We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaylynn Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kaylynn, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

My biggest risk is putting myself out there … daily. I am a total doof in real life, but to catch that on camera and then share it with the world? It’s an entirely different level of crazy.

Some of my craziest ideas have gone viral – and I haven’t done much more than put myself out there and be 100% myself.

Take the risk. It pays off – even if you feel like a complete idiot.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started out as a special education teacher. It was a super fun job and I loved the kids, but I needed a creative outlet, so I started a food blog. (This was back when people had the attention span to read blogs and Google didn’t need your entire life-story to share a simple recipe).

I loved taking pictures and creating recipes. It was the perfect creative outlet and I loved meeting people that were doing the same thing as me – but they were MAKING MONEY?! Inconceivable.

I tried a few different approaches, but where I found my groove was sharing delicious food finds (homemade or at restaurants) and making funny videos with my girls.

It was a long road to get here and find out what worked for me, but I learned a lot along the way and met some really rad people along the way.

Something you should know about me is what you see is what you get. I’m not one of those fake “Instagramers” who only do things for views and numbers. I truly do love what I do and I love meeting new people that feel like old friends.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Without sharing any names or shaming anyone, this industry isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. There are A LOT of phoney people who will step all over you in order to meet their goals.

I realized too late that my closest “friend” was using me to gain access to parties, meet new people, and help build her brand. When I was no longer of use to her, she moved on to someone bigger and better (and by that, I mean MORE FOLLOWERS) where, I assume, she did the same thing to the next person.

That said, I pivoted what I was doing and focused on helping people who truly appreciated me and what I had to offer. I said “No” to the takers and “Yes” to those in need.

It was a hard lesson to learn, but I know it was valuable for me to know my worth and find those who valued me as well.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A few years ago, I met with a “creative coach” and I felt like such an idiot. She asked me my “why” and I truly didn’t know.

After we talked through it, I realized I wanted to help contribute financially. We didn’t NEED the money, but I wanted to be the FUN money. My goal – my BIG GOAL – was to take my family to Disneyland entirely on my earnings.

At the time, it seemed totally preposterous. Me? Earn enough money to go to the most expensive….er, I mean “Happiest Place on Earth?”

I’d all but forgotten that goal until this year when I looked at my bank account and realized…. I COULD TOTALLY DO IT. And I did. We booked the most expensive hotel and surprised our girls with a trip to Disneyland. And you’d better believe they know it’s 100% from mom.

Goal. Achieved. I can’t believe I did it, but here we are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amongtheyoung.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amongtheyoungs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amongtheyoung
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmongTheYoungs