S1 EP17: Kate Anlyan

Wait For It... Take One, Take Two...You're gonna get ALL THINGS KATE ANLYAN of @YasuHomeCo in this fun DOUBLE EPISODE! The authentic, brave, enthusiastic and creative Katie shares with us her totally interesting LIFE BY DESIGN. She taps into her own self-awareness all while changing careers from Fashion to Interiors, moving from CA to NC, and doing this at the SAME TIME she and her husband totally renovate the famous (#namedrop) siblings Amy and David Sedaris's former family home WHILE LIVING IN IT!
So COOL, RIGHT?!  

ARE YOU READY TO RENOVATE, REDESIGN or RENEW Your Home? Contact Kate today at her website yasuhomeco.com and follow her amazing work on Instagram @yasuhomeco. You won't regret it and you'll have so much fun collaborating with her!

OH, how do you pronounce YASU? Pronounced YAH-soo! The word "Yassou," a warm and friendly greeting in modern Greek, that completely embodies the spaces Kate creates: warm, welcoming, and above all, personal. Just like this interview!

Buy your copy of YOUR LIFE BY DESIGN: A Coffee With Nicoa Self-Care Coaching Journal
on Amazon today! 

Transcript

Nicoa Coach: 0:01

Hey, y'all, this is Nicoa checking in with you, I need to give you a quick update. So before you jump into this week's Coffee with Nicoa episode, I want to share a little bit about what you're going to hear. First of all, it's been three months now that we've been posting these episodes, and I just want you to know that I have been learning so much. It's the first time I've ever had a podcast. So I have been trying different technologies, and learning how to use different tools, different software packages, in order to get the absolute best interviews. Well, when I did this interview with my sweet friend, Katie Ainley, and we ended up using zoom, which, by the way, is a perfectly good tool. But I did something wrong with my mic. And I really don't think my voice sounds good at all. But as a result of Katie, and I also second guessing our first round on our interview, she actually said to me, You know what, I don't feel like I was as comfortable as I could have been. And I said, Why don't we do it again, let's just do it again, no big deal. So we did. And in this version, my mic messes up somehow. It's a little grainy, and it's a little annoying to me. But the content of this interview is so good. Following Katie's partnership with me as a client as a Kochi. And her completely changing her life, from one industry to another. I just couldn't ask her to do a third version. And I am going to make sure as we've talked about in the past, not to let perfect get in the way of good. So enjoy the episode, and try to disregard the grainy sound of my voice. And thank you for subscribing. Grab your coffee and join me Nicoa For a caffeinated conversation about life. I'll be talking to people who have chosen to walk their own paths and just like me, are creating a life by design. I hope it will give you the inspiration you need to do exactly the same. Oh, what's that in your coffee cup, my friend?

Kate Anlyan: 2:24

Well, I'm really appreciative for this for this second opportunity. All right, everybody. Nicoa interviewed me 30 minutes ago, and it was a real dud.

Nicoa Coach: 2:39

It wasn't a dud. But what's beautiful about the way Katie and I interact is that Katie and I reflect a lot. We're like, Wait, how did I show up? Like, what was that like for you?

Kate Anlyan: 2:51

Oh my gosh. It was like I was in a job interview.

Nicoa Coach: 2:56

And I was like, Oh my God, how could I have asked her a better question or could have made her feel more comfortable? So we were both having this little self disparaging dialogue at the end?

Kate Anlyan: 3:08

I know thank you for being so gracious and saying Do you want me to do this again? And I said, Yes, absolutely. Let me pour an inch of wine in this coffee.

Nicoa Coach: 3:17

Well, cheers, my friend. And while you are sipping on that beautiful glass of wine, their coffee mug of wine. I'm just gonna do the quick intro again. Who knows if I'll be able to edit from the other interview. You know, I'm not no technical expert here. But Katie alien, you are the founder and principal interior designer of Yasue. Home CO, and Yasue. Home CO is an interior design firm that you launched after jumping out of a totally different career. And we're going to talk about that life by design. We're going to talk about our coaching together. And we're going to talk about lessons learned and what you're loving about your life now, after going through this entire life redirection, right?

Kate Anlyan: 4:03

Yeah, I mean, I don't know in some ways, it's kind of adjacent, but in other ways, it's completely different. But I tell you what, being my own boss is really excellent.

Nicoa Coach: 4:15

Oh, that's, that's my favorite thing being my own boss. I mean, I nap when I want as I always say so.

Kate Anlyan: 4:21

Yeah. Yeah, part of life by design. I mean, life is by design has really changed me because I'm mean it's a giving yourself permission to do the things that the things you want to do things you love.

Nicoa Coach: 4:35

Well, where are you doing things you wanted to do and the things you love back in California and for 20 years, I mean, talk about that career for a minute before jumping into this new business.

Kate Anlyan: 4:45

I mean, I when I look back, I'm I have such an optimistic view. So it feels always really positive. I remember the really positive things about all of that and fashion is You know, it can be not the most fun and not always the deepest. But I had a great time I work for great companies. I was at Abercrombie and Fitch and anthropology and most recently, a small company in California called Dolan that I loved so much, and then felt like a deep meaningful work for me because we founded a nonprofit as part of the part of it while we were there, so Oh, wow. So that was all really excellent. But at the same time, I think I really miss just being able to put my own stamp on everything. That was definitely something I missed. So I was constantly in this side hustle of what, what else is there? What else could I do? And I don't think I was thinking of it as what else could be my career, it just felt like other things like a just a supplement to my life. And I'm not even exactly sure how this happens. But this became my career that I just still jumped ship, but I did and it's great.

Nicoa Coach: 6:07

Well, tell me what some of these little side hustles were was it like creative hobbies? I mean, were you like, picking at vintage shops? Or what was going on?

Kate Anlyan: 6:16

Yeah, all of that. I mean, a big part of what I did was travel. So I got to see the world and, and would just pick up little little bits from all kinds of places and kept really amazing contact. So then I was, I felt like I was acquiring a lot of treasures. Part of it was just buying treasures. And it felt like a little bit of hoarding. But I realized part of it was I wanted to put this out in some way. And I just wasn't sure how I was going to how it was going to manifest. Exactly. But yeah, that was a big part of it.

Nicoa Coach: 6:50

So you're collecting these treasures. Is this just for your own home decorating? Or you made you told me a story once about helping people out in their own homes or your friends? Or? Yeah, some examples? Yeah,

Kate Anlyan: 7:03

I would style people shelves, and it turned into helping people, you know, decorate their own spaces, helping people figure out the best layout, it just sort of evolved and you know, gained some traction. And then I realized, oh, wait, this is the thing I really want to do. And then I was slinging rugs on the side that happens to be still one of my favorite things to do on the

Nicoa Coach: 7:30

variance in that I saw that on Instagram the other day, your Instagram account Yasu home cow, and you were like, this one's for sale. Anybody else? Who else like I don't know the one here's another road?

