We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaylen Stanley . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaylen below.
Kaylen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
How could I start this without recognizing the two most important people in my life?
My parents instilled in me from an early age the importance of self-accountability—a trait that sets me apart in a world where many shy away from taking responsibility for their actions, the bad as well as the good. Their unwavering guidance shaped not only my character but also influenced my journey in both life and career.
Picture this: As a teenager, I was always brimming with a fiery adolescent rebellion, convinced that I knew it all. As you may expect, I made a large variety of significant mistakes, many of which could have had serious consequences. Instead of yelling at me or rescuing me from the mess I had created, my parents ALWAYS calmly sat me down and helped me dissect the situation. They never failed to encourage me to take ownership of my actions, to learn from the experience, and to grow into a person who not only acknowledges mistakes but also strives to rectify them.
Then I didn’t understand, but see fully now that their approach was never only about correcting my behavior; it was about fostering resilience, integrity, and accountability—the cornerstones of success in any endeavor. Fast forward to my career, and these principles continue to guide me. Whether facing challenges or celebrating victories, I owe it ALL to my parents for equipping me with the tools to navigate life’s complexities with logic and determination.
In a world where excuses abound and blame is often cast elsewhere except one’s self, I’m eternally grateful for the invaluable lesson my parents planted: to stand tall in the face of adversity, to embrace accountability, and to always strive for excellence.
Kaylen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Allow me to introduce myself as a seasoned professional who wears many hats in the realm of entrepreneurship. I’m not bound by a single title; instead, I thrive as an adaptable individual, able to excel in various fields to meet the diverse needs of all of my clients.
From servicing the residences and properties for busy professionals- to graphic design, building websites, and playing in the world financial analytics- I do it all. My journey into this multifaceted world began at an age I should’ve been playing outside and with dolls—I crafted my first website at 10 and ventured into entrepreneurship with my first profitable business at the age of 13.
What sets me apart is not just my belt of skills, but also my absolute commitment to excellence and my indomitable mindset. I firmly believe that constant effort and punctuality are the hallmarks of success. By consistently delivering my best, day in and day out, I have created an unbreakable mindset that propels me towards my goals with never ending resolve.
I take pride in my journey, particularly in my refusal to settle for mediocrity and my constant pursuit of self-improvement. If I had a “brand” it would be synonymous with integrity, excellence, strength and innovation. I invite all potential clients, entrepreneurs, and followers, to join me on this fast growing journey of success.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the conventional wisdom that teaches for exhaustive research and careful planning before going into entrepreneurship. While some basic knowledge is undoubtedly crucial, I’ve come to learn that true learning often stems from trial and error rather than extensive research.
Let me illustrate with a personal experience: When I launched Aphrodite Cleaning, my property cleaning company, I mistakenly believed that I could streamline the quoting process without physically visiting the properties. This misguided assumption resulted in significant losses of both my time and money. The pain of this mistake, however, proved to be the most potent teacher I could have asked for.
In retrospect, I realized that while research and planning have their place, there’s absolutely no substitute for hands-on experience and the invaluable lessons gifted from failure. Living by this mindset has allowed me to navigate the unpredictable waters of entrepreneurship with extreme levels of resilience and adaptability, because I now no longer fear failure.
With all of that being said, the lesson I had to unlearn was that that success is reliant solely upon meticulous , in depth, preparation. Instead, I’ve learned to embrace the inherent uncertainty of entrepreneurship, viewing each setback not as a failure, but as a stepping stone towards growth and mastery. Speed is key.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
It’s fascinating how life’s games can shape our journey in unexpected ways. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve encountered two instances where I found myself in the midst of a sudden split in partnership—a circumstance that will always throw you into a precarious situation. But, instead of surrendering to despair, I managed to emerge from each ordeal with newfound resilience and confidence performing better than before.
While the details of these splits will remain private, I will say that am immensely grateful for the invaluable lessons they gifted to me. Because of these times, I learned the importance of remaining strong, and calm in the face of uncertainty.
Despite the trials I’ve experienced, I still stand in strong support for partnership in business. While the idea of embarking on a solo journey may seem appealing, I genuinely believe that true success can be amplified when shared with like-minded individuals. The key lies in cultivating a communicative relationship—one characterized by mutual respect, shared vision, and a constant willingness to prioritize logic over emotion when necessary.
Reflecting on my journey, I am reminded of the saying: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Each pivot, whether in business, career, or life, has been an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By embracing challenges and reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth, I’ve cultivated a mindset rooted in resilience and mastery—a mindset that propels me forward, unfazed by the challenges that inevitably lie ahead.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: K.mxrissa
- Twitter: KiwiKaylen