Meet Zenobia Young | Creator & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zenobia Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zenobia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
To build a legacy for my children to carry-on and create an on trend, upscale, unique, infant /toddler brand that could possibly grow into their adulthood brand and expand to different avenues of products.

Social Impact – How does your business help the community or the world?

The Xyler + Kylo brand commits to utilizing sustainable fabrics and materials when deciding upon product manufacturing.  Our logo is designed upon our love for giraffes, due to the Xyler + Kylo family being what would be considered tall, we look for different ways we can contribute to the continued growth of the giraffe population across the world.  Slowly they (giraffes)are becoming less and less prominent in our world and we cannot imagine a world without those tall, long neck, beautiful, majestic creatures; therefore, we look for causes and foundations to donate a portion of the proceeds of the business.  Additionally, the Xyler + Kylo brand is designed around a particular infant/toddler lifestyle, which is sports related and we are currently in the process of looking for partnerships and programs centered around sports for toddlers that we can contribute and/or provide resources.

Risk Taking: How do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

EVERYTHING is a risk.  Making life and business decisions or choices can all be extremely risky because you never know the outcome.  You can only attempt to make best decisions and stand on what you believe.  Prayer works and making peace with your choices does also!  With the Xy+Ky brand, I felt like it was a huge risk to use my children’s names, but it kept coming back around each time we were deciding upon a name.  I am an extremist when it comes to privacy and I felt like a part of my private life was being taken from me when their names were decided upon and we moved forward with the name of the brand.  However; using their names for the brand has been rewarding to say the least and I am always excited when people compliment the name of the brand and ask who is Xyler + Kylo!  I get to tell them the brand is an ode to two beautiful little boys and I am their mother!

Parent Impact

The most important thing we’ve done as parents for our children is providing a loving environment that centers around nurturing and learning.  We speak daily affirmations to our children so they know they are intelligent, strong, resilient, brave and loved.  The boys are in weekly activities such as swimming, and other indoor and outdoor sports along with learning ASL and Spanish. We try our best to provide outlets that cater to their recreation and social development.

What is success?

Producing a successful clothing brand requires a combination of creativity, hard work, and strong attention to details. However, personal success can be defined in many ways, depending on values, beliefs, and goals. Things such as personal and  professional accomplishments, financial stability, social status, or other areas of life.  Success can be a motivating factor that drives individuals to pursue their dreams and aspirations and to continually strive to improve themselves and their circumstances. Ultimately for me, success is a journey rather than a destination, that’s it, continuous striving for your personal driving factors.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Xyler + Kylo is a freestyle effortless, athleisure-inspired infant and toddler lifestyle brand for the little ones that play bold and STAND TALL.

Our brand is inspired by the little ones that are long and tall, hence the giraffes! Giraffes are described to be majestic and unique, and our designs in the Xyler + Kylo collection follow suit.

Our stylish pieces are made from high-quality fabrics in gender-neutral silhouettes that cater to the cool attitude of the modern baby. Here you will find some feel-good pieces spotted with giraffes or in a neutral tone that will blend well with your little one’s wardrobe.

With a mom crazy about giraffes and a dad who is a sports fanatic, we created a brand named after our sons Xy + Ky. The feel of the brand is inspired by the unique, confident, and majestic animal we love with a touch of athleticism for babies constantly on the move, just like our sons.

How to know whether to start or stop?

Foot is on the pedal…no stopping only running stop signs!  Lol, I don’t mean that literally, I am actually a fairly safe driver!  We are here to stay, through the good, bad and the ugly.  If we have to rebrand, restructure, change trajectory, and/or branch into different industries, that’s what we will do.  Stand Tall, Live Long and Be Majestic, it’s the Xyler + Kylo Lifestyle!

Work Life Balance

I don’t even understand work life balance…lol. It has been a journey and since the brand officially launched in November 2022, it has been constant work and the balance comes somewhere in between.  I love it!  I have always been a go-getter and an on the go type of person when it came to my professional life.  I was constantly networking and making moves in whatever industries I was involved in.  Now that I am a mother, I had to slow down a teeny bit and focus on motherhood, but having babies during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 it gave me the time to nurture and bond with my babies and figure out life a little more.  I have been full steam since June 2022 with meetings, consultations, working with designers, manufacturers, seamstress, and all things to prepare for the launch of Xyler + Kylo.  So hopefully now in 2023, I can add the balance to my work life!

What makes you happy and why?

Family and friend moments, love, success and winning in this thing called life. Wouldn’t you say that’s fair?

Why did you pursue or choose an artistic or creative career?

Creativity is apart of my DNA.  I was born this way!  Although I initially pursued a corporate career path, I always stayed true to my creative heart.  I’m an actress, a play director and an all around creative. I have worked in the tv/film production industry for many years and also have been a radio personality all while climbing the corporate ladder.  My husband who is my business partner and myself, now have the freedom to fully express our creative ideas and bring them to life.  Hence, that’s how the Xyler + Kylo brand idea was birthed and created.  It’s an exciting time and we are looking forward to what this new journey of the retail, fashion and ecommerce industry brings to us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
OMG! I have been a homebody for the past few years. Being a new mommy to two under two and building the Xyler + Kylo brand, I haven’t had much time to get out and enjoy the city as I did in the past.

My favorite place currently is Mojave Restaurant. I stop in from time to time, run into people I know and grab a drink and some quick girl chat. Otherwise, you might catch me strolling around The Battery to see what’s new and exciting happening there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Funny thing, no one actually knows about my brand. It has grown organically through strangers! I never shared the news with my family or friends. I wanted this to come as a surprise. They know me, I live a private life and I’m always up to something, so they know there is usually an element of surprise that comes along from time to time, so surprise to my loved ones (family and friends), I started a brand! This is dedicated to you all.

Website: xylerandkylo.com

Instagram: @xylerandkylo

Facebook: xyler + kylo

Image Credits
Dope Shots Photography, LLC