Leadership and Culture Consulting Built on Real-World Experience
DK Brand Collective helps organizations strengthen leadership, communication, accountability, and workplace culture through customized training, coaching, and organizational development.
Every engagement is led directly by Founder and Principal Consultant Kelly Houston and Lead Trainer and Executive Coach Derek Jones, giving clients consistent support from the first conversation through follow-up. Our work is guided by the proprietary DDP Framework™—Desire, Drive, and Purpose—and grounded in decades of hands-on leadership experience.
DK Brand Collective partners directly with your organization. You work with a hands-on founder and dedicated lead trainer who align closely with your leadership team, systems, and long-term goals. Our engagements are designed for sustained impact and we remain actively involved until leadership growth, cultural alignment, and performance improvements are clearly measurable and sustainable across your teams.
DK Brand Collective is an SBA-certified Women-Owned Small Business and certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise based in Bristol, Connecticut. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, childcare and youth programs, corporate teams, and community organizations across Connecticut and nationwide helping them strengthen leadership clarity, improve communication, and build cultures that support long-term performance.
What makes us different is simple: you work directly with our founder and lead trainer from the first session to the last, and we stay engaged. While proudly based in Connecticut, DK Brand Collective provides customized leadership training in Connecticut, executive coaching, and organizational consulting services for organizations locally and nationwide.
Who We Are
To strengthen organizations by developing confident leaders, improving communication, reinforcing accountability, and helping teams connect their daily work to a shared purpose.
Our Mission
Growth — We believe people and organizations can continue developing with the right support, structure, and opportunity.
Accountability — Strong leadership requires ownership, consistency, and follow-through.
Clarity — Clear expectations and practical systems help people perform with greater confidence.
Integrity — We deliver honest guidance, remain engaged, and follow through on our commitments.
Purpose — Development becomes more meaningful when people understand how their work contributes to a larger goal.
Our Core Values
DK Brand Collective was featured on FOX61 News in collaboration with the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut to discuss small-business growth, leadership development, and the importance of creating professional environments where organizations can grow, connect, and serve effectively.
Featured On Fox61 News
Meet Kelly
Founder & Principal Consultant
Kelly Houston is the Founder and Principal Consultant of DK Brand Collective. She specializes in organizational alignment, leadership development strategy, and culture systems that strengthen accountability, communication, and sustainable performance.
With over 20 years of experience spanning operational leadership, youth development, team management, and event coordination, Kelly brings both executive-level oversight and practical implementation expertise to every engagement. Early in her career, Kelly worked as an event coordinator in New York City, producing and managing professional events that required precise logistics, vendor relationships, and the ability to bring a client's vision to life under pressure. She currently serves as a Childcare Director overseeing hiring, staff development, budgeting, compliance, and multi-layer leadership systems, giving her direct, real-world insight into the challenges organizations face as they scale.
Kelly has led and managed teams of 30+ staff, developed structured professional development programs, and implemented performance systems designed to improve communication clarity and workplace consistency. She is currently completing her MBA in Marketing at Post University, further strengthening her strategic approach to leadership positioning, organizational growth, and performance alignment.
Meet Derek
Lead Trainer &Executive Coach
Derek J. Jones serves as Lead Trainer and Executive Coach at DK Brand Collective. With over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership, banking, facilitation, and team development, Derek works with executives, directors, and operational leaders to strengthen accountability, communication, and measurable performance.
As a Certified Corporate Trainer through Six Sigma Global Institute, Derek integrates structured leadership strategy with emotional intelligence and execution-focused coaching. In his corporate career, he currently serves as a Vice President Team Leader in the financial industry leading one of the top-performing teams nationally. He is a Marquis Who's Who honoree and recipient of multiple leadership and service excellence awards.
Derek has also led community-focused initiatives, including the DK Movement Cares 5K Run/Walk and youth-development efforts designed to support local families and organizations.
Recognition & Credentials
Certified Corporate Trainer – Six Sigma Global Institute
Master Business Coach – Transformation Academy
Vice President Team Leader, Financial Industry
Marquis Who’s Who Honoree
Recipient of multiple leadership and service excellence awards
Ready to Strengthen Your Organization?
We'd love to learn about your team and how we can help. Start by filling out our organizational inquiry form it takes two minutes and helps us come to the conversation prepared.