We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaylee Lanzas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaylee below.
Kaylee , thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
Getting fired from a job that wasn’t aligned with my true passion might have felt like a setback at first, but in hindsight, it was a pivotal moment in my journey. It forced me to reevaluate what truly makes me happy and how you can invest in your energy. That job wasn’t fulfilling my potential, and being let go was the universe’s way of redirecting me to something far greater.
Instead of seeing it as a failure, I embraced it as an opportunity to focus on my true calling: my music and creativity as a DJ. It pushed me to pursue what I love and each challenge became a stepping stone to where I am now.
This experience reminded that everything happens for a reason. The universe had a bigger plan for me. Trusting in that timing has allowed me to grow, heal, and shine in ways I never imagined.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My journey to becoming a DJ has been one of resilience and passion. After losing a job that wasn’t aligned with my dreams, I decided to fully embrace my creative side. I pursued nail art, something I’ve always loved, and became a nail technician, building a loyal clientele. At the same time, I followed my passion for music and began DJing, sharing my love for diverse sounds and unique mixes.
Recently, I achieved a major milestone by performing a DJ set at Aqua Art Miami in the heart of the Art Deco District—a dream I’ve had for years. It was a surreal moment that symbolized how far I’ve come. Losing that job turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it allowed me to rediscover myself and pursue my dreams. Now, I balance both careers, inspiring others to take risks and trust that setbacks can lead to something bigger than you ever imagined.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, creativity, and adaptability.
Resilience: Losing a job and starting over wasn’t easy, but staying determined and seeing setbacks as opportunities was crucial. Building resilience means embracing challenges and staying focused on your goals, even when things seem uncertain or a dead end. My advice? Celebrate small wins and surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your vision.
Creativity: Whether in nail art or DJing, creativity has been at the core of everything I do. It’s about expressing yourself and standing out. Don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment with your crafts.
Adaptability: Things won’t always go as planned, but staying flexible and open-minded can turn obstacles into stepping stones. My advice is to continuously learn and grow. Take classes, learn new skills, or step out of your comfort zone whenever possible.
For those just starting out, remember that success is a journey. Be patient with yourself, invest in your passions, and trust that even the toughest moments are preparing you for something greater.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was always being supportive of anything I’ve ever pursued. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to chase my dreams. Beyond that, just watching them be themselves inspired me to do more in life.
My parents were young when they had me, so growing up with them felt like having the coolest role models. My dad is incredibly talented when it comes to music, and even movies—he’s always been a creative force that I looked up to. My mom has amazing taste in music, style, and fashion, and my dad shares that sense of style, too. Their influence shaped my love for art, creativity, and expression, and I carry that with me in everything I do as a DJ and nail technician. They showed me how to be passionate about what I love, and for that, I’m forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonitaapplebumz?igsh=MWk0eHI0YXB5bG16OQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bonitaapplebumz?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=0&si=92EDEF5E377E4252AD37AB3DD098C1D4&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/b0nita.nailz/profilecard/?igsh=b2d2dmhzbWVuNGl3
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