The In-Between with Elizabeth Cheney

Creating Waves with Marketing Queen, Kaylyn Fudge, Founder + CEO of Blk Book Studio

• Elizabeth Cheney • Episode 133

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I'm back with the first guest of the summer, and this is a HOT one, y'all! I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with the dynamic Kaylyn Fudge, founder and CEO of Blk Book Studio. 

Kaylyn shares her journey from betting on herself to founding a renown creative marketing agency. We discuss navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of self-belief, and the excitement around Kaylyn's HUGE upcoming  event, Heat Wave, here in Atlanta on July 12th. You'll be treated to insights on confidence and self-love (our favorite here at The In-Between), building an agency and developing a team, balancing corporate roles with entrepreneurial ambitions, and so much more. This episode is for everyone, no matter where you are in your professional journey!


Buy tickets NOW for Heat Wave here -https://posh.vip/e/heat-wave-8

Follow Kaylyn at https://www.instagram.com/realbossladyk 

Connect with me:
https://in-between.co
@in.betweenpod on Instagram
@elizabethcheney_ on Instagram
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The In-Between Podcast on YouTube

Elizabeth:

Hey, hey, hey. Welcome back to another episode of the InBetween. I'm your host, Elizabeth Cheney, and I have a very, very exciting guest with me here today. This is Kaylyn, and for those who don't know Kaylyn, she's kind of a very big deal here in Atlanta. She's been named one of Jezebel magazines 40 under 40 for this year. And if you're not familiar with Jezebel Magazine, you're living under a rock, but it's a very big deal here in Atlanta and also across the country. But the big thing that Kailynn is known for and what is, I guess your bread and butter, so to speak mm-hmm. Is she is the CEO founder of the Creative Marketing Agency Black Book Studio. She does real estate marketing, all different types of marketing, but I'm gonna let her talk about that and how it's evolved and grown and how she got to where she is today, but also tease a very special event that's coming up here in July that we're really excited to. Well, I'm excited to attend. I'm sure it's your baby, so Of course you are. But you are part of lots of different networking, women professional organizations here in Atlanta with high profile roles and I don't know, gonna Marie Claire events, she's a big deal and I'm honored to have her here on the podcast and to get to know you and I don't know, have you be a guest. So Kaylyn, welcome to the

Kaylyn:

Thank you for having me. I'm so happy to be

Elizabeth:

here. Um, this is your first podcast, right? It is.

Kaylyn:

I've always been slow to talk.

Elizabeth:

Do you feel any nervous energy or.

Kaylyn:

I mean a smidge, but I feel like it'll disappear within like the first minute.

Elizabeth:

Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah. Your eyes are like blowing. Her makeup is like on point. Well I think like the first question is, I would love for you to kind of tell the audience, the listeners, the audience, you know, the big audience that's in front of us. Um, a little bit about yourself and kind of your background and how you got into marketing, specifically real estate.'cause you're kind of a big deal in the real estate world.

Kaylyn:

That's a loaded question.

Elizabeth:

Okay.

Kaylyn:

So how did I get here?

Elizabeth:

Mm-hmm.

Kaylyn:

Are we starting back like

Elizabeth:

you were like I was born this day. Yeah. And this year.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. Like where don't we start? How about it? Just as it pertains to marketing.

Elizabeth:

Yeah. Have you always wanted to get into marketing or was it kind of something that fell into your lap because you went to school abroad, right?

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

Yeah,

Kaylyn:

yeah, yeah. So honestly, I feel like it's. Always been my thing and I didn't realize it was my thing until I got older. But like, I've always been creative. I come from an entrepreneurship family. Okay. So I was always starting little businesses here and there. Oh my God. And like the fun part for me was the marketing. Okay. I didn't enjoy the operations, I didn't enjoy anything else, but I enjoyed creating campaigns and I enjoyed like that first launch photo shoot and what does that look like? So I really enjoyed that. So I always did campaigns. Okay. and when I was getting ready to go to college, I think my mindset wasn't on what did I enjoy doing, but rather what's gonna make a lot of money. Okay. Respect. So initially when I went to school, I didn't go for marketing, I went for optometry. I don't know why I chose that. I've never been to eye doctor. Like I was just like looking through the positions that made a lot of money and I'm like, okay, I can do this one. That sounds cool. But quickly found out that wasn't my thing. You know, I'm trying to imagine you as an eye doctor. Yeah, no. Imagine me just doing chemistry. Like it is just, it doesn't work. Like it doesn't work. I felt twice and then I was like, okay, pivot. Pivot. So, um, that's what I did, but I end up still kind of doing, so I did. Sports management. Okay, I can see that. Yeah. I really liked sports, but also like my freshman year we won the national championship. Okay. So I was just like, yeah, I want a hide from us winning. And it was just like a big experience. So I was like, okay, I like sports, but I also always wanted to do business. Okay. So it was like a play on that.'cause I still learned business management, but it was a focus on sports. Okay., So yeah.

Elizabeth:

It's been a long journey. So, sports management, well, first optometry, I can't even say that word. Opto. Optometrist, optometry. Yes. I, I can't get over that. I was like jaw drop, curve ball. Okay, girl. Okay. Yeah. I mean, you'd be a really cute eye doctor, but Yeah. Yeah. So sports management, That's what you graduated with?

Kaylyn:

Yes.

Elizabeth:

Okay. That's what I

Kaylyn:

graduated my, bachelor's with. Okay. So in between while I was in school, I studied abroad my last summer in London. Okay. Um, and this is through the Sports Global Sports Management program. Got it. Okay. And I was in London. Um, it was an amazing experience, like so much to, I wanted to come back. So I had a friend, me and her were like, research how we can go back to school in London. But like through that I've learned like the US they have loans that you can get a US backed loan in London. So it made the process super easy. It was just like I was applying for a loan at my undergrad, like it was Okay. Similar process. Dang. So there's a list of universities abroad that support that program. So we started there and then toured a few and then that's how I ended up. Choosing was in London, south Bay University.

Elizabeth:

Oh, okay.

Kaylyn:

So there is, when I started to get into my real, okay. Like I know I enjoyed marketing, so I did international marketing, a master's in international marketing, and it was just an amazing experience. Yeah. I think attendance school abroad, it was so different than the US it felt like to me. Yeah. But it could be also different programs, like coming from bachelor's, it is test, test, exam, exam, exam study, study, study versus um, the program abroad. It was more experience, it was more so project based. Here we give you a project, get creative like, but it was also collaborative'cause it was teamwork, it was team projects. Like, you know, it was, it was really nice and it wasn't so much of a exam every day, you know? Okay. Or just feeling the need. I was able to truly like. Live through it. You're gonna inspire me

Elizabeth:

to go back to grad school now?

Kaylyn:

Yeah. I mean, I don't dunno if I can, I don't remember,

Elizabeth:

but I'm like over 30. I think that ship has sailed. That's okay.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. So graduated from there. Then I came back home to Florida. Okay. And I was not in a marketing degree. It was like that fresh out of college field trying to find a job. Yeah. So it was always my plan to get into the marketing field with whatever company. Like, it just, I just had to get my foot in the door. Yeah. And I was gonna make my way to marketing. Right?

Elizabeth:

Yes. I believe that.

Kaylyn:

Um, so that was my thought.

