We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Fedorenko recently and have shared our conversation below.
Taylor, 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?
My optimism was born in unlikely moments. Picture your 8-year-old self, sitting with your sports team during an awards ceremony, quietly hoping but not expecting to hear your name. Now imagine your coach letting you know that in your carpool, with neighbors you’ve grown up with for years, they were instructed to exclude you from basically everything they did. Fast forward to the awards ceremony, when I was announced as the all-around best cheerleader, it felt like magic – especially because I later learned that some teammates had been secretly told not to be friends with me. In those early years, I was a sweet, bubbly kid around family and friends, yet more timid with others. Despite carpooling three times a week with teammates, I never felt fully accepted or able to be vulnerable. My mom became my shoulder to cry on.
Years later, my cheer coach revealed the truth: one girl had instructed others to exclude me and even blame things on me. This heartbreak led to a lifelong commitment to never exclude or bully others. Through high school drama and beyond, I might have felt like the odd one out, but I kept my smile and stayed true to my values.
That experience taught me something profound: even when things seem stacked against you, keeping hope alive matters. Through challenging corporate jobs and moments of uncertainty, I held onto this lesson. I remember driving home from work one day, crying and praying for direction toward work that would light me up. But I kept showing up, working on myself, and staying optimistic that something better was around the corner. I knew that what was meant for me would find its way.
Today, as Membership Manager at The KINN, I’m living proof that optimism works. Almost a year ago, I stepped into a role that feels meant for me, where I get to build and uplift a community of incredible humans working on impactful missions. One of my favorite quotes is “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” While not every day goes according to plan – we’re humans having a human experience, after all – we can choose how we show up for others. Happiness is contagious – so is negativity. I choose to put optimism into the world, knowing that even on the bumpiest days, this attitude creates ripples of positive change.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At 28, I discovered a profound truth about community-driven success as the Membership Manager at The KINN, one of Los Angeles’ most innovative membership spaces. What makes my role particularly exciting is witnessing the magic of serendipitous connections that happen here daily – you truly never know if your next big business opportunity or transformative collaboration is just a conversation away.
Every day on Horizon Avenue in Venice, I step into a thoughtfully curated ecosystem where chance encounters between social impact leaders and entrepreneurs regularly transform into meaningful partnerships. Through managing our community, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about what you know, but who you connect with at the right moment. At The KINN, these moments happen organically, whether during a focused workday in our space or at one of our carefully curated weekly events.
The recent opening of KYO, our indoor-outdoor tea lounge, has amplified these connection opportunities. This serene space has become a catalyst for spontaneous networking, hosting everything from impromptu business meetings to structured events like our flagship Startup Cafe, held every Wednesday from 9-11 AM. Here, members and guests converge over specialty teas, engage with notable speakers, and often leave with unexpected opportunities and collaborations that seemed out of reach just hours before.
We curate 3-8 events weekly, each designed not just to inspire but to create those “right place, right time” moments that can transform careers and businesses. I’ve witnessed countless success stories begin with a simple introduction across our tea lounge or a casual conversation after one of our events.
To everyone in the Los Angeles area seeking more than just a workspace – whether you’re launching a startup, scaling your impact, or exploring new opportunities – I invite you to experience The KINN. You never know – your next investor, mentor, collaborator, or friend might be working right beside you at our next event. The only question is: will you be here to meet them?
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 qualities that proved most impactful in my journey is the courage to take calculated risks, setting boundaries, and having genuine curiosity about others.
First, having the courage to take risks was transformative. My journey began like many others – choosing a college major, getting a degree, and sticking to a safe and successful plan. This led to 8+ years in corporate sales, where I found myself at what many would consider as successful—working for one of the coolest medical device companies in the world, teaching surgeons how to use robotics in surgery and helping people live better lives. I watched colleagues become obsessed with their work and tried desperately to feel the same passion they did. On paper, it was perfect. Yet when my boss discussed an upcoming promotion and the opportunity to run my own territory, I remember myself saying, “I don’t want the promotion, I think I need to explore life outside of a corporate career.” This moment of brutal honesty, with no Plan B in place, changed everything. I took a risk to leave a life that would have brought me financial success because I chose happiness. Three weeks after leaving, I found myself at an event in Venice, CA, on a night I didn’t want to socialize, let alone network. I felt a strong gut instinct pushing me to go and I showed up to only be surrounded by dozens of inspirational humans creating waves in the social impact space. It’s important to understand what you are risking leaving and for what. If I didn’t take the risk, it wouldn’t have led me to create a role where I truly feel rooted and purposeful. For those early in their journey, I encourage you to listen to your intuition, even when it means departing from a well-planned path. Don’t get caught in the trap I did of sticking with something just because you worked hard to get there.
