most valuable resource and they are willing to invest in support that helps them protect it.
I thrive with clients who are growth-minded, open to new ideas, and willing to lean into systems that make their lives easier. What makes the partnership work is mutual respect and communication. When clients see me as a true partner in their business rather than just extra hands, that is when the magic happens.
At the end of the day, my ideal clients are people who want to do big things in their business and their life, but who also understand they do not have to do it all alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gsdwithkenzie.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzie-reynolds-fractionalea
Image Credits
one by Lindsay Clawson and the other by me.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
