Hi I’m The Wkender and I’m a connector (and the rest of the meeting responds “Hi Wkender”, if you know you know lol). IRL, when I’m not mixing and mingling I observe, and I do so with the purpose of identifying points of parity between people. What I find is often really intriguing, people hesitant to engage or not appropriately managing their body language, but then there was Kelsey. I want to stress that there is a fine art to engaging with people and forming genuine connections quickly without compromising your work at the close. Our feature for the month of June, Mr Kelsey M. Maynor is masterful in his navigation of a room. Which is more, you have to love a guy who is as cool as his nickname implies.
Mr. Maynor is a trailblazer unafraid of uncharted territories, and a purveyor of burgeoning business opportunities. I mean just look at the different arenas he plays in… he’s an Author, a hospitality consultant, and a mental health advocate. This hodgepodge of skill sets married with his charisma have positioned Him as one of Atlanta’s elite. (Get him in your network!!!)
To run a thread between his endeavors, its helpful to set a theme: Kelsey is committed to helping people overcome “mental unhealthiness” to become successful. To achieve that goal Kelsey has been engaging, educating and developing leaders across multiple disciplines including hospitality, collegiate, Fortune 1000 & 500 companies, and university administration for 5+ years.
Connection…His advocacy directly correlates to book thematically. Help I’m Talking to Myself is an introductory mental health journal full of inspiring, empowering and motivational concepts.
“For many of us, talking to yourself, whether aloud or in your head, is a tell-tale sign of crazy. The more you speak with successful people, you will soon realize that it is very, very common. In fact, talking to yourself can become therapeutic. In this book, you will see the very words, thoughts and speeches I spoke to myself. These speeches harness ideas of self love and encouragement, community, resilience, determination and some “aha” self-realizations. These are not just necessary to read, but beneficial for you to speak to yourself and believe. Talk to yourself and keep from going crazy.”
He has been featured in publications like Upscale Magazine, Sheen Magazine, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Mental Health America of Georgia, Blavity, and Creative Loafing, all as a result of his work. People, that’s no small feat!
What’s wild is that his accomplishments as author serve as an addition to his prestige. Kelsey is most known for his career in the hospitality industry in Atlanta, where he has helped open and manage some of the hottest restaurants, lounges, and clubs. You can catch him at the Atlanta Breakfast Club, located right behind the Georgia Aquarium. ABC, as it is called, hails many amazing accolades like Best Breakfast in Georgia, Best Brunch in Atlanta, and Most Requested Destination by Lfyt Riders and if you can’t tell already, THE FOOD IS GOOD!
Fashion is at our core so you know we had to ask… Here’s what Kels had to say:
There’s this saying, “Dress like you’ve made something of yourself in the world, even if you haven’t.” I can remember several low points in my life. Times where I felt stagnant, unsuccessful, unattractive, and uninspired.
In those moments, I would go into my closet, put on a suit and tie, and head to a bar. I’m talking the middle of the afternoon, late nights, whenever. What I am getting to is, when I put on a nice suit, I feel better. When I am dressed up and in a public place, I feel better. When I am dressed up, in a public place, and a craft beverage is in my hand… I look the way I want to feel, and I began to think the way I want to succeed. My Fashion is my Mental Health.
Mr. Maynor, your grind is impeccable and you’re dope! Thank you for the privilege of a feature!
To A Life Worth Living,
The Wkender