More Than A Manager: Kayla Lloyd

I sat down at my computer to virtually interview Kayla. You can sense her radiant energy through the screen.

“Hellooooo” she greets me; always sounding chipper.

We settle in after our greetings and small talk and get to the nitty-gritty.

“So, tell me, how did you know you wanted to enter this field?” I asked and she seemed to ponder for a minute.

“Oh boy. Okay, well let’s see..” She trailed off for a minute. I could almost hear the wheels turning in her head.

“When I was in high school I was a little bit of a music snob. I didn’t want to listen to the status quo of what was popular. I was really into classic rock and ‘hipster’ genres.” Kayla recounted. 

“What really helped me discover new music in a generation that I didn’t know much about was the Rolling Stones Magazine.” She said.

Kayla went on to talk about how Rolling Stones magazine would do feature interviews on popular artists of the day and the past. These in-depth interviews sparked her interest in journalism.

However, like most college students trying to figure themselves out, Kayla felt that she should shift her career path into public relations. 

“It was perfect for someone like me that is creative but also likes structure,” Kayla said.

Kayla went on to describe her first “Carrie Bradshaw” moment when she had an internship at Child Play Communications. As she and her team were preparing for a trade show, they realized they did not order enough Peppa Pig dolls (a client of the agency). Cut to, Kayla running frantically through New York City attempting to purchase every Peppa Pig doll she could find and carrying them on the subway.

In 2015 the PR industry took a shift. It seemed to be harder and harder to get in touch with journalists. Kayla found that her “Bradshaw” moments were few and far between.

She started to take an interest in the sales side of marketing; how to turn a prospective client into a working client.

Kayla takes care of clients like Millbrook Winery, Titanium Worldwide, WBEC, and more. She also takes care of us here at BBG&G. Her bright and sunny personality comes from her being the eldest daughter, a Resident Assistant in college, and then a mother and a wife.

“I’m a really good people person and conversationalist,” Kayla admits. She attributes this to her roles growing up. 

Kayla has always been a go-getter. She recounts the first time someone doubted her ability to do her job. It was early on in her career and a client said that because she was a young woman, she may not have the means to get results. This only drove her further to prove him wrong. 

On the days that were tough, Kayla relied on her faith and her husband as her inspiration. 

“Naturally, I am a pessimist,” she explains, “But I think because of my faith, family, husband, and the people around me, I can see the glass half full.”

Over the last ten years, Kayla has grown her career and family. She now has two children and has risen up the ranks to Account Manager & Strategist. She has gained a lot of wisdom over the years.

“What is the biggest piece of advice for someone in the industry?” I inquired.

“You are always growing and learning,” Kayla responded. She went on to explain that having a thirst for knowledge allows you to constantly grow and transform into a better person and professional. 

Kayla is a person that you notice. Not only because she has a stellar work ethic, but most importantly because she is like the older sister you never knew you needed. She may be young in the industry, but wisdom comes with challenges, not age.

“You are never going to be perfect,” she states with confidence. “You will always be in a state of growth. The most successful people are open to learning and new experiences. Both in life and their career.”

By Belle, Social Media / PR Assistant | January 24, 2022