We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nyema And Keisha Bedell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nyema and Keisha, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
My name is Nyema Bedell, and my wife, Keisha, and I are co-owners of Cultivate Counseling & Consulting. As an African-American male, being a first-generation American with parents from Liberia has shaped my journey. Having a unique name like Nyema has always made me stand out in the room. As an entrepreneur and mental health therapist, I’ve learned that there will be many settings where I am the only one who looks like me, and I’ve developed strategies to thrive in those environments.
Keisha shares a similar journey. As a first-generation individual whose father is from Jamaica, she has faced her own challenges—navigating negative connotations associated with her name, being an African-American female, and the complexities of being a teenage mother. These experiences have taught us resilience, understanding, and the importance of embracing our unique backgrounds. Together, we’ve learned to navigate complex spaces and find strength in environments that may not always feel welcoming, using our stories to build bridges and foster meaningful connections.
I recall walking into a business seminar surrounded by peers who didn’t look like me or often held different perspectives. You know that feeling when you don’t quite fit in—when your attire feels out of place, and you wonder if you belong there? That nervous energy would bubble up, especially when I didn’t know anyone in the room. My heart would race, and the urge to blend in or prove myself was strong. But I learned that my role wasn’t about conforming or seeking validation. Instead, I embraced sharing my perspectives, skills, and accomplishments confidently. Discussing our business mission and how we have impacted our community through suicide awareness and making mental health more accessible turned moments of doubt into opportunities for genuine conversation and connection. What sets us apart and helps us thrive is our willingness to embrace our unique backgrounds, confidently express our perspectives, and build relationships beyond superficial interactions.
Key Mantras and Tools for Confidence:
-Embrace Your Uniqueness: Being different or having an unconventional perspective doesn’t make you less qualified; it adds value and enriches discussions.
-Challenge Negative Inner Voices: Replace thoughts like “I don’t belong here” with positive affirmations such as “My perspective or opinion can potentially enrich this agenda or this meeting.”
-Find Common Ground: Identify the shared purpose of the meeting. At chamber meetings, I focus on our mission statement, the skills and services we bring, and areas where we seek growth or collaboration.
-Engage with Small Gestures: Simple actions like smiling, asking thoughtful questions, or starting conversations help break the ice and build rapport.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Starting Cultivate Counseling & Consulting was a leap of faith that began when we stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity on Craigslist. As Ohio natives, we couldn’t resist building something that would give back to our loved community. Running a practice together as husband and wife has been more than work, it’s shaped us, helping us grow as individuals and as a couple.
At Cultivate Counseling & Consulting, we’re all about making therapy accessible and personal. With locations in Cuyahoga Falls and Columbus, we provide support for kids, teens, and adults, whether they’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, life changes, or anything in between. Starting therapy can be daunting, so we strive to create a warm, welcoming environment that feels more like a helping hand than a clinical appointment.
What makes us stand out? We’ve been on both sides of the counseling experience—clients and licensed therapists. We get how important it is to be truly seen and heard, and we use that understanding to shape every session. Our goal is simple: to offer personalized care that helps you feel supported and empowered to move forward, no matter where you start.
Outside of work, we love spending quality time with our family, which includes our twins—a boy and a girl—and our oldest son. When we’re not busy with family activities, we unwind by watching reality shows like Love is Blind and shows such as Abbott Elementary. We also visit our local metro parks, enjoying peaceful walks and the beautiful scenery whenever possible. These things rejuvenate us and remind us why we do what we do.
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?
It’s difficult to narrow down the most important characteristics, but we want to share the ones that worked for us. These qualities may look different for you, as no blueprint exists for business success. Reflecting on our journey to establish Cultivate Counseling & Consulting, three key qualities stand out: dreaming big and taking calculated risks, seeking mentorship, and building a supportive community.
1. Dream Big and Take Calculated Risks
As a child, I always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. Some ventures succeeded, and others didn’t. I learned that we are where we are today because we took calculated, thoughtful risks. We re-evaluated and tried again even when things didn’t go as planned. This resilience and ability to dream big laid the foundation for everything we achieved. Keisha and I had a vision for our practice, and it took 11 years of learning, growth, and patience to bring it to life. My advice: write down your dreams, stay committed, and be patient. The journey will shape you for success.
2. Seek Mentorship
One of the best decisions we made was seeking mentorship. During COVID-19, I reached out to someone I admired who had a thriving business. He met with Keisha and me, offering guidance that proved instrumental in our growth. However, when searching for a mentor, understand that some people may not have the time or may say no. Don’t take it personally—keep looking. If direct mentorship isn’t an option, find a “distance mentor” by learning from authors, influencers, or leaders you respect. Study their moves, but remember: every business journey is unique, and it may look different for you. Progress may take time, and that’s okay.
3. Build Your Community
Keisha and I have always focused on building and maintaining relationships. A supportive community is crucial—one where you can be authentic and have people who will challenge and hold you accountable. Look for individuals who will tell you the truth and push you to improve, even when it’s hard to hear. Building this type of community takes time, so don’t get discouraged. Keep searching and be part of groups that reflect what you’re looking for, whether through leadership programs, professional networks, or personal faith institutions.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Books that have shaped my life and work include The Book of Proverbs, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. From Proverbs, I’ve embraced the value of diligence—showing up, putting in the work, and staying humble. Carnegie taught me that simple thing, like smiling and remembering someone’s name, can go a long way in building genuine connections. Covey’s habit of “begin with the end in mind” helps me visualize my goals and plan smartly to get there. These books keep me grounded, strategic, and connected in business and life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cultivatecounselingconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultivate.counseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063725913825
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