Kate Anlyan: 7:41

Totally. Well, you know, my background is Greek and Armenian. So I feel like that's really like in the DNA of the little bit of like the rug rug slinging that's in my Armenian jeans. I think.

Nicoa Coach: 7:52

That's right. Well, you got more in your genetic background, some hereditary interior designers. I understand. Do you have tell us that story?

Kate Anlyan: 8:01

Yes, my grandmother and her sisters. They're these five powerful Greek women from Sparta, Greece. And they came to the United States and did many things. I mean, first of all, they were the most fashionable women. They were so cool. But they started an interior design firm in Raleigh, many, many decades ago, called National Art interiors. And I remember playing in the Windows as a kid and pretending to be a mannequin. And I was thinking it was so cool. But as I got older and realize the names of, of the brands and the things that they brought to the triangle, I, you know, I'm still in awe of them. And National Art interiors is no more but it feels like still it's in there. It's in the genes. There's some kind of legacy here to fulfill and, and one of my favorite stories about national art is hearing that they had a purple box truck that delivered all of their all the goods and if that truck was parked outside of your house, you knew you had arrived. That was oh, yeah, yeah, day one day. I'm hoping to have that for Yasu.

Nicoa Coach: 9:20

Yeah, yeah. Then we'll know you've arrived or Yeah, absolutely. So this little side, hustle turns bigger. It's really your creative passion. You've had a grand time in your career, but then, yeah, was it around the pandemic that you guys decided to pack up and leave California and come back home? I mean, I didn't get to that decision.

Kate Anlyan: 9:42

It was around the pandemic. My husband lost his father, the first December of COVID. So December of 2020. And we came home for the funeral and it was all really crazy. It was just hard to be so far away from family at that time, I think and there was so much fun. We're I mean, I, I feel like I'd never lead with fear. And then during COVID, I feel like I was very, very scared for the first, at least eight months. And we came home. And then we put it on our two to five year plan. And then we sort of sped it up to our one to two year plan. And then suddenly, things started happening, like my husband worked for corporate at Urban Outfitters, and his boss's boss came up to him one day and said, You're from Raleigh, North Carolina, you're from North Carolina, right? And then said, Yeah, your position is available. And you know, in North Carolina, it was it was weird how things just sort of started happening like that. And we thought, this is a huge sign. This is like, yes, ding, ding, ding ding from the universe. So we pursued it. And then, and then we found ourselves here, it's, it's funny, because it feels like at that time, the ball was just rolling. And I don't know, so much of my life at that point was, you know, I went into the office every day, I did things kind of an autopilot. I mean, that it was still still zesty, you know, possession or, but it was just different. Now it feels like we do things with so much more intention. And yeah, we just we ended up here because of, of a sequence of events, or you ended up

Nicoa Coach: 11:37

there. And so you when he gets this job to move back to North Carolina, you give notice and say I'm going to hang my shingle now and be an interior designer? I mean, it was it that easy. And that quick, or did you wait till you got here? I'm just curious.

Kate Anlyan: 11:51

Um, no, I did it before. I think if I, if I remember back, I think that I sort of tested it out to see like, am I going to be able to? What would it mean? How many clients would I need to have in order to do this thing, and I was still sort of straddling the two worlds like maybe I can do this freelance, fashion job. And then keep interior design as my side hustle. But and so that that I was able to do during the transition, let me lay this out for you, i, i There were a few months where I had had resigned and given notice, but I was kind of figuring it all out. Exactly. And I had been offered this really lovely position freelancing for somebody in fashion. And I thought that I was going to use that time to figure it out and be like a soft launch into, you know, what could be. And at that time, I realized, I'm not enjoying at all spending the time on fashion project. And I want to spend every second of every day, you know, 20 hours a day, on interior design for a couple of clients that I had managed to secure from afar. Yeah, that was it. I mean, I remember feeling terribly, because I was not taking this fashion job. And I really thought that that was going to be great. And I was gung ho about it. And then it just came to a screeching halt. But this was what I had to do. I just, it just was the calling.

Nicoa Coach: 13:30

Yes, you were compelled. And that's when you Oh, right. It's your deepest heart's desires, and you feel it in your whole body, and you want to stay up late and you want to get up early. That's the kind of work that I find so fascinating. And, you know, I, John and be like, are you coming to eat I'm like, could be just the minute like, I have one more thing to do about the podcast, or one more thing to do for my client. So that's when you know, that's the feeling well, so things were working the universe was behind your back here, everything was unfolding your deepest heart's desires. Two interesting things that I wanted to highlight, you come over to back home to the state of North Carolina and you by David and Amy said terraces family childhood

Kate Anlyan: 14:14

home by accident, we had no idea

Nicoa Coach: 14:18

really, I thought you knew that's so cool. It's

Kate Anlyan: 14:22

until we until the papers were signed or until not the very last papers but until our offer was accepted, that is when we found out but we had been through heartbreak after heartbreak trying to buy some sort of modernist or you know, some kind of modern home in North Carolina and we found this house and we were like, We're it's not even on the market yet. We're gonna offer and, you know, balls to the wall and yeah, we got it and our realtor said, you know, they've they've accepted the offer, but it's taking a little bit of extra time, but cuz we're waiting on a couple of signatures because one of the siblings lives internationally. And then the other one wheeling with her TV, like, you know, their production schedule. And we're like, oh, world. And he's like, Well, it's the SID heiresses. And that, of course, was like, one more beacon from the universe. Because you know, growing up Greek, American and Raleigh, you read David's books, and you think so

Nicoa Coach: 15:26

you do. Exactly. And of course, who better to take his family home than you guys? Because you started a renovation, like right away while living in the house, right?

Kate Anlyan: 15:41

Probably, maybe the only bad, really bad decision I feel like I've made but that one feels like well, probably wouldn't repeat that.

Nicoa Coach: 15:51

Well talk to me about how this little unfolding everything's going great. And then you start panicking, and I was working with your sister at the time. And this is funny as we do this. Little do I ever I'm like, don't forget to talk about what we already talked.

Kate Anlyan: 16:06

Yeah, I know. Which is that

Nicoa Coach: 16:09

I was coaching with your sister. And I'd done rapid transformational therapy with her. And I happen to have a piece of her artwork, and then to get her referred to me. I was like, Oh, I own your art. Oh, of course, that'll be your coach. And then she's telling you about it. And tell everybody why you called me.

