Every setback was preparing me to become the woman I had been searching for all along because sometimes the woman you're waiting to meet is the woman you're becoming.
Desiree Marie King · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Desiree
Desiree King believes that the strongest organizations are built by investing equally in people, purpose, and process.
Her career has evolved from recruiting and talent acquisition into strategic operations, where she collaborates with executive leadership to improve business operations, marketing, recruiting, community partnerships, and organizational growth. She is passionate about helping businesses build scalable systems, strengthen teams, and create meaningful experiences for both employees and customers.
Before entering the insurance industry, Desiree spent nearly seven years in mortgage and financial services, where she developed expertise in operations, customer experience, funding, scheduling, and process improvement. Those experiences sparked a passion for identifying opportunities, simplifying complex processes, and helping organizations operate more efficiently.
Outside of her corporate career, Desiree is the founder of Gemini Scents, a handcrafted home fragrance company she has grown for more than a decade. Her entrepreneurial journey inspired the launch of Root & Reason Advisory, where she combines her experience in operations, leadership, marketing, and business strategy to help organizations grow through thoughtful systems, intentional leadership, and sustainable business practices.
She is also developing The Empowerment Project, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping underserved communities with practical resources, mentorship, and opportunities that empower individuals and families to build stronger futures.
A lifelong learner, Desiree earned her degree in User Experience Design from Full Sail University and is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management at Western Governors University. She believes that leadership is rooted in curiosity, continuous learning, and the willingness to evolve.
Whether she is developing operational frameworks, mentoring professionals, building community partnerships, or sharing leadership insights through her growing personal brand, Desiree's mission remains the same:
To help people and organizations grow with purpose, lead with authenticity, and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Desiree
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith. Throughout every season of my life, I've believed that God was preparing me for something greater, even when I couldn't see it.
I've also been incredibly inspired by my older sister, who built a successful career in supply chain management. Watching her showed me what was possible and challenged me to dream bigger for myself.
My greatest teacher, however, has been resilience. During one of the hardest seasons of my life, I experienced layoffs while raising four children as a divorced mother. I applied for thousands of jobs, heard "no" more times than I can count, and questioned what my future would look like. Looking back, that season wasn't just preparing me for another job—it was developing my perseverance, strengthening my faith, and teaching me that setbacks often become the foundation for future success.
Today, every opportunity I have is built on those lessons: faith, resilience, curiosity, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the path isn't clear.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One piece of advice has stayed with me throughout my career:
"Never stop learning."
Titles change. Industries change. Technology changes. But people who remain curious will always create opportunities for themselves.
That mindset has encouraged me to continuously reinvent myself—from mortgage and finance to recruiting, operations, marketing, business strategy, and entrepreneurship. Every new skill I've developed has opened doors I never expected.
I also believe that your career doesn't have to fit inside one box. Some of the greatest opportunities come from connecting experiences across different industries and bringing fresh perspectives to old problems.
Stay curious, ask questions, and never believe you're finished growing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be authentic enough to build the career that fits you—not the one you think other people expect you to have.
For a long time, I believed success meant following a traditional path. Over time, I realized that some of my greatest opportunities came from embracing all the different parts of who I am. I can love strategy and creativity. I can build operational systems while running a candle business. I can pursue corporate leadership while building a consulting firm and serving my community.
Don't be afraid to explore your interests, even if they seem unrelated. The skills you develop in one area often become your greatest advantage in another.
Most importantly, don't wait until you feel completely qualified before pursuing the next opportunity. Growth happens because you're willing to learn, not because you already know everything.
Build relationships. Stay curious. Keep your integrity. And remember that your unique perspective is often your greatest strength.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities I see today is helping organizations become more intentional about how they grow. Many businesses are expanding quickly, but they're often doing so without the operational foundation needed to sustain that growth. Processes, communication, leadership development, and employee experience are no longer "nice to have"—they're essential.
At the same time, technology and artificial intelligence are transforming the way we work. While those innovations create incredible opportunities, they also require leaders to remain adaptable and people-focused. The organizations that will thrive aren't simply the ones adopting new technology—they're the ones combining innovation with strong leadership, clear processes, and a culture that values people.
I believe the future belongs to organizations that invest in both operational excellence and human connection. When those two things work together, businesses become more resilient, more innovative, and better equipped for long-term success.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life are faith, authenticity, service, curiosity, and continuous growth.
My faith reminds me to lead with integrity, humility, and purpose, even during challenging seasons. Authenticity has taught me that I don't have to fit into someone else's definition of success—I can build a career that reflects who I truly am.
I'm naturally curious, and I believe some of the best ideas come from asking questions, exploring new perspectives, and never assuming I've learned everything there is to know. That curiosity has allowed me to grow across recruiting, operations, marketing, business development, and entrepreneurship.
Service is equally important to me. Whether I'm mentoring professionals, supporting my community, or helping businesses improve their operations, I want my work to create a lasting, meaningful impact.
Above all, I hope people remember me not only for what I accomplished, but for how I made others feel—encouraged, supported, and empowered to grow.
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