Elizabeth:

You seem like someone who's like, this is what I want. It's gonna happen. I'm gonna make it happen.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. I mean, in hindsight it didn't happen how I wanted it to happen. It didn't. Okay. But it happened how it needed to happen. Okay. Explain as I look back, you know, what. So I had been applying to positions in the marketing department, was not getting, it. Had a few interviews, but it just, I wasn't getting the roles. Okay. So this was around COVID. Ooh. You know, so we were remote. I was talking to my fiance and I'm like, I just wanna go like, I want somewhere different. First of all, I wasn't feeling, I was feeling like a hard stop. Mm-hmm. I wasn't feeling motivated. Yeah. I wasn't feeling, I don't know, it was just a different environment. Yeah. And it, it was just like, I didn't, I seen a ceiling, like Yeah. Ooh. Yeah. But I wanted to move somewhere where it was like, no ceiling, I can't explain it,

Elizabeth:

but No, I know what you mean. Like more opportunity, more like, yeah. And I feel like Atlanta has a little bit more of that energy versus Florida.

Kaylyn:

Yeah, for sure. Because you lived on the beach, right? Well, now, so St. Pete. Yeah. Okay. St. Pete Tampa. But now I feel like it's, it's reverting, like it is really, it's starting to be up and coming now. Okay., But yeah, I probably won't move back until I retire, but it's definitely on an up and up now. Okay. But I still feel like Atlanta is better and it was better for me.

Elizabeth:

Yeah. Maybe, maybe even like starting out, I guess. Yeah.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

Okay. So then you're like, well, I need more opportunities, so I'm gonna go to Atlanta.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. So I came to Atlanta At that time I was in my, entrepreneurship bag. You know, I had a, I had a athletic brand. Okay. So I, in, in Atlanta working remote with the company I was at, I still had my clothing business on the side. Okay. And it was active wear. Okay. I was doing a campaign for a new collection we had coming out, and I invited like some of. The people I knew, um, from college. But like I had a few girls and one of the young ladies, I knew her from college and we just kind of reconnected through that shoot, her being a model and just through talking, I was like, yeah, I'm here now. I'm excited. I'm like looking for a job. I'm like, probably. And she's like, oh, my job is hiring. And that's how it happens. That's how it happens. And honestly, that's how Elena is. Yes, it is. It's very much like that. And it just be random and it's always just, oh, let's connect. Oh, let's do this or, but yeah. So needless to say, she sent me information. I apply, I got the job. And that was at Compass. Oh, okay. So that's my journey at Compass, how that started.

Elizabeth:

Oh, wow. Okay. So a reason I like that you shared all of this is your end goal was marketing. Right? Kind of a broad umbrella, broad trampoline, so to speak. And. Your end goal being that like all your decisions kind of led you to that. I guess what I'm trying to say is I talk about this sometimes on the podcast, like when you have a dream or you have a goal, the universe conspires to give it to you as long as you're focused on it. So even though you couldn't have predicted this chick to be like, Hey, I got a job for you. Yeah. But pursuing it, going to a better, a place that had better opportunities. Not sure what's gonna work out, but I'm gonna do it this and this and boom. Like the way, the connection and the invisible strings at pool. I just, I appreciate you sharing, and I think it's relevant because it's, it's someone betting on themselves and not quite having the 1, 2, 3 step guide to get there. Yeah. And then boom, here you go.

Kaylyn:

And I think it is, it's truly the definition of a continuously pivoting. Mm-hmm. I think you have to have that mindset so you, you're not like just stuck in a funk. Yes. Like I wasn't getting the roles that I wanted and like, okay, what I gotta do different Yeah. Like. Something needs to change. Mm-hmm. I can't just like, okay, I'll just stay in this position and maybe one day they'll give me a position like, you know, a different role. I don't know. I think that was the, the silver line in there too.

Elizabeth:

but yeah, you sound like an entrepreneur with that whole pivoting, like, gotta just gotta pivot to get to where you're trying to go. So you get this job at Compass, which I can already start to see how the real estate marketing started to be born, but how did you get from working at Compass to marketing to, your goals here?

Kaylyn:

Yeah, so when I joined Compass, I worked with the agent, so agent experience, and I sort of did it on dabble and my marketing on the side. So the agency has always. Been a thing before it was a thing before it was official, right? Oh. So I was always working on projects and doing site things for my main compass job. Um, but when I started working at Compass, I started working with some of the agent teams and helping them in assist them with marketing. Oh, okay. So my role again wasn't necessarily a marketing title. Yeah. But it heavily involved a lot of marketing. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, curating events, graphic design, sending out, preparing emails, like it was, oh my gosh, loves you. It was the whole shebang. Right. So like, we got this

Elizabeth:

like wizard over here. Jeez.

Kaylyn:

No, actually, I mean, yeah. I'm gonna be humble. I'm gonna be humble. But yeah. So no brag. This is your, this is your spotlight. Brag. No, I mean, but the work definitely taught for itself, right? Yeah. So I think just in that, I was working with some agents on the side helping them, Through different creative marketing, services. And, I think the year was 21. I feel like time is just like moving maybe 22. But needless to say, I end up getting laid off. They had massive layoffs. Um, my role was affected immediately it, transitioned me into my agency full time. Okay. I still had clients and agent teams from Compass, so now I just wasn't working from a, corporate level. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you know, honestly, when I graduated college, I think I always seen my life more corporate. Interesting

Elizabeth:

versus entrepreneurial.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. Okay. Like, I think I always knew I was creative. I always gonna do something. Yeah. But I said, when I thought about how I would advance in the marketing field, I always seen it corporate. Okay. And not so much of the entrepreneurial, but. That, that was something interesting. I say that to say, I took a lot from my corporate experience.

Elizabeth:

Yeah. I'm sure.

Kaylyn:

Like it taught me a lot of things just behind the scenes how to run a business. Absolutely. You know? Yeah. And I've tooken a lot of things that I can implement into my structure, my systems, and how I operate my business, and I try to emulate that. Like I, I Oh, sure. Yeah. Yeah. I'm like, I need to be organized. Like, we're not hating

Elizabeth:

on corporate.

Kaylyn:

We're not, I, I can learn a lot from corporate. Corporate is amazing. And I think, you know, it is all about the experience at the end of the day. Yeah. If you only see it one way, it is just like,

Elizabeth:

especially you for someone who, your role wasn't necessarily defined as what it turned into for you. So not only did you get this corporate experience, but you also kind of got to see how you can. Bet on yourself, and you can be this multifaceted employee in person and what you bring to the table. Yeah. So was Black Book Studio, like even just the name, was that always a part? Did you always have that or when was that born? The name? Yeah.

Kaylyn:

I'm gonna be honest. So before I started the agency, the activewear I told you about mm-hmm. It was called Black Ath Lure. Oh, okay. And, um, I don't know, B Okay. Just kind of always stuck with me. It is like, don't know, like, I mean, my Instagram is Boss Lady Kate, like the Be Okay. Like, you know, it's just, oh my, I just put that together. Yes. I feel like an idiot. Yes, yes. So it's just like, it's just, it's something near heart. I love that though. Oh my God. Yeah. That is so g, great

Elizabeth:

branding. Look at you. So.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. So that's how as I transitioned into thinking of a name for my brand. Yeah. I just kind of took off. Oh, I love that book studio. It was just like a little black book. Yep. I mean, essentially that is my, my, my process. And as I grow like that is what I'm emulate, like a little black book. So I wanna be a space for collaboration, connection and you can come to me and I can help you get it done type of situation. I love that. Yeah.

