Kyle’s Story
If you had met me as a child, there's a good chance you wouldn't have predicted I'd one day create a platform dedicated to leadership, education, and personal growth.
When I was young, I was diagnosed with a learning disability that significantly affected my ability to learn in a traditional classroom. I was placed in special education, where I spent years trying to keep pace with classmates who seemed to learn effortlessly. I remember one moment more clearly than most. I was in fifth-grade science class and was asked to read aloud. My reading ability was around a first-grade level, and before I could even finish, classmates laughed and made fun of me. At that age, words like those have a way of settling deep into your mind. They make you question your intelligence, your worth, and whether you'll ever be "good enough."
For a while, I believed them.
But something changed.
Instead of allowing those moments to become excuses, they became motivation. I decided that while I couldn't control what others said about me, I could control how hard I was willing to work. More importantly, those experiences taught me empathy. I knew firsthand how powerful words could be, and I made a promise to myself that I would never intentionally make someone else feel the way I had felt.
Years of determination eventually led to one of the proudest milestones of my childhood. In eighth grade, I graduated from the special education program and entered mainstream classes. The transition wasn't easy. I often had to study longer, ask more questions, and push myself harder than many of my peers. There were days I wondered if I truly belonged. Still, I kept showing up.
By my senior year of high school, another opportunity presented itself. My school offered College in the Schools (CIS) courses, allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school. Before I could enroll, I had to pass an entrance assessment. As I prepared to begin the exam, another student sitting nearby looked at me and asked, "You think you're smart enough for college classes?"
I didn't argue.
I didn't defend myself.
I simply focused on the test.
A few moments later, my screen displayed a message I'll never forget:
"Congratulations, you passed."
The student who questioned me did not.
That moment wasn't important because someone else failed. It mattered because it reminded me that the opinions of others don't determine our potential. Had I listened to the voices telling me what I couldn't do, I never would have discovered what I was capable of doing.
Despite completing college-level coursework in high school, I didn't continue directly into college after graduation. Like many young adults, I wasn't sure what direction my life should take. The idea of choosing one career for the rest of my life felt overwhelming, and I mistakenly believed that selecting a degree meant locking myself into a single path forever.
What I did know was simple: I wanted to help people.
So instead of attending college immediately, I entered the workforce and built my career in retail and operations leadership. Over the years, I found myself stepping into leadership roles again and again. I discovered that leadership isn't about titles—it's about serving people. Every conversation mattered. Every coaching opportunity mattered. Every customer interaction mattered.
I've never viewed customer service as "just a job."
I believe some of the greatest opportunities to change someone's day happen in the ordinary moments. A genuine smile. A kind word. A patient conversation. Those small actions often have a greater impact than we realize.
To everyone working in retail, restaurants, warehouses, customer service, healthcare, manufacturing, or any profession that society sometimes overlooks: your work matters. Every role contributes to something bigger, and every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
In 2025, my career took an unexpected turn.
As I searched for new opportunities, rejection became familiar. Some employers believed I lacked the qualifications because I didn't have a college degree. Others believed my experience made me overqualified. It was frustrating to feel as though I was somehow both "not enough" and "too much" at the same time.
For the first time in years, I questioned where I belonged.
Eventually, I realized the obstacle wasn't simply my résumé—it was my mindset.
My first thought was, "I guess I need a degree to make employers happy."
The more I reflected on that belief, the more I realized it was rooted in obligation instead of growth. If I pursued education for someone else's approval, I would eventually lose my motivation.
So I changed my perspective.
I decided that if I was going to earn a degree, it would be because I wanted to become a better leader, a better professional, and a better human being. Every class would become an opportunity to grow. Every assignment would become an investment in my future. Every challenge would strengthen skills I could use to serve others more effectively.
That decision changed everything.
Today, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Minor in Psychology because I believe understanding people is just as important as understanding business. Leadership is about more than strategy and results. It's about trust, communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, and creating environments where people can thrive.
As I continue this journey, I'm also considering pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Therapy after completing my undergraduate education. My long-term goal is to build a career that allows me to make an even greater impact in the mental health field by supporting individuals, advocating for mental well-being, and helping people navigate life's challenges. While I haven't finalized that path, it's a direction that aligns closely with my personal values.
That's why I created Be Vision Driven.
This website isn't a place where I pretend to have all the answers. It's a place where I document the journey of finding them. It's where I share what I'm learning, how I'm applying it, the mistakes I make, the lessons I discover, and the growth that happens along the way.
I also created this platform for accountability.
Research consistently shows that people are more likely to achieve meaningful goals when they share them with others. By making my journey public, I'm inviting people to celebrate the victories, learn from the setbacks, and remind me why I started whenever the path becomes difficult.
If there's one lesson I've learned, it's this:
Your starting point does not define your destination.
No matter where you begin, what others have said about you, or how many obstacles you've faced, your future is still yours to shape. Continue learning. Continue growing. Continue believing in yourself. You may be surprised by just how far you're capable of going.
— Kyle Christenson, Founder of Be Vision Driven Co LLC
