Meet Kellie R. Stone

My Best Friend, Kellie

By Donna Martelli

By now you know Kellie Stone as the founder of Women’s Life Link, an amazing writer on all subjects pertaining to women’s health, wellness and beauty. I’ve known her as so much more.  Way back in 1991, she walked into a Christian Book Store, which I owned and managed at the time, looking for a part time job. I hired her on the spot. Immediately, she started making things beautiful in the store with creative displays.

Over the last 18 years, I have been her boss, her trainer, her mentor, her friend, and her student. She has been my boss, my trainer, my mentor, my friend, and my student. We have laughed together, cried together, inspired each other, frustrated each other, but ultimately always encouraged and helped each other. Kellie is probably the most creative person I have ever known – she really does make all things beautiful! I asked her the following questions so you could gain more insight into who she is. Enjoy!

 

Donna – You and your 2 oldest daughters (23 and 25) look like sisters.  How do you do it? (Kellie pictured at right with her oldest daughter before her wedding). 

Kellie – Well, first of all, I must have been born with good skin genes! Other than that, I have taken great care of my skin (especially my face and neck) since I was about 16. That includes using good skin care products, staying out of the sun except to get my daily 10 minute infusion of vitamin D, drinking pure, clean water, doing facial exercises and reflexology, and making sure to wash my face every night before bed. It’s nothing special…just consistency.

Donna – What is your greatest desire in this life?

Kellie – First and foremost, my greatest desire is that my children are happy and find fulfillment through their passions. I spent too many years not pursuing my true passions and lost many opportunities along the way. Secondly, I want to die knowing that I left some kind of mark on this world. Helping others discover their potential brings me the greatest joy.

Donna – What is your greatest fear?

Kellie – My greatest fear is not reaching my potential as a women, mother, wife, friend, and writer. It’s not really something I dwell on, but I definitely work toward success in those areas daily. The really scary thing is this: what if what I think is my potential isn’t it at all? I guess that’s where prayer and meditation comes in.

Donna – What do you like to do when you are not working on WLL?

Kellie – I enjoy spending time with my family, especially in the kitchen. I have found the most profound family bonding over pizza dough and our “experimental” desserts. Admittedly, I also love to watch crime shows like CSI, Cold Case, and Forensic Files. They give me inspiration for my fiction novel writing projects that take a lot of time as well.

Donna – What’s your take on how to make it all work together: wife, mother career woman, etc?

Kellie – This one is subject to interpretation. In other words, I don’t know if my way is getting the job done or not. There are times that I feel completely balanced; and there are times that I feel like a complete failure. All I can say is every woman has to find there own mix and do what works for them. If I end up in a place that is not working, then I change what I can in order to find peace and balance again. This works most of the time.

Donna – Tell us about 3 people in your life who have most impacted you and how.

Kellie – First,  my mother gave me a sense of who I was, not by being a perfect mother, but by keeping an open line of communication between the two of us. Though she was often preoccupied, I could always come to her with any problem or victory and expect that she would either cry or celebrate with me.

Second, you, Donna Martelli, have been a source of great inspiration when it comes to spiritual growth and application. I have also seen you exemplify business ownership, ministry, and a hopeful sense of one’s future. You have been a true friend who is always there for me. 

And third, I have to say that my seventh grade English teacher impacted me with instilling a desire to write well. She was always encouraging when it came to my writing projects. 

Donna – What’s the most important thing you learned as a child that has helped you in your adult life?

Kellie – I learned not to be afraid of people. Putting yourself out there is the only way to find opportunities and life-changing relationships. That is why I created Women’s Life Link.

Seriously, what if I had not walked to the mall that day and came into your store asking for a job?

Donna – How do you handle anger, disappointment and frustration?

Kellie – Ooh, good question! Usually, I handle it fairly well. Not so the case when I was younger. I have learned that situations can change quickly (and usually do). A glitch in your day or week isn’t worth blowing your top over. Sometimes your failures and disappointments can lead to your greatest victories. I also find that sharing times of negativity with a trusted friend helps ease the emotions that can multiply if gone unchecked. Visualizing a positive outcome works wonders, too!

 Donna – Where do you want to be 10 years from now?

Kellie – I would love to be the hip, happy grandmother of at least several little ones. I have a deep desire to work with women internationally as well as locally by way of WLL, the Internet, speaking engagements, and my books. Truly, I would just love to look back and see that my life has been useful and creatively abundant!

Donna – And lastly, how do you think you are perceived by others?

Kellie – Well, that depends on who you’re talking to. I hope that they see me as someone who has depth and compassion. I want others to see the real me- the non-perfect woman that I am.

Sometimes, I shock people because they can’t believe that I have actually given birth to six children; their expressions are hilarious! I think they also see me as someone who loves to make things more beautiful…and I do.