Meet Kristen Geez: Chief Executive Officer & Media Personality

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Geez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business after a conversation with a group of friends in my living room. Unfortunately, as the years have passed, so have the seasons in those friendships, but I wouldn’t have formed Lipstick Ready without them. I originally came up with the idea of a mentoring program around my 21st birthday. At the time, I had dropped out of college and was really confused about what I wanted to do in life. I realized there were many things in high school that I never learned regarding entering the real world. So I begin going to the library to meet with a librarian named Ms. Connie; I told her that I wanted to do something about all the high schoolers who were unaware of all of the real-world issues they would face upon graduating. She gave me a curriculum template and told me to begin writing mini-workshops on topics that weren’t covered in school. Little did I know I would spend the next nine months creating an entire curriculum book with no participants to learn these lessons that I thought to be important. Once I finished the curriculum book, I asked my mother, who had 25 years worth a banking experience for small businesses, for assistance. I told her my idea and vision. She gladly assisted me in informing a non-profit, Advising Generation Z, that would provide mentoring programs for girls, Lipstick Ready, and boys Shepherds Of Healing. Once I was finished formatting my business, I approached my former High School principal, Dr. Linda Parker, and told her about my idea. She allowed me to use her campus as my guinea pig to see if the lessons I created were beneficial to today’s teenagers. Thankful the pilot of Advising Generation Z was a hit and quickly expanded into 26 campuses, around the DFW area, in a matter of three years.

What should our readers know about your business?
Advising Generation Z was created to support, equip, and empower young people ages 10-29 to become the best versions of themselves. We provide group mentoring, school assemblies, professional development, and digital and distant learning opportunities. Our Programs: Advising Generation Z is a social skills diversion mentoring program that specializes in interventions, improving behaviors, and training for young people at risk. AGZ is divided into four programs Lipstick Ready for girls, Shepherds Of Healing for boys, Young Professionals Ascending for young adults, and AdvisingGenz, our digital diversion learning series.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of the things I love most about the DFW area is the variety of locations there are to eat. Although I may look like a supermodel, I definitely love to eat. The first stop that I would love to make would be downtown Fort Worth; viewing Sundance Square is literally a dream. I’m in love with The Bird & Branch Restaurant on top of Frost Bank. The afternoon near White Rock Lake, Dallas, visiting the auditorium or the Llama Farm. I’m in love with Mexican food, so stopping at Rio Mambo would have to be on the list, followed by brunch at Thirsty Lion at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving and ending the night at chocolate Secrets, listening to Jazz and drinking Mexican hot chocolate.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be here today if God hadn’t kept me anchored to Advising Generation Z’s vision through the students I get the privilege of serving. I learned early on how important my decisions and actions were, and I always wanted to make sure that I made the right choice for them to model. I also have to say, my mother, Kem Grant, my mentor Linda Parker, Jose Villensor, and my entire Grant Family have all supported me in this journey. Alfred McAdory and Mariah Martin for accepting the responsibility of becoming Program Directors and the entire AGZ staff, volunteers, board, and students who have helped us continue to make a positive impact in the lives of the people we serve in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Website: https://www.advisinggenerationz.com/home
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informedwithkristengeez/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristengeez/