Influential Woman · Author, filmmaker, speaker, community education culinary instructor, owner/proprietor of B&B
Lonnette Kelley
Author, Filmmaker, Speaker, Community Education Culinary Instructor, Owner/Proprietor, (B&B), Lonnette Kelley-Joy Inspired
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Her Story
About Lonnette
Lonnette Kelley is a nurse who turned in her 55-year career license during COVID and transitioned into creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. After her unplanned South Dakota journey, she knew there was a story to share and enrolled in an 18-month course to become an author. In 2022, she launched her first book, Joy in the Heartland, but the story did not end there. She is also the owner and proprietor of a bed and breakfast in Mountain, North Dakota, where she hosted the President of Iceland in 1999. She continues to pursue those heart tugs, recently launching her second book, 221 Melsted Place Mountain of Grace, and adapting Joy in the Heartland into a full 2-hour documentary film. A sought-after public speaker, she shares her spirit of joy and inspiration with many. She attributes her success to her father, who lovingly allowed her the freedom to succeed, and her faith, rooted firmly in her love for the Lord.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lonnette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a heart that is completely oriented toward serving others, rooted firmly in my love for the Lord.
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My Love of the Lord inspires me to share my walk of faith through writing, photography, film, speaking, and art. Life is hard! We are not meant to walk this journey alone. We are called to share our love with others. As a nurse for 55 years and proprietor of a bed and breakfast for 18 years, life has always been about others! When I reached retirement age, nothing changed, except for trying a new direction in life, my heart simply grew larger.
In 2020, known as the year of the pandemic, a friend asked if I would like to join him and take a drive in the country. For the two of us, "at-risk” seniors, this was the beginning of a new walk of faith. Together in search of healing and peace, we traveled over 4,000 miles through the Heartland of South Dakota and discovered the beauty of small-town America.
I was drawn to each church; I loved the beauty of the soft blue sky and each steeple proudly holding the cross high enough to be seen for miles. Our early ancestors had already discovered the secret hidden throughout the Heartland prairie: joy that could not be extinguished, joy that would satisfy and bring peace, joy that would strengthen and help others through their most difficult moments.
Overcome with joy and intense gratitude, we both knew this story needed to be told. We set out to share our story and gift a bright red heart to each of the 51 small towns along the journey—a token of love between friends and a guide to help others discover joy. To me, success is a heart overflowing with joy, love, and goodness for others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Everything you do, give it your best to make this world a better place; details matter; you will find joy and a sense of fulfillment with each smile you give. Take time to enjoy life; all work and no play makes for a grumpy day--balance your life, set aside special moments of relaxation. Work with full integrity; this is the beginning of beautiful blessings that will carry you through life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Begin each day with prayer; you are never alone: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 13:8
When you feel that little tug and the opportunity and potential for your new vision look good, go for it. You will never know unless you try! The good Lord will lead you and help you each step of the way.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
With each passing year, days slowly become harder to navigate. My challenge is to remain steadfast in daily prayer and true to my beliefs. I find that at this stage in life, opportunities abound. Hope and inspiration are now mine to share, and I take that responsibility seriously for however many years remain.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am finding that the most important values to cultivate now that I am considered a senior in my baby-boom generation are living with daily prayer and fellowship with family and friends, and retaining the ability to remain independent, allowing me to share the secret to joy-filled living and the power of love with others through my writing, film and photography, culinary skills, speaking engagements, and book signings. Leaving a legacy for generations to come is one of the most important goals in my life.
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