Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana Shaw.
Hi Kiana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started with heartbreak — the kind that shakes you to your core and makes you question who you are outside of someone else. Back then, I was just trying to survive emotionally. I turned to my pastor for guidance, started journaling, and before I knew it, those journal entries became the blueprint for my very first program. That was my introduction to helping others heal through self-awareness — long before I even realized it would become my life’s work.
Fast forward a few years — I became a mom, and that experience reshaped everything. The way I saw love, responsibility, growth, and purpose changed. That’s when I started LeadHERship Academy — at first, it was my way of helping women find their voice again, but I later realized my calling was in helping young women discover theirs before life had the chance to silence it. LeadHERship Academy became the space where I could teach teen girls everything I wish I’d known earlier: confidence, communication, leadership, and self-worth.
Over time, though, I recognized something even bigger. I wasn’t just building one program — I was building a movement around personal and professional development. In 2019, I officially launched Kiana Shaw Enterprises, LLC, which now serves as the umbrella for multiple divisions, including KRS Training and Development (our workforce and leadership training arm), KRS Breakthrough Parenting (focused on family coaching and communication), and yes, LeadHERship Academy, which now sits proudly within that family as our youth empowerment and self-mastery program.
Today, my work has expanded far beyond what I could’ve imagined back then. We partner with cities, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to bridge personal development with professional success — whether that’s helping a mom reconnect with her teen daughter, training young adults entering the workforce, or supporting justice-impacted individuals finding their footing again.
So, the journey started with pain but transformed into purpose. And honestly, that’s been the greatest reward — watching my personal healing grow into a professional legacy that helps others do the same.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — the road has been anything but smooth, but every challenge has been a classroom for growth. Transitioning from a passion project to a sustainable business required me to learn, unlearn, and rebuild constantly. There were seasons when I questioned if I was really cut out for entrepreneurship, moments when contracts fell through, funding was uncertain, or I simply felt exhausted from carrying the vision alone.
In the early years, I was balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal healing while learning the language of business. There were days I felt like I was thriving and others when I wanted to walk away completely. But through those moments, I developed resilience, structure, and clarity about what I truly wanted to build.
When I officially formed Kiana Shaw Enterprises, LLC in 2019, I faced a new level of business responsibility in managing multiple divisions, developing staff, and scaling operations while maintaining integrity and impact. I am still learning to build systems, partnerships and a team while holding on to my vision.
The lessons weren’t and still aren’t easy, but they were and are necessary. I have learned that sustainability doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from doing it better. And while the road hasn’t always been smooth, it’s been deeply purposeful. Every obstacle strengthened my leadership, deepened my empathy, and reminded me why I started: to help others navigate their own growth with courage and confidence.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my role as CEO of Kiana Shaw Enterprises, LLC, I oversee multiple programs that deliver hands-on learning experiences in leadership, emotional intelligence, communication, and workforce readiness. I work directly with cities, schools, and community agencies to design and facilitate customized training solutions that align with their missions and strengthen their teams.
Under the umbrella of Kiana Shaw Enterprises are several distinct programs:
KRS Training and Development, which focuses on workforce readiness, leadership, and professional growth;
KRS Breakthrough Parenting, which supports families in improving communication and strengthening relationships; in part, with The Real On Parenting radio show and podcast I do with my incomparable friend, Danielle;
LeadHERship Academy, dedicated to empowering teen girls through life, leadership, and self-mastery skills; and
Mothers Raising Teen Daughters, a free online community for moms seeking support, strategies, and a judgment-free space to connect with others who truly understand their journey.
Together, these programs create a continuum of growth that supports families, professionals, and communities at large.
I specialize in connecting personal growth with professional excellence—helping individuals and organizations bridge the gap between who they are and who they’re striving to become. My expertise lies in translating emotional intelligence into practical, everyday tools that improve communication, confidence, and leadership.
What drives me most is impact. I believe that when people understand themselves—how they think, communicate, and lead—they not only perform better, they live better. That’s the true measure of success.
What I’m most proud of is seeing transformation happen in real time—watching someone go from uncertain to self-assured, from reactive to reflective, from struggling to leading. Each breakthrough moment reminds me why I do this work.
What sets me apart is my ability to merge professional development with personal authenticity. I don’t just teach skills; I create experiences that change how people see themselves and the world around them. My approach is rooted in compassion, clarity, and accountability—because lasting growth requires all three. At the heart of my work is a simple mission: to help people master themselves so they can lead, love, and live with purpose.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is family, faith, and legacy. My husband, my daughter, and the beautiful process of blending our families have grounded me in ways that no business achievement ever could. They remind me daily that success means nothing if I’m not present for the moments that truly matter.
My husband, Wendell, has been a steady source of support, partnership, and perspective. He challenges me to dream bigger but also reminds me to rest, laugh, and live fully. My daughter, Kayla, is my greatest inspiration — the reason I strive to model self-mastery, confidence, and compassion in everything I do. Watching her grow into her own voice has reinforced the importance of creating safe spaces where young women can learn who they are and lead with integrity.
Blending our families has also taught me that leadership begins at home. It requires patience, communication, grace, and a deep commitment to understanding — the same principles I teach in my workshops. It’s proof that personal development and professional growth are not separate paths; they are intertwined.
Ultimately, what matters most to me is creating a legacy built on love, leadership, and impact — one that shows my family, my clients, and my community that you can build success without sacrificing connection. I want my work and my life to reflect the same message I teach: when you master yourself, you elevate everything and everyone connected to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kianashaw.enterprises/
- Instagram: @CoachKianaShaw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KianaRShaw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kianarshaw/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachKianaShaw
Image Credits
Wreiko Dawson
