We recently connected with Kay Cote and have shared our conversation below.
Kay, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Resilience is a mindset for me which combines adaptability, the ability to not take things personal and to have grace. At a young age I built up my resilience, as I dealt with being chronically bullied for most of my youth. I developed resilience from that experience. During the time it happening it was very difficult, however as I got older, I realized that those who bullied we’re projecting their own insecurities and uncertainties and really had nothing to do with me. This realization has helped fuel me forward in both my personal and professional life, especially when dealing with conflict and having to step beyond taking things personally and looking at the experience from an objective standpoint.
The experience of being bullied – along with other personal challenges I’ve faced in life have given me the beautiful gift of adaptability. Being adaptable is not only about understanding and accepting change, it’s also the ability to invite change into life with open arms.
When we look at change as an opportunity rather than a set back we can look at it from a place of joy, growth and resetting. It’s also a place where we can learn and make better.
To have grace allows me to let go of feeling wronged or let down. To have grace with others as well as myself allows me to be at peace and not in a place of hurt, anger or lack. To have grace allows me to release and accept what I cannot change, which in turn fosters resilience.
Resilience is gold to find success in life. Combining adaptability, the ability to not take things personal and having grace has been my philosophy to discover resilience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
With a background in acting, speaking, singing and design, I combine my dynamic skillset as a media personality and CEO of Amplify EDM. Amplify EDM creates a community for electronic music artists to grow and thrive, provides businesses music to throw successful events and is a source for connection within the EDM (electronic dance music) industry. Amplify EDM also hosts parties to showcase both local and internationally known talent.
Most notably known for my work in media, I started her career in graphic design and live radio, which lead me to my journey in podcasting, which started in 2020. My current podcasts are Elevated You, which is all about health, wellness and transformation and AMPEDCast, which gives a deep dive into the stories of EDM DJs/Producers and provides insights to up and coming artists. Both shows are available on major podcast platforms such as Apple and Spotify.
The communication skills I’ve gained through radio and pocasting has empowered me to dive into hosting events, emceeing and public speaking. Since my move to Austin, TX in December 2022, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of collaborations and venues to produce events in both the music and self development/wellness spaces.
Amplify EDM has enabled me to stretch both as an artist as well as a business owner.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Empathy is a quality which has allowed me to find relatability with people and to better understand their point of view. It’s helped me to put myself in the other person’s shoes and meet them where they’re at. This has helped me in both my personal and professional life.
Being a life-long learner and surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me is an area of knowledge that I’ve adapted. It’s helped me to overcome challenges, level up in my professional career and be a better leader. This mindset allows me to course-correct when I need to and ask for help when I need to. Life is a journey of growing knowledge and expansion.
Active Listening is a skill thats helped me in every aspect of my life – especially as a podcaster interviewer and superconnector in the EDM industry. Active listening means focusing on someone is saying rather than focusing on formulating your answer. If you are actively listening, your answers form naturally as you respond to what they say.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking for folks to partner and collaborate with on this journey. I’m looking for investors and electronic music enthusiasts who are interested in helping me invest in local artists and amplify the community with music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amplifyedm.com
- Instagram: @thekaycote @amplifyedm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplifyedm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylacote/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ampedcast
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kayla-cot
Image Credits
