Getting started is the most important step in any process. Coming up with the idea and even the plans for it can be a smooth endeavor but actually taking the step to act on the plan and put it in the universe can be scary. Will it fail? Will it succeed? All sorts of thoughts swirl in your head until you finally have to stop all the noise, move out of your own way, and go for it. This is a struggle Kayla Starr Simmons is familiar with. Two years ago she made a decision to act on a plan that has changed the course of her life.

If you knew Simmons a few years ago you probably wouldn't recognize the person she is today. She was one hundred pounds heavier, working a full-time job, not in love with herself, and suffering a little with depression. Her world was dark and she was not in a good place. This was not the life she wanted for herself. A change was in order.

She began spending a lot of time by herself getting to know who she was and what she wanted out of life. Her deep reflection caused her to grow closer to God, learn to love her flaws, and revealed a greater plan for her life. She learned that loving herself was an intentional act that is a continuous journey. “I use to think that I was not capable of doing things and then once I started believing in myself that’s what really took me to a higher level, ” said Simmons.

With a renewed purpose, Simmons took that important first step to become the girl who went for it. She returned to school to begin working towards her bachelor's degree with a major in hotel and restaurant management at the University of Houston. The future lawyer is expected to graduate in May 2020. Excelling in and outside the classroom, Simmons is a confident college student who loves herself and knows her worth.

“During this journey, of course, there were obstacles but I look at my failures as learning experiences,” commented Simmons. “I like to say I fell forward and kept moving on. I won’t let anything stand in my way of what I truly want because I know what I am capable of.”

Now she is doing things she never imagined for herself like joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Epsilon Lambda Chapter. She is on a journey that is allowing her to go after her dreams while helping others to do the same. Earlier this year she launched Souls with Goals, a brand that is used to empower women to reach their full potential.

“I felt a need for a stronger community of women supporting each other,” said Simmons. She wished that she had someone like herself in her corner growing up; someone to whom she could turn to during those times when she felt less than. Souls with Goals helps women find that cheerleader, that goal seeker, by connecting women of various ages, life experiences, and backgrounds to support and empower one another.

Simmons’ first event was a vision boarding brunch in January. She followed that with a self-love empowerment workshop. Each event features a keynote speaker, delectable bites and drinks, positive energy, and women with vision. Also in abundance at the Souls with Goals affairs are black women entrepreneurs. Simmons is an advocate of supporting other black female entrepreneurs and helping them showcase their brands, talents, and passions. And with barely two months of existence Souls with Goals is a hit. In fact, her last event sold out in just two days. She has already started planning her next event for April 2019.

During each event, Simmons ask attendees to turn to another woman and ask her an important question, “Will you be my goal-friend?” A goal-friend, as defined by Simmons, is like an accountability partner for your dreams. Together women and their goal-friend form a partnership and become committed to each other to reach their maximum potential letting nothing stop them in their tracks. The success of these partnerships has already birthed some new businesses, passions, and goals, which makes Simmons extremely happy.

Seeing women go after what they want and achieve their goals makes Simmons teary-eyed. She knows what the struggle was/is like first hand; the obstacles that one has to overcome and the doubts that they tussled with to not believe. Daily she lives by the advice her father first gave her. “Success is not measured by how much money you make but b how many hearts you touch.” Simmons says that if she can touch at least one heart then her purpose has been fulfilled. Through Souls with Goals, she is not just touching hearts but she is building inspiration through goal setting to create legacies bigger than herself.

Find your goal-friend and connect with Simmons and her Souls with Goals brand on Instagram @SoulswithGoals or through her website kaylastarrsimmons.com/SoulswithGoals.