Meet Keyona McCrea | Business Owner & Carpenter

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

Hi Keyona, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I tried out a few different career options before I decided to go the artistic route. Once I realized what I could do, there was no turning back. No other job has made me feel more fulfilled then owning my business. I’m able to wake up everyday and feel excited to go do work that I’m proud of.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Honestly, I think what sets my business apart from everyone else’s is….me. I treat all my clients like family and I think they truly appreciate that. Not to mention that there aren’t too many cabinet builders that are black, gay women. It can be difficult sometimes, being in a field where someone like me is rare. But I like to use it to my advantage.

It was not easy getting to where I am today business wise. I had to fail a few times and learn a lot of hard lessons about discipline, money management, and even just sharpening up my craft. I still have a lot to learn and learn new things all the time. There’s always room to grow and believe me, The Keys to Elevation, is not done growing.

I think I’d want the world to know that it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. There will be times where you doubt yourself, doubt your business, doubt everything. But when you’re truly passionate about something, you’ll find the strength to keep going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m still relatively new to Dallas but I still think I have some good recommendations. Good wise, here are my top spots:

Velvet Taco, has the best tacos (and queso) I’ve ever had. If you’re looking for someone fancy, Restoration Hardware has a rooftop restaurant that is beautiful! If you’re looking for a fun night out, I’d suggest Deep Ellum. There’s tons of bars and clubs. But if you’re looking for something a bit more chill, going out to Bishop Arts is nice. There’s a lot of little shops and nice restaurants there as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My fiancé. She has been my #1 supporter since I first started my business. She’s been there from day one. She’s always there right by my side, in the early mornings and late nights. Through all the ups and downs, she’s truly my rock that keeps me going. She’s the reason why I am where I am today, I honestly couldn’t do it without her.

Website: ktelevation.com

Instagram: @ktelevation

Other: Tik Tok: @thakeyz