Elizabeth:

Now, when you say that, would you say that's even outside of real estate? Oh, for sure. Okay. So real

Kaylyn:

estate is just like a pillar. Honestly. what I enjoy about marketing is working with, I'm not a niche company. Mm-hmm. So we, we tailor our campaigns and our creative ideation to the actual client. More so their target audience, who's their target. And we, we focus solely on that. And then we can just develop, we can talk to anybody. You know, you just have to know who you're talking to first. Yeah.

Elizabeth:

So you've created a blend of marketing, creative and lifestyle. Mm-hmm. Right? Yes. So my question really was how did that all come together? But I feel like it was just a natural progression.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. Yeah. It was a natural progression. before I joined Compass, I didn't about real estate, like, you know, like Yeah, yeah. I didn't think of it from that aspect of working in it. Um Right. Just obviously, especially from like a marketing standpoint.

Elizabeth:

Yeah.'cause you think real estate, you think of agents selling homes and things like that.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. I never gave any thought to that. I mean. My childhood home was the same home. Like, you know, I've never really dealt with the real estate industry. I didn't have the money to buy a house. Yeah. I wasn't really looking into that. So it was really me just accepting the opportunity. Yeah, that makes sense. It was like, uh, you know, I never thought about real estate, but it's also a pivot into me getting something here in Atlanta versus working remote and Right. You know, we don't know if we're gonna be going back to office and I just needed to have, I'm on different security I needed to ion No, I get it. Girl. So that was, was more so me just like, okay, let's give it a try. Like, yeah. What can, like I didn't try to control it too much. Yeah. And you know, like, no, I am not gonna get a role until it's specifically marketing. Like no, I just kind of went with the flow in the sense. Yeah. Because sometimes when it comes easy like that, like you just have to trust God. Yeah. Yeah.

Elizabeth:

No, seriously. Yeah. So you just have a feeling like, I don't know how this is, you didn't have a feeling. You not such a feeling of this is gonna lead to marketing, but this is, you had a feeling this is the right opportunity.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. And I was same mindset. Okay. I'm just gonna work until I get to top of the marketing chain. Yeah. You know, whatever company I joined, it was always the goal. Like, okay, I'm gonna come in here and I'm gonna work myself up to like the top of the marketing chain. So that was always my thought process.

Elizabeth:

Yeah.

Kaylyn:

And then layoffs happen. And that's just, so that was like my first experience of like, bless your, your heart. I've never been fired. Like, it was just like my first sense of like, I felt lost, like I lost something. Like, oh, I feel that. But it pivoted me into such an amazing way. Like, so here I am leaving corporate. Not even a few months later, I started working for an agent team, a big agent team in Midtown. Okay. They deal with Atlanta Modern homes. Oh yeah. Um, Doyle Goodrow. Um, but shout out. Yes. So I started working with them as a marketing operations manager. So the broker at the time at Compass referred me to that team. They were looking for, um, someone to join it, and the broker referred me, and that's, that's amazing. So that's really like, I would say the true, start, like, I mean, I was doing marketing. I, I say start, but like it, it took me to a different level once I joined with them.

Elizabeth:

Okay. Yeah. It was very rigorous. And that was through the connections and relationships. Well, agency life seems like a whole different world. Like Yeah, it is. We don't have to go into it, but I, for my friends that work in agency, like what? Creative or communications, whatever the, the faucet, they have no life. I'll, I'll go ahead and say it. Yeah, you have to have very good boundaries. You have

Kaylyn:

to have very good

Elizabeth:

boundaries. You do.

Kaylyn:

You can get lost in it.

Elizabeth:

Yeah.

Kaylyn:

And I think it's amazing thing, but it's a balance. Like when you are actually doing something you enjoy doing mm-hmm. You would do it like much, like,

Elizabeth:

I think they would say the same thing. No, that makes sense.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Elizabeth:

So when did you start to really work on your own business? Was it through, did you like reach a point working with this agency that you're like, you know what, I could do this on my own and be the top dog, okay. So I was still always doing it on the side. Okay. I've

Kaylyn:

never stopped taking outside clients. Like even with me working as a managing and operations manager for the team, I still was doing my agency work on the side. Okay. So she's always

Elizabeth:

been an entrepreneur. I love

Kaylyn:

it. Yeah. No, I never. Push that to the side boss lady. K. Okay. Yeah. So I can go back a little. My agency started once I got laid off, I was like, okay, got it. I'm full force in this agency work. But I did take the role when offered because I'm like, yeah, it's security. Yeah, it's security. I still had my agency work on the side. I was just, when I got off work, I was doing my client's work or if I had, I can say this now because I'm not, I can't wait what you say'cause I'm not working there. But, you know, and you know, I love you Matt, but yeah, so like in my downtime, I did my agency work on the clock. I don't recommend that. Don't get fired. You know, you should definitely, do your job. I did my job too. Right, right. I did my job. But you should definitely not steal the company's time. You shouldn't. I

Elizabeth:

shouldn't, I love it. But I mean, you were doing your work just because you can do something more efficiently than someone's normal two hours. I mean, yeah,

Kaylyn:

yeah. The sounds

Elizabeth:

resourceful.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. But I learned a lot under Matt. And just naturally over time. Eventually it just got too much right to handle both. So I was at a place where I was ready to bet on myself honestly. It was a scary process. Yeah. Like to leave that security.

Elizabeth:

No, I am sure. You know, I have a, I dunno if a catch phrase is the right word, but it's, a phrase nonetheless I like to live by. I have a lot of those lately. Uh, but one of them most important that I always talk about is, I'm always gonna bet on me.'cause if you can't bet on yourself, then who's going to. Mm-hmm. So I love that you mentally like, took that verbatim already on your journey and that I had a question that was, what did it look like to bet on yourself when the outcome wasn't guaranteed? And I feel like this is the perfect plate to answer that. So you're about to take a leap, but it's because it's a like not manageable to Yeah. Juggle the corporate agency job versus your own bread and butter, so to speak. So how did it feel to make that decision? Was there imposter syndrome? Were you freaking out? Were you like Probably a little bit of both. I would think. Like confident, but also, what am I doing?

Kaylyn:

I don't think I freaked out. I took a life a little bit more serious. I will say that. and it was scary. Yeah, I'm sure. So I didn't leave until I made enough in my agency. I matched what I made. Makes sense. Working. Working. So it wouldn't feel like a, a loss. Right. That makes sense. I just have to budget. Same. She's so smart. So I was kind of okay there. Mm-hmm. Um, and then I've had retainer clients, so that makes it a little less stressful. Mm-hmm. But it still was feeling the need to hustle.

Elizabeth:

Yeah. I have a quick question. How long did you navigate both like the agency and doing the side agency your own? I don't wanna call it a side gig'cause it seems like it was holding equal weight, at least at some point, but pursuing your own agency, own marketing clients and the corporate, how long do you think you navigated that?

Kaylyn:

I feel like it was like two years.

Elizabeth:

Ooh.

