The entrepreneurial spirit has been in Kalyn Romaine, CEO of Dream Forward Consulting, for a long time. That said, she didn’t fully embrace it until exiting a 15-year career working with startups, nonprofits, Fortune 100 companies, and city government. Today, Kalyn uses her industry and academic knowledge to educate her clients on the benefits of practicing organizational development, HR, and DEI together rather than in a vacuum.
When she’s not at the helm of client-facing work, Kayln is progressing toward a doctoral degree that focuses on improving the employee experience for Black men.
Below, we asked Kalyn what the hardest and most rewarding part of her business is, who has contributed to her success, and if there is anything she would have done differently. Hint: there’s no time like the present to follow your dreams.
Q: Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on Dream Forward Consulting?
A: I entered the field by accident. I originally set out to be an educator but pivoted into corporate training in the social services industry at the onset of the Great Recession. Seeing so many emerging and evolving professionals desperate for meaningful work sparked a flame in me to pursue HR work outright. I’ve been very vocal about my dissatisfaction with organizational development (OD), HR, and DEI as industries because their current states leave too many holes in both companies’ operational excellence and employee satisfaction. Dream Forward has been my effort to fill in the gaps and transform how we see and do our work.
Q: What problem does Dream Forward Consulting solve?
A: We solve the confusion and ignorance resulting from silos in OD, HR, and DEI. These fields don’t always play nice with each other. The structural work of OD is usually led by consultants who have intellectual knowledge and research but don’t practice the tactical work. HR is typically led by folks doing the operational work through experience and intuition, but they aren’t always strong in strategic design. Passionate, empathetic DEI professionals’ work often feels too out of touch with business needs. Dream Forward blends the best of all three worlds’ mission and capacity to make companies more efficient, more profitable, and more enjoyable. That’s a win-win-win!
Q: Have you ever felt like you’re “different”? If yes, in what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur?
A: I always feel different, and I have learned to love my difference. I’m a Black woman who is an organizational psychologist, has been a corporate executive, is a founder, and is completing a PhD. I’ve relocated more times than I can count, and I’ve worked in tons of industries. I’m a serial entrepreneur who thrives on change and beginnings. Nothing about me is typical; that’s my superpower. I’ve found that my clients are inspired by my willingness to stand confidently in my differences.
Q: What’s been the hardest and most rewarding part of your entrepreneurial journey?
A: The hardest part has been detaching from an “employee mindset.” I was so used to working in environments where my efforts went unrecognized, I was underpaid for my contributions, and I was constantly bruising my heart and my mind to break through the glass ceiling. I learned a lot, but it was deeply unfulfilling and demoralizing. Building my own companies means I can be as creative, innovative, empathetic, and strategic as needed to satisfy my clients. I watch my clients make more money, grow their brands, and feel more fulfilled—that’s rewarding!
Q: What resources or people have contributed the most to your successes?
A: My late uncle, Ronald, and maternal grandmother, Nancy Romaine, are my two biggest entrepreneurial influences. Uncle Ronald encouraged me to start a business in undergrad, but I was too scared and insecure. My late grandmother was my biggest supporter, quite literally from birth, and I’m proud to be her namesake. They both saw my entrepreneurial potential early in life and invested in it with wisdom and helpful criticism so I could become better. Most of my parents’ siblings have played an integral role in my success—from graciously shouldering the financial burden of my childhood needs and activities, to being cheerleaders throughout my adult years. I’m fortunate that they stepped in and filled the gaps my parents created.
Q: How do you celebrate successes along the way?
A: This has been a work in progress. I was in my early 30s before I learned how to celebrate myself. Being an entrepreneur can be a grind, so whenever I travel for business or achieve a milestone, I reward myself with a treat to regroup and recharge. I love a spa day, fine dining, traveling, and gardens. The Wynn Spa in Las Vegas, Brooklyn’s botanical garden and the Huntington in SoCal, almost all of Hyatt’s Zilara resorts, and a swanky French restaurant are some of my personal faves.
Q: How have you grown as a leader since starting Dream Forward Consulting? What experiences have contributed to this growth?
A: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I matter too. I expended so much time, energy, and resources during the first years of my entrepreneurship journey prioritizing everyone else: their needs, their paychecks, their limitations, and their insecurities and limiting beliefs. It led to burnout, debt, confusion, and stagnation for me and the business. I scaled down twice to accelerate and haven’t looked back. I now have a solid growth strategy, exciting and motivating service verticals, and, most important, joy in my business.
Q: What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your entrepreneurial journey all over again?
A: Start earlier. The brilliant ideas you have are in-demand, and you’re more ready than you think.
Q: What’s next for you and Dream Forward Consulting?
A: This year, I’ll publish my first book, Evolution to Equity™, under the Dream Forward brand. We are launching a virtual school called the Synapse Experiential Learning Institute, and we’ll be adding even more insights to the Dreaming Forward Podcast. Stay tuned because we have tons to share with the world.
Kalyn is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
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Gesche Haas
Gesche Haas is the Founder/CEO of Dreamers & Doers, a private collective that amplifies the entrepreneurial pursuits of extraordinary women through visibility opportunities, resource exchange, and collective support.
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