Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kayla O’Connor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
The first dollar I ever earned through Mind & Company was at a small pop up event, and I didn’t even have my own table. I saw one of my fellow Instagram friends post that they were vending at Little Eden Plantscaping’s Spring pop-up in 2021 (an incredible plant nursery in Arvada, CO). I messaged her asking how she got the gig, and she said that though applications were closed, she was more than willing to share her table with me (she sold crystals at the time so my style of art meshed well). I rolled up the day of with a small box of stickers that I was going to sell for $5 each. I had no clue if people were going to buy them, and felt that maybe $5 was a little high of a price. I also had no business cards or professional signage…. literally nothing except some stickers and a couple of printed sheets of paper with my info on it. To my surprise, I walked away with $250 that day from my stickers! I was beyond pumped, haha – I’ll never forget that day.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Hello! My name is Kayla O’Connor, and I am the artist behind Mind & Company and yoga instructor.
Though enjoying it most my life, my passion to make art and do yoga intensified at the end of 2020 when I began to have frequent panic attacks. I used meditation, drawing, yoga, and learning handstands as a way to sooth my nervous system during this time.
Since then, I have began to share my art with others and teach yoga as a connection of the human experience. In addition to teaching yoga and selling original drawings, prints, large multimedia pieces, stickers, journals, pins, and apparel, I also run mindful drawing workshops, handstand workshops, and couple’s workshops. These workshops are what fuel my fire the most – seeing people open up, try something new, play, and connect with each other in meaningful ways is what I’m truly passionate about.
My work has been described as “ethereal” and my classes/workshops have been described as “powerful.” I have endless gratitude for those compliments, but also want to shine light on the fact that they would not be perceived as that had the participant not been open to receiving.
Between my art and yoga practice, I aim to enhance connection, compassion, and courage in others. I want to lift others up with me and let them know that they aren’t alone, and that it is best to lead with passion and love.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my view, the best way to support artists is share, share, and share. Share their work with your connections – share their reels on your instagram story, share their business cards with your friends, and share their craft with others. Also, share your connections and knowledge with the artist – share any events you know of that you think they’d do well at, share any network connections you may have, and share your own experience. All of these are at no financial cost to you, and can truly make a huge impact in an artist’s growth.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Podcasts I listened to obsessively when I first started: 1. On Purpose by Jay Shetty
2. Mindset Mentor by Rob Dial
3. 7 Good Minutes with Clyde Lee Dennis
Books that I feel have positively impacted my entrepreneurial philosophy:
1. Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
2. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
4. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
5. Work Less, Make More by James Schramko
6. One Million Followers by Brendan Kane
7. The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
8. The Power of Flow by Charlene Belitz and Meg Lundstrom
If I were to give a single piece of advice to anyone, it would be to read as much as you can, listen to podcasts on every drive over 15-20 minutes, and then actually implement the things you learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.mindandcompany.co
- Instagram: @mind_and_co
- Facebook: Mind & Company
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcRHO2pWb-bvLY0RNND4IFQ
- Other: TikTok: @mind_and_co
Image Credits
Pics of yoga poses in Nike clothes (white top and floral pattern) are taken by Jasmine Lairsmith