Kaylyn:

A year and a half. That's

Elizabeth:

a long time. Wow. Okay.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. 20, yeah, about two years. Okay. and even that was, that's impressive a long

Elizabeth:

time, right? Yeah. That's impressive. But,

Kaylyn:

while I was working for Compass Corporate, I ended up taking my real estate license. Okay. And I just took it because they paid for it, like, you know, like take advantage of the opportunity. So I just took it. so I had a license and I was like, okay. In a means of me leaving the co the company as a marketing operations man, lemme just stick around, lemme be on your team. Like, lemme just be an agent on your team. And that's, that is my role now. So I'm just an agent on the team. Okay. I'm just an agent. but I will say even there, my interest is way bigger than an agent. Yeah. It is bigger. It is more so I enjoy the beautiful homes. I love the stories. I love the architecture. I love the design, I love the storytelling component of it. More so than sold. Right. Sold sold.

Elizabeth:

Like how much can we get this for? Yeah. How can we negotiate, counter offer,

Kaylyn:

I just wanna style it. I wanna do the creatives. I wanna have a nice property site, like I wanna do the cool videos and campaigns. Like that's what I enjoy about it and that's what I enjoy within my role as the marketing operations. I've enjoyed that the most. Oh wow. Okay. Yeah. So that's to say I have a real estate license because it, it makes sense. Yeah. Just, just do it. But my passion is on the marketing side. Okay. Makes sense. So yeah.

Elizabeth:

What a full circle, like little journey there. Yeah. I love that. And it all started with sports management. No, optometry. Oh, that's right. The eye doctor. I still can't get over that. Yeah. But it is such a curve ball.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, my family would've loved the doctors too, but, but yeah, so then left that, I'm now full-time in my agency. Okay. And then I did on dab, dabble in real estate.

Elizabeth:

Oh. Dibble and double. So as you wear many, many hats. I love that. Yeah., So I'm sure there are a lot of highs and lows. Um, and lows don't mean like necessarily losses, but just being a business owner and managing a high profile, functioning creative agency. Can you share a time when things weren't linear? Were there any in-betweens with jobs, roles or even identities? Maybe even along this process of like, once you full send your agency and this is your main income, main driver and you obviously did the right things. Like you waited till you were bringing enough money so it didn't feel like a loss to let go of the other one. But how was that transition? It's amazing'cause you're betting on yourself. But that's still scary.'cause like you already mentioned earlier, you like to have your backup plan, you like to have your security. Yeah. And, um, there's gotta be a little bit of,

Kaylyn:

whew, I'm leaving the nest. Yeah. It it, it did, it was like that transition of being liable.

Elizabeth:

Mm ooh. Okay.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. Like. Yeah, it's fun. And I mean, depending on how you take your role as a CEO or founder, like you have freedom, but you kind of don't. Yeah. Like, you know, like that makes sense. So I mean, honestly, that transition, it wasn't bad. I, I really feel like my biggest transition or hurdle in between is like that in-between phase of going from a solopreneur to building a team.

Elizabeth:

Ooh, I've never talked about that. Okay. Ooh,

Kaylyn:

that one there is like, oh,

Elizabeth:

share, share some growing pains or maybe even things that you learned in that

Kaylyn:

process. I mean, communication, you have to learn how to communicate. You have to, be considerate. And it's also like You have to make it so they can make it type thing. Okay. You have to make it so you can provide opportunity. You have to make it so

Elizabeth:

it'll be a benefit to them. Yeah.

Kaylyn:

So I said communication, but understanding different personalities. Mm-hmm. And just how to effectively manage it. And then also I'm a very, open.

Mm-hmm. Like,

Kaylyn:

ooh, tell me you're not gonna hurt my feelings. Or I don't want it to feel like you don't have a voice. if you have a concern or something. Come talk to me. Yeah. Let's be real. Like, let's just be real. Like, come talk to me and if anything, I'm going to try to be understanding and let's just kind of handle, I don't hold grudges. I just kind of, yeah.

Elizabeth:

Was that hard at first? I'm curious. No, I don't think I ever really held, yeah. Grudges, well, not even just grudges, but like letting, if someone came to you with a concern or like, Hey, the way we handled this client or this project, I think it could have gone differently. Like, not that you have an ego, but did you ever have any of those moments where you're like, okay, maybe you wanna be defensive'cause it's your baby kind of thing. But then it's like, oh wait, this person kind of has the, the right approach, right. Idea.

Kaylyn:

No, actually I wasn't. Okay. I think I'm, as a business owner, I'm a learner. Like, ooh, I'm open to, I love that learning. I, I wanna know about people, I'm open minded. Okay. I think I felt more of those things when I were working under people. I love that. I love that. Yeah. Like I think I would be more offended if I did something, man, if I did something.'cause I'm just like, I look myself in

Elizabeth:

the mirror. I'm like, you're right. I'm like, don't tell me I'm wrong, even though you're above me. Yeah,

Kaylyn:

yeah,

Elizabeth:

yeah. But

Kaylyn:

no, I listen, I listen to the clients. so even I tell my clients like, this is your baby and I wanna help you get to your vision. So if you don't like something, tell me I don't care. It's not gonna hurt my feelings. Like I can come up with something different. Like it's not that big of a deal.

Elizabeth:

Well it's important too'cause you want them to also trust. And I mean, not that this is anywhere the same, but I can be guilty of that, of like not wanting to like upset the person that I've hired and paid money to do the thing for me. Mm-hmm. No. But I mean, or not

Kaylyn:

to wanna seem overbearing. Right, right, right. And I mean, I'm like, keep coming to me, but I also try to set boundaries so I understand up upfront, like right. So it's not a constant, back and forth. But yeah, I'm open to constructive feedback. I love that. Anyway, I may have had like one moment where it kind of bothered me, but needless to say, I'm pretty open.

Elizabeth:

Well, I bet you built a great rapport with your team. But did you have any like pain struggle points of just being the boss and it's okay if you say no'cause I kind of feel like you've been a boss leading up to this. Yeah,

Kaylyn:

so another process was

Elizabeth:

delegating

Kaylyn:

Ooh, oh, relentless and control. Yes. I want to control the outcome so bad that it's just like I should just do it myself.

Elizabeth:

Oh my gosh, yes.

Kaylyn:

That's a problem a lot of people have. Actually. I have that

Elizabeth:

problem and it's just me, myself, and I.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. There's a problem with, is it gonna take me more time to explain to you how I want it and mm-hmm.

Elizabeth:

Yeah. But you can't grow, you know? Exactly. Yeah. You have

Kaylyn:

to trust that skill. But that's also too, you have to hire within those Oh yeah. It's like

Elizabeth:

psychology. Yeah. People, and also on trend, you want people who are like, on the nose trend and things like that.'cause you have a brand uphold.

Kaylyn:

Yeah, for sure. So like, when I did start accepting people on my team, it kind of started by like, I knew you are, I like your personality. Mm-hmm. And I feel like our energies can mesh well. Yeah. And then it was like, okay, what do you like to do? And then I can find some, because I'm a startup. Okay, what do you like to do? And let's place you where you can grow the most. Right. Yeah. Like, so it's a, it's a mutual benefit. I want you to be in the space in a role that you enjoy. So that's kind of how I started. It wasn't just like, Hey, I have this rollout, someone apply it was a little bit more like, I need help. Mm-hmm. What do you like to do? Yeah. And can you help me do that? I love that. Okay. Yeah. And that's kind how I grew it. So the transition of Relic and Control. Yeah. Even so like I would have these team members, but it was just like, okay, Kaylyn, what you want us to do? Like, you know, and it was just like. I, I had to get organized. I feel like I had to have all my systems and processes in place. So it's just like very clear what I want. Instead of just like, huh.

