Today we’d like to introduce you to Keyonia Hargrave
Hi KeYonia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From Housekeeper to “Resume Queen”: The Journey of a Career Counseling Trailblazer
In 2010, fresh out of high school and filled with ambition, I found myself facing the unexpected reality of struggling to find work. Despite pursuing trade schools, certifications, and countless training programs, I could only secure jobs that didn’t pay a living wage. By 2016, I was in my fourth year as a housekeeper at Johns Hopkins Hospital, wondering if this was all my career had in store. Then, one day, I heard God say, “Look into your resume.”
That revelation changed my life. I updated my resume, and suddenly, career doors opened. I received multiple job offers and soon transitioned into administration. Encouraged by my success, I shared my story with family, and soon they were asking for help with their own resumes. I wrote dozens of resumes for family and friends, and one by one, they landed new positions. Word spread quickly, and I became known as the “Resume Queen.”
In November 2016, I approached my mother, Valaresse Palmer, with a proposal to join her company, Favor Manifested, as a partner offering career counseling services. Founded by my mother in 2015, Favor Manifested was a small endeavor at the time, but I was eager to help it grow. From 2016 to 2019, I honed my skills in resume writing, interviewing, and career readiness. By January 2019, I was ready to join the company full-time.
My vision was to elevate Favor Manifested from a hobby to a full-fledged business. I established social media channels, designed our website, and built an online presence that soon caught attention. In February 2020, we officially registered as an LLC in Maryland, marking the beginning of a new chapter. We then began offering career readiness workshops to BCPS high school students as well as hosting community workshops with the goal of empowering individuals with tools to enter the workforce.
In 2021, after watching how I had transformed her business, my mother gifted me with full ownership of Favor Manifested. Since then, my journey has come full circle. My early experiences as a job seeker, combined with building Favor Manifested and now leading it as an established business owner, have equipped me with insights that go beyond career counseling.
In addition to Favor Manifested, I have an international luxury clothing line named Lead By Example Apparel where we promote being the change you want to see and creating your own path. We express this by creating unique designs that inspires freedom and creativity while bringing newness to fashion. As a multipreneur, today I help other businesses expand, offering guidance on how to grow sustainably, connect with their audiences, and achieve their own success stories. Favor Manifested has become a beacon not just for job seekers but also for other entrepreneurs striving to reach new heights.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey hasn’t been smooth, but each challenge has been worth it. Guided by faith, I’ve learned to navigate the ups and downs of business with God’s direction. My experiences in running a business by trial and error have become invaluable, especially as I now help other entrepreneurs and business owners find their own paths.
One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced is staying consistent during slow seasons. Trends shift, businesses evolve, and it’s natural for demand to fluctuate. With God’s guidance, I’ve come to understand that the key to overcoming stagnation is focusing on quality over quantity and nurturing relationships with loyal clients. These connections are the backbone of any resilient business.
Another challenge, often overlooked, is the less glamorous side of business—bookkeeping, personal property returns, yearly filings, and the importance of a strong filing system. I’ve learned that there is always room to improve how a business is run. My advice to entrepreneurs is to commit to ongoing learning and to plan carefully, trusting that God’s wisdom will guide them in making the best decisions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Favor Manifested, our mission is to empower our clients—whether they’re entrepreneurs, business owners, or job seekers. We’re dedicated to educating and positioning each client for success, offering guidance backed by firsthand experience. What sets us apart is our unique approach: we work with businesses, employers, and individuals alike, creating tailored solutions that align with any career or company goals.
Unlike many companies that rely solely on statistics, our services are grounded in real-life insights. We’ve walked the same paths as our clients, allowing us to genuinely meet them where they are and guide them to where they aspire to be.
Our greatest pride lies in the success of our clients. As a consulting company, there’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing the impact of our work through their achievements.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is playing dress-up and gathering my entire family for impromptu fashion shows. For me, those playful moments captured everything I love. While I’ve always been drawn to helping people, I also have a deep love for fashion and art. My favorite childhood moments are those where I felt free to be imaginative, acting out every idea that came to mind. The creativity I had as a child is now displayed through my own clothing line in addition to the innovative digital marketing and brand development services I offer to my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.favormanifested.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/favor_manifested?igsh=enB6M3pqemhlbWM4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/ZRyznLsTmL6tM79t/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
JB Production, Jesse Barr
