Founder & CEO

I'm Karen Yeates—a Trinidad & Tobago-born entrepreneur, business strategist, and international speaker based in Houston, Texas.

As Founder of Excel to Elevate LLC and former Vice President of SCORE Houston, I've spent more than 15 years helping business owners, founders, organizations, and leaders gain clarity, make better decisions, and build stronger businesses. I've mentored more than 50 entrepreneurs through Houston Community College's Entrepreneurship Program and the University of Houston's SURE™ Initiative, helped small businesses win their first government contracts, and shared practical business strategies with audiences across the United States, England, Spain, and the Caribbean.

Today, my work focuses on helping small businesses become smarter businesses. I assess where a business is today, identify what's holding it back, and recommend practical solutions that improve operations, customer experience, and sustainable growth. Whether the answer is better processes, stronger systems, AI, or automation, my goal is always the same: helping business owners make confident, informed decisions.

I hold an MBA with a concentration in Project Management, along with SAFe, CSPO, CSM, and PSM certifications, and I am a Certified SCORE Mentor.

I believe businesses don't need more information—they need better decisions. My role is to bring clarity, sound judgment, and practical experience so business owners can move forward with confidence.

In Purpose and Power,
Karen A. Yeates, MBA