Kate Anlyan: 16:26

I mean, I wasn't kind of a deep depression, I feel like I had hit the skids big time, the complete blind courage that I had at the beginning where I just thought like, it's gonna work out that came to a screeching halt. And I was upside down. And, and Sally, my sister, Sally said, you have to call Nicoa called Nicoa. And she kept saying, like, I don't want to tell you what to do. Because, you know, I was like, I mean, I don't know. And, anyway, so I did, I called you, I feel like the day that we had our first call, I remember it very vividly, I was parked in front of my cousin's house, and I was feeling inferior in every possible way. Like, all of a sudden, I realized, like, whoa, you have, you have jumped the tracks from this thing that you did for 20 years, and you are good at and now you are doing this thing. And I really thought I could get by on having good taste and great instincts. And you know, I, I've done a lot of side projects, but all the sudden, I think I would have not realized just how technical it was that I needed to have some sort of knowledge of plumbing, I needed to have some knowledge of electrical. I mean, just, it was so much more than what looks good. What will make better sense for the flow of your house. It was all the nitty gritty technical stuff that caught up with me. In fact, that day, I was already at a really low point in general. But that day or that week, I remember, I had a client that said, well, actually, we don't want this to be a shower. Let's make this a bathtub. And so I hustled and got it already, and it was done. And the builder called me and they're like well, we just got the bathtub in and the drain is on the wrong side. And I thought I thought the world had ended I was I just thought like, you know, I've done renovations. I haven't hadn't just SPECT a brand new bathtub at that point. It just felt really new. And I felt like oh my gosh, I'm I'm careening out of control. And I'm taking these people with me. That I think is even worse than just feeling it for yourself is the feeling that, that you're impacting people around you. And that your rookie moves are Yeah, slowing up. Yeah. And, you know, it was yeah,

Nicoa Coach: 18:53

it was, it was overwhelming. I remember I can visualize that conversation. And I remember you were like, I just think they're gonna figure out like I'm having massive impostor syndrome. Yeah, like, I am I really supposed to be doing this and even though you had some facts to look at that were successful. I think you were actually in a massive stress reaction at that time. I mean, talk a little bit about the work we did like, like, well first FaceTime we're sitting there and you're like in between boxes. And

Kate Anlyan: 19:25

oh, yeah. I mean, when you talk about the stress reaction, it actually reminds me to talk about the fact that my hair fell out and I had this huge chunk of hair all of a sudden I had this huge Sprout on the top of my head, and we named her her name is Regina and and Regina is now down to my chin. But um yeah, people are like are you sure didn't accidentally just cut bangs in a weird spot? I'm sure

Nicoa Coach: 19:58

well, our bodies they will Talk to us when we're under stress. And like you said, you were easily teary, like everything was causing you to have, you know, emotional reaction and water where oh my god from

Kate Anlyan: 20:09

nothing. I mean everything. Yeah. And the first call. I was, I remember asking you if it was okay if we FaceTimed. And I was in bed, because that was the only piece of furniture that we had. And it was just all.

Nicoa Coach: 20:26

It was crazy. We'll talk a little bit about the work we did and how, how that had an impact on you. Because I always am curious, what was the biggest thing that that you and I co created or did together that caused you the biggest shift and begin to feel like you're moving forward instead of feeling stuck?

Kate Anlyan: 20:45

I mean, gosh, the biggest there were so many, one huge, hugely important thing. I feel like we could talk about each one of these separately, but rapid transformational therapy, to address the impostor syndrome was major. And I feel like we needed to do that. Just to sort of like Clear that out of the way to even do the other work. Another huge piece was realizing that what I brought bring to the table as a designer, and it's a unique perspective. And I think a big part of it is is the traveling that I did in fashion and having kind of a unique view and I and curating a mix to bring to my clients. I think that's a big part. And you helped me see that and celebrate that versus focusing on all the things that I don't didn't know, I mean, sure, you can absolutely find someone who is probably much more skilled at electrical and plumbing. But you know, I feel like

Nicoa Coach: 21:48

job placement. Yeah. Yes, exactly.

Kate Anlyan: 21:52

I mean, maybe now I'm a little more of an expert at it. But that's, that is not what I think people are calling me specifically for I mean, I'm, of course, gonna blow it on your house. But but there is so else that I bring to the table. So

Nicoa Coach: 22:09

Well, looking at the facts, we have to always go back to well, what is going well, like, what do we bring to the table? What are we celebrating? And you're right, getting that rapid transformational therapy session, done earlier in the partnership, did get it out of the way, because just as an insight for those listening, it is a hypnotherapy experience, where we go deep into the subconscious. And then we go back to scenes in our past that actually are the root cause. But sometimes they can be surprising, right? I remember you thinking, what the hell?

Kate Anlyan: 22:42

Yeah, yeah, I remember having the thought while while under hypnosis and thinking, Okay, I'm just spitting out these like weird random things. And none of them have anything to do with each other. And all of a sudden here comes to Kalba. I remember you just wove them together. And it was the biggest aha, this makes complete sense. I had, I never would have put those all those pieces together in that way.

Nicoa Coach: 23:08

No. And that's really profound. It's profound for everybody that goes through the process, because it may look irrational or weird. But yeah, they are connected. And then we rewire the brain. We rewrite those stories and those experiences, we validate ourselves. And, of course, I would feel this way, and then we let it go. And we did this bespoke recording for you. And I bet you still listen to it every once in a while. Is that right?

Kate Anlyan: 23:32

If the old thoughts come creeping in, that's the that's the first thing I go to actually.

Nicoa Coach: 23:39

Well talk about once you started doing the practices, and we were working together, what changed in your thinking as you went forward? And did you start seeing results? Right away? I mean, we only work together three or four months, it seemed like

Kate Anlyan: 23:52

I did. I mean, a big part of it, though, this was the one I forgot to mention was the giving myself permission for everything. I mean, it was that I was able to design design things, you know, it felt like okay, it's okay to intentionally it take this day off or intentionally take this week off, whatever the thing was, it's it was a lot of giving myself permission to be the way that I am.

Nicoa Coach: 24:27

You know, I remember in our previous conversation, we were talking about that, because I think one of the things that people who go out on their own and they start their own business, and even the interview we did with Ben Fanning, he talked about, he was like, Oh my God, you're really hustling harder, in a way because you have to think of everything you're not in an infrastructure of a big corporation anymore. You got to think of the the, you know, like you said, errors and omissions insurance. You got to think about, you know, figuring out which way the the bathtub goes. But all of these details of both the skill, the craft and the business element. It can cause you to work 24/7. And although it might be exciting, you got to step back and create your life by design. So you guys went, I think you went to Greece, like, two minutes after we finish. Oh, yeah, we're going to Greece for like two weeks.

Kate Anlyan: 25:22

Yeah. And actually, just as a side note, thank God, we did the coaching when we did, because I feel like I would have been a nightmare in Greece, I wouldn't have even enjoyed that very luxurious and probably very inappropriately timed vacation that we do. Be near I am at the very beginning. And I'm like, yeah, no problem. Let's draw a trip to Greece. Yeah. Yeah. Well, you

Nicoa Coach: 25:45

are definitely happy and you're, you seem super relaxed. And I was really pleased for you. But you gotta go through sometimes the really deep, cavernous fear that actually step back out of it and see it as a as a the opposite of what you truly want. So how would you describe your life by design now, now that you've given yourself permission? What is your ideal life like now,

Kate Anlyan: 26:09

I mean, one thing that I really love is having the ability to go through a little bit of a vetting process with clients, and that's for for them with me as much as for me with them, because we're in some cases going to be working together for years. And it feels really empowering to know that everything is not for me, it's there's nothing bad, there's no judgment one way or the other about it, it just maybe isn't the perfect match for me. So that is something really, that I love is I don't feel the pressure of, you know, every little kernel that comes my way, like gotta jump on it, I don't care if like, I'll make no money and not be able to keep the lights on. But I gotta take it because, you know, and of course, there are some that you do think, well, I feel so passionately about this, maybe I would take that risk and and not get paid for it or whatever it is, but to be able to have the power of choice is, is yes. Incredible.

Nicoa Coach: 27:14

And and that takes faith and to your point, and I remember you over giving, if you will to some clients, and I was like, hey, it was like, Well, I have to respond. I feel like I have to respond. And I'm like, what do you do you have to respond right now, you know, maybe you're going to be reassuring to that person that you're going to be in a space of intentionality. And I remember you giving an example with that one client who was like, Hey, if you're not in the mindset, I don't want you working on it. Yeah, tell that story. Yeah.

Kate Anlyan: 27:44

I mean, that was just fantastic. It was something our final session together. We talked about, I was saying, I'm having so much trouble with this project. I'm excited about it. I love the clients, but for some reason I'm having trouble just launching it and so we talked a lot and I felt like it was procrastination. But then an email with my client where I said let me just tell you like what's happening I you know, haven't been able to get get past this point and or, you know, anyway, she I remember her writing back and saying that's okay, that's completely okay. I want you in your most creative she said, creativity takes time or creative genius takes time. It's that I want Yes, your best place working on this. And I thought you're absolutely right, I shouldn't be just forcing it along because I'm going to give mediocre work and I want it to be from a place of intention and where I'm just on fire and so excited about it. So that has that's part of that giving myself permission Absolutely. Permission to not be feeling the most creative and take that time instead to do my taxes or right

Nicoa Coach: 28:55

now, that's an excellent example. That's great live by design advice for the person who's gone from full time to freelance or whatever it is that they're trying to do only do it from a space of inspired action. Right inspired action. Oh my gosh, well, I want you to share anything else about the business you have some things that you're doing uniquely right now I want to give you this platform to talk about Yasu home i You mentioned some remote options for people how can people work with you?

Kate Anlyan: 29:27

Well, I mean as I love doing full service design that is so much fun, but also separately. One of my favorite things to do is sling rugs rug concierge all day. I mean that's actually not even something I put together but I'm I'm percolating on like how can I have a truck full of rugs and I show up at your house so I'm not. Yeah, but I am at the part where if you need a rug, of course I would love to find you that rug because I love them. I love that. The other thing though, that is this been born out of out of this and out of just talking on social media. I've had a lot of people come to me and ask for just help just a few hours of time to help them with something, maybe they're not ready to commit to full scale interior design services. And you know, it's so sorry, the guy a guy just walked by with a, with a rug delivery. And

Nicoa Coach: 30:27

I was like, what did she just look at? Somebody walked out? Like, is that your husband? Yeah,

Kate Anlyan: 30:31

yeah, I just saw some rugs arrive at my doorstep. But

Nicoa Coach: 30:34

um, but validation? Universe? Yeah,

Kate Anlyan: 30:39

remote interior design is so much fun. And I can help you, you know, cram it all into an hour, if you have a bunch of questions, you've got your, maybe you've kind of got it figured out. But you just want to make sure that this makes sense. Or check where you should put your lights or your switches, all these things that nobody really tells you about when you're building a house. And they were like, yeah, yeah, you you can figure this out. Because builders don't really love interior designer sometimes,

Nicoa Coach: 31:08

where you would be able to provide that like, like a FaceTime or something. So I was really interested in that clip is about to buy a condo up in Virginia. And you know, we can't do full on interior design at this stage of her career, but she might want to be doing a one or two hour session with you. So absolutely. I'm gonna keep that in mind. Well, darlin, I love you. And this has been so awesome. I want you to take the last few seconds here and share any advice for anybody? And also, tell me what you want to celebrate most about yourself?

Kate Anlyan: 31:40

I mean, guys, if you're considering this, just do it. Just absolutely do it. You got one life, either. Thank you go for it. Because, you know, just go with one step at a time even but, but don't ever think it and just start? I mean, that is absolutely. And follow the fun. Follow up makes you feel good. And what sort of lights you up. That's a big one.

Nicoa Coach: 32:03

What you said the word fun a lot and you are fun. And I can imagine that working with you would be even more fine. Well, she has wine in her coffee cup. Well, what do you want? This is the question I always ask at the end of every coaching session, and I'm going to ask you, my dear, what do you want to celebrate the most about this self created life by design and about you in the process? I'm

Kate Anlyan: 32:59

the power of choice. I want to celebrate the power of choice that and my uniqueness. Can I have two? You can those are the two that I want. But the power of choice is such a biggie. You know if I want to take off and go to the beach,

Nicoa Coach: 33:13

I can do that. You can and your unique creative offerings. I mean, you're an authentic designer and an authentic person and you don't hide behind any masks. You don't put on any airs. And honestly, I can't wait to have the Yasu home truck show up in front of my house so I can tell everybody I made it. You have arrived. I have arrived. Well, I love you. Thank you. And maybe it'll just be this interview. Maybe we'll edit in some of the previous interview. We've just had a blast today. This has been so fun.

Kate Anlyan: 33:49

Thanks for letting me do one as a job interview. And another one that was like a lot looser. I really appreciate it.

Nicoa Coach: 33:56

Oh my God, why don't we just take we just pasted them together and people are like, wait, I heard that story already.

Kate Anlyan: 34:01

I feel like I fell asleep during that story already.

Nicoa Coach: 34:05

Alright, dear, I will see you soon. Thank you again. Thanks to koa. Love you bye. Wait, wait. Don't go anywhere. The first interview with Katie wasn't as much of a dud as she thought. And she shared some pretty awesome tidbits We thought you'd also like to hear. So if you're interested in take one. Here it is. Keep listening. Oh, fancy. Did you hear that? Katie, we're recording. Well, what was that you were just saying about how awesome this is? I was

Kate Anlyan: 34:42

saying this is so awesome that you're doing this. I've loved listening to these.

