Daily Inspiration: Meet Kye Young

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kye Young.

Hi Kye, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up my mother was the true definition of a hustler. She as an A & R for a local record label and worked to build platforms for her artists, produced concerts, coordinated and designed events, and festivals. This sparked my initial interest as I was always by her side at a very young age; observing her hard work and learning the freedom and art of creating and coordinating events. For as long as I can remember I’ve always had very detailed and themed birthday parties and events courtesy of my mother’s vision. Watching my mother navigate the industry and work as hard as she did lit a fire inside me and I’ve been in the business of creating ever since. I am a true product of my environment as I was always in the presence of creatives and artists at work.

While studying at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, I was the president of multiple student organizations creating some the campus’ most talked about events and Fashion shows. To be honest, it was more of a hobby that I was extremely passionate about, I had no idea my work would transition into where I am today. Believe it or not, I was creating events and coordinating weddings for free for family and friends as it was an escape from my stressful career as an elementary school teacher. In 2016 after years of being unhappy with teaching, I decided that I would use my talents to generate revenue as it was more of a side hustle initially. When you get paid for doing what you love it surely doesn’t feel like work. And I love designing experiences for events from start to finish. Starting out I used my network of family and friends to design experiences for their intimate social events and was soon referred to other clients.

Unfortunately, within months of starting to operate as a business, my grandmother lost her battle with breast cancer and nine months later my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer as well. For fear of re-living a nightmare and a lost all over again, my business ventures came to a halt. It wasn’t until my mother was in full remission that I was able to jump back fully into creating. I was pushed and supported by some of my closest friends to get started again. I am beyond grateful for them as I wasn’t as confident as I was in prior years. I didn’t want to waste any time as a few years had gone by, so I jumped in October 2019 without a website, logo, or a full business plan and I’ve never looked back. One of my best friends referred a now repeat client to me for her baby shower and Kye’s The Limit Event Experience Design was finally official. The following month I pitched an idea for a green room to welcome Megan the Stallion for an IHeart station show and the programming director (Vladimir Scott) was excited to hire me to carry out my vision. He entrusted me with his first station show in the market and that speaks volumes to how much he believed in me! My work was so detailed that Megan was excited to post a video of me and my work , and tagged me on Instagram. Then before you know it I was hired for a show for Rick Ross and Belaire and it’s been a journey of growth and progression in business ever since.

I see the world as an ongoing opportunity to create and I live for creating experiences unlike any other. I’ve gotten to where I am today by putting in countless hours of work, utilizing the resources available to me, networking, providing the highest level of service and my circle supporting and assisting me in all of my efforts. I would not be here today without the sacrifices of my husband, my son, my assistant (cousin) my immediate family and friends. I have so much work to do as I am not even close to where I want to be, but I’m so in love with the journey.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the things I am most proud of is that I am 100% self-taught when it comes to business operations. As an entrepreneur starting and operating a small business it is a cobblestone road with potholes and speed bumps. I’ve had struggles with trying to do everything myself; which I learned very quickly that it’s not possible. There’s only one me and only so much I can do. At one point, I was working extremely hard and not smart at all. Learning how to budget for events was a bit of a struggle in earlier years; I was profiting almost nothing due to a lack of knowledge on what to charge for my services. I also struggled with accepting too many clients in one day, I remember having four large events on one Saturday that was one of the craziest things I’ve ever done. I had minimal staff and I was all over the place and could barely walk after the events. I got it all done but I learned that it’s important to staff and train properly and to prep for any hiccups as well as to make the events run smoothly.

When I first started coordinating events as Kye’s The Limit, it was a bit of a struggle to get people to even give me the time of day. I remember reaching out to numerous potential clients, businesses and artist management for an opportunity to showcase my craft and I received a lot of NOs in Chicago. It was very discouraging as this is where I was born and raised! It wasn’t until I met people in Atlanta, LA and Indianapolis that opened a door for me in the industry and gave me a shot after just a few short conversations and pitches. Staying motivated throughout this journey was definitely a struggle, as mentioned the battles with cancer in my family as well as people not being receptive to allowing me to showcase my craft in my hometown initially it hasn’t been easy mentally. The physical aspect of the business is the easy part, the mental stamina that is needed to keep going is more difficult.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Kye’s The Limit Event Experience Design is your go-to coordinator and planner for intimate social events, large-scale events, concerts, and national branded and corporate events. I am a master coordinator and overly passionate about creating and coordinating events that everyone will remember. I specialize in executing innovative event experiences that deliver resonance to the WOW factor while saving clients valuable time and money. I love being taken to a new place through someone else’s imagination! From start to finish, I strive to plan and implement experiences that vividly communicate my clients’ vision and exceed their event goals! I am known for my avant-garde themes and incorporating extremely detailed elements. Delivering top-tier service to every client is my ultimate goal. I am results-driven and the positive reviews and feedback from all clients is what I value the most. My business is built entirely on delivering unmatched customer service as I am known for going beyond my client’s expectations; if I see something needs to be done or is needed at the event I do it rather the client has paid for/expecting it or not. This as well as my creativity sets me apart from others in the field!

