IYLIA Chronicles
The Intersection of Life, Branding, and Inspiration...
For years, I dreamed of starting a newsletter - a space where I could share my thoughts, experiences, and passions with you. A couple of months ago, I finally took the leap. Writing has always been close to my heart, but I wasn’t sure if I had the skill or confidence to bring my vision to life. Self-doubt and hesitation held me back (I spent 10 years paralyzed by analysis!), but eventually, I silenced my inner critic and dove in headfirst. Lol!
As a designer by nature, I carefully structure how I present myself to the public. Entering the social media space gave me great trepidation and required a lot of thought. However I approached this, it had to be authentic - genuine without feeling pandering - while packaging my ideas in a way that resonated with a broader audience, all within a medium far outside my usual life experience.
I’ve lived an exciting life, filled with travels to places I never imagined visiting, immersing myself in cultures, and meeting people from all walks of life. These experiences have been invaluable, but when I envisioned creating a newsletter, I knew it had to be more than just a collection of stories. It needed to be meaningful, polished, and reflective of the values that drive me as an entrepreneur.
What truly inspires me are the conversations I have and the incredible people I meet, both in business and in life. Their perspectives, creativity, and unique approaches to challenges and opportunities continue to fascinate me. They shape not only how I work but how I live.
To deepen this experience, I’ve added a podcast component to the newsletter. Whenever possible, I love capturing stories on video - it adds texture and depth to the narratives I share. Through these stories, I’ll explore the values that have shaped me as an entrepreneur and take you along the journey of building IYLIA, a brand I’ve always envisioned as a lifestyle brand.
This newsletter isn’t just about IYLIA. It’s a space where I’ll share inspirations, tools, and lessons from my journey. The past five years have felt like riding a rocket -exhilarating, challenging, and transformative all at once. My focus now is on embracing the ride, finding joy in the adventure, and learning to avoid overwhelm.
Lately, I’ve been deeply interested in mindfulness and the importance of creating a Daily Method of Operation (DMO) to help me be my best self. Execution has never been a challenge for me - I thrive on bringing ideas to life - but this past summer, I hit a wall. I realized I had been running on empty, neglecting my spirit, and leaving untapped potential behind.
Although I’m disciplined in many aspects of my life and work, I never had a structured DMO. I’ve always approached tasks as they arose, living by the sundown rule - ensuring everything was addressed by the end of the day. But developing a structured DMO has been a game-changer for me. It’s helped me find balance and focus in a way I didn’t realize I needed.
Thankfully, I’ve been blessed to find individuals who have supported and inspired me. They’ve provided the gust of wind I needed to soar. And what surprised me most was discovering how many of you feel the same way - searching for ways to stay sharp, grow, and truly thrive.
My hope is that this newsletter will be a place where you not only learn about IYLIA but also discover ideas, stories, and strategies that inspire and support your journey.
As we head into 2025 and beyond, with the support of my team, I’ll be sharing on these powerful platforms with the aim of sharpening my voice, enhancing my skills, and (hopefully) ultimately increasing my impact. The past few months have been truly transformative, and I’m excited to share my journey and experiences with you.
I’d love to hear from you! What are you most curious about - entrepreneurship, branding, navigating challenges, or something else? Your feedback means so much to me and will help shape the conversations we have here.
We are all multidimensional beings with diverse, and sometimes even incongruent, interests. This is about celebrating our collective uniqueness and the incredible community of thinkers, dreamers, and doers who inspire and uplift one another.
I know I’ve written several posts about the importance of creating space and mindfulness, but that’s just how impactful this experience has been for me. It has created a seismic shift in my life, positioning me in a place where I’m bursting with readiness to soar into 2025 and beyond.
I hope what you find here is as enriching and inspiring for you as it is for me to create and share. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, ideas, and opinions—I truly value your perspective and look forward to connecting with you.
Ooxx,
Layla-Joy