Nicoa Coach: 34:48

Well, what an honor to have you following me and to be a guest at the same time. So this is going to be a lot of fun. You ready to do it?

Kate Anlyan: 34:56

I think so. Everybody buckle up.

Nicoa Coach: 35:00

Buckle up, buttercup. Here we go. Well, everybody, please meet my beautiful friend Katie and Lillian. She is the founder and principal interior designer of her personal company Yasu. Home Co. She's going to tell us how she got that name and just a moment. I actually met you through your sister, I guess. Right. And she connected us.

Kate Anlyan: 35:23

That's right. I mean, I think you changed her world and then helped change mine.

Nicoa Coach: 35:29

Yeah, I was 14 get to have a chance to sit with Sally and we're talking about the beautiful artists sell oven and my well what's her last name? McLean. But McCray? Yeah. So she actually have a piece of her artwork. And before you knew it, we got connected. I was coaching her, when we finished coaching, you're calling me like my sister sent me. And we're gonna talk about that today, you as a coaching client, you as a life designer, you as this amazing woman, doing so many amazing things and really creating a life that you did a whole, like total shift and took a leap of faith, as you said, on your website. So let's first and foremost start with you telling us about your suit. I just want to hear about your business and why you started it.

Kate Anlyan: 36:20

Well, let's say I mean, I started it I was I worked in fashion for 20 years. And I had a really exciting, fun career, I felt like I was in it at a really great time. You know, I got to travel the world meet a lot of people see so many things. And it was really fulfilling. But I was missing something. I was missing some sort of creative outlet, I enjoyed doing things for the masses, but I was missing the really personal part of designing for one person. And

Nicoa Coach: 36:55

because you were with, like companies like anthropology and Abercrombie and Fitch and things like that. So you were doing this, like a buyer type role before? Yeah, so

Kate Anlyan: 37:04

I was in corporate world, yes. And the more people you could appeal to the better. And so it's a huge shift in that sense. On the one hand, it's still helping people, you know, just as you would adorn your body, it's adorning your space, but it's a big shift, and that this is so highly personalized to each customer, each client. And I love that about it. And so Yasue was was born out of that desire to, I think collect things and and decorate spaces.

Nicoa Coach: 37:40

Well, you ended up sitting over there in California pondering this, right? So at what point did you say that's what I want to be doing? I mean, it was clear while you're in that other world, something wasn't really as you weren't fulfilled or satisfied, right? Well, what was the thought? Yeah, so

Kate Anlyan: 37:58

Yasu took on a number of different iterations before I landed on the fact that I really wanted to be an interior designer. So So first, it was collecting things and selling things. And then I was like, I'm just going to dress tables, and then so it was a lot of following what felt exciting to me just what felt fun and what I felt like I could bring to the world. I mean, I don't even know that I was thinking of it that way. It was just really following what I was excited about. And did you do

Nicoa Coach: 38:29

that as like, just as a hobby, like as a side hustle, or Yeah, so

Kate Anlyan: 38:34

I was doing a side hustle helping people style anything, you know, anything shelves, be at a friend's house, then it started with helping friends design entire rooms. And then I realized, Oh, I really love this. This is this thing, and it feels like an extension of what I was doing before.

Nicoa Coach: 38:51

Well, why don't we jump to the snap shot? After you had already moved? You packed everything up? You moved to Raleigh, and then you and I were talking? What happened?

Kate Anlyan: 39:06

Oh my gosh, I feel like I hit the hit. Hit the pavement. It skidded really hard. Sing along. I mean, I don't even know how to describe that moment. Except that it felt like it was the bottom of something. It felt really like a low point. I felt like what have I done? I am careening out of control. This is you know, I've just taken a totally crazy path. All my stability is gone. And I felt like the biggest imposter. I mean, I felt like that many times during my career, but this felt like, oh, girl, you have no clue what you're doing. And I just felt so depressed about it. I felt like I could everything could have made me cry. And I remember the first call with you because I remember I was parked outside of my cousin's house and I couldn't stop the tears. They just kept coming. I mean, it was such a breaking moment and hearing your voice of stability and reason was very comforting immediately.

Nicoa Coach: 40:17

Well, you are in the deepest stage of stress because you were trying to launch your business and you also had just moved into now this is a nice little side note. I love sharing this. You and your husband had just moved into David and Amy Sideris, his childhood home that had been on the market, you guys scooped it up. Now for those people who don't know who that is look it up because they're from our state. Well, and you were I remember our first FaceTime, you were sitting in the guest room that was just steal stuff and boxes, and you were crying because you couldn't find your dishes. And you just wanted to unpack things. Anything. And I had to get to fast forward on this. I was like, What are we dealing with here? Right, what is happening? And it was such an enthusiastic story that you did tell about why you wanted to be an interior designer. But because you were under so much stress. It sounded like you were having some hiccups at work. Like do you remember any examples where you that caused you to think Oh, my God, what am I doing?

Kate Anlyan: 41:22

Yes. And now in hindsight, I'm like, that is not that was not a big deal. But it was the biggest deal to me. I just SPECT, a bathtub going in the wrong direct with the drain in the wrong direction. And it's just like, but I mean, you would have thought that I ran over somebody's dog. I mean, it was just awful. I thought that this is crazy. Every but I'm found out that I am just a complete fraud at this. So yeah,

Nicoa Coach: 41:52

I remember you telling me that story. And I was like, you know, you're not a fraud. No one in your situation who had never done that before, would have you know, it's normal, you made a mistake, you're still learning. This is all part of the process of giving yourself a chance to grow into a new career. And that's literally what you did. Although you were in the fashion design world, you started a brand new career, how did you get the skills? Was it just trial and error? Like the bathtub? Or how did you educate yourself?

Kate Anlyan: 42:23

Um, well, I think I didn't know what I didn't know. And I thought that I haven't like Scott this all day long. So I jumped in, and then realized, oh, gosh, this is so highly technical. So technical. And so it was a lot of baptism by fire. And, you know, now I think I can speak with a lot of confidence on these things. But it was a lot of have a lot of making a quick note and going home and Googling it. Or you're calling somebody who's been doing this for 30 years, a lot of that.

Nicoa Coach: 43:04

Is there anything that I mean, I believe that there's value in all and whatever path we take, obviously, is happening for a reason. But is there anything that you would have done differently? Or you wish you'd done differently?

Kate Anlyan: 43:19

No, actually, no, not at all. I mean, there's so much value in getting a degree in this, but I did seek out a ton of extra education, wherever I could find it. And I didn't take a formal course. But anytime a lighting vendor was offering a lighting class, I would sign up for it. If the state was offering a course in how to do your, you know, taxes every month, I would sign up for it. I was there for all the seminars. So that was good. That was good. But honestly, I feel I feel like I would keep it the same. I mean, it adds a little flavor, right?