Elizabeth:

Right. Yeah. Because you can't expect'em to just go do what you do. Yeah. That makes sense.

Kaylyn:

So that was, I feel like the biggest struggle for me.

Elizabeth:

Do you feel like you had to evolve to like a different version of yourself to allow this, I guess, natural growth and development to happen. Was that a struggle?'Cause I'm, I'm a control freak, so, you know, if when the in between brand grows, I know I'm gonna struggle with this. And like you said, I think a lot of people can identify with that, especially coming from an agency, and granted this is just me as talking from experience of friends, but they have all struggled, even working in an agency. Like they're not the top dog, they're not the boss. And it's like, well, these are my clients and it's weird bringing their team member on because I know how to run this show, but like, I'm drowning in my work. Mm-hmm. I guess maybe the question is how would you say you felt yourself change? It's like honestly mature in a way. Yeah.

Kaylyn:

I say I fall back a lot. Okay. I trust them. Okay, now I've talked to you, what do you enjoy doing? Mm-hmm. It's almost like an exploration. Like Yeah. You know,, treat this as if it was your baby. How would you do this? Even today I just came from a campaign shoot. So my creative director, her name is Kay Little k. Bk, but yeah, I love that. Yes. So she was in her groove and I just stepped back. Like, I just stepped back, like, you Okay. She, she knows, she talking about, I let her have it. Like I wasn't so going home on my vision, like ultimately it is like what exactly. I envisioned. Right. But not so much every step of the way. Okay. So it was just like, if the end goal is the same. I kind of just stepped back. I mean also too, she, she does a good job, but I feel like giving them the freedom to feel like they can trust their judgment. So like, my videographer, her name's Nyla, we were shooting a campaign video for the event, and I'm like, it's always, so what do you think? Like, here's my ideas, here's what I want. But like, what

Elizabeth:

do you think that's so good as a boss too, to empower others on your team? At least for me speaking when the higher up the person, especially the person I report to, or the CEO whomever values my opinion, there is so much growth just in that interaction.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

I love that. Yeah. Good for you. So I think I'm doing better. No, I, I'm doing good. You know? Do you ever feel like you're flying down the rabbit hole? Like just, or not flying so much, but falling down the rabbit hole sometimes with it? What do you mean by that? Like, maybe, maybe not so much now.'cause now you have your processes and procedures in place, you have your team, and of course that can grow and that's the goal. But maybe in the early days, maybe when you were, do I hire someone? Do I not? Like, how did you navigate? Those are so many in-between, I think about it. But how did you continue to bet on yourself even if you didn't quite know what you were doing?

Kaylyn:

So another thing I did when initially growing my team is I shared revenue. Mm-hmm. So like, it was more so you make money if you put in the effort, for example, Almost, you can consider it like a freelance. But like also too, I created services and programs around a shared benefit. So I had a photographer I worked with, so there is a service where I'm doing a campaign shoot and you're getting paid through every campaign. Shoot, I book. Got it. I love that. it was more so the people is people who I could grow with and it is like it, we don't necessarily walk over each other's toes. So like, here, I handle the market, I handle the creative direction, I handle this, and you come in as a freelancer and you help me get the job done. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. So, that's kind of how I was able to build it in that way.

Elizabeth:

You're so smart. I love it. And to think you wanted to be an eye doctor. I know. so we've been talking a little bit online, about navigating our own personal in-betweens, the struggles. And we didn't even like go into too much detail. It was just like, it is a struggle. I'm feeling it,, tears, things like that. So what are you currently struggling with or navigating?

Kaylyn:

it's like that in-between phase of like, you know exactly where you're going. Like you can see it vividly. You're just not there yet.

Mm-hmm.

Kaylyn:

And the struggles of the now. Just dealing with life as it comes to you and you see yourself, but it's just like, patience is key. Patience is key.

Elizabeth:

I feel like that is literally been the past 10 months of my life. And there's like one phase to it. I'm like, okay, get to that point. And it's just so much patience and just trusting and just breathing and being in the stillness yeah, I, I could not identify with that more. I know different ways, but yes., I know this is gonna work out or I know this guess is gonna work out, or I know this next milestone's gonna work out, but whether it's, how am I gonna get there? Not quite sure, but I'll figure it out. Or it's waiting for that thing to play out. Yeah. But I don't think there's enough talk about how difficult that can be.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. It's extremely difficult. but it keeps me getting up every day. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. It's like, ooh, like I feel it, I see it. I'm in my groove. Like I just gotta keep doing it. But life is happening and it is just like, I. Gotta keep pushing. You have no, yeah. You gotta keep pushing. You have another way just to keep going. Yeah. Yeah. You just have to keep going. But I think you have to also develop a mindset to understand that. So I'm getting better day by day, but I literally, every time I catch myself, I talk myself out of it. Like intentionally, I don't settle in it for long. Like I can feel down about a moment, but like, okay, pivot, keep going. Like, I'm, I'm about to keep going. Yeah. And that's honestly, I like it is a pivot. Like Yeah. down to the smallest thing, I don't care. I don't care. I don't wanna talk about the problem. Okay. So like, if we're in the middle of a photo shoot and something goes wrong, I'm like, okay, I'm not down about it. Okay, well let's do this instead. Like, right. So I, I think I'm always thinking about the, the pivot, it's okay, like if this goes wrong, it doesn't matter. It's not the end of the world. And that's how I treat a lot of things. Mm-hmm. So, to go back to that, yeah. Yeah. It was just like having that mindset of

Elizabeth:

just pivoting. Yeah. Is that how you ground yourself in these inbetweens? And it kind of goes back to like betting on yourself too, I mean, that's literally what that is. Like, I'm gonna figure it, I'm gonna pivot

Kaylyn:

I mean, yeah. It is not so much a pivoting, it's just like, keep going.

Elizabeth:

Yeah.

Kaylyn:

I give myself five minutes to cry about it you know, just cry about it, but Okay. Get up. Right. Yeah. And I think I'm also have the energy and the motivation because I'm seeing it day in and day out, right? Like, I see myself getting closer to the goal, and I mean, that goal's gonna move too, but like I see myself, so I see it very vividly I just have to keep

Elizabeth:

doing it. Do you, and maybe not so much anymore, but on this topic, have you ever struggled with recognizing the milestones you've already reached or like where you're at because I personally struggled with that. Yeah. And I get really stuck in my head that I'm like, wait a second, look at what I've gained. Look at what I'm doing. Look at how many downloads I get per episode versus when I first started and it was like eight. Yeah.

Kaylyn:

I can't say the actual moment, but there is like a click. Ooh, okay. There is like a, energy shift. I don't know. All right.

Elizabeth:

A false, I guess really, truly. Yeah. Like

Kaylyn:

there, there was just a shift in me and I can't really, pinpoint the moment, but, it was just like. I know what I'm doing. I trust what I'm doing. I enjoy what I'm doing. I'm doing it.

Elizabeth:

Yeah, I don't know. You've reached the point of like, of course I'm gonna figure it out.

Kaylyn:

Yeah,

Elizabeth:

yeah,

Kaylyn:

I'm a problem solver. I mean, it's some stuff I can't solve. I'm not

Elizabeth:

gonna lie. I would never know the way you're talking. I'm like, you could tell me the sky's green. I'm like, you're right, it's green.

Kaylyn:

No, no, no, no. I still have some stuff I felt in my personal life, you know, like she's humble. Uh, yeah. But when it comes to like, the work Yeah, I can do that. Yeah, I can do that. I feel like Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. But, I just, just, I'm solution

Elizabeth:

driven. Solution driven. Gonna figure it out, gonna keep going. Bet on yourself, and that's how you do it. I like that. So there was a mindset shift and you couldn't pinpoint when, but there was just a point where you reached I'm doing what I dreamed about.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. And I also think it's your environment too, the people you're around. Oh, yeah. Support system. Yeah. I mean, naturally people have always seen it in me. Mm-hmm. You know, and that's a pressure there too, oh, really? Okay. Yeah. Oh yeah. Expand on that. When people just and I'm trying to use my words lightly, when people just see so much greatness in you or expect mm-hmm. So much greatness from you. And I mean, that started down for my mom. She knew exactly who I was and she wasn't gonna allow me to do nothing less. Right. So I was a people pleaser. Yeah. And I'm slowly, not even slowly, I'm, I'm getting out of it. Yeah. And I've been outta it for a minute, it's still sometimes a struggle and you're just over cautious of how somebody'll perceive something or you care so much about controlling how they'll feel about something. Yeah. But, being a people pleaser, so I think just growing up, my mom had high expectations, but also to, I feel like my environment had high thoughts of me. Mm-hmm. So I just always wanted to uphold that. Yeah. Or like keep that. Yeah. I don't know how to explain it or just not fail or Yeah. You know? Yeah. So, taking that on to today, I mean. I still work to please my clients and the people I work with. But I'm also more vocal Yeah. About how I feel and not so much of suppressing it just because

Elizabeth:

Yeah. Yeah.

Kaylyn:

Good for you. Yeah.

Elizabeth:

What would you say to the version of you, like the younger self, when you're talking about this pressure, to please and this and this, and now you are, boss lady k, you are the CEO of this creative marketing agency. You have been enlisted in Jezebel magazines 40 under 40. You are known in the community and even bigger than just the community of Atlanta. What would you tell younger Kay, who was pivoting, figuring it out, going to compass, getting laid off, figuring out the next move, what advice would you give?

Kaylyn:

You have to trust the process. And that's so like, I don't wanna give that advice'cause I didn't trust the process. I didn't trust the process. It sounds so simple, but it's so hard. No,

Elizabeth:

I, I, I'm thinking about me. It's like, trust the process. Is it? No, we're trusting it.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. Like, how can you trust the process? Right. Like what, like what's some things I feel like helped me through it. Obviously God, Having faith. Having faith, but also keeping myself creative. So like, I took advantage of every downtime. Okay. So when I was laid off, okay. I immediately went into building my agency. Like I didn't spend all that time applying for another job. So it's just like taking advantage of the downtime. And always been willing to learn. So like anything that I wanna offer within my agency, I'm learning it. I enjoy learning. Yeah. Especially if it is a field that I enjoy. Yeah. So like, yeah. So, I mean, I would tell little K just to keep going. and it's really

Elizabeth:

that simple. Just keep going. Yeah. I mean, it, it's simple, but it's also like hard'cause you're not getting instant gratification. I remember when I first started the podcast, the thing I read over and over again was like, consistency is key.'cause everyone gives up. You're not getting the Alex Cooper call her daddy Yeah. Downloads in the beginning. But it's, you have to keep going. Yeah.'cause eventually you have to trust yourself enough that it's gonna pan out to something.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. I think I'm also kind of real with myself too. Yeah. And like real about the process of like life. It's just kind of like. You're gonna get it. Like you're gonna get there. It's a double edged sword. Some days I'm rushing the process. Some days I'm enjoying the process. Right. In our generation as we're getting older, I think it's more so a means of the security.

Mm-hmm.

Kaylyn:

That is a feel for it. Like put the most pressure on you. Yeah. But I think just always keep going. Like even when I was working, I was doing myself on the side. Just always keep going, keep going. Yeah.

Elizabeth:

I like that.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. And honestly, I think if you keep going, the universe just kind of works out. Like I've benefited so much I that too from joining Compass. Like, I've benefited so much, it's pivoted my life in different directions, and I just did it like,, you just have to trust the process and that everything's gonna work out for it. So, yeah. And when I look back, that is the biggest lesson. So now that I'm like, okay, I've lived life a little bit, I can take my next years easier. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Elizabeth:

Because you have that trust that's gonna work. Yeah. No, yeah. I love that. I'm glad you said that.'cause that's something that I believe in too, that I've talked about is you, I don't know how to explain it. It's like the magic of the universe, the magic of God. You just gotta keep betting on yourself. You gotta keep going, you gotta keep doing it. And you meet the right people, you get the right opportunity, even if it seems random at the time, like you just said, look at all the things and opportunities that were born from this conversation.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

You know? Yeah. I love that we're gonna

Kaylyn:

say that about this podcast. Like when we're looking back at it, like years from now, we're just getting started. Remember

Elizabeth:

we were in my, my, my house, or not even my house, about soon to sell house. Yeah.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. So I just love that.

Elizabeth:

I think about that too. I really do.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

last question I wanna ask you before we get into your event, I'm trying not to say the name, I wanna say it so bad, but I wanna wait for like the grand finale kind of thing. Yeah, yeah. Um, but I feel like this is a good closer on your story and I also appreciate you sharing your story. Yeah. I love these kind of stories. I love people who bet on themselves.'cause we don't hear enough about that. We hear the bad, we hear the negative, or we see the super success. You don't get the come up. And that's the hardest part. And it's, I'm lonely and it's just, I really appreciate you sharing with that. Yeah. Hopefully everyone listening you, you may not have it figured out, but just trust the idea. As long as it's in your heart and something you care about and you want to do, just don't give up. It's okay if there's moments of self-doubt. God knows I have those. Yeah, I've had those a lot times. A many for sure. But keep at it. But on that note, have you ever felt underestimated? And then what did you do with that energy, with that smirk? I'm like, Ooh, ooh. Yeah. Where is she going?

Kaylyn:

Oh yes, I definitely did. And this, it's only a few moments.'cause like I told you, most people see greatness, right? Yes. Right. You know, I don't experience too much, but I had a moment of time in my life I had a hiccup and it's like you, when people are waiting for your downfall, they weren't waiting. They were waiting. So like, I think that was like. A moment, and I don't even wanna go into people. No, we don't have to go into details. But you had a moment you ended up, but I had a moment and that filled me, like, it didn't make me sad at all. It was like, okay,

Elizabeth:

I'm not gonna prove them right. I'm gonna freaking keep going.

Kaylyn:

Okay. We'll see. Catch you.

Elizabeth:

I love that. Yeah.

Kaylyn:

Yeah, I mean, that was a moment, but you know, no, not really. I don't think if, if it is, no one really says it to me or you

Elizabeth:

know, you know, I love that you have such a clear, like compass of you and your path and what you bring

mm-hmm.

Elizabeth:

But no negativity penetrate that wall of who is Kay and what she's all about.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

That is the ultimate form of self

Kaylyn:

love. It is. And I, yeah, it is. It is. And sometimes I think even my family and my, my partner knows, like, you can tell me all day your opinion. Mm-hmm. But if I feel it and I know it, like I just understand you, you don't have, my vision, I don't necessarily expect you to either.'cause I don't like Right. We don't share the same. Right. I can't see what God has placed on your heart. Right. So it may not make sense to me, but hey, do do what you do. So I think even like in those relationships, like I, I take on opinions, but I'm also very confident in what I've been shown. I love that. So, yeah.. So I don't really focus on naysayer. I think, I think naturally you'll probably feel the pressure of failing, but Right. For your personal self, more so. Anybody else, like, just when

Elizabeth:

you reach your level, you have a team behind you. You have clients that you, people who depend on you and what you're gonna produce. So that's natural.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. And then I understand real life, like those people are dealing with. The same stuff I'm dealing with.

Elizabeth:

Right, right. It's just who can hide it better?

Kaylyn:

Like Yeah. Yeah.

Elizabeth:

I don't, I'm like, this is how I feel. Yeah. I mean,

Kaylyn:

honestly, that's how I feel too, because I, I know like we all go through similar stuff. Right. And you, you catch more honey that way actually too, by just being real. I'm, thank you.

Elizabeth:

Authenticity is what is, is what sells. It's what people are drawn to. It is what will drive you in any creative, entrepreneurial, whatever pursuit. Yeah. You don't have to be anybody else, just be you.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

Because out of billions of people, there's only one. Okay. Yeah. There's only one Elizabeth. Yep. wow. Yeah. I love that man. Self-love queen over here. I love talking about self-love. Like whenever I talk about in between, like, what is it? I was like, well, it's one part entertainment, one part empowerment, but like. The biggest pillar is self-love. Yeah. And your whole story is an expression of self-love. It's an expression of betting on yourself, believing in yourself enough, even when you got laid off and I don't wanna say life was against you. That's dramatic.'cause it's not the vibe you've given, but the curve balls, the hiccups, the speed bumps, whatever. You still had a vision. You still were true to yourself. And I think that's incredible. And that definitely goes to show the success that you have had.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. And

Elizabeth:

you'll continue to have, and even more so.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. And, and just by you saying that, that coined me as important, like it's a blessing to have an environment that believes in you or you know, that stuff Yes. That sees the greatness response in you. Yeah. Like, and I think even from like a young kid, it's important to have that around your child. Yes. Like, yes. Instill in that, believing you seeing and looking at them in the highlight. Not from a pressure way though, like, not from like a overbearing controlling way. Right, right, right. But just speaking life right into people and your children. I think it's so important. Yeah. Because yeah, I'm confident, but when I think about why am I confident

Elizabeth:

came from your family. Yeah, they taught you to believe in yourself.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

I always say, my mom taught me the foundations of self-love.'cause she would be like, you're wonderful. You can do that. Yeah. All right. Okay. Let's figure this out. Okay. That maybe not that angle. Let's try

Kaylyn:

this again.

Elizabeth:

Yes, yes.

Kaylyn:

Oh my gosh. Yeah. And that's so important. Yeah. It is. Oh my gosh. Like my, my fiance does a wonderful job of that with my son Just naturally is evolved how I am. Aw. Like, it's a wonderful feeling. Yeah. And and your kids really appreciate that. Yeah. Like, yeah. So talk life into your kids.

Elizabeth:

Yeah. I think that's beautiful. Speak life into your kids. Yeah. Because they'll benefit from it and it will make the journey a little bit easier.'cause you always have that to fall back on. Yeah. Mm. That's beautiful. Well, thank you. So before we close, we have very important things to talk about. So. I want you to do the full red carpet, but Black Book Studio, uh, I don't even know how long you've been planning this event, but there's a very big event. Yes. I've already bought my ticket. Yes. Next month.

Kaylyn:

Yes.

Elizabeth:

And it's actually my mom's birthday, so I know it's gonna be a hit because Ah, yes.

Kaylyn:

Cancer. Yes. You guys, Cindy Cheney's energy

Elizabeth:

behind it. Trust me, it's gonna be huge.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

So give the audience the spiel. Tell them what's coming up. Okay. So

Kaylyn:

only the hottest night of Atlanta, right. The hottest night of the summer is what we're coining it, but it's called Heat Wave. Okay. And this is our first of, its kind of our event, so I'm very excited. But we are really honoring and celebrating the people who are making waves here in Atlanta. So we're focusing on business owners. People in the creative community, film, entertainment, in culture and community. Okay. So we're honoring those in the creative fields who are making waves here in Atlanta. I'm truly excited about it because we're debuted in our hot list 15. So this is like, I won't say the hottest. Everyone is the hottest in their own right. But we are on honoring 15 of those people from this community. And it's really, I'm just excited about connecting. Yeah. And like we did a smaller event last quarter and it was just so needed. Right. Okay. Like, it was so needed. Was so many relationships built from that room. It was intentional, it was fun, it was lighthearted. Yeah. So I wanted to explore that again, but, you know, also honor some of those who in the community and have put in the work because. It feels good to be honored. Yeah. You know, and recognize for the work you do. Absolutely. Because people see, they'll see it and they won't congratulate you. They won't tell you, but they'll look and they'll stalk and they'll just liketalk, stay on you, is this person's gonna keep winning. So I just wanna be very vocal about, I love that. The people we see in our community. So it's gonna be July 12th at V12 in Atlanta and you can learn more about it@heatwavewld.com. Okay. But, um, and I'll

Elizabeth:

link that in the show notes and everywhere too.

Kaylyn:

Yes. It's gonna be an immersive experience. I mean, I don't like to use the word networking.'cause that's gonna naturally happen when you put the right people in the room together. Mm-hmm. Yes. Yeah. It's not a networking event, but you're gonna do some of that. Um, yeah. But it's gonna be a high vibe, high energy. Like, just expect to come in, enjoy a good time. We're gonna have some live immersive activations. Ooh. Yeah. And then we're gonna have a celebratory moment for our 15, but honestly, it's really a celebration for all of Atlanta. Ooh. I love that. That like, I think everyone in in the room is gonna be somebody. Yeah. And I mean, anybody. Somebody, but you're gonna be somebody who's on your passion on your role. Yeah. Your, your chase. So you're gonna, Connect with the right

Elizabeth:

people. There's a certain magic too, when you have all those kind of people in the same room. Yeah. I will have my business cards by then. 1000%.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. But yeah, just, um, so that's gonna be on July 12th. And leading up to that, we have a teaser. So, you know, I like to roll out the red carpet. Okay. I like to give the people an experience. I don't want your money. Give the people, I love it. I don't just want your money. Like I want to create an experience. I want it to be worth it for you. Mm-hmm. I want you to feel even feeling like it was more than worth. Ooh. More than worth it. I love that. Right. So, um, we're doing a prelude event. Okay. It's called Heat and Index. Oh, cute. I love that. I love play. We got heat index and we got the heat wave, but, um, so this is open to ticket holders, people who've already purchased the tickets, almost like a. Incentive. Yeah. But, you know, just something also special in a moment to get you preen energy. Okay. Preread. Like pre what To expect A little teaser. Okay. If you may. So we're partnering with, antidote Midtown. Okay. We are also partnering up with Sensational by Future Perfume. So they're doing their official launch. Oh, nice. Yeah. So it's going to be, an amazing floor. It's gonna be powered by Red Bull and like we're giving people experience like, oh my God. You know, and then you also get to shop, our style book and like what to wear to live in literally I was just thinking, what am I gonna wear to this event? Everyone is asking me what am I gonna wear? I'm like, girl, come to the event. Yeah. We'll give you a look of like what to piece together. You can shop from here. Okay. So we are doing a shopping event.

