We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leya Kaufman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leya below.
Leya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.
In the modern world, we’re in a constant race. It’s nearly impossible to pause and connect. Over a decade after launching into a career in the media world, I can honestly say that your true worth will never come down to your title, salary, case study, or place of employment. All of those aspects of the corporate world are fleeting. Your true worth will always be measured by your relationships.
If I could start all over again, I’d invest more time into building real connections from the start. I’d care less about the bottom line and more about the longevity of my rolodex. I’d work towards building deeper relationships vs. surface ones, which are unfortunately more of the standard in a fast-paced world.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a New York based fashion industry native, digital marketing expert, contributing editor, and partnerships lead. In my 9-5 I’m an Executive Director in the Lifestyle & Luxury vertical at Business Insider.
I began my career working for the heritage brands Giorgio Armani & Hermès, spearheading media and digital strategy. Since, I’ve covered the fashion & jewelry list for Hearst Digital’s luxury division and held the role of Publisher at Coveteur for 5+ years. I also completed the Great Bowery Leadership Development Program.
In my spare time, I collaborate with indie brands and fine jewelry designers. I am also available for speaking engagements and events in the New York DMA.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I was recently given a “lesson” in optics–I was told that external perception was the answer to fulfilling an ideal destiny. While the power of optics can’t be ignored, the past few years have challenged and changed my perception. I’d fail any test that that person gave me today because I adamantly disagree with that foundational truth. Now, I believe that optics can only take you so far.
I’ve seen the glitterati fall apart in front of my eyes on social media. I’ve witnessed optics serve as a veil as people crumble behind-the-scenes. I believe that optics will only drive 50% of your successes. In life and in business, you just can’t fake it.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
My following is niche by design. I’ve gone through waves where I’ve let the platforms and apis control me, or answered to an audience vs. my intuition. Those days are gone. Honesty, authenticity, and genuine passion are the attributes that set new channels apart. At the end of the day, stay relatable, honest, raw, and most importantly, take breaks when you need to. You’re in this for the long haul.
I might only see a post “go viral” once every few months, and that’s ok for me. This is my story and in ten years, I won’t care about the optics but about the raw truth underneath it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leyakaufman.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leyakaufmom/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leya-kaufman-0529052a
Image Credits
Ohad Kab (headshot)
Matteo Greenberg (boots shot)