Nicoa Coach: 43:58

It sure does. And, you know, it's kind of neat that you shared at one point with your followers, and you're on Instagram at Yasu. Home CO and you also have a website Yasu home co.com. And that whole model where you started talking about what you were doing, you were very transparent. There was this one thing that you said that now I'm forgetting when I went down that path, so we're going to just change the subject. I can't remember that one.

Kate Anlyan: 44:29

I have no idea what it could be either.

Nicoa Coach: 44:32

Well do this for me. educate us on how you got the name Yasu what does that mean?

Kate Anlyan: 44:36

Yasu is the is a Greek greeting. So I'm my heritage is Greek. Well, I'm 50% Greek, but I grew up really in a pretty hardcore Greek American family. And Yasu is a Greek informal greeting. That means that's like a welcome i Hey, what's up, so it's warm and friendly. And that's what I want to bring to people's spaces is, you know, your home, I would like for it to feel like a warm and friendly greeting when you walk in the door.

Nicoa Coach: 45:08

Well, they definitely do all of your interiors that I've seen today do that exact thing and I'm glad you told me the story because I remembered what I was gonna ask. It was about your heritage. You found some history with some of the women in your world that were also desire. Is that right?

Kate Anlyan: 45:25

I mean, that was a big part of starting this it was always something that I really love. loved and cared about was interior design, my grandmother and her sisters, there were five of them, they came over from from Greece. And they started an interior design firm in Raleigh, called National Art interiors. And I don't even know how long ago but it was a long, long time ago. And they were really cool. Ladies, they were super hip, they brought names like Herman Miller and to the to the area. And I remember people telling me that if the purple national art box truck was parked in front of your house, you had arrived, that was, you know, you had really made it if that if they were doing your house, you know, you had made it. So it's kind of the kind of big shoes to fill, but was happy to follow in the footsteps a little bit.

Nicoa Coach: 46:23

Oh, I think that's phenomenal. That means it's kind of in your genes, right? It's a natural part of you. That's really cool.

Kate Anlyan: 46:31

In some way, it's in there somewhere.

Nicoa Coach: 46:34

It's in there somewhere where you're you're banking on it, and you've had the success. And now let's go back to that moment, again, where we started partnering together, what was it that you think really helped you the most and shifting your thinking? So maybe share with us that that shift? Like before, I was telling myself, I'm an imposter? Well, what did you do to recognize that you deserve to be there?

Kate Anlyan: 46:59

I mean, I have to say that a big a big help. And I know that sounds like magic, but was rapid transformational therapy. Yeah, it was major. And I really, I went into it with an open mind. But I didn't realize at the time how much that would. So that, that almost feels like I didn't do the work because it's magic. Listen to the recording that let it really sink in. And that was that was a huge game changer for me. And then I just felt like, wait a minute, I think you helped me see that. The reason I got into this was because I brought a unique perspective, or I felt that I brought a unique perspective, and I have something to offer. And it just took a lot of think repeating that to myself and reminding myself that I'm not I'm not here to have every plumbing answer and every electrical answer, I need a cursory knowledge of it, but But what I'm here to offer is a unique view on how to make your space really beautiful and fun. Well,

Nicoa Coach: 48:09

the rapid transformational therapy was profound for you and everyone that I do these sessions with and, and what we're talking about for those listening who may have never heard of RTT is we're referencing a hypnotherapy approach that takes the individual back to scenes in their life, that may have been the root cause or are the root cause of their feelings of insecurity, in this case, feelings of impostor syndrome. And you were able to tap into some scenes that were pretty clear that that there it is, and then we rewrote them. And we rewired your brain with the recording that you listened to for the next 20 to 30 days. And I don't know, maybe you still

Kate Anlyan: 48:45

listen to it. I do. I do if I feel if I feel the old those, you know, bad thoughts creeping in, I do, I pull it out. And I'm like, I need to re listen to this. It was fascinating, because I remember going backwards. And and recalling these, these snapshots in time. And then and I've, and you're, you know, a little bit aware of what's going on. And so you're thinking, I'm thinking to myself, Oh my gosh, like, this doesn't mean anything. These don't mean anything. And you spun it, you pulled it all together. And it was like, Aha, that was really interesting for me.

Nicoa Coach: 49:27

Yeah, part of the process is really trusting yourself. And, you know, and although I'm a facilitator of the tool, I really believe that we all have that, that ability to go back if we can relax our bodies enough and, and take ourselves into a state and ask our subconscious to talk to us. Tell me why I'm feeling this way. Tell me show me show me a scene and to trust that whatever scene comes into your head in that moment, that's one of the scenes that's one of the little moments either big T little T trauma or just a memory that's causing you to have whatever emotional block that you're having in today's reality. And then we we get rid of it, right? We rewrite it and we reassure that younger version of you that you are enough and you do have what it takes to be successful. I mean, we've only worked together what like three months, three or four months right? Sometimes

Kate Anlyan: 50:24

it feels like more because I feel like I'm heavily you know, I'm following you very closely and I know that you're following me closely too. So for sure

Nicoa Coach: 50:35

we're together and and talk about your success since then, because you went from panic to prosperity. I mean, like really

Kate Anlyan: 50:44

panic, I think. I think one thing that came out of it was easing back into the sense. I mean, no matter how blind this was, at the very beginning, I think it was right on this idea of the universe has my back. Like, I'm just trusting that this is going to work out there was so much trust at the very beginning. And when I when I started working with you is when the trust I had lost it, and I just thought, oh, no, no, no, no, like, it was like, my, it was like, my brain took over in a in a really like, let me protect you sort of way. And, and now I think I'm back to the not, there's no panic. It's all gonna work out. It's okay.

Nicoa Coach: 51:28

Yeah, and it has worked out, you've had a lot of projects. And I've been enjoying you even were selling rugs the other day, I thought that was pretty cool. People were buying stuff from you left and right. And you were like, I can't keep I can't keep it. You guys are calling me. I'm going to the post office. Talk about that. One thing, you, you and I had that one last topic. I remember we did a coaching session and you said Nicoa, I'm just procrastinating, like, I'm not getting shit done. And I remember we talked about how to get you back into the office the next day? And just what did you do to get shut down? Get organized? How did you change from that conversation to actually getting it done?

