Kelly Hyman

If your dream is something, go for it. Don’t let anything hold you back or define you. Believe you can do it and you will.

 

Kelly Hyman is a brilliant woman with a passion for helping people. This has been with her throughout her life. This actress turned lawyer has enjoyed knowing she can make a positive impact in the lives of the people who can’t always advocate for themselves.

Kelly attended UCLA for her undergraduate degree in communications. UCLA was a natural choice after growing up between New York City and Southern California. Having been raised by a single mother who was a professional tennis player and teacher, she was put in touch with her first agent at five years old. Through that means she entered the acting venue as a child and throughout the years that followed she acted in many professional acting jobs. After numerous commercials, movies, and stage performances she found herself in television roles as well. She credits Harry Mastrogeorge for her success as an actress as he taught her the craft of acting. Those skills are still a part of her today. To this day, she continues to be a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Kelly Hyman’s acting history has lent itself to her career as a lawyer. Because of the experience of being in different roles, she has found herself equipped to understand her client’s perspective better. She can identify with them and that helps her advocate effectively on their behalf.

Today Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband. When she is not passionately advocating on behalf of those who cannot do so for themselves she is volunteering or traveling.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

In high school, we had a government class where we held a mock trial. As the group was selecting who would take each role, I was picked to be one of the lawyers. Each of them, including my then boyfriend, said I would make a good lawyer because I know how to argue and advocate an issue effectively. I found that I really enjoyed it.

Now I’m a third-generation lawyer after my grandmother was the first. It is a joy to know I can advocate for those who cannot do so for themselves.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I set daily goals. Every morning I wake up and set 3 things that must be accomplished in the day. By setting the goals, personal or professional, I’m able to stay on track and accomplish them by the end of the day. The act of setting the goals sets you up to achieve them.

How do you bring ideas to life?

It is important to remember there are no bad ideas. When you think about an idea you can discuss it with a friend or associate and flesh it out. While it may not start and end in the same place, it is moving the idea forward. It might not work out at all. That shouldn’t deter anyone from coming up with new ideas. Try any idea that comes to mind. By always trying new ideas and working through them you may land on something even better. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Health Awareness. More and more people are taking better care of their bodies. Whether that is through exercise, meditation, or being more aware of the food they put into their system they are making healthier choices. When people become aware and start treating their body better, then they see how well their minds respond. It is an all-around benefit to oneself.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Besides setting daily goals, I am always determined to act on the goals. I am fortunate because acting really helped to cultivate that determination for me. When you seek an acting position, you are always auditioning. You do not get every job, or even most of the jobs. You still have to keep going or you won’t get any of the jobs, thus determination.

If your dream is something, go for it. Don’t let anything hold you back or define you. Believe you can do it and you will.

What advice would you give your younger self?

First of all, I would say, don’t worry so much. Then I’d remind myself that no one is perfect so no matter what comes up, continue to believe in yourself. By always following your dream, you are being true to yourself, and this is crucial to everything in life.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Everything around you in business and often in a personal life is a collaboration. Sometimes you’ll sit in a room and based on the available information you’ll want to go in one direction while others will go another route. This happens in life. Often, you’ll find the ways you were correct, as will those who made the choice to take an alternative route. It’s okay to let this go and not drag on about it. While it is a missed opportunity, there will always be more opportunities.

When you let it go and allow the results to lay the foundation for further projects, you will find people will pay attention to your perspective in the future.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Setting your three daily goals and make yourself accountable starts out every productive day. Remember the things you are grateful for, no matter what that might be. Between gratitude and remembering that everyone is human, even you, so mistakes will happen you will be able to allow those mistakes to be the lessons they should be. Goal setting, self-forgiveness, and gratitude go a long way to defining a positive future. Never allow your mistakes to set that definition for you.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I would say there are two things. One, I have developed strong listening skills. This has allowed me to understand my clients and where they are coming from. By actively listening to the people I’m working on behalf of I’m better equipped to advocate for them.

The other thing that I believe is critical for growth in business is to always be growing in life. Continue educating yourself in your field. Travel and experience different countries. Encounter life from a new perspective. The benefits will impact you quickly.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Like everyone else, I have encountered obstacles from time to time. What I really try to do is regroup and determine the best solution for the obstacle. At no point do I walk away or abandon the goal. Instead, I get back up and attack the situation head-on.

Remember Thomas Edison said, “I have succeeded in proving that those 10,000 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.”
If you encounter an approach that doesn’t resolve the situation the way you would like it to, try again. It was simply the wrong path to the goal, but not the wrong goal to achieve. Don’t be limited by lessons to be learned.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

When I was in college one of my professors asked us what our dreams were. One of my classmates said he wanted to be a famous musician. The professor looked at him and asked why he was in class instead of out working toward his dream.

What I took away from that lesson was that you should never let things stop you from what you want to do or be. Don’t let what others say define you or what you want. Follow your passion to your dream and you’ll find the success you desire no matter what business.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I would say it was a romantic dinner with my husband. We recently celebrated 6 years of marriage.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Google is my go-to service for everything. When there’s research to be done or planning to develop I google everything and typically come up with answers fairly fast.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. I am a true believer in the law of attraction.

What is your favorite quote?

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Key learnings:

– Advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves is something I extremely proud of
– I am always striving to work on behalf of others
– My family is the source of my greatest pride and happiness

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