The Founder

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Kim M. Braud is the visionary leader of Larkspur Wealth Management, bringing over thirty years of diverse experience within the insurance industry. She has successfully established multiple thriving businesses in manufacturing, logistics, and insurance, making her a prominent figure in coaching and business development. Her expertise and financial support have empowered hundreds of founders to launch and grow their own successful ventures.

With a rich background in the insurance industry, Braud previously excelled as the Affinity Sales Management Consultant for Nationwide Insurance, where she spearheaded initiatives generating over $300 million for the Southwest Regional Operation. Throughout her illustrious career, she has amassed over three decades of experience spanning claims, training, marketing, and corporate communications. As part of a team responsible for determining the optimal sales channels based on the needs and buying behavior of the target market, Kim lead regional event identification and execution, engaged in associate activities, and provided recommendations for Nationwide Foundation funding requests. Additionally, she headed the regional humanitarian aid responses and organized agent activation. From 2009 to 2014, she executed over 700 successful events, generating more than 40,000 new business leads, showcasing her expertise in market share acquisition, event execution, and volunteer engagement.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Braud’s unwavering commitment to community service is evident through her extensive involvement in various organizations in the community. She has served as Board Chair for the American Red Cross Minority Recruitment Board (2 terms) and an appointed board member of The American Red Cross-National Diversity Advisory Council. She has served as a board member with the Executive Women’s Golf Association, Metropolitan Atlanta American Red Cross Chapter Board, Safe Kids GA, Children’s Restoration Network, Army Explorers, Atlanta Fire Foundation, Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity Think Tank, and was the Co-Chair for the Mentor committee of the SafeAmerica Foundation. 

She has been a dedicated volunteer of United Way of Greater Atlanta for several years, serving as a Community Investment Volunteer, an Independent Panel Reviewer, and is a 2019 United Way Volunteer Investment Program alum. She served as an Employee Campaign Manager for Nationwide Insurance (Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina) from 2007-2013. She also served as the Homeless Representative of the Community Investment Committee (2013-2015), which makes funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors. 

She was also a founding member of the Nationwide Insurance All Women Associate Resource Group and the SSRO Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Braud has been featured in the 2010 through 2020 issues of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, is the recipient of the 2017 American Red Cross Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service, the 2012 Presidential Drum Major for Service Volunteer Service Award, and several other community awards. She was also featured in the fall 2011 edition of the Strayer University Scholar Magazine and was recognized in the September 2014 and 2018 issues of The Atlantan as a Woman of Power and Influence. She was interviewed in 2019 & 2024 by The Dekalb Champion Newspaper and Voyage ATL. Additionally, she was selected as one of 40 women in the country for the 2021 cohort of the NAWBO Established and Ready to Grow sponsored by AARP and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program. She is a graduate of the 2022-2023 Milestone Circles Program of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and is a We Are Luminary fellow.

 In 2017 she launched Fleurty Wick, which hails as one of the largest AA female-founded candle manufacturing companies in America. She also owns two Amazon e-commerce stores and a freight brokerage. She holds a Life Agent License and an FAA Part 107 Commercial Pilot License. 

Established in 2019, The Collab Atlanta Business Association is a collaborative space for community-led initiatives. The Couvent Collective is an initiative of  The Collab. Monthly Women’s Entrepreneur Roundtables are held, offering resources and support in an intimate setting of 25 women, fostering a safe space for sharing and growth. From business concepts to million-dollar organizations, every stage is represented. Braud also provides venture funding through annual small business grants to female founders and hosts monthly business showers, where a selected founder receives over $2,500 in goods and services to help scale their business.

Braud is a versatile entrepreneur with ownership in multiple businesses.

In 2022, she established Jayde Life Investment Group in partnership with NBA player Dwight Howard. As the managing partner, she built out the infrastructure of Jayde Life from concept to a thriving business and oversaw the agency's day-to-day operations before transitioning management to his team. Additionally, she collaborates with NBA agents to create non-profit organizations and businesses for their clients.

She is an active member of NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors), WIFS (Women in Financial Services), Women in Trucking, OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association), NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners, WISE (Women in Sports and Entertainment), NFL Alumni and Federation of Southern Cooperatives. 

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Braud finds joy in international travel and golf, currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia, where she continues to inspire others with her boundless passion and entrepreneurial spirit.