In Conversation
Crystal Durham for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Crystal Durham: Speaker: Crystal Durham , Founder & CEO - Rotten Lemons,LLCWhat does being an Influential Woman mean to you?Crystal Durham : To be an influential woman means to bring a level of impact to whoever or whoever you encounter. It can be of a large or small capacity, but the fruits of being an influence is being able to bring. A noticeable change. When you walk into a room, there is a level of light, a level of compassion and empathy that you're bringing into that space where people find your presence valuable and you are bringing noticeable change to that room.What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?Crystal Durham : My one piece of advice to a younger woman chasing her dreams would be to just let go of those expectations that box you into what your life and what your journey should look like. We always hear like make long term goals, make short term goals, and that's great because we need a vision and we need to plan and we should always be chasing the better version of ourselves, but that's just it. We should always be in the mindset of growth and not really the dream because the growth will give us the dream. The growth will lead us down the path to our dream. We'll meet the right people, we'll be in the right. Rooms as we focus more on growing ourselves than chasing the dream, right? And then cling to joy. Find joy in the path, find joy in the journey, find joy in the little things. Create a gratitude notebook or journal so that when those moments of adversity comes and when you are feeling discouraged and unmotivated. You remember how the little things, the little steps have increased you and actually have grown you to who you are at that very moment. So joy and just live and grow and your dreams will come true.
Her Story
About Crystal
Crystal Durham is the CEO and Founder of Rotten Lemons, LLC, established in 2022. The organization’s name is inspired by the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” reflecting Crystal’s mission to transform challenges into purpose-driven action. Rotten Lemons focuses on maternal mental health, community healing, and support, providing safe, empowering spaces for mothers through monthly meetups, quarterly Moms Night Out events, and community resource fairs. Crystal’s approach is community-first, faith-informed, and grounded in holistic healing, creating environments where mothers can authentically share, heal, and access practical resources.
Crystal’s professional background spans education administration, early childhood education, and event management. She has served as a preschool director, elementary school assistant, tutor, and curriculum developer, gaining extensive experience in program coordination, leadership, and event planning. Her personal experiences with maternal mental health challenges inspired her to pivot into entrepreneurship and advocacy, leading to the creation of Rotten Lemons. She also completed a small business development certification to strengthen her skills and expand her impact in supporting mothers and families.
Beyond her professional work, Crystal enjoys cultivating joy and balance in her personal life. Her hobbies include self-care routines such as enjoying pizza in bed or on the couch while watching Hallmark movies, taking relaxing baths, spending quality time with her children and husband, playing family games, and taking spontaneous trips to Target. Her advice to the next generation is simple yet profound: “Let go of your expectations so you can be open to receive your God-given purpose.”
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Crystal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to transforming my personal experiences with maternal mental health struggles into purpose-driven advocacy. I lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and faith, guided by a strong sense of calling and divine direction in my career journey. Creating safe, judgment-free spaces for mothers has been central to my work, and I am committed to consistently showing up for women with transparency and without hidden agendas or costs.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry that they are not alone, even when it feels that way. It’s important to ask for help and accept support without shame, because healing happens most powerfully in community. Never minimize your pain—acknowledge it fully so you can move forward—and trust that purpose and growth can emerge from hardship.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include building trust with mothers who have been overlooked or dismissed, overcoming skepticism in rural communities like Monroe, NC, securing funding and sponsorships to provide free services, and gaining institutional credibility without compromising our mission. At the same time, there are significant opportunities: addressing the growing crisis of maternal mental health, supporting the more than 400,000 women leaving the workforce, partnering with healthcare systems such as Atrium and Novant, and expanding support groups both nationally and internationally.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life include community—creating spaces where women feel seen, safe, and supported; a strong spiritual connection, allowing faith to guide my decisions and healing; a commitment to holistic healing—emotional, mental, and communal—for mothers; and unwavering integrity and transparency, particularly when serving vulnerable populations.
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