We were lucky to catch up with Kalyn Rainey recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kalyn, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
Reflecting on past experiences is a valuable lesson-learner. Recognizing the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals and passions can be a game-changer. It’s crucial to surround yourself with positive influences that motivate and inspire you, rather than those who may drag you down or distract you from your objectives. By making this adjustment, you may have been able to avoid setbacks and stay focused on your path, potentially achieving your goals more efficiently.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Kalyn Rainey, and I’m an esthetician and entrepreneur based in Downtown LA. Alongside running my own business, I also lease booths to various artists in the city. Originally from Aurora, IL,
I relocated to LA in 2016 with nothing but aspirations. After completing esthetician school in 2015 and earning my license in the state of Illinois, the following year. Soon after my move to California I swiftly pursued additional training in lashes and obtained my California esthetician license. From 2016 to 2019, I rented different rooms across LA before establishing my permanent location in January 2020 in Downtown LA. Since then, I’ve cultivated a team of 10 professionals offering a wide range of services including lashes, brows, nails, hair, waxing, tattoos, and more. We pride ourselves on being a comprehensive destination, eliminating the need to visit multiple places by providing all-in-one convenience. I am most proud of the team that ive built, and how great we get along and how hard we work.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I arrived in LA, I didn’t have a clear career plan. With the city’s high cost of living, I urgently needed income. I took a job at a call center for an online bank, where I often worked long hours to cover rent and bills. However, I soon realized this wasn’t fulfilling; it left me feeling depressed, far from the reason I moved to LA. After a year of answering phones, I walked away from that job for good. I made a commitment to myself to invest my energy into building my own business instead of someone else’s. Although the journey hasn’t been easy, its been extremely fulfilling.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Moving from Illinois to California without any family or friends, I faced the challenge of building my clientele from scratch. One strategy that proved immensely helpful was offering free services in exchange for promotional opportunities. I reached out to young women with significant social media followings and offered them complimentary lash services in return for promotion. This approach rapidly expanded my client base, and within 6 to 12 months, I was fully booked and continuing to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://krxco.org
- Instagram: krxcostudios
