Meet Kyle Barron

We were lucky to catch up with Kyle Barron recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kyle , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

It might have always been there, but Hawaii brought it to life. I was fortunate enough to live there for almost three years, and I learned some core principles that I’ll keep with me forever. The spirit of aloha isn’t just some tourist slogan. It’s a way of living that’s about presence, compassion, and deep respect for each other and the land. It means showing up with your whole heart, treating people with genuine warmth, and understanding that we’re all connected. It’s choosing kindness even when it’s hard, offering help without being asked, and carrying yourself with grace when everything around you feels uncertain. That’s how people actually live there, every single day, even when things are falling apart.

I’d watch people deal with the same struggles everyone faces: uncertainty, setbacks, things not going according to plan. But they didn’t spiral. They didn’t give up. They just… kept going. They looked out for each other. They found ways to laugh and stay grounded even when it was hard. That’s when I started learning about nagomi, this Japanese idea of finding balance. Not pretending everything is fine when it’s not, but genuinely believing you can find your way through if you stay flexible.

When I came back to the mainland and built Moon Vibes Media, that stuck with me. Every time money gets tight, every time something breaks that I just fixed, every time I wonder if I can actually pull this off, I think about those people in Hawaii. They stayed grounded through the storms because they trusted that clarity would come again. That sense of community, that understanding that we don’t have to figure everything out alone, it shaped how I approach both business and life. I’m intentional now about surrounding myself with people who operate that way, people who support each other’s growth and show up authentically. I’m especially lucky to be married to someone who challenges me and supports me going about things differently. That partnership has been everything.

Although I have a happy disposition, my optimism isn’t because I’m naturally cheerful or because I ignore reality. It’s because I’ve seen that the people who make it aren’t the ones with everything figured out. They’re just the ones who keep adapting, stay connected to why they’re doing it, and don’t let the hard days steal their spirit. I focus on what matters and the things I can change, not on the things I cannot. That’s what I hold onto. Not some fantasy that everything will be perfect, but the real experience that if I keep showing up honestly and stay flexible, I’ll find a way.

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?

Looking back, I think four qualities have been most impactful in my journey:

Adaptability and willingness to relocate

Being open to picking up and moving has been huge for me. Each new location brought fresh opportunities to build connections and perspectives that shaped my career. For those early in their journey, don’t underestimate the power of saying yes to opportunities that might require relocation, especially early on. The connections and experiences you gain in different environments compound over time.

Self-awareness about strengths and compensating for weaknesses

I’ve learned what my strong suits are and just as importantly, built frameworks to support areas where I’m weaker. This self-awareness has allowed me to lean into what I do best while systematically addressing gaps. My advice is to be honest with yourself about both. Don’t just focus on your strengths. Actively create systems, tools, or partnerships that shore up your weaknesses so they don’t hold you back.

Comfort with calculated risk

Some of my best career moves felt uncertain at the time. Moving to an island with no guaranteed job. Starting my own agency in a small town. Taking on clients in industries I hadn’t worked in before. What I learned is that risk isn’t reckless when you’ve done your homework. I research thoroughly, plan for multiple scenarios, and then commit fully once I decide. That combination of preparation and courage has opened doors I never would have found by playing it safe.

Surrounding yourself with the right people

I’ve been intentional about building relationships with people who are growth-minded, who approach challenges with curiosity rather than complaint, and who genuinely want to see others succeed. Those relationships have shaped how I think, how I problem-solve, and how I show up in my work. I’m especially lucky to be married to someone who challenges me and supports me going about things differently. That’s been invaluable. When you’re building something, the people around you either amplify your potential or drain your energy. Choose carefully.

How to develop these qualities

Start by getting comfortable with discomfort. If an opportunity scares you a little but excites you, that’s usually a good sign. For self-awareness, ask for honest feedback from people who work closely with you and actually listen to what they say. Then build simple frameworks or habits to address the gaps. It doesn’t have to be complicated. A checklist, a calendar reminder, or a trusted colleague who excels where you don’t can make all the difference. For risk-taking, start small. Take manageable risks that stretch you without breaking you. Each one builds your confidence for the next. And for your circle, pay attention to how you feel after spending time with someone. Energized or drained? Inspired or discouraged? Let that guide you toward the relationships worth investing in.

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?

Looking back, I think three qualities have been most impactful in my journey:

Adaptability and willingness to relocate

Being open to picking up and moving has been huge for me. Each new location brought fresh opportunities to build connections and perspectives that shaped my career. For those early in their journey, don’t underestimate the power of saying yes to opportunities that might require relocation, especially early on. The connections and experiences you gain in different environments compound over time.

Self-awareness about strengths and compensating for weaknesses

I’ve learned what my strong suits are and just as importantly, built frameworks to support areas where I’m weaker. This self-awareness has allowed me to lean into what I do best while systematically addressing gaps. My advice is to be honest with yourself about both. Don’t just focus on your strengths. Actively create systems, tools, or partnerships that shore up your weaknesses so they don’t hold you back.

Blending flexibility with structure

In my personal life I’ve always been go with the flow, and I’ve kept that mindset. But I’ve found that I actually thrive in technical, data heavy, analytical work because it provides the structure and momentum I need. Being able to quantify progress, whether positive or negative, gives me the clarity to pivot effectively and keep moving forward. For early career folks, don’t assume your personal style has to match your professional environment. Sometimes the contrast creates the balance you need. Find work that energizes you, even if it seems contrary to your natural temperament.

How to develop these qualities

Start by getting comfortable with discomfort. If an opportunity scares you a little but excites you, that’s usually a good sign. For self-awareness, ask for honest feedback from people who work closely with you and actually listen to what they say. Then build simple frameworks or habits to address the gaps. It doesn’t have to be complicated. A checklist, a calendar reminder, or a trusted colleague who excels where you don’t can make all the difference. And finally, pay attention to when you feel energized versus drained at work. That’s your signal for where you naturally thrive. Chase that feeling, even if it surprises you.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I think it’s important to go all in on your strengths, most importantly the ones you enjoy. That’s where you’ll create the most value and find the most fulfillment. But going all in doesn’t mean staying narrow.

First and foremost, you need to be the expert in everything tied to your strengths and offerings. Never stop learning in your core areas because that’s your foundation. At the same time, I think it’s crucial to remain nimble and learn adjacent skills.

This does a few things for you. It keeps your brain working and engaged. It makes you more valuable because you can assist clients with needs that border your expertise and expand your offerings over time. And it helps you build a network of quality people you trust, so when a client has a need outside your focus areas or capacity, you know exactly who to connect them with.

For me, this has meant diving deep into the technical side of digital marketing: the data analysis, the algorithm changes, the attribution modeling. That’s where I excel and where I can deliver the most value. But I’ve also learned enough about web development, graphic design, and video production to speak intelligently with specialists and know when to bring them in. I’m not trying to do their jobs, but understanding their world makes me better at mine.

I’ve also learned that true expertise means knowing your limits. Early in my career, I’d try to be everything to everyone. Now I know exactly what I’m exceptional at, what I’m competent at, and what I should refer out. That clarity has actually grown my business because clients trust me more when I’m honest about where I can help them most.

Building this kind of career also means surrounding yourself with people who push you forward. I’ve been deliberate about connecting with other business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs who are a few steps ahead or tackling different challenges. Those relationships keep me sharp and expose me to ideas I wouldn’t encounter on my own. I’m also lucky to be married to someone who challenges me and supports me going about things differently. Having that kind of partnership, someone who believes in what you’re building even when the path isn’t conventional, makes all the difference.

The key is this: depth in your strengths creates your reputation and your revenue. Breadth in adjacent areas creates your resilience and your relationships. You don’t need to be well-rounded in the traditional sense. You need to be exceptional at what you do best and resourceful enough to handle what comes next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moonvibesmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonvibesmedia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonvibesmedia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylembarron/