Kelly Knox - Special Spaces Illinois

Kelly Knox is the Illinois Director of Special Spaces, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating dream bedrooms for children with cancer. With over a decade of leadership at Special Spaces, she has overseen the transformation of over 400 children’s rooms, touching the lives of families throughout Illinois. Kelly’s journey to finding her true purpose is inspiring and transformative, having initially pursued a career in interior design before discovering her passion for making a difference in the lives of children with cancer through Special Spaces. She inspires others to give back through her creativity and empathy, creating a lasting impact in her community.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[1:13] Kelly Knox discusses her journey from theater studies to becoming a leader in nonprofit
[3:48] The fortuitous moment that introduced Kelly to the world of Special Spaces
[06:15] What Special Spaces does and the impact it has on families
[08:52] The one-day transformation journey of a Special Spaces bedroom makeover
[14:34] What are the logistics of coordinating thousands of volunteer hours to execute multiple projects simultaneously?
[18:30] Kelly sheds light on the cost and the financial backbone behind each makeover
[25:25] Kelly’s mission statement guiding journey
[27:01] The channels through which families connect with Special Spaces for support

In this episode…

For kids facing prolonged confinement due to health challenges, the environment plays a crucial role in shaping their mental well-being. A thoughtfully transformed bedroom can serve as a sanctuary, igniting the spark of childhood joy and transforming dreary days into moments of hope and inspiration. But where can they find the help to transform their bedrooms into a dream bedroom that transcends the physical limitations of a hospital room?

Kelly Knox, an interior designer, opens up about her path from an uncertain career trajectory to finding her true calling with Special Spaces Illinois, which redecorates a child’s room and rejuvenates the whole family. Kelly shares heartwarming stories and insights into the logistical symphony behind orchestrating a bedroom transformation in a matter of hours. Illustrating how her mission statement drives every makeover project, she highlights how self-reflection and adaptability can turn unforeseen challenges into valuable experiences that fuel your growth.

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Kelly Knox, Illinois Director of Special Spaces, about transforming spaces for children with cancer. Kelly discusses what Special Spaces does and its impact on families, the one-day transformation journey of a bedroom makeover, the logistics of coordinating thousands of volunteer hours to execute multiple projects simultaneously, and the cost and the financial backbone behind each makeover.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

“My purpose is to use my empathy, creativity, and connectivity to inspire others to give back to the world in a joyful, free, and powerful way.”
“We’re here to figure out why we’re on this earth, and some of us are lucky enough to find that out.”
“Creating dream bedrooms for children with cancer. I love how you put the children — the word children — before cancer.”
“Special Spaces is really about reminding the child, and everyone else, that they’re still a child – they deserve joy and peace.”
“It’s not just the child that is affected by a cancer diagnosis, it is the entire family.”

Action Steps:

Engage in self-reflection and identify your passion: Taking time for self-reflection can help you align your work with your core values and passions, leading to greater fulfillment and impact in your endeavors.
Embrace flexibility and adaptability: By staying open to new opportunities and adapting to changing circumstances, you can turn unforeseen challenges into valuable experiences that contribute to your growth.
Build strong volunteer networks: Cultivating strong relationships and a community-oriented mindset can enhance your ability to mobilize resources and support your mission-driven projects.
Communicate effectively and build trust: Prioritizing clear and empathetic communication can help you establish genuine connections and foster collaboration in personal and professional settings.
Craft a personal mission statement: Creating your mission statement can serve as a compass, ensuring that your actions and decisions consistently align with your long-term goals and values.

Sponsor for this episode…

Today’s episode is sponsored by Paul Gregory Media, an 18-year-old digital marketing agency in downtown Naperville, Illinois.

They are one of the few thousand Certified B Corporations worldwide, demonstrating PGM as a leader of a global movement to use business as a force for good, meeting high standards of accountability, transparency, and community involvement. They have been trusted by hundreds of organizations since 2006.

PGM is recognized as one of the top marketing agencies in the region, earning more awards than many of its competitors combined. They have the passion, commitment, and expertise to get it done.

To learn more about the services PGM offers or how they can support you with your marketing needs, visit www.paulgregorymedia.com or email them at [email protected].

Kelly Knox – Special Spaces Illinois