Kate Anlyan: 52:09

I think there are two two things, I mean, a little bit of it is I allowed myself to, to relax and almost procrastinate it was I guess, not relaxed. But just i I've adopted that as a little bit of the process is I have to get my brain into the space, I have this really lovely client and, and she was the one that for some reason, it just I couldn't get all the things in line to to move it on this project. Let's you know up a later part of the project. And I remember her emailing me back and saying, It's okay, I want you to feel in your most creative, best place to do this. And I love that so much. And so I guess that did that. Because I think that that's really right on is you do have to be in a in a good space and a good headset to you can't force it can't force the the creativity. I mean, sure you can you can push something out, but it's not necessarily going to be your best work. In fact, it's probably not going to be my best True. True your

Nicoa Coach: 53:18

inspired action like inspired moments versus driving and forcing it to happen. Yeah,

Kate Anlyan: 53:24

right. I think that's it. And then it's it's the conscious decision to say, You know what, I'm going to take this day and do this other thing because this my it doesn't feel like that kind of day for me. I think that's okay. That is a big part of it. And then when I know that it's true procrastination, I have to just get my you know what in gear, part of that is putting the time on the calendar. And, and actually putting just smaller goals for myself is a big one. Because sometimes it's so massive, especially when it's a whole house. And it's just really intimidating knowing that I have to do this whole thing. But if I start with Well, let's start with this room or let's start with just looking at the lighting or let's just talk floors, then it's much easier to digest for me.

Nicoa Coach: 54:18

No, that's that's beautiful. And that it I remember when you texted me a picture of you in your office the next day, you're like I did one thing I did this thing or whatever. Colors organized, I wanted them color coded.

Kate Anlyan: 54:31

Yes, yes.

Nicoa Coach: 54:34

This is a good time to take a quick coffee break. And then when we come back, I'd love for you to talk a little bit more about the support around you from California to North Carolina. So we'll be right back.

Unknown: 54:49

We hope you're enjoying listening to this episode of Coffee with Nicoa. Make sure to subscribe so that you never miss an episode and follow Coffee with Nicoa on Instagram to find inspiring content that will help you begin creating your life by design.

Nicoa Coach: 55:04

So yeah, of course we were chugging coffee and dancing as I always say. So yeah, let's go back to California. So you're you're living this life and talk about your support team. Like where was your husband's head and all this and what about your friends and your family? Do people think you were crazy quitting that your career like that?

Kate Anlyan: 55:25

Probably. I mean, now, now that I think back probably did think But, um, but I think my parents were very supportive. And my family was very supportive and part, it was selfish to get me to move back to the East Coast, which I appreciate. But also, I mean, especially my mom is so practical. So for her to say, I think you can really do this, that meant so much. And I think my husband knows what he's dealing with. And he knows that what's the once the train has left the station? I mean, there's, there's no stopping it. So yeah, we just made this plan. I mean, it was kind of a non plan plan. And we basically came up with one solution. And that was it. That was enough for us to get here. And the rest has been a little bit of winging it. But yeah, the support from them was very helpful. Because I think that if I think if they had said, this is a terrible idea, at least would have taken longer to, to get here. But yeah, they were behind me.

Nicoa Coach: 56:38

Oh, yeah. And that's fortunate. And so then you get over here and you buy this house, and you got it, or just about. So not only are you trying to launch a business, but then you're renovating your home. Can you tell us a little bit about what that experience has been like?

Kate Anlyan: 56:55

That I probably would not do again. I probably wouldn't do that again. Because that was I think that contributed so much to my mental well being during that time was not

Nicoa Coach: 57:09

you were living, you're living in the house the whole time. You're redoing it, too. So that's, I mean, I think when I visited you that your husband had just like jackhammer, the whole cement floor. Yeah, it was rock everywhere in the living room. Yeah, I said I was like, good lord woman.

Kate Anlyan: 57:26

There were three inches of concrete under some tile. And we just want just wanted hardwoods everywhere. And so that was a huge undertaking, but that felt like okay, we're making headway but just the, the cooking on a hot plate, I have a hot plate and a plugin griddle for nine months. Oh, that's because, because it's kind of it was kind of a one man show, we did hire someone to help with some things. But yes, that was very unsettling. The not starting a new career really in a new plant in a new place. Because I feel like it will probably would have been smoother if I had launched into this in Los Angeles, or like, really full time. But so the combination was really tough. And I don't know that I would live in the space that we are completely renovating like that, again, because there was not one room that was really, you know, something that felt like home felt like me had my things. You know,

Nicoa Coach: 58:30

I know, I know, well, how did you take care of yourself once? You know, we had to do some coaching for a minute, a hot minute there. But what were some of the self care practices and things that you do to keep yourself sane in the middle of all that kind of chaos?

Kate Anlyan: 58:46

I really needed guidance in this part from you, because I think my practical brain was saying, it doesn't make sense to unpack this thing. Now. It's still the house is in disarray. And I remember a session with you that you said, unpack a thing, make yourself a space, just one small space, whatever it is, just unpack it. It could be just a bedroom, anything, but you've got to have some sort of space, where you feel like a little more balanced. And so I did that. And I remember being so happy to tell my husband when the COA said that. She said to unpack this thing. So I'm gonna unpack this. But it helped. It was that was the kind of as I started unraveling the tightly wound knots that I was in, I think that was was a big turning point.

Nicoa Coach: 59:42

Yeah, I think having we rationalize away the well, I can't unpack because we haven't finished renovating. I can't put anything in this room because it needs to be painted. You know, nobody's sleeping in here. So why would I want to do anything? And I think I remember that session. And I remember saying, well, when it's time to paint, you can just put it all back in the box. Right? Right. Your life is now you have to live your life now. And although renovations and designing and they are a means to an end and outcome, a result, but you're still living your life every day in the midst of all of that. So if you can't find some small pleasures and fulfilling spaces, I mean, your whole point in your career was to create fulfilling spaces and warm welcoming spaces.

Kate Anlyan: 1:00:29

Yes, this is this is taking me Yeah, like real memory lane for this. I mean, it was like Roach poop everywhere. I mean, just every week cleaned, but then there would we would find this new space of like, ah, and yes, yes. And I think I also underestimated how long it would take it was, you know, you think, Oh, well as soon as we do this, we're gonna have it all moved in there. But as soon as we do this was taking, you know, four to six months for any because, you know it just takes some time unless you've got a whole construction crew so

Nicoa Coach: 1:01:03

well, where are you guys now on the renovation?

Kate Anlyan: 1:01:07

I'd say we're 60% of the way there, it could start moving faster. But you know, it's there's a lot of fatigue around here fatigue with just working on the house day after day. So I have to, I have to be totally okay with my husband taking jobs outside of the house. Because, yeah, it's a lot to be here and just working on this one project every day. So, but it's but it's going well. I mean, I'm so happy with the spaces we've done so far. So

Nicoa Coach: 1:01:40

Oh, yeah, I liked the bathroom, you posted about the title A while back, and you're gonna put a little bench. I mean, it's really quite fun to follow you because you are very authentic and your way of being you. You don't put on any airs. You're really, you're personally enthusiastic about every detail, which makes me a doozy plastic. And I'm not even getting any interior design work done. I just can't wait to see the outcome. So that is one

Kate Anlyan: 1:02:07

thing. That's true. It's because of the the deprivation that now now every little thing feels like a luxury. We're like, oh my gosh, we're gonna have a bathroom. Oh,

Nicoa Coach: 1:02:21

I think we have to have that kind of polarity and those extreme experiences to really come back to that gratitude and appreciation for where we are. You know, I always want to ask you, what, what else are you doing to celebrate the growth of the company? Is it? Is it growing manageably? Or what are you learning as it continues to expand?

Kate Anlyan: 1:02:42

I mean, it's it's growing manageably, and I'm taking on new things. So like, I've taken some commercial projects, which are really fun to do. Because they're, you know, inherently not the most personal spaces. So it feels extra fun to make them more personal. Because I think the people that work there, appreciate it so much. So that's really fun. And I'm finding a lot of people aren't ready to commit to hiring a full interior designer that feels like maybe, I think there's a little bit of a myth behind this. But I do think that that seems like some great expense for people, but they do still want some guidance. So one thing that I'm doing is doing some remote sessions, some remote design sessions. And that's really fun, because people can cram, whatever, whatever they want into the session, they could send me their house plans, their, you know, photographs of rooms, and then we'll just talk through their challenges, and I'll give them suggestions. And that feels like they're getting a lot for their, you know, good bang for their buck on that.

Nicoa Coach: 1:03:56

So yeah, so that would mean like, if I said, I wanted to redo my master bedroom, I could send you the dimensions and show you pictures. And then you and I would like FaceTime, or Zoom like we're doing now and do like be in the room together, then you wouldn't have to travel and you could say, Have you considered whatever headboard or whatever I love. Yeah,

Kate Anlyan: 1:04:18

yeah, I think your room could take really dark paint and, you know, it would be really beautiful and feel moody and you know, yada yada, yada.

Nicoa Coach: 1:04:26

Ya know that? That's really cool. I'm gonna keep that in mind. We are looking at a condo for Pippa, who's about to move up to Virginia? And I mentioned it actually, but I'm gonna I'm gonna mention it again to her, because then she wants to do it herself. And yet, she doesn't know where to start. She's 22. And you can give her advice?

Kate Anlyan: 1:04:46

Absolutely, absolutely. I think it's also reassuring to just talk to somebody sometimes who does it professionally, just to just to say like, oh, yeah, that's great tile. Yes, I would I would choose that too. Or, you know, yeah, like you said,

Nicoa Coach: 1:05:01

speaking of that, do you have mentors or advisers in the area of interior design now that you call on or you ask for advice?

Kate Anlyan: 1:05:09

Yes. There's someone in our family that she probably regrets, like close by, because I call on her from time to time and actually she was another very reassuring voice when the you know what was hitting the fan. She said, Oh, honey, you know, don't worry about, uh, you know what we did last week? And it was something that was like a $30,000 error. And I was like, Okay, I mean, I'm I'm alright. Do you have insurance for you know? Yes. Oh my gosh, omission errors insurance?

Nicoa Coach: 1:05:49

That's right. You gotta have it. That was a big tip. Yeah, omissions that Oh, honey. Oh, surance. That's right. Yeah. So people were thinking about jumping out on your own and make sure in your field or your industry. Ask somebody about your business insurance, it is a requirement and not want to get caught empty handed on some insurance coverage? Yes, yes. That's awesome. Well, let's, let's bring it to closure here. Even though I know that you and I could talk all day long every day. What advice would you give to someone who wants to jump out of a? I mean, how long was your career before you jump? Like 1520 years? You've been 20 years? How long? 20 years. Okay, so 20 year career? How in the world? What advice would you give them about totally jumping into something new?

Kate Anlyan: 1:06:42

I mean, I think the follow what interests you just follow it and the universe really does have your back. I know this is this is probably advice that some people would say, this is batshit. Crazy.

Nicoa Coach: 1:06:56

Oh, we love you know, I'll pull out the crystals and feathers if we need to. All right. We also know it to be too rude. I mean, at the end of the day, you got to stop trying to force things and just sit back and go, This is what my what I want. This is my deepest heart's desire. And if I just relax a little bit, and just keep taking one step at a time, every day, it will unfold naturally and organically. But if I kind of force it, and I'm afraid it's gonna be hard.

Kate Anlyan: 1:07:24

Absolutely. Absolutely. The forcing is where everything gets locked up. I mean, just take the step. Just take the step. I mean, yes, you feel like you're stepping off a cliff. But then you realize, oh, there's something right underneath you. And it's like, it's okay.

Nicoa Coach: 1:07:38

So it really is, it's okay. Well, you are amazing. I want you to end our session, like we ended every coaching session. And I'd like you to share what is one thing you want to celebrate the most about yourself? Or your way your life by design?

Kate Anlyan: 1:07:56

Oh, my gosh, I don't know why this feels like such pressure. But one thing to celebrate about myself. You know what, I've just celebrate my my quirky, quirky interests and tastes because you know what, I'm I am offering something different. I'm really thankful for that. I'm thankful to be bringing a different style to, you know, to my market. So and the

Nicoa Coach: 1:08:21

world needs that and you are being validated every day by your quirky, authentic, interesting, creative perspective on life. And, and your interiors are absolutely beautiful. I think actually, I was gonna say this in the beginning. We both are interior designers. Oh, I see. Oh, and I used to say, I wish I was an inferior designer like you and in the world of home design. But then I thought, wait a minute. I'm actually an interior designer.

Kate Anlyan: 1:08:57

Yes.

Nicoa Coach: 1:09:01

Well, is there anything else you want to share? Before we wrap up? Are you feeling complete or anything when advertised about your home?

Kate Anlyan: 1:09:09

I mean, I know as soon as we end this, I'm gonna think of 20 things but no, no. I mean, just just come on to your home. We're just hanging out. It's really fun to it's fun to just talk to people. So

Nicoa Coach: 1:09:23

Oh, my God. Well, you know, I love doing that. And that's why I'm doing this podcast. So thank you, dear. I will put all of your contact information around Yasu Home Depot and the Instagram account. I'll put everything in the show notes. And thank you. That's all I have to say. You're the best and I love you so much.

Kate Anlyan: 1:09:39

Love you.

Unknown: 1:09:44

Thank thanks for joining us for a caffeinated conversation. Subscribe to Coffee with Nicoa for more stories from people living a life by design. You can also find inspiration on Instagram. Just follow Coffee with Nicoa and check out our website Coffee with nicoa.com and that's Nicoa N I CoA. We look forward to talking with you soon. And enjoy your coffee between now and then