A Lunchbox Note That Changed Everything | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 186: Kristi Hayes, Be Strong Story
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Did anyone ever leave you a note in your lunch box when you were a kid? If youโre a parent, do you ever write an encouraging note in your kidโs lunch box? Would you ever think that a lunch box note could change your life or someone elseโs? For my guest today, thatโs exactly what happened. Kristi Hayes is the founder of Be Strong Story Family and host of the Be Love podcast, a company that was inspired by a lunch box note that her husband wrote to her son. The note said, โBe strong, protect the weak, love everyone.โ Kristi is hilarious and so inspiring. I love the way she and her family live out this mantra that came from a lunch box note. I had the opportunity to be on Kristiโs Be Love podcast (episode 45). It was such a blast to have Kristi on my show, so join me to learn more about how one little action can change the course of your life and change lives!
2:23 – The Kristi 101
- Kristi lives in Denver with her husband and two kids. Sheโs always had an entrepreneurโs heart, but her background is in youth ministry.
- Kristiโs husband was in the secret service, and while her family was living in DC, Kristi worked in politics on Capitol Hill and press advance for the White House. After DC, the family moved back to Oklahoma City and Kristi went back into youth ministry.
- About four years ago, Kristi and her family started a company called Be Strong Story. One day Kristiโs son started having trouble with a friend on the playground. Her husband put a message in his lunch box that said โBe Strong, Protect the Weak, Love Everyone.โย
- Kristi wanted her family to live out the message in their family and now the share that message through apparel, family coaching, and a childrenโs book. Be Strong Story also has a podcast called Be Love podcast that shares stories of people loving each other well.ย
- When Kristi started her career in politics, she didnโt know anyone nor what she was getting into but learned as much as she could along the way. One day in a meeting Kristi froze right before she was called on to speak about an amendment. One of her coworkers buzzed her Blackberry to tell her exactly what she needed to say. Itโs a great reminder to Kristi that even in a competitive environment, people can give with no agenda.
- Moving so often and living in places like DC, Oklahoma, St. Louis, and Colorado taught Kristi and her family so much about making community wherever life took them
17:14 โ Be Strong
- The impact of Be Strong is about teaching our kids (and ourselves) to be who we are created to be. She wants to prepare her kids, other kids, and adults that negative words or gossip to not define them.
- All of us are weak. Usually those who appear weak are actually the strongest. At some point, any of us in life will be weak. Itโs ok to be weak and ask for help, and when we are the ones able to bring light to others, itโs our job to step up for those who need a little help.
- Be Strong encourages us to keep an eye out for those who need help. We especially need to keep an eye out for those who are a little harder to love.
- There is a Be Strong Families group that serves every month together. Families that work toward a mission together to live their values form a very special bond with each other and grow as individuals too.ย
- When we sit with others and hear their stories, it removes our judgements and preconceived notions and we see the humanity in someone who is more similar to us than they are different.
- When you strengthen a family unit, entire communities are made stronger as well.
- Often children donโt care about the things that adults notice. Kids often teach us as much or more when weโre serving with them than we teach them. Kids donโt have the same biases as adults, and donโt care when someone else acts different or looks different or had a very different life.
28:44 – Serving Right Where You Are
- Everyone has their own talents that can be used to serve others. You donโt even need a grand plan, and often you donโt even know what someone else needs.
- Be Strong asks people what they need instead of making their own plan or agenda to help. Helping is easy, and you can get involved even if you donโt live near Be Strong.
- Each month, Be Strong has a Family Coaching Network that helps teach different topics like communication, love languages, building a family mission, how to serve in your own home, serving with your kids when theyโre little and more!
- Thereโs also an online community you can join to network and get connected to other like-minded people in your area who also want to help.
31:09 – Getting To Know Our Guest
- Find out what trends Kristi thinks people might be nostalgic for in 40 years, how sheโd prove sheโs from the future if she could travel back in time, what her walk up/hype song would be, and of course, what it means to Kristi to run a business with purpose!ย
Memorable quotes:
19:01: โThereโs a phrase I say everyday to my kids as we fist pump out the door and itโs โEyes Wide, Light Shine.โ
21:30: โPeople are seeing the benefit of building relationship with those who are different than them and those who have different life experiences.โ
28:08: โThe more that we interact with those who are different than us who might be struggling, and we hear their story and we learn that they are like us in so many ways, that is when we have this open-hand approach.โย
28:23: โI love giving the opportunities to families, young and old, to serve one another together.โ