Meet Kayla Mercer

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kayla Mercer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kayla below.

Kayla , 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?

My resilience comes from my ability to stay focused on my future and my bigger goals. I’ve always had the same dreams, lifestyle goals, and career aspirations. But I know in order to get there I have to go through that process. And as I’m getting older I’m learning that the ‘process’ my come as roadblocks in my career, life lessons, personal struggles, etc. Whatever I’m going through, I keep my eyes fixed on my future and the plans God has for me. All my life I’ve been raised to always want better for myself, once I reach a small goal…make another one, and keep going. The people in my family continue to pour that into me today. My ability to ‘bounce back’ from anything was learned by seeing others in my family overcome so much in their lives. So I do what they do…keep setting goals, keep working, and keep close to God.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where my love for pop culture, magazines, and the early days of social media was undeniable. MTV and TMZ were my after-school entertainment, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in media and culture in some capacity. At the same time, I’ve always had a huge heart for helping others. Growing up in a middle-class Black American family, I learned the value of integrity, hard work, and faith. My family’s dedication to creating better opportunities for the next generation shaped my mindset, and my parents instilled in me the drive to not just strive for success but to uplift others along the way.

At just 17, I set my sights on entrepreneurship and launched my first business during my freshman year of college, BetterMinkLashes—an e-commerce cosmetics brand that sold faux mink lashes. I taught myself everything from growing a following on Instagram to negotiating with overseas vendors and mastering Shopify, eventually expanding the business into dropshipping other beauty products. While I closed the business before the pandemic to focus on school, the experience was invaluable. I learned resilience, the power of trial and error, and how to build something from scratch with no mentor or roadmap.

The pandemic was a turning point for me. While the world slowed down, I immersed myself in network marketing and discovered a knack for helping others grow their presence on social media. I started freelancing, working with startups, agencies, public speakers, and anyone who needed help with social media or branding. This was where I fell in love with the art of marketing—crafting an image, building stories, and, most importantly, helping others succeed.

In 2022, I narrowed my focus to what truly lights me up: amplifying minority-owned brands and creators in the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle industries. Growing up, I always noticed that Black and Brown communities set trends in these spaces, but rarely got the credit, resources, or recognition they deserved. That’s what drives me. Through my creative house, Pink Ivy Social, I work to level the playing field by providing these brands and creators with the marketing expertise and resources they need to thrive. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with incredible brands and I’m excited to continue building on this work. My focus is not just on social media growth, but on creating a real impact.

Right now, I’m gearing up for 2025 with some exciting plans: growing my personal brand, working on innovative social media strategies, and collaborating with more forward-thinking brands to redefine what success looks like for minority-owned businesses.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three important qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are humility, integrity, and faith. Humility keeps me grounded and open to learning, which is essential in an ever-changing industry. Integrity ensures I put genuine effort into my work and build authentic connections with others. And faith—particularly my faith in God—gives me the strength to face challenges, knowing that no matter what comes my way, I will always come out on top.

For those just starting their journey, my advice is to stay teachable, always act with honesty and purpose, and trust in something greater than yourself. These qualities will guide you through both the highs and lows of your path.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Imposter syndrome is something I always knew about but never thought I would experience. As I mature, grow my network, and advance in my career, I’ve found myself grappling with the “Am I good enough?” rhetoric. Lately, more people have been seeking my advice—on everything from social media strategy to website design to leadership roles—and while I’m honored, it can feel overwhelming. I sometimes question if I’m truly qualified for all these responsibilities.

At the same time, I’m reminded of my impact through the gratitude and encouragement I receive from those I’ve helped. People value my advice, appreciate my mentorship, and recognize my work, which reassures me that I’m on the right path. I believe that when you operate with humility, integrity, and faith, others naturally hold you to a higher standard. For me, that’s motivating—it drives me to work harder and continue growing. While imposter syndrome is challenging, I know it’s a hurdle I’ll overcome. It’s just another step in my journey, and I’m confident I’ll come out stronger on the other side.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pinkivysocial.com
• Instagram: pinkivysocial
• Other: TikTok: PinkIvySocial
  Substack: Betterkays