Leadership Training and Executive Coaching in Connecticut
We help organizations, nonprofits, and teams build confident leaders, strengthen culture, and improve performance , so people grow personally and professionally, and businesses succeed.
What makes DK Brand Collective different is simple:
You work directly with a hands-on CEO and a dedicated Lead Trainer who partner closely with your people, your systems, and your goals. We don’t hand you a program and walk away , we stay with you until growth is real, measurable, and sustainable.
Real People. Real Growth. Real Results
Based in Bristol, Connecticut, DK Brand Collective is a certified minority-owned consulting and training firm delivering leadership development, coaching, and organizational growth solutions. We support businesses, nonprofits, childcare and youth programs, schools, retail and hospitality teams, and community organizations through training, coaching, branding, and events designed to develop confident leaders, strengthen teams, and create lasting impact.
Founded by Kelly Houston, an event specialist, leadership strategist, and organizational development professional, DK Brand Collective delivers a powerful two-expert system through a partnership with Lead Trainer Derek Jones, an experienced leadership coach and professional development trainer. Together, they have built multiple successful brands, including a trademarked clothing line, a community-focused nonprofit, and the Together We Solve: The Power Couple Podcast, while growing an engaged audience of over 300,000 followers.
DK Brand Collective provides results-driven training and development services including leadership and staff development training, childcare and youth program training, nonprofit staff training, customer experience development, workforce training, brand strategy and branding services, business coaching, and professional event planning for Connecticut and nationwide childcare centers, youth organizations, retail and retail and hospitality businesses, corporate teams, and nonprofits. What makes DK Brand Collective different is simple: you receive direct support from a hands-on CEO and a dedicated Lead Trainer who work closely with your people, your systems, and your goals, staying with you until growth is real, measurable, and sustainable across your organization.
While proudly based in Connecticut, DK Brand Collective also provides virtual and on-site training, coaching, consulting, branding, and event services to organizations across the United States
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower organizations by developing confident leaders, igniting team potential, and elevating culture and performance because when people grow personally and professionally, businesses succeed.
Professional Services That Strengthen People, Performance & Purpose
At DK Brand Collective, our services are guided by the DDP Framework Desire, Drive, and Purpose a people-centered approach that helps organizations move from effort to alignment. We believe sustainable performance happens when people want to be there, know what’s expected, and understand why their work matters. That belief shapes how we design and deliver every engagement.
Our four core services Training, Coaching, Branding, and Events are designed to stand alone or work together as a long-term development strategy. Whether you’re strengthening leadership, improving team performance, clarifying your brand, or creating meaningful experiences, our work focuses on clarity, consistency, and real-world impact. Each service supports Desire, Drive, and Purpose in different ways, helping organizations build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and results that last.
Our approach is flexible by design.
Clients choose the services that best support their goals and priorities. There is no one-size-fits-all solution , we meet you where you are and build support around what you need, when you need it. Where you begin with DK Brand Collective is your choice.
Ignite Team Empowerment
Leadership & Team Training
Strengthens Drive through clarity, confidence, and consistent performance. Strengthen communication, consistency, and leadership across your childcare teams, retail and hospitality groups, nonprofits, and corporate staff.
Empower Brand Suite
Brand Strategy & Messaging
Reinforces Purpose by aligning internal culture with external experience. Clarify your story, strengthen your brand presence, and craft messaging your audience connects with instantly.
Elevate Event Solutions
Event Planning & Production
Brings Desire, Drive, and Purpose together through intentional experiences. From corporate gatherings to nonprofit fundraisers and youth events, we plan and produce experiences that strengthen trust, engagement, and community connection.
Ascend Coaching & Development
Leadership, Executive, & Business Coaching
Supports Desire by helping leaders reconnect to what matters and lead with intention. High-impact coaching that helps leaders gain clarity, build confidence, and lead with purpose and direction.
