Darrin: I’ll be right there with them in a few minutes stocking up too. But before we dive in, I want to share with our audience that over a hundred people signed up for this conversation. Kim, you are the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of East Texas, based in Tyler, Texas. You’ve led the organization since 2013, focusing on workforce development and helping people overcome barriers to employment through job training, coaching, and real pathways to stability.

Darrin: You bring more than two decades of Goodwill leadership experience from roles across Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. You’re a five-time author, a coach, podcaster, international speaker, and consultant with a strong focus on dignity, confidence, and leadership development. You’re originally from Charleston, a sister city to my hometown of New Orleans, and you’ve built long-term impact in East Texas by combining mission, operations, and systems at scale.

Darrin: On a personal note, what makes this conversation meaningful to me is how generous you were when we first connected. Even though you couldn’t attend one of our events, you made sure to connect me with amazing people. That speaks volumes about the person behind the mission. Thank you for that.

Kim: Thank you, Darrin. I appreciate those kind words.

Darrin: Let’s start here. A job is more than a paycheck — it’s dignity. But for many people, that door is locked. What I respect about you and Goodwill East Texas is that you’re not just offering motivation, you’re building infrastructure. Many people think Goodwill is just a thrift store. Can you tell us what’s really happening behind the scenes?

Kim: Thank you. I feel incredibly fortunate to do work that empowers people to see beyond limitations — many of which are placed on us from childhood. People are told what they can’t do, where they come from disqualifies them, or that success is unlikely. Barriers are placed on us, and then we often adopt them ourselves.

Kim: At Goodwill, the first thing we do is see people as individuals — complex, multidimensional individuals with lived experiences that can feed into their passion and work. We give people tools, but first we help them understand who they want to be. That’s the hardest question for many people.

Darrin: I agree. People often say, “I just want to make money,” but before that, who do you want to be?

Kim: Exactly. Money will come, but first ask what kind of life you want, what excites you, what frustrates you when it’s broken — because that often points to what you’re good at. Maybe you’re great at organizing, planning events, working with people, or solving problems. Those skills can be parlayed into meaningful work that takes care of both your finances and your soul.

Darrin: That resonates deeply. Many barriers come from childhood — not seeing people who look like you or come from where you come from succeeding. When you’re the first to build the blueprint, how do you even begin asking the right questions?

Kim: One of the first things we do is look at hobbies, interests, and what people already solve naturally. What advice do people come to you for? Journal about it. There are also assessments — personality and aptitude assessments — that help connect people to careers. That’s why we see so many people starting side gigs that eventually become full-time work.

Kim: I’ve reinvented myself several times. I started as a newspaper reporter. My undergraduate degree is in fine arts with an emphasis in theater. All of that — communication, voice, presence — helps me today as a CEO. My first love was writing, and even as a child I dreamed of being a speechwriter, but I had limiting beliefs about whether anyone would listen.

Kim: Instead of shrinking, I leaned in, educated myself, and took opportunities when they came. Today, access to information is everywhere, but action is often missing. Access is great — but action is short.

Darrin: That’s powerful. Can you talk about the power of being a beginner?

Kim: I love being a beginner. There’s no shame in it. Your mind is open, you’re excited, and you don’t have unlearning to do yet. Learning opens new worlds. My mother used to say there’s no excuse for saying you can’t do something — there’s a book about everything.

Darrin: That’s incredible. Education and curiosity truly change lives.

Kim: My mother took me to the library every Thursday from the time I was three years old. I couldn’t read yet, but I explored books, checked out seven at a time, and that’s how I learned to read — by matching words to sound and repetition. Before school, I was already reading full books.

Darrin: That curiosity is everything. Technology can help us, but it can also rob us of the joy of learning if we skip the journey. Growth happens in the uncomfortable parts.

Kim: Exactly. I’ve climbed the ladder. There are very few things I do today as a CEO that I haven’t done before at some level. You can’t skip the steps. You need to understand the work to lead it.

Darrin: Let’s talk systems. How did you build systems at Goodwill East Texas that allow you to serve your community while protecting your team from burnout?

Kim: When I arrived, most systems were homegrown — Excel, Word, and an outdated POS system. In 2020, we began modernizing. After receiving a $5 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, we invested half into infrastructure. We adopted a CRM to reduce paperwork so staff could focus on people. We modernized HR systems, accounting systems, and eliminated duplicate data entry.

Kim: As a result, we realized we didn’t need to hire additional staff in certain roles. Systems allowed us to redirect resources toward impact rather than overhead.

Darrin: That’s such a key lesson — systems don’t replace people, they empower them. And it’s okay to start as “iPhone 1” and iterate.

Kim: Exactly. If you start with systems that are too complex, you won’t even know what questions to ask. You’ll pay for features you don’t need yet. Start simple, then scale.

Darrin: As we wrap up, what’s one program or concept you wish more people understood?

Kim: AI. Used correctly, it can save enormous time across every department — from data analysis to forecasting. But you must stay engaged. It supplements your work; it doesn’t replace thinking. We also offer free Google AI Essentials training to help people build foundational knowledge.

Darrin: From a workforce perspective, what skills will future-proof people?

Kim: Service industries, healthcare, technology fundamentals, and adaptability. Many people can use phones but lack core computer skills. There’s no shame in learning from the beginning. The beauty isn’t the destination — it’s who you become.

Darrin: Finally, can you share a story that stays with you?

Kim: One man came to us after a workplace injury left him unable to return to his job. He felt defeated. Over time, being surrounded by others with different abilities who showed joy and resilience changed him. We hired him, invested in him, and eventually he became our Dream Manager — helping over a thousand people reach goals like buying homes, earning diplomas, getting promoted, and reclaiming their lives.

Darrin: That’s incredible. Second chances aren’t charity — they’re leadership, dignity, and systems in action. Thank you, Kim, for this meaningful conversation.

Kim: Thank you, Darrin. You can find me on LinkedIn, at Goodwill Industries of East Texas, or at motivationalmuse.com. I appreciate the opportunity.

Darrin: Thank you everyone for joining us. This session will be posted on LinkedIn and our website. We’ll see you next time.