What I am most proud of is my resilience throughout this entire journey in business. There’s literally nothing that can stop me. A very special client of mine called the day before her wedding crying hysterically on this past New Year’s Eve and told me the venue canceled her wedding due to the staff testing positive for Covid. The venue had no backup staff and was not willing to even agree to pay for her cake, and flowers after only offering her a rescheduled date. I told my client I’m going to make this happen for you. I immediately called the director and outsourced bartenders and was only able to secure two servers/staff members when we were staffed at a total of 15. With a 100+ guest count, I was the coordinator, server, decorator, and every other staffed position that was not fulfilled to make a wedding reception flow I became. I even cut the cake! We worked on the wedding for two years and there was no way that I was going to allow my client to so suffer such a loss the day before her wedding. That’s just one example of the Kye’s The Limit way. I do whatever needs to be done for the success of the event and my clients’ happiness.

I am currently focused on elevating the services that are available to my clients and I’m excited to share in the coming months. Stay tuned!

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I am nothing without my circle, my family, my close friends and of course my clients, I owe them all the accolades and there’s no amount of “Thank You’s that I can say that will show how grateful I am for them.
I would like to start with my husband, Tony whom allowed our kitchen to become my office to the point where we could barely walk or eat in with all the boxes and event decor. He has sacrificed so much to allow me to leave teaching and focus on Kye’s The Limit without a worry of a bill and he took on more responsibility with our son so that I can chase this dream. He has been my unofficial assistant by default and even though sometimes he complains he shows up for me every single time. My son Zion who is my inspiration for everything I do, I’ve hired him to work my events so that he can understand how much work I’m putting in to provide him with a beautiful life and also see entrepreneurship at its best. He is my calm in the storm of things whenever he sees me stressed in the midst of work he will grab me and hug me and remind me that everything will be ok. Just hearing him say “ You did a great job Momma, makes my heart beat even stronger. I’m tearing up right now thinking about his encouraging words! My mother, Darlene, for leading the way and showing what true resilience looks like. She’s my biggest Cheerleader, she is so happy to see my dreams come true for my business. She wants to be a part of everything I have going on and she always refers my business and brags about me to the point that she probably gets on people’s nerves but she doesn’t care, lol.

My cousin/ assistant, Niesha who sacrifices so much to make sure that all my events are a success she will literally call off from her job to show up for me. She wants me to win and by any means necessary. My two younger sisters, Mariah and Nia who allow me to staff them when needed even when I couldn’t pay them initially, if someone doesn’t show up or I forgot a decor element they are right there. They express how proud they are of me, always offer great advice on elevating and send me event decor inspo pics all day long to keep my creativity and eyes on the new trends in the industry. My brother Vladimir, who took a huge risk on me to coordinate his very first station show, he keeps me in rooms with some of the most important people in the industry and always introduces me first, before himself, as the best in the business. He has been an amazing mentor and (headache, lol). My bestie, Shanita who stays on my heels about doing what I say I will and getting my to-do list done. She also is the one at midnight helping me move barricades for events when a company delivered to the wrong place and always right by my side for whatever I need, she won’t let me fail!

My Dad for always offering assistance when he hears me struggling and allowing me to turn his home to a shipping/receiving port for my event deliveries. My best friend Kaylan and Tikyla they are my motivational support, always in my ear with countless encouraging words and support that keeps me going. My brother, Majeed who speaks life into me and prays for me continuously, and provided a way for me to transition between cities easily so that I can take get to work in any city and back to my son and family at any time! Zoe, who helped to promote my services in Atlanta , she referred me to one of my most prestigious repeat clients (Shay Bigga & Killer Mike) that have hired me to coordinate their events for the past 3 years. Thank you Shay and Mike for continuously entrusting me with your most intimate celebrations and always referring me!

I am literally nothing without my circle, my village and my success is their success. I owe it all to them. To My clients you are the driving force in Kye’s the Limit and they are more than appreciated. For those not listed and you know who you are, a million thanks to you! I don’t take any one of you for granted.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kyes.the.limit?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/kyes.the.limit

Image Credits
Rae Marcel Photography Sterling L. Gilmore Photography