Second, emotional intelligence, particularly in setting boundaries, was crucial. Growing up with a ‘kill them with kindness’ mentality, I often found myself people-pleasing at the expense of my own needs. With age and experience, I’ve learned that setting boundaries doesn’t diminish kindness—it enhances it. You can approach situations with good intentions while clearly stating your needs and wants. Kindness isn’t a weakness, and being vulnerable doesn’t mean being a pushover. There’s real power in expressing yourself calmly and seeing both sides while maintaining your boundaries.
Finally, genuine curiosity about others has been invaluable. As Gary Vaynerchuk’s “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook” theory suggests, success comes from giving before taking. Think about how it feels when someone shows genuine interest in your life—that’s the energy you want to bring to your relationships. Build relationships by being genuinely curious about others, asking questions, and offering value without immediate expectation of return. For those beginning their journey, focus on being a giver rather than a taker. This doesn’t mean ignoring your own needs, but rather understanding that meaningful connections come from authentic interest and support.
These qualities aren’t just theoretical concepts—they’re practical tools that I’ve seen transform not only my career but my entire approach to life. They’ve helped me transition from feeling stuck in a prestigious but unfulfilling role to creating a career that truly lights me up. The earlier you start developing these qualities, the more naturally they’ll guide your decisions and relationships throughout your journey.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Believing in yourself is everything. But having someone who not only recognizes your strengths but also gently points out areas where you can grow—and supports you in that growth—is a powerful form of love. For me, that person is my fiancé, Tim Stokes.
Tim has been by my side through every major transition, from my first corporate role to four career changes later. He has seen me at my lowest moments, helping me find my worth when I doubted it most, and he’s celebrated me at my best, always making sure I took the time to acknowledge my achievements.
One of the most defining moments in my career was leaving the corporate world to pursue an entrepreneurial path. It was terrifying. I remember turning down a promotion without a clear plan for what was next. As soon as I told my manager, I ran downstairs in a panic, telling Tim, “I think I just made a huge mistake.” But instead of agreeing with my fear, he reminded me that this was exactly the bold move I had been dreaming of for so long. He knew I needed to take this leap, and he was ready to support me if things didn’t fall into place right away.
Tim’s unwavering belief in me has been a mirror, reflecting back the potential and value I often struggle to see in myself. His encouragement helped me reframe my mindset, shifting my focus from dwelling on frustrations to finding opportunities for growth and positivity. One of the most impactful agreements we made early on was to spend less time discussing negative work experiences unless absolutely necessary, and more time reflecting on lessons learned and exciting possibilities. This small change rewired my thought patterns and made me more solution-oriented and optimistic.
Before meeting Tim, I had promised myself that I would focus on personal growth and my career. When we met, I didn’t feel ready—but life clearly had other plans. His love, support, and communication have shown me that the right partner doesn’t just complement your journey; they elevate it.
Today, we’re building the life we dreamed of, together. It’s not always easy—especially with the added chaos of wedding planning—but we remind each other daily that we’re on the same team. His wins are my wins, and vice versa.
The past few years have taught me that with the right support system, a positive attitude, and a commitment to putting in the work—whether in your career, relationships, or self-development—things have a way of aligning.
Tim, you are my rock. You’ve changed my life and helped me become the best version of myself. I couldn’t have done this without you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekinn.co/
- Instagram: @thekinn.co and @taylorfedorenko
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-fedorenko
- Youtube: Coming in 2025!
Image Credits
Photo Credits: Torrey West and Maria Nova
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
