Kimberly Cornwell shared her story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Kimberly, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Just this past month, my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by returning “to the scene” … Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Maine.
As we sat in the Adirondack chairs looking out at the waves crashing against the coast – holding hands, reflecting on our own memories of that day and the years since; with the silhouette of the lighthouse in our periphery – this deep sense of intense and immediate positivity and warmth filled me. I had a feeling of calm contentment and satisfaction with all my life decisions – whether good or bad as seen in my minds eye. This rush of energy was joy, true joy – I felt that day, in those moments an intense happiness, with this sense of awe and appreciation for all my blessings, my trials and tribulations, my husband, family and my friends.
Life is good.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kimberly Cornwell, sometimes known as Kimmi, or KiKi or even KC. After 29 years of an amazing, successful and decorated career with the Department of Defense, my husband and I relocated out of state to our newly custom-built “forever home” where we knew no one – had no family, no friends and no plan to work more than casual consulting work based on our experiences.
After one year, I was absolutely miserable – quite possibly (undiagnosed) clinically depressed.
I was somewhat embarrassed at this revelation. You don’t realize how badly you need friends and how very difficult it is to meet them. Think of your friends today – those ride or die, friends that are family – you have had them through school, or work, or parents of your children’s friends or even neighbors or relatives.
You cannot start anew by knocking on someone’s door and ask them to be your friend. They’d be justified slamming it shut.
By happen-chance I struck up a conversation with a woman casually and she admitted she was in the same situation. Here we are living in paradise – quite literally, and so unhappy.
And so begins my journey to do what I have done my entire career – be an agent of change – taking an active role and a proactive approach; within 24 hours we had over 200 women expressing similar feelings. And thus, “Fifty Shades of Fun” was born – this was 2017.
As we enter our 9th year of laying the groundwork for relationships to grow in a stress-free social engagements we’re at just under 1300 members. We topped in 2021 at more than 2400 – men, women, singles and couples – all residents of our planned community Nocatee in Ponte Vedra, FL all aged 45 to 64 years old – there are members above age 64 – but they’re active and passionate about participating from the beginning and always welcoming to new acquaintances and friends – they do not get purged.
Key is participation – at least one paid social event per year — which is quite easy with anywhere from 50 to 100 events each year – after all, it is a social club and my only goal – to NOT allow for anyone moving here, to feel as sad and alone, as I did back in 2016.
And yes, I have found my ride or die, friends that are family – they have my back and I have theirs and we are all happy today and thriving.
My events range from deep sea fishing to go-cart racing or trampoline dodgeball to rock wall climbing to dinner theaters to beach dinners to sunset sails to history/architecture tours to game night to coffee meetups and more – some have traveled to Mexico, to Europe and upcoming more than 30 are sailing the Adriatic Sea.
Fifty Shades of Fun was just a nominee for the Ponte Vedra (FL) Recorder’s 7th Annual “Best of the Best” community event category; voting has already closed and winners will be announced later in August – but what a great surprise and truly an honor to be recognized in our community.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Many factors can break the bonds between people:
1. Betrayal of Trust – lies, broken promises, or disloyalty can cause deep emotional fractures.
2. Lack of Communication – misunderstandings, jealousy, unspoken feelings, or avoidance can create emotional distance.
3. Neglect or Absence – when one person stops investing time or attention; or has physically relocated.
4. Unresolved Conflict – repeated arguments or unhealed hurts create resentment.
5. Disrespect or Harmful Behavior – criticism, belittling, or abuse destroys .
6. Growing Apart – changes in values, goals, or lifestyles can weaken connection over time – money, religion, politics.
Restoration comes from your own personal ability to realize you are not going to change a person – you can only change your own reaction to others. Not to jump on to the bandwagon, but “letting them” be who they are allows/frees you, to “give yourself” permission to accept them or walk away. The “Let Me” is the hardest part of the “Let Them” theory. Only you can decide if the work is worthwhile.
Can you:
1. Embrace Honest Communication – openly express feelings and actively listen to understand, not to judge?
2. Accept a Genuine Apology – take responsibility for your own actions and allowing space for healing?
3. Take the Time to Rebuild Trust – consistent actions prove reliability and sincerity.
4. Plan and Participate in Quality Time Together – shared experiences rebuild closeness and positive emotions.
5. Can you Be Empathetic and Understanding – validating the other person’s feelings and perspective?
In the end, all parties involved have to choose to repair and nurture the relationship – whether a friendship or a partnership; whether romantic or not- only one person making the connection effort doesn’t cut it.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I wish you could see how worthy and lovable you already are, without needing to prove a thing. You are enough, just as you are.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
What matters most to me is love, laughter, and connection—the kind of moments shared with friends and family that fill my heart and soul. I value kindness, loyalty and making memories through adventures big and small. At the end of the day, it’s not the things I have, but the life experiences and people I hold close, that truly make my life rich.
1. deeply value time spent with friends and family, building strong and meaningful relationships.
2. cherish laughter, shared experiences, and creating memories filled with lightness and happiness.
3. care about being there for others and having people you can trust and depend on.
4. adventure and travel, new places, good food, and exciting outings mean more than material things.
5. community – whether it’s Fifty Shades of Fun or other friendships; thriving on connection and togetherness.
6. feeling loved, showing love, and making sure those around feel it too!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think in this role as the leader, the founder of Fifty Shades of Fun – I am fulfilling what I was born to do. Even though, this is not a paid job – Fifty Shades of Fun is completely transactional – a social club, not a nonprofit nor a not-for-profit.
That said, this skillset I developed and the career I was afforded provided a foundation I employ which somewhat evolved from “being told” through years of education and learning from my mentors, my colleagues, my peers.
I tapped in on my project management skills and my methodical engineering background and found my superpower is a type of integration – honing-in on people’s commonality/the shared/the link or connection that could establish a connection with another … introducing one another and allowing for that bridge to be built and friendships explored.
Many people, over the years have recognized the subtle touches or direction I might have steered them toward, and have written me letters, cards and emails thanking me for doing what I do, and making their life better every day because they have found their tribe and more importantly so has their partner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kcisthe1.wixsite.com/socialclub
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialclub.fun50
- Facebook: (Private)
- Other: Email: [email protected]
