How does someone become successful? When you look at someone who you admire, someone who built a career for themselves doing something they love, who followed their heart, do you ever wonder how they did it? What steps did they take to get there?
I certainly do, and every chance I get, I ask them to tell me everything.
I recently met a new role model, DJ Kitty Cash, and asked all about her journey. Kitty Cash is a powerful, determined, woman-to-watch, who built her growing business even when others encouraged her to stick with her stable job. She’s a risk-taker and a successful entrepreneur, but most of all, she's someone who chases her own happiness.
For some quick background, Kitty Cash is an international DJ, producer and music executive from Brooklyn, New York. But she is more than that. She is an activist, an entrepreneur, a business woman, a model and all around (s)hero. Not only does she jet around the world with friends like Jhene Aiko and Diplo, but she DJ's at places like Sundance, SXSW and much more!
Cash is the Founder of the "I Am Woman Project" (http://theiamwomanproject.com/). She created a community that empowers women to elevate, motivate and celebrate themselves through shared narratives, stories, wisdom and inspirational insights across video, audio and digital platforms. When I sat down with her to talk, she told me that one thing she repeats to herself all the time is, “If I die tomorrow, will I be happy?” She finds what makes her happy, she grabs it by the horns and she goes for it.
Cash is one of the youngest, smartest and most inspirational business women I’ve met. I didn't want to be the only one inspired her story and her advice, so I decided to interview her so others could learn from her too. Below are the mindful questions and carefully crafted answers she generously took time to answer for us. Enjoy!
xoxo, Morgan
1. If you had only one sentence to describe who you are (or what you do), what would it be?
“Who I am: A lover, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a lover of life and music, a world traveler who is relentless about doing whatever it takes to make her heart skip a beat. What I do: A renaissance woman.”
2. What advice do you have for girls who are trying to create their own path to success, whatever that might be?
”Don't be the force that holds yourself back, be the force that powers you to be the best version of you.”
3. Was there ever a point where you felt hopeless? If so how did you overcome it?
“Damn, I love this question... I was deciding if I wanted to quit my full time job and become a full time DJ. When I asked my family they told me to stay at my job and my friends told me to quit so at that point I felt helpless and took the time to allow myself to make my own decision about my career.”
4. If you could’ve done one thing differently while building your reputation/career, what would it have been?
“Interestingly enough, although I would like to say I wish I started DJ’ing earlier I realize that each phase of my life allowed me to be who I am today. So alternatively I would say I would have enjoyed the process and journey even more.”
5. What qualities do you think are most important in people?
“Humility, Resilience, Gratitude, Dedication, Patience, and an Open Heart.”
6. Who are are one or two of your role models?
“My mother and grandmother.”
7. What is your mantra or a phrase/quote (or a particular book) that inspires you?
“HOPE: Humility/Organization/Preparation/Execution”
Want to keep up with DJ Kitty Cash and see what this inspiring woman is up to? Follow her on Insta and twitter at @kittycash or at her website http://www.iamkittycash.com. You can also listen to her mixes on soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/kittycash.