Inspired By…Kylie Swanson

I adore reading interviews about others, and I love having the opportunity to ask questions. Simply put, people and their stories fascinate and inspire me to no end, especially those about fellow creatives who have very passionately followed the road less traveled.

This monthly series is one that I’ve been dreaming about for a while now, and I am THRILLED to finally launch “Inspired By…”. Each month I’ll profile a fellow creative who not only inspires me, but whom I feel will inspire you to take risks, keep going, and celebrate every milestone along the way to accomplishing your goals.

Kylie is one of the nicest gals ever. We first met at Making Things Happen last March, and she’s been a non-stop inspirational force ever since. Kylie launched Rekindled Vintage Rentals last year with her best friend, Molly. Since then, they’ve worked with countless couples in their home state of Oklahoma, styled numerous editorial shoots, and are set to host their first creative workshop, Pursue, in April. Meet Kylie, the inaugural creative behind the first Inspired By… feature!

Photo by Amanda Watson

Let’s get to know you! Explain a little bit about your background. How did you get to where you are now?

I grew up in beautiful Oklahoma and just recently moved back last year with my darling husband. Once we settled in a bit, I started my first business, Rekindled Vintage Rentals, and it’s been quite a crazy whirlwind since! When I first began Rekindled, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. It was tough, but rewarding. I did things backwards, I made mistakes, I trekked to five different banks before I could convince someone to give me a small business loan. But I realized something along the way, and that was that there were many more like-minded individuals, with similar goals as mine, who wanted to make their dreams happen, too. This is how Pursue: the workshop was born, and I honestly can’t put into words how overwhelmingly passionate I am about this little project. We are officially down to our last two seats, and I am so in love with each and every attendee that has signed up to be there this April.

What are your favorite ways to stay inspired? Who inspires you?

I know this probably sounds cheesy, but my husband inspires me endlessly. He is always so encouraging and supportive, and he’s also a brilliant creative. Few things make me happier than enjoying a bottle of wine and a delicious meal in his company while we dream about the future and the things we want to make happen.

If you’re having a bad moment, how do you turn your day around?

I just recently read “The Fire Starter Sessions” by Danielle LaPorte, and one of my favorite chapters was her discussion on core desired feelings. I had never looked at feelings as being something that needs tending to, planning, or strategizing. I’m constantly making to-do lists, filling out my Day Designer, and scribbling in my Power Sheets from Lara Casey, but not once had I thought to really get clear about how I actually wanted to feel all of the time. It makes sense though, doesn’t it? We should be thinking about how we want to feel before we think about how we want to schedule our days or weeks or months. When you’re able to find clarity on how you truly want to feel, it’s so much easier to dig deeper and get to the heart of what matters most. Any time I’m having a bad moment, or a not so great day, I try to look back at my list of desired feelings and find ways to bring myself joy, or happiness, or authenticity or inspiration.

How did you know you had made the right decision to follow your current path? Have you had a favorite moment?

Oh goodness, I’ve had so many! I’d have to say one of my recent favorites would be selling out of our New Year’s special for Pursue. We went live at midnight on 1-1-14, and when I woke up the next morning, they were sold. It was such a truly amazing feeling, seeing one of my big dreams come true and knowing that this workshop has the potential to lead to this kind of moment for 40 others, and hopefully so many more!

What’s next for you? What are you most excited about right now?

I have found such a passion in the planning of Pursue, and I am just so excited for everything to kick off this spring and for what lies ahead this fall and beyond for the workshop. I’m also in the process of jumping into another venture that will be debuting early summer, and I’ll be traveling quite a bit in the next couple of months to make this dream come true. Aside from that, Rekindled has all sorts of spectacular things coming up, and all of our sweet couples genuinely make my heart swell with excitement when I think about what an honor it is to be a part of their best day ever.

Four Favorites:

1. Song: Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. It’s the song we chose for our wedding video, and every single time I hear it my heart does a little pitter patter!

2. Outfit: Boyfriend jeans, a white linen tee, and a soft, Michael Stars cardigan (I’m always cold!)

3. Quote: For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. Matthew 6:2

4. Day of the year: I really love Halloween, it was the day my husband proposed and it will always hold such a special place in my heart!