Her Story
About Kimberly
Kimberly Kelly is the founder and owner of Suite B Network, a Kannapolis, North Carolina-based creative studio offering digital graphics, web design, photography, and mobile photo booth experiences complete with custom backdrops and on-site printing for weddings, celebrations, and community events. She brings more than a decade of hands-on experience in photography and design to her clients, having built her technical skill set largely through self-instruction, mastering the Adobe Creative Suite and tools like Excel on her own initiative. Before stepping fully into her creative career in November 2025, Kelly spent over three decades in the fire safety industry, including many years at her father's company in Concord and additional time with the firm that later acquired it—an unconventional path that gave her a strong foundation in client relations, sales, and business operations long before she turned her lens toward visual storytelling.
Kelly's approach to her craft was shaped early on by two influential figures: her father, whose entrepreneurial drive taught her the value of persistence and building something from the ground up, and Concord photographer Bernard Davis, who encouraged her to see the world through her camera and prioritize capturing genuine, meaningful moments. Her academic background includes studies at North Carolina State University and UNC Charlotte, though she did not complete a formal degree at either institution, choosing instead to develop her expertise through practical experience and continuous self-teaching. In 2021, her ties to the Concord community were publicly recognized when she was chosen as one of three spokespeople for a city recycling commercial, and she has since been selected for inclusion in an upcoming Influential Women recognition program in 2026.
Beyond her professional work, Kelly is deeply invested in giving back to her community. She has served as both a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader, sponsors a student each quarter to compete in karate tournaments at Logan Gym, and remains active at Grace Lutheran Church through the Voices in Action ministry and Thrivent's charitable giving program, which channels choice dollars toward organizations like the Girl Scouts of America. She also plans to extend her community involvement further by joining the Harris Chamber of Commerce. Guided by a personal philosophy centered on passion, kindness, and generosity, Kelly frequently mentors aspiring entrepreneurs at no cost, offering practical guidance and hands-on support to help others build their own paths in business and creative work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kimberly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for the work, my commitment to community service, and the mentorship I received from my family and local photographers. I've also had to be willing to teach myself the technical skills I needed along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received came from the people closest to me. My father taught me self-reliance and the value of building something through talent and persistence. Photographer Bernard Davis taught me to look at life through my lens and to focus on capturing meaningful moments. My mother encouraged me to lead with kindness and philanthropy, and all of these lessons continue to shape how I approach my business today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd tell young women entering this industry to be willing to sit down, talk through their goals, and make a real plan. Learn the practical tools and skills you need, and don't be afraid to teach yourself along the way. I also believe in being generous with your time and resources, helping others whenever you can, and not gatekeeping knowledge. Generosity builds community, and community creates opportunity.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Passion, kindness, philanthropy, community service, and generosity are the values that matter most to me, both professionally and personally.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.