- Miss EmpowHer Newsletter
- Posts
- February Newsletter 👩🏽💻
February Newsletter 👩🏽💻
In partnership with
Your Dose of Inspiration: Women Leaders, Career Insights, and Look Forward to More from Miss EmpowHer!
💡 Meet Kelsey Curtis, the Multi-Talented Marketing and Interior Design Professional
Kelsey graduated from Howard University's Undergraduate School of Business in 2020, where she studied marketing. Currently residing in New York, she works at American Express in both marketing and interior design, while also running her own small interior design business, Cut2TheChaise. At American Express, Kelsey manages the refresh of existing and design of new Centurion lounges, as well as the design for music and sports sponsorship activations.
Interior design has always been Kelsey's passion and hobby. However, she previously led marketing strategy within American Express's Travel & Lifestyle Services organization. She considers her transition into interior design and the creation of her business two of her biggest accomplishments, despite not having a traditional interior design educational background. Kelsey recently celebrated five years with American Express and looks forward to many more years of doing what she loves.
💬 What does women empowerment mean to you? Why is it important?
Kelsey Curtis: Women empowerment means instilling confidence in women to take risks, pursue their passions, and achieve success in whatever form it means to them. We can empower women by providing opportunities, resources, and support, enabling them to make independent decisions and reach their full potential in all areas of life.
💬 What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your industry? What qualities are the most important and what skills should they focus on developing?
Kelsey Curtis: I'm still learning the ins and outs of the interior design industry, but my overall advice is that it’s never too late to make a career change or pursue something new. Always feel empowered to take control of your career and life. It may sound cliché, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. When I applied for my current role at American Express, I knew I didn’t have a perfectly aligned skillset, but I believed in the strong network connections I had built and my proven performance in my previous role. It paid off. Imagine if I hadn’t applied because I wasn't "qualified." To me, being qualified is just a suggestion, not a rule.
"Always feel empowered to take control of your career and life."
💬 Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth.
Kelsey Curtis: My mom and my aunt are my biggest supporters and inspirations. I am incredibly blessed to have an amazing support system and to be surrounded by women who never let me doubt myself. As a result, I strive to be that same figure for other women. My mom and my aunt always help me see the bigger picture. During times when I felt discouraged about my career, relationships, or life in general, they kept me grounded and reminded me to keep pursuing my goals and trust that God will work things out—and God always does!
My mom also often says, "Ask for what you want," which is her variation of "closed mouths don't get fed." From her, I’ve learned to make my accomplishments known, so when it comes time to ask for something, people have no choice but to say yes.
💬 How do you handle work-related stress and pressure, and what techniques or practices do you use to maintain your well-being while pursuing a successful career?
Kelsey Curtis: I’m a super organized person, so when I’m stressed, I play to my strengths. It may seem tedious, but I start the morning by writing down my projects and tasks for the day. For me, it helps to rank them by things such as urgency, time, and a few other categories. After organizing my thoughts, I can plan my day and even week more efficiently, which helps mitigate a lot of my stress. Outside of proper planning, I ensure I make time for myself. I read in the morning, take proper lunch breaks, and talk to my coworkers during the day. Schedules can be busy, but sometimes the best thing you can do is lift your head from the computer. A quick 30-minute break can make you more productive for the remainder of the day.
💬 Can you share any lessons or insights you have gained from failures or setbacks in your career, and how you have turned them into opportunities for growth and learning?
Kelsey Curtis: Last year, I felt very stagnant in my role, and given the job climate at the time, opportunities for new positions were scarce, which was very discouraging. I was entering my third year in the same role and felt there was nothing left for me to do or learn. It’s extremely hard to stay motivated in a job that doesn’t challenge you. However, I used this time to take on new projects both within and outside of the company, start a business, build new skillsets, focus on my passions, and network. Sometimes, you just need to change your perspective. When one part of your life isn’t going in a direction you're happy with, see it as an opportunity to focus on the things you can steer in the right direction. That mindset change ultimately led me to where I am today, and I couldn’t be happier.
"When one part of your life isn’t going in a direction you're happy with, see it as an opportunity to focus on the things you can steer in the right direction."
💬 Can you share any strategies or tips for building a successful network and fostering meaningful professional relationships that have helped you in your career?
Kelsey Curtis: When it comes to networking, the most important thing you can do is follow up and stay in touch. We encounter many amazing people in our lives—some we click with, some we don’t. You don’t need to build a strong relationship with everyone you meet, but if you have a meaningful conversation with someone and feel you can learn from each other, don’t hesitate to reach out and actively pursue building that relationship.
The network I built was a crucial factor in my ability to change roles and industries within my company. I follow up with everyone I want to stay in contact with and set up one-on-one conversations at least once or twice a year. You don’t need to be best friends or see each other every day; sometimes, all it takes is consistent effort and showing that you value the connection.
💬 What strategies or tactics do you use for setting and achieving your career goals, and how do you stay motivated and focused on your objectives?
