KiOwana Eunique Phillips ~ O to the E to the Outstanding Entrepreneur

Meet KiOwana Eunique Phillips and yes the “O” is capital and the “E” is silent. She is a wife, mother of two boys, and fur mom of three boy dogs.

KiOwana is an active duty Soldier, Philanthropist, Published Author, Certified Firearms Instructor, Moebius Syndrome Advocate/Coordinator, Personal Travel Agent, Blogger, Honorary Kentucky Colonel, Sergeant Audie Murphy Award recipient, Master Fitness Trainer, Health & Fitness Coach, and Real Estate investor.

She continues to help and train others through health and fitness training, as an Equal Opportunity Representative, Resilience Training Facilitator, and life mentor. She prides herself in pushing others to be their very best while promoting equality for all.

KiOwana is a firm believer in giving back to the community. She does this by holding her annual ‘Team Phillips Back to School Blessings’. Each school year she donates dozens of new backpacks filled with school supplies to families in need across the country. KiOwana also holds an annual ‘Steps 4 Khaleb
Challenge’. Khaleb is their oldest son who was diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome at birth. This challenge encourages everyone around the world to get active with their families by getting as many steps in as possible within those specified five days. ‘Steps 4 Khaleb Challenge’ raises money for the Moebius Syndrome Foundation. During the holidays her family provides Blessing Bags to the local homeless shelters in hopes to bring awareness to homelessness in their community.

As the owner of One Shot Firearms Academy, KiOwana prides herself in teaching the importance of firearms safety and training as a Certified Firearms Instructor. Her goal is for women not to fear firearms but to know how to safely and properly use them in the event they need to. She also makes travel dreams come true through her Prepared Place Vacations business. KiOwana compiled her love for Beauty, Family, Food, Health and Fitness, Self-care, and Travel in one location as a blogger through her It’s a Busy Life website.

Even though it seems she does a lot, KiOwana knows the value of time and peace. Whether her Wonder Woman cape is on or off, KiOwana’s family is her number one priority. RESILIENCE is a word that she uses to describe how she balances her life. From her unbearable challenges to an abundance of blessings, being able to bounce back from adversity is very important.

We had the opportunity to sit down with KiOwana and learn the back story behind her passion and will to help so many.

You are the epitome of Outstanding Entrepreneur! Your titles are Active Duty Soldier, Philanthropist, Published Author, Certified Firearms Instructor, Moebius Syndrome Advocate/Coordinator, Personal Travel Agent, Blogger, Honorary Kentucky Colonel, Sergeant Audie Murphy Award recipient, Master Fitness Trainer, Health & Fitness Coach, and Real Estate investor. What do each of these titles mean to you?

We are definitely much more than our titles, but my titles means hard work and the fact that I didn’t settle. From a very young age, my mother always told me that I would do great things. The things I’ve done and the decisions I’ve made are to put my entire family in a position to prosper and have generational wealth.

Tell us more about your community efforts, specifically ‘Team Phillips Back to School Blessings’. During the pandemic, how did your community efforts have to shift, if at all?

Team Phillips Back to School Blessings and Blessing Bags came about from me noticing a need in the community. I can’t help everyone but I can definitely help someone. With Back to School Blessings, our family purchases backpacks throughout the year and fills them with new school supplies. In July, these backpacks are then sent to children ages 5-18 across the U.S. who are in need and don’t have the funds to purchase these items for school. We do not receive any donations.
The same goes for Blessing Bags. Homelessness doesn’t necessarily mean living on the streets. There are so many people in need of basic living items. During Christmas our family packages bags filled with hygiene items, snacks, devotionals, cards, etc. We then take these to our local shelters.

“Steps for Khaleb” is another community engagement. What is “Steps for Khaleb”? Explaining to our readers what Moebius Syndrome is.

Moebius Syndrome is a rare condition where the 6th and 7th cranial nerves in the face are paralyzed. Our oldest son Khaleb was diagnosed with it at birth. He cannot smile or make facial expressions. Steps for Khaleb Challenge is when we challenge families all over the world to get active by getting as many steps in together within those specified days. All funds raised are directed donated to the Moebius Syndrome Foundation. This will be our 5th year.

OK, so I am in awe of all your endeavors; but when I saw One Shot Firearms Academy, my heart filled with joy. What is it like being a female Firearms Instructor? Do you experience any backlash for being a female instructor?

Being a Firearms Instructor is amazing. My business is blessed and I truly believe that it’s because women are excited to be educated and trained by someone who looks like them. I train men, women, and children but my focus is on women. I truly believe in self-protection and firearm safety. We are our own first responder. Whether you own a firearm or not, you and your family should at a minimum know the Firearms Safety Rules.
I’ve never experienced backlash as of yet but if that day comes, I’m sure I can handle it will confidence and class.

Your blog is located on the “It’s A Busy Life” website. How long have you been blogging? What is the blog about?

I’ve been blogging for years but never had a location for all of my creativeness. My website covers Family, Food, Health and Fitness, Self-care, and Travel. From delicious recipes to the hottest in travel to self-care love languages, I’ve got you covered.
Every article isn’t for everyone but there’s an article for everyone.

The word RESILIENCE is used to describe your go go go life. Why resilience and what does that word symbolize for you?
I have been to the depths when it comes to my son’s health, hospitalizations/near death experiences, relationships, domestic violence, depression, career challenges, and life in general. The definition of resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. If it wasn’t for God, my mother’s/grandmother’s prayers, and me being able to bounce back from the things that have happened in my life, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.

KiOwana reminds us of her favorite quote: