Welcome to the first of many DFD Babe Features!

In case you missed it, last week I mentioned that I’ll be featuring women who creating incredible brands and businesses on a bi-weekly basis. These women inspire me on a daily basis to chase my dreams, and I know they’ll inspire you, too! Whether you’re on a journey to find your passion, hoping to start your own business or even just love supporting other women who are simply killing it out there, then this series is for you😊

We’re kicking it off this week with my friend Kayla, founder of Kayla in the City, the healthy living and fitness blog, as well as the podcast WELL-Rounded (which I was featured on in Episode 7!). I’ve actually known Kayla since we were in the single digits as we grew up in the same hometown in NY, but we also went on to go to NYU together. Kayla is kind of an all-around super woman in my eyes – she’s a certified yoga teacher, runs her blog, podcast and a side business called Holistic Happening where she hosts wellness events in NYC, and is about to graduate grad school for social media marketing.  Keep reading if you want to hear more about how she does it all!

Tell us a little bit about Kayla in the City & WELL-Rounded! When did you start it and why?

Oh man…I created my blog, Kayla in the City, a little over 6 years ago as a way for me to share my own fitness journey, and also honestly because I felt super alone in this journey. At the time I was a senior in college studying theater and hadn’t found many “like-minded” people yet. I didn’t have anyone to discuss trendy group fitness classes with or what the best dairy-free milk option was. Granted it was 2011 and almond milk wasn’t even available at Starbucks yet…

One day, senior year of college, I stumbled upon a few fitness blogs. People who wrote reviews of workout classes in NYC, achieving fitness goals, and yes, recipes with almond milk. Suddenly I didn’t feel so alone, I wasn’t the only fitness loving weirdo out there! Around this time my college friends started catching on to the fact that I was pretty into this wellness thang. They’d ask me questions about the workouts I was doing and how I managed to wake up before class to hit-up a yoga class. So I figured why not start a blog about it — I love writing and sharing my opinion on anything and everything.

I then launched my podcast, WELL-rounded in the beginning of 2018. I like to think of it as an extension of Kayla in the City. I created WELL-rounded because one, I absolutely LOVE podcasts and think it’s such an awesome medium for creating content. And two, I just wanted to have interesting conversations with interesting people about wellness, entrepreneurship, and mindfulness.

What inspired you to start working on your own business, whether full-time or as a side hustle?

I definitely didn’t create Kayla in the City with the intention to make money. And I don’t think anyone should start blogging for that reason alone. I created it because I felt like I had something to say about fitness, healthy living and wellness and if I didn’t say it on the internet I’d basically burst. Once I started spending more and more time, energy and money on Kayla in the City I was ready to start monetizing and doing partnerships.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given in regards to being an entrepreneur?

It honestly applies in life but a friend of mine who is also an amazing health coach, Michelle Cady, always says “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.” Every day I’m making decisions about partnerships, opportunities and events to attend. It can be overwhelming to figure out what to say yes to. I’ve been really challenging myself to take a second to really think of it’s a “hell yes” before I say yes to anything.

What are three personality traits you think are key to being a successful business owner?

Creativity, even if your medium is not in the creative field. Grit. Motivation.

What’s your favorite part of running a business?

So many things. I’m so freaking grateful for the amazing people I’ve connected with thanks to Kayla in the City. I’ve legit met some of my closest friends on Instagram. I also love that I get to be creative and choose my own adventure when it comes to Kayla in the City. I write about what I’m passionate about and follow my own rules for building my brand.

And what’s your least favorite part?

Answering emails. It’s never ending.

What advice can you give to others looking to start pursuing their passions?

Just do it. Start a blog. A podcast. A business. Be loud about what you’re passionate about. You’d be surprised how many opportunities start coming your way.

How do you prioritize time for yourself when you’re super busy with your business? Do you have any de-stressing techniques or self-care routines you can share?

This is something I’m always working on, I definitely struggle with taking care of myself when I have a lot going on. I’m a huge fans of walks and try to take an hour long walk every day. It helps me decompress, it’s where I get my best ideas, and it keeps my energy level up when I feel myself crashing. Since I’m home for lunch most days, I use that time to step away from my computer and veg out for a bit. I also read every night before I go to bed – usually novels because I love me some self-help, but lately I just want to get lost in another world, not my own brain, ha.

Where do you find inspiration?

In whatever content I’m consuming. Lately that’s a lot of podcasts.

If you’d like, you follow Kayla’s blog at kaylainthecity.com

And her Instagram at @kaylakleinman

Thanks for reading!!😃

xo Jordan