Ep. 48 | How to be an ‘It Girl’ with Editor, Kayla Greaves
KAYLA"LEARNING TO NOT TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY AND UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH IS THE BIGGEST THING IN PURSUING YOUR DREAMS"
Kayla is a talented writer, editor and style expert known for her keen eye and influential voice in fashion and beauty. Our friendship is rooted in supporting each other and saying yes to our dreams, no matter how big. You’ll hear us talk about the realities of working in media, taking the leap into entrepreneurship, and the story behind our award-winning “It Girl” fragrance collaboration.
description:
In this episode of It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, Delina sits down with her good friend, Kayla Greaves, a leading voice in today;s beauty and wellness landscape. Kayla’s journey began in Toronto, where a supportive teacher encouraged her passion for writing. An encouragement that sparked a career which would soon reach international heights. She shares how she broke into media, moved to New York after earning her Extraordinary Ability Visa, and built a name at outlets like Bustle, and InStyle, interviewing icons like Tracee Ellis Ross, Pharell and Naomi Campbell.
Kayla’s expertise has not only shaped stories at major publications, but also landed her on screen as an expert commentator, and in major campaigns for SheaMoisture, Ulta and Augustinus Bader. The episode touches on the fine line between writing and journalism, the value of relationships and networking, and how to expertly source experts in the media world. Kayla opens up about her bold transition from journalist to influencer, on-camera talent, and independent entrepreneur, offering honest insights about self-care and building confidence as a multi-hyphenate creative. Plus, she discusses her exciting new product collaboration with Brown Sugar Babe, called “It Girl”, and how each career milestone has brought new skills and deeper purpose.
Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, dreaming of working in media, or just need a spark of inspiration from a gifted storyteller, this intimate conversation is for you.
Show Topics:
Growing up in Toronto and discovering a passion for writing
Becoming a journalist and landing major interviews
Moving to New York and building a media career
Differences between being a writer and a journalist
From Bustle and InStyle to being an on-camera talent
Building strong relationships and a trusted network
Making the leap: journalist to influencer to entrepreneur
Navigating consulting, working for yourself, and collaborating with brands
Building agent relationships and the business side of being talent
Embracing self-care and wellness throughout each chapter
Creating a product collaboration with Brown Sugar Babe
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
05:44 Kayla's Experience in LA
08:42 Growing Up in Toronto and Jamaican Culture
11:36 Becoming a Journalist and Moving to New York
20:57 Working at Bustle and InStyle
22:02 The Role of an Editor and Writer
28:32 The Shift in Social Media and Expert Influencers
35:37 Consulting Work and Entrepreneurship
42:12 Resilience and Faith in the Face of Challenges
42:22 The Value of Not Taking Things Personally
43:06 The Importance of Faith and Adaptability
47:06 Navigating Career Without an Agent
47:33 Qualities to Look for in an Agent
52:07 Building Long-Term Relationships in the Industry
53:57 Self-Care and Unplugging
56:13 The Power of Nature and Reconnecting
57:23 Successful Brand Collaborations
01:03:18 Creating a Signature Scent
01:10:52 Influential People in Life and Career
ABOUT kayla greaves
Kayla Greaves is an award-winning journalist, editor, and on-camera beauty authority with over 12 years of experience shaping the conversation around beauty, wellness, and representation. Born and raised in Toronto to Jamaican parents, Kayla first discovered her passion for writing with the encouragement of her teachers, a spark that would drive her all the way to New York City, where she landed her Extraordinary Ability Visa and carved out a dynamic career in media. She has held top editorial roles, most notably as Executive Beauty Editor at InStyle, and can be found interviewing celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross, Naomi Campbell, and Pharrell for powerhouse publications such as Vogue, ELLE, Allure, and Bustle.
Follow Kayla on Instagram at @kaylaagreaves
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