Elizabeth:

I love this.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. This is so

Elizabeth:

interactive it's like a living event in a way. Yeah, yeah,

Kaylyn:

yeah, yeah. I mean, creating a moment like at the core of the event is what do I want people to be feeling? What do I want them to be experiencing doing? So it's not just a party, but we gonna party. Yes, we gonna party. We're gonna Uber there. For sure, we're gonna party. It's not just like you leaving feeling like, what did I that for? Oh, that was cool. I just met, I just went to the club. Like, you know, it's like, oh, that was nice and I had a good time. Yeah. And I made that connection. That's the big thing. And ooh, and, and then, oh my gosh, months later, we'll see what that turns into. Right? Yeah. Yeah. But like, it's really just, putting like-minded. I love it.

Elizabeth:

And I bet it is called the Hot 15. Is that what you're dubbing? The, the title for the honorees? Yes. Yeah. So this is the inaugural Hot 15. Yeah. So I was, you know. This'll be the next Jezebel's 40, under 40. It'll be heat waves Hot 15. I love that. I love that. And I love

Kaylyn:

modern Luxury. Shout out to Kendra. yeah, but that's what we have coming up and I would say Stay tuned. I mean, I would love for you to experience it,

Elizabeth:

I'll definitely link the ticket link as well, like my post clips and stories. But if you're a creative, an entrepreneur or any of what she just like hyped up makes you get excited over you should come. It's gonna be a great event. I can't wait. Yeah. I really can't wait. I mean, I bought my, I was like, when did tickets supply sales? Yes. No, Elizabeth

Kaylyn:

was the fir I think you were the first one. No kidding. Like, because of course it was supposed to go out on Friday. Right, right. And then without Sunday. And then you text me on Friday like, ready. And I love that. I appreciate that.

Elizabeth:

I'm a hype girl.

Kaylyn:

Yeah. I support my people. Support

Elizabeth:

your friends, seriously. Seriously. Yeah. Uh, I have one quick question. Where did the inspiration for this come from? So you said you did like a, like a smaller event last quarter mm-hmm. And then you're like, we need this bigger, or did you already have this vision?

Kaylyn:

Okay. So this is where it started. I'm always getting inspiration. Yeah. I got the theme first. Okay. But I didn't know to what extent what kind of event it would be. Yeah. I got the theme first and I just kind of put it in the back of my Pinterest board. Like, I just kind of started curating it. And then I was thinking after that first event, I said, okay, I wanna get into events from an agency perspective. So like, I want Black Book Studio to grow into a community. Mm-hmm. And it really be a cloud of effort of, you know. Me having the connections with what my clients may need, being able to refer, build an ecosystem. Oh yeah. Yeah. I love that. You know, so like I always tell people like, I am a marketing agency, but I welcome people who do the same thing as me.

Elizabeth:

Mm. I love that. There's there's room

Kaylyn:

at the table. Yeah, there is, there is and I mean, there's more than enough people. Yeah. There's more than enough people. You can't even grasp it or think about it. Yeah. So like it's, it is not that. So. I wanted to build that community effort, like, you know. Yeah. Yeah. And eventually the agency is gonna be, yes, one for services, but it's gonna be one for community where you can learn workshops. We invest back into our future marketers. And then also space for intentional events. I love this. Yeah. So I didn't wanna, just a party. It's very intentional. Yeah. No, it seems intentional. Yeah. And it took time for it to develop. Yeah. Because I was supposed to have an event first quarter

Elizabeth:

and it's what, June?

Kaylyn:

Yeah. I

Elizabeth:

mean, I'm excited. No, it's gonna be great. Yeah. But I do need help on what to wear. I have no idea. Got you. I got you. That's cool. That's coming soon. Good. Yeah. Good. Yeah. Well, I can't wait to go. It's gonna be super exciting. We will post all the pictures and we'll post clips leading up to it. And shout out to Brooke from Kafi pr. Oh God. Brooke literally had a whole episode about her. Basically. I was like, she's my hype queen. If I ever have any self-doubt, speed dial, Brooke, I just need you to lift me up for a sec.

Kaylyn:

Oh. You know, I can get on a tangent. Let's stay focused.'cause I can go into a whole No, this is Brooke's fan club over here. Thousand

Elizabeth:

percent. Yes. Yes. I know. She is such a, not even just a girl's girl, but she is. I mean, she is that, but she is such a hype queen I mean, you're a happy She fought me another level of confidence too. Yeah. Mm-hmm. The way she introduces me, I'm like, I get bashful and I'm like, okay, you know what? But you're right. I need to own that. And it's, she says all the things that you're thinking about yourself. Yeah. You know, but she says it out loud and there's just something magical about that person who will go ahead and trudge forward with the confidence for you. Oh no. Yeah, she's special. Yeah. Oh, oh. I love our little community we have going. It's so sweet. I love it. Well, like I said, we'll link heatwave, tickets, uh, Uur l in the show notes and in all the clips. But for everyone listening, they should follow you because not only is your content fire, but I mean, it's you and you, your brand, I mean, from this whole story and this episode, it started off as a little, little lady who thought she'd be an eye doctor. Yes. And now look

Kaylyn:

at her.

Elizabeth:

Yes. But you should follow her. So where can everyone follow you?

Kaylyn:

So, at re REAL, boss Lady, and just the letter. K.

Elizabeth:

Mm-hmm.

Kaylyn:

Real boss lady. K.

Elizabeth:

I'll make sure I link that. The show notes too. But yeah, thank you so much for coming on the in-between. Thank you. Um, and just, uh, I know how, let's hug and then we toast. Yeah. Hug

too.

Elizabeth:

Toast are rose. I know. It's like kinda awkward with the mic, like, cheers man. God. So good. Yeah. Well anyways. Wow. Here we go. We made it. We made it. But thank you everyone and uh, we'll see you at heatwave.

Kaylyn:

Yes, we will. July 12th.

Elizabeth:

July 12th. It's gonna be amazing.

Kaylyn:

Yeah.

Elizabeth:

Thanks girl.

you can follow me on Instagram at In Between Pod and my personal e bii underscore TikTok and YouTube at the in-Between podcast. And if you're enjoying the show, I would love for you to share it with a friend, share it with a colleague, family member, whomever, and leave me a five star rating. Yes, I did say a five star.'cause your girl knows what she's about. But I appreciate you, I love you. And I will see you on the next in between. I'm Elizabeth. Bye.

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Elizabeth Cheney Stater

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