Explore our Leadership Training in Connecticut, Leadership & Executive Coaching, Brand Strategy & Branding Services, and Event Planning in Connecticut.
See How Your Customer Service Rates
Unbiased, real-world insight into how customers experience your business.
A Proven System. Real Results. Proof You Can Measure.
This isn’t theory, it’s our people-first system guided by Desire, Drive, and Purpose (DDP), built to strengthen communication, leadership confidence, and team consistency in real workplaces. December 2025, DK Brand Collective delivered three communication and leadership trainings for the Meriden YMCA Childcare Staff. To track real improvement, staff completed pre- and post-training surveys via involve.me.
Proven Results from Meriden YMCA Staff:
✔ 100% reported increased confidence at work
✔ 8.4/10 average post-training communication confidence
✔ 78.8% reported confidence handling conflict and difficult conversations
✔ 72.7% gained clearer career pathways and next steps
✔ 93.9% satisfied or very satisfied with the training
✔ NPS: 36 (strong likelihood to recommend)
We don’t believe in motivational hype that fades in a week. We build real systems, real growth, and real accountability. When teams want more support, we help them sustain momentum through YMCA leadership training and ongoing coaching services.
If you don’t see real improvements in communication, confidence, and consistency within 60–90 days, we continue working with your team at no additional cost until the results are clear.
Our People Power Approach
Because when people thrive, performance follows.
At DK Brand Collective, we don’t believe performance should be forced or micromanaged. Real growth happens when people feel invested, supported, and connected to the work they do.
Our approach is guided by the DDP Framework, Desire, Drive, and Purpose. We focus on helping people want to show up, understand what’s expected of them, and see how their role connects to something bigger.
When desire is present, drive is supported, and purpose is clear, teams don’t just perform they stay engaged, consistent, and motivated over time. Results become sustainable, not reactive.
This people-first philosophy shapes every training, coaching, branding, and event experience we deliver, because strong businesses are built by strong, empowered people.
Training Solutions Tailored to Your Industry
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Childcare & Youth Programs
Empowering directors and staff with leadership, communication, and consistent structure that improves classrooms, strengthens parent relationships, and elevates overall team morale.
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Retail & Hospitality
Helping frontline and management teams deliver consistent service, communicate calmly under pressure, and create a customer experience that keeps guests returning.
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Corporate & Professional Teams
Strengthening leadership, communication, confidence, emotional intelligence, and team alignment for corporate and professional teams seeking higher performance and a more effective workplace culture.
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Nonprofits & Community Organizations
Supporting mission-driven leaders with training, structure, accountability, board alignment, and event solutions that strengthen teams and expand community impact.
Inside DK Brand Collective
Leaders, teams, and organizations turn to DK Brand Collective when they’re ready to work with purpose, lead with confidence, and grow with consistency. Our clients are already talented, committed, and passionate about their work. What they need isn’t more effort, it’s clarity, structure, communication, and systems that support sustainable growth. That’s where we come in.
With over two decades of combined experience in leadership development, corporate training, brand strategy, childcare, fashion, entertainment, and community engagement, along with multiple businesses built from the ground up, a growing digital audience, and a mission-driven approach, we bring real-world insight to every coaching, training, branding, and event engagement. Our focus is people first, strategy always. Our approach is grounded in the DDP Framework, which helps leaders move from effort to alignment by focusing on what people want, what they do, and why it matters.
Whether you're located in Connecticut or partnering with us from across the country, we’re here to understand your goals, challenges, and vision and help you build a team, culture, and brand you can be proud of. Organizations trust DK Brand Collective to guide their next level of growth, alignment, and impact.
Serving Connecticut and Clients Nationwide
DK Brand Collective proudly serves businesses and nonprofits across Connecticut and provides virtual and on-site coaching, training, consulting, branding, and event services to clients throughout the United States.
People-centered leadership guided by
DDP Framework
Desire, Drive, and Purpose.
