You Are the Key: Turning Imperfections into Purpose

by Caitlin Crosby

For anyone who feels less-than about your work, worth, body, or the life you're building, find here an incredible hope: you don't have to have it all together to "qualify" for your life's calling.

Just ask Caitlin Crosby - the former Hollywood talent who didn't finish college, never got an MBA, and wasn't supposed to become a CEO, yet that's exactly what she did (even if being a new mother means she forgets to brush her teeth sometimes before heading to the office). Caitlin's passion for people led her to launch The Giving Keys, a give-back jewelry brand with the mission of helping its employees transition out of homelessness. Each of their one million plus keys sold represents a person who wore it, then shared it with someone else, in a unique pay-it-forward model.

Yet just as her jewelry repurposes throw-away keys to bear bold messages of hope, faith, and courage,

Caitlin has fought hard to believe her own imperfections can lead to her greatest purpose.

In You Are the Key, Caitlin reveals imperfections aplenty: like the time she accidentally voice-texted a huge fight with her husband to her entire leadership team, or the terrifying day a disgruntled employee brought a gun to their office, or the time this #girlboss landed herself in the ER. For the first time, Caitlin also opens up about her own secret "flaw" that rocked her sense of self-worth for the better part of two decades, and her private battle to believe our scars are not sources of shame but proof of courage and prompts toward purpose.

Through Caitlin's all-too-real stories, sparkling with warmth and humor, you'll find your own free pass to embrace your flaws and reframe your imperfections not as limitations but signposts toward your greatest purpose.

Genres: Business

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2020

Reviews

[Kaylee Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

ah, i really enjoyed this book! i listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the author caitlin crosby. she is founder and CEO of ‘The Giving Keys’, a give-back jewelry co. that had a mission of helping its employees get back on their feet after enduring homelessness. this book chronicles caitlin’s unconventional path to her life’s calling. from starting out as an actress and a touring singer to becoming a CEO, she writes about how her company started, the lasting impact it’s had and the challenges she’s faced along the way. she opens up about health struggles, insecurities, finding love and later fighting for her marriage, becoming a mom and how she actively chooses to walk in genuine faith, healing and true grace while encouraging her readers to do the same. she talks about trusting her “peace-o-meter”, embracing scars, and the surprise and beauty in surrender. listening to this book felt like tuning in to a really good, relatable and uplifting podcast or getting coffee with a sweet friend. i really enjoyed it and am also grateful to have been gifted my own giving key a while back! 🔑♥

rating: 📖📖📖📖

[Samantha Shattuck]

Read this book in under 6 hours. Not only is Caitlin an amazing person in general with her company the giving keys but her story spans well beyond that. You may know her as the creator of the giving keys, a singer, or an actress but at the end of the day she is just an amazing person and those are just some of the things that she has done. This book is so inspiring through her telling of her body issues, her music career, accepting your flaws, the original creation of the giving keys to the company that it has become all while getting married and raising 2 children. As much as i already loved the jewelry now i love it even more and am so inspired by Caitlin. Thank you for sharing your story Caitlin.

[Natalie Polito · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 audiobook listen:

I highly recommend this book especially the audio version if your looking for someone to sit you down and really explain what it means to be a great leader and caring for others.

I understand her intentions is helping us find the key to our own success. But I ended up feeling like I was sitting with a cup of coffee with a long lost sister. I even got my own giving key necklace. This book is a gentle reminder for me that even though the business world can be ruthless it doesn’t mean we still can’t make a difference. I also loved the stories she shared of her experience through the years. 4 ⭐️’s

[Chris Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores what it means to be your best and to give your best and focuses on how it’s actually those bits of you, you rate least highly which probably present you with the most to offer. This was a very timely read for me and I learnt a lot from it. It’s given me a sense of confidence and purpose at a time when I needed it. My reason for not giving it a full five stars is that at times I found Caitlins stories unrelatable. That said I have taken a lot from it and would definitely recommend it on that basis.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caitlin definitely found her purpose by following small prompts in the moment and acting on them.
I love reading about people who have found their calling and are living it. She literally started a business that brought people out of homelessness and gave them a chance to do the same for others. Despite being burned by some she’s helped, her passion continues.
She also talks about her health struggles and how she came to accept her body.

[Cherlynn Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up looking at gifts, talents and abilities as compasses to your purpose. I dont think I ever formally considered looking at my imperfections or failures as the guide to fufilling purpose. This book came to me at a pivotal time when I am actually beginning a journey of purpose based out of such a failure. Something that my gifts and talents couldn't save someone I loved from a gap in the current systems. I really responded to her vulnerability and candor.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to get into this book fully. But, as all personal development books go, this one had plenty of reminders I need in the now. Perfection isn’t real. Growth is always available if one is open and willing. Failure leads to success. Authenticity is rad. We are beautifully and wonderfully made.

[Sophie Rayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this. I wasn't familiar with the author and the description of 'celebrity Christian self help memoir' was a bit meh for me, but the cover just kept drawing me to it and I thought it was all great. I like the author, her writing, her work, her music, her message... really good.

[Rebecca Michelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love Caitlin and the Giving Keys! I loved how she wrote about her life experiences but always made sure that you knew her journey wasn’t going to necessarily be like yours. She talked so openly and honestly about her struggles - I deeply related. highly recommend this memoir for anyone trying to figure out where they fit!

[Rachel Thome · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a pleasant surprise! Uplifting, motivating and positive. The author is vulnerable and relatable and it shines through with her message that we all have a purpose and we can find it if we look within ourselves. Definitely recommend. I listened to the audio book and the author narrates it. She was lovely.

[Quinn Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable book. One of those books that can change your life and give you amazing perspective. Caitlin is such a huge inspiration to me and I look up to her very much. I will carry this book with me for the rest of my life. This book was such an amazing escape for me. So excited to read her next one!

[Talitha Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was poetic. I thought I knew what to expect, but it surprised me in a beautiful way. 💙

[Bec Bichard Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story & her honesty in telling her story. She gives good down to earth advice based on her experiences but is always quick to say this advice or path you take in life is your own, not anyone else's. Your life's paths are you're life story. It's unique just as you are.