Kelsey Curtis: Honestly, don’t be too hard on yourself. Set strong goals because you are 100% capable of achieving anything, but don’t get too hung up on timelines or compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy. I used to let other people’s quick career advancements get to me, but the sooner you realize your journey is your own, the happier you will be. I am so glad I didn’t let others' progress pressure me into accepting roles I didn’t want because they propelled me higher in the company. Instead, I followed my own path and ended up in my dream role. Everything happens for a reason. Take the time to think about your ultimate goals, but don’t dwell on how you get there. Let it happen organically.
💬 What motivated you to choose your current career field, and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?
Kelsey Curtis: I’ve always been passionate about interior design, even when I was a little girl. I really tapped into my creative side in high school when I was selected to participate in an accelerated arts program at my school. I chose to study color theory and interior design, ultimately discovering how fulfilling it is to transform spaces and influence how people feel. As a child, my favorite activity was looking at the bathrooms of every restaurant my family visited. I was a tough critic and just overall obsessed with how many different ways you could make a bathroom look. It's crazy to think that what was once a childhood fantasy is now my reality and years later, I am still the same.
💬 Can you discuss any specific trends or changes in your industry that you see impacting careers, and how you are preparing to adapt to these changes?
Kelsey Curtis: The interior design industry is evolving rapidly. When I was growing up, there were limited educational opportunities and few schools offering degrees in interior design, so many designers entered the field without a formal degree. Today, the industry is much more robust, with a greater emphasis on education, licenses, and certifications. As a result, entry barriers are becoming stricter.
I am focused on building my network and staying current with industry requirements to remain ahead of the curve. I’m grateful that I was able to break into the industry with an excellent company without going back to school.
💬 What advice do you have for individuals who are starting their careers or looking to make a career change, based on your own experiences and lessons learned?
Kelsey Curtis: My advice for anyone considering a career change is to leverage and expand your network. Often, all it takes is a connection to help get your foot in the door. In my own experience, my network was instrumental in my transition from travel marketing to interior design within my company. Building a strong network not only provides valuable endorsements but also offers insights into the industry and career path you are interested in, by providing the resources and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about your career path. Also, be prepared to make sacrifices. For instance, I opted to forgo a promotion in marketing to make a lateral move into interior design. Sometimes, moving sideways can lead to greater opportunities in the long run. Make the decision that aligns best with your career goals.
"Make the decision that aligns best with your career goals."
💬 How do you approach professional development and continuous learning to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry?
Kelsey Curtis: I approach professional development in many different ways. I stay updated on industry trends through reading, watching videos, and mentorship. The best thing you can do for your professional development is maintain curiosity and continue to be a student. I channel my learning into a regularly maintained blog, where I share my thoughts, opinions, and observations on current industry trends, helping me organize and reflect on what I find most compelling and influencing future projects.
💬 Can you discuss any significant achievements or accomplishments in your career that you are particularly proud of and what you learned from those experiences?
Kelsey Curtis: I've talked a bit about the moves i’ve made in my corporate career, but this year has also seen significant personal achievements that I’m incredibly proud of. After years of pursuing interior design in my spare time, I officially launched my own business, Cut2theChaise. What began as an interior design blog during my college years has now evolved into a full-fledged company. I’ll continue to blog on design trends and industry insights but will also offer interior design services, and eventually, my own furniture line. I’m just beginning this new chapter and am excited to see how it unfolds.
💬 How do you balance your career ambitions with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, and personal well-being?
Kelsey Curtis: Stop comparing yourself to others and focus on one major goal at a time. You don't need to juggle a promotion, plan a friend's birthday, fall in love, go back to school, and move apartments all at once. Sometimes, it's important to slow down. Make time for the people and activities that recharge you, whether that's dining with friends or picking up fresh flowers from the farmer’s market. Enjoy your weekends and give yourself a break. Remember, busy periods are temporary. Prioritize your energy on what truly matters to you and aligns with your purpose.
💬 Are there any specific books, podcasts, email newsletters, thought leaders/influencers, or training courses/programs that you would recommend for personal or professional growth?
Kelsey Curtis: I really enjoy your content—it's both helpful and relatable. I've also heard great things about Atomic Habits from several people, so I’m considering picking it up once I finish my current book.
Like this? For more personal and professional development tips follow Miss EmpowHer on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Want to learn more about Kelsey Curtis? Click here to connect with her on LinkedIn and here to connect with her on Instagram!
👩🏽💻 Digital Mentors that Inspire
  |   |
🎧 Podcasts to Listen to
🗒️ A Free Job Application Tracker for You!
📝 Take the Miss EmpowHer Professional Development Reimbursement Survey Here
Receive Honest News Today
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
🫂 Refer a Friend for 20% Off!
Share the Miss EmpowHer Newsletter with a friend and enjoy 20% off products from missempowher.com ✨
Thank you for your continued interest in our newsletter, we appreciate it greatly! If you are eager to become more involved in our mission, here’s how you can show your support: