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Episode 207: Community Building with Krislyn Mercer

  • Writer: Tami West
    Tami West
  • Sep 17
  • 3 min read

s week we had the absolute joy of sitting down with our friend Krislyn Mercer — and y’all, get ready to be inspired. Krislyn is only 23, but her story is packed with wisdom, grit, and joy. She started babysitting at 16 after a car accident left her bedridden, and that one “yes” turned into a thriving business: Krislyn’s Kiddos & Furry Friends. From childcare and pet care to tutoring, travel, and now retreats, her work has touched families all across Robertson and Sumner County.


You have to hear about Michelle’s giant cat (Buddy!), Krislyn's stories about dogs and cats, and her first-ever flight as a teenager nannying to Colorado — complete with motion sickness and nervous laughter. That one flight led to adventures in Barbados, Hawaii, and beyond.



The pandemic hit during her senior year, and instead of giving up, Krislyn became a frontline babysitter for healthcare families and added tutoring when schools shut down. Her resilience during that time shaped the heart of her business and gave her a front-row seat to the importance of community.


Now? She’s not just running a business — she’s helping build community. Krislyn co-founded Young Professionals of North Nash, serves as an ambassador for the White House Chamber of Commerce, and was named White House Woman of the Year. She also launched girls’ retreats where new friendships spark in unforgettable ways (we may have teared up hearing her story of two girls hugging at the farmer’s market the same evening they met).


And because she’s real, Krislyn shared openly about anxiety, imposter syndrome, and learning to balance all the things while staying grounded — from kayaking on her land to reminding herself (and us) that we are worthy and loved.


By the end, Michelle and I were ready to start planning retreats with her — maybe that women’s retreat we keep talking about.


Key Takeaways

  • Opportunities often start small — babysitting at 16 turned into a full business and community platform.

  • Flexibility and self-awareness matter: the path you think you’ll take (teaching, in Krislyn’s case) might shift into something even bigger.

  • Community connection can open unexpected doors — chambers, networking groups, and retreats create ripple effects.

  • Even the busiest leaders need restoration, whether it’s kayaking, Sabbath rest, or simply breathing deeply.

  • At any age, you can be an example of courage, kindness, and impact.


Guest Bio — Krislyn Mercer

Krislyn Mercer is the owner of Krislyn’s Kiddos & Furry Friends, a five-star boutique care service based in Robertson County, Tennessee, providing childcare, pet care, tutoring, home-health support, and youth retreats since 2018. A community connector at heart, she serves as an Ambassador for the White House Chamber of Commerce, co-leads Young Professionals of North Nash, and is an ambassador for Stay Positive News. Named White House Woman of the Year, Krislyn is passionate about creativity, service, and designing meaningful experiences that help families and young people thrive in her beloved hometown of White House, TN.



Personal Socials: 

LinkedIn - 

Facebook - 

Instagram -

TikTok - 

Blood Donor Team - 

Ambassador/Volunteer links: 

Stay Positive News - 

Isaiah 117 -

Creative Memories - 

Chamber of Commerce - 

Business - Krislyn’s Kiddos & Furry Friends 

Instagram - 

Facebook - 


Connect with us


And, until next time..... Consider Yourself Hugged!!

Michelle & Tami



ree

About Tami & Michelle:

Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP

Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder.


Tami West, PhD

Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.


Thanks for joining! **Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:


General Resources

National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org

Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org

Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

 
 
 

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