Latest / GlowInto / The Story of Karlyn Slaydon
Transcript
- Jen: Welcome to the Glow and Two Podcast, where I share the stories of women who are continuing to evolve, discover new possibilities, and step into what comes next. I thought today was the perfect time to share Carlin Slayden's story because I'm also introducing the story of Christine Blankard, and these two women have a wonderful connection. Christine has created a space inside Blankard's Vintage Market for KS Signature, the business Carlin has built around personal style, confidence, and helping women see their wardrobes. And themselves a little differently. But my connection to Carlin started before that. Carlin was one of the first women I met when I joined the little black book, Women in Business, and I remember noticing her almost immediately. First of all, she was dressed amazing, but it was more than the clothes. Carlin has a presence about her. She's well spoken, she's funny, and she has the effortless sophistication that has always reminded me a little bit of old Hollywood Rita Hayworth kind of glamour. And it's not because she's trying to create another era, it's because there's something about the way she carries herself, the way she speaks, and of course, the way she dresses that simply feels timeless. And as I got to know her, I realized there's much more than just the style. She has spent 20 years in the Air Force. She's built a career around service, leadership, organization, discipline, taking care of details. She became a wife and a mother. And when that chapter of her professional life came to an end, she didn't walk away with some perfectly mapped out plan for what came next. Instead, she began listening to a creative part of herself that had actually been there all along. And I think there's something so many women do beyond their 40s and 50s that need to be recognized. Sometimes a new chapter isn't about becoming an entirely different person. Sometimes it's about finally giving yourself permission. To bring forward a part of yourself that has always been waiting for its turn. And for Carlin, that became KS signature. And what began with a natural eye for putting clothing together has grown into something much deeper. Today she helps women with closet edits, personal shopping, color analysis, body shape guidance, resale, and personal styling. But when you really understand what Carlin does, you'll realize pretty quickly that this isn't simply about finding someone a cute outfit. Carlin understands that our closets can hold a lot more than clothes. They can hold memories, old versions of ourselves, bodies we used to have, careers we left, pieces we're saving for someday. And sometimes an entire closet full of clothes can still leave a woman standing there thinking, I have nothing to wear. Carlin helps women look at that all differently. She talks about fit, feel, and function, honoring the body you have today. Understanding what actually serves the life you're living now, and recognizing that you don't have to wait until you lose five pounds or reach some future version of yourself to feel good when you get dressed. And then there's another part of Carlin's style philosophy that I absolutely love. She sees possibility and things other people might overlook. She is an incredible eye for vintage and gently worn clothing, and she can find a beautiful piece with the past. recognize its quality and character, and give it another life. That passion has now grown into her own curated resale space inside Blankard's vintage market. And in a way, I think the idea of seeing possibility describes Carlin's own story beautifully. She didn't have to leave behind the woman she was during those twenty years in the Air Force to create KS signature. She brought that discipline, service, confidence, and attention to detail from that life with her. And made room for creativity, instinct, and joy. And on a personal level, I'm also proud to call Carlin my friend. And when Glowin' Two was still very new and I was asking people to believe in a vision that I was still building, Carlin was one of those first people who said yes. She didn't hesitate to support what I was creating. And today I'm proud to have her as one of the Glow and Two's contributing writers. That kind of support matters to me, and it makes sharing her story even more meaningful. Because There's a lot more to Carlin than Fabulous Clothes. There's a woman who served her country, built a career, raised her family, followed a creative part of herself in an entirely new chapter, and she's now helping other women see themselves and the season of life they're in now with a little more confidence. So today I want to take you beyond the clothes and introduce you to the woman behind Kaya Signature. Here's the story of Carlin Slayden, Kaya Signature, where fit, feel, and function. Meet confidence. These are the women I'll glow in two. At fifty two, O'Fallon resident Carlin Slayden is building a second chapter that brings together the structure of her past with the creativity that has always been part of her. And after a twenty year career in the Air Force, Carlin did not set out to simply retire. She had served, led, organized, supported, adapted, and built a life around discipline and structure. And when that chapter came to a close, she found herself facing a question many women eventually asked. What comes next? And so for Carlin, the answer did not arrive as one perfectly mapped out plan. It came through conversation, encouragement, instinct, and part of herself that had been quietly present all along. Today, through Kaya's signature, Carlin helps women look at their closets differently. Her work as a stylist includes closet edits, personal shopping, color analysis, body shape guidance, and wardrobe support for women who are ready to feel more confident in what they wear. For many women, getting dressed is not always as simple as pulling something from the closet. Bodies change, lifestyles change, confidence changes, so clothing can hold memories, expectations. Old versions of ourselves and the hope of feeling good again. Carlin's work is not just about clothes, it is about helping women see themselves more clearly in the season they are in right now. When asked about her first major turn into adulthood, Carlin does not begin with the military. She goes back further to age 21 when she moved away from home. She moved to Southern California and later to Central Florida. It was a step into independence, a different environment, and a life away from what was familiar. Her parents had raised her to be independent, so the move did not feel like a dramatic break. It felt natural, she was excited, capable, and ready to figure things out. That early independence became part of the foundation for the life she had built later. Carlin learned to trust herself, adapt to new places, and keep moving forward even when the path changed. Carlin entered the military at 27 after earning her bachelor's degree and after working in retail and restaurants while completing school. She was drawn to the Air Force for its structure, travel opportunities, benefits, and long-term career path. She went through officer training school in 2001. Her work focused on personnel similar to human resources, and she spent seven of her twenty years in executive officer roles supporting high level leadership. That work took her from the wing level to the Pentagon, where organization, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate needs were essential. Not everyone enjoys that type of work. Carlin did. She liked being organized, taking care of the details, and supporting leadership and making sure things ran smoothly. Those strengths still show up in her work today, the uniform is gone while the service mindset remains. During her military years, Carlin also met her husband and built a family that includes a daughter and a son. Although Carlin spent much of her adult life in military structure, fashion had always been part of her story. She did not spend her military years dreaming of becoming a stylist. In fact, she wore a uniform every day, and the military came with strict appearance standards, looking back on the The clues were always there. She grew up around secondhand shopping. Her mother loved to thrift, and because Carlin rode horses growing up, finding quality pieces at a better price became both practical and personal. What they saved by shopping secondhand could go towards the horse-related expenses that mattered to her. Her love for clothing and character pieces started early. In sixth grade, when students were allowed to dress up for Halloween, Carlin found a nineteen fifties formal dress and wore it. If someone asked what she was supposed to be, the answer almost didn't matter. She simply loved the dress. That instinct, seeing possibility in clothing, appreciating quality and character, and finding beauty and pieces with the past stayed with her. Years later it would become part of the foundation of Kaya's signature. What if feeling better started with looking at the whole you? At Thriving Willow Coaching, Allison Tyndall helps women create healthier, more sustainable lives through a whole person approach to wellness. From navigating midlife changes to building better habits around nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and everyday life, Allison helps women move away from the all-or-nothing mindset and toward changes they can actually maintain. Because your health isn't just one number, it's your energy. Your strength, your confidence, your habits, and your life. Balance resilience, whole person, health. Discover thriving willow coaching with Alison Tyndall and start building a healthier life that works for the woman you are now. Allison is a glow-in-to- longevity partner. Kaya's signature began after Carlin's friend Melissa recognized something in her and encouraged her to do something with it. Melissa had seen Carlin in groups at lunches and in everyday life, and she noticed how Carlin dressed, how she connected with people, and how naturally she talked about thrifted fashion. Carlin might show up to lunch and mention that her outfit was almost entirely thrifted, then explain where she found the pieces and how she put them together. So to Carlin, that was just a part of who she was. But to Melissa, it looked like a business. The original idea focused on women going through physical transformation, with more women experiencing significant weight loss. Sometimes quickly there was a need for affordable, thoughtful wardrobe support. Clothes are expensive, and when a body is changing, building an entirely new wardrobe can feel overwhelming. So Melissa encouraged Carlin to use her love of resale and styling to help women dress the body they have now. And what started as a conversation became a business built around clarity, confidence, and personal style. Carlin's approach begins with what she calls the fit feel and function. Fit matters because clothing should complement the body a woman has now in this season of life. Not the body she had 10 years ago, not the body she is waiting to have after losing five pounds, the body she has now. And feel matters because fabric, comfort, and confidence all work together. Something can technically fit, but if it does not feel good, it will not become part of a wardrobe a woman reaches for. And function matters because every piece in a closet should serve a purpose. That purpose may be practical, professional, personal, or emotional. And Carlin understands that clothing can hold meaning. A sweater from a mother, a dress from a certain season of life, A pair of shoes connected to a memory may no longer function as everyday wardrobe pieces, yet they still matter, She doesn't believe every emotional piece has to be immediately discarded. The answer is not always to purge everything. Sometimes it is to create space, organize intentionally, and move certain items out of the closet while still honoring their meeting. That perspective gives her closet edits a gentler, more realistic tone. She is helping women understand what belongs in the life they are living now. For many women, the problem is not always a lack of clothing. It is a lack of clarity. A lot of women don't necessarily need more clothes, Carlin says. They need more clarity. And that clarity is what Kaya Signature is designed to provide. During a closet edit, Carlin helps clients identify what works, what no longer serves them, and which pieces can be styled in new ways. She helps women look at their closets with fresh eyes, build outfits from what they already own. And that can be especially helpful for women over 40, when style often becomes more complicated than it used to be. Our bodies change, careers shift, children grow, social lives change, and A woman's schedule, shape, priorities, and confidence may all look different than they did in earlier decades. Sometimes a woman stands in front of a full closet and still feels like she has nothing to wear. Carlin helps translate what is there. She can see how practical pieces pair together, identify what is missing, and explain why something does or does not work. For Carlin's style does not mean chasing trends. It is about understanding what works and learning how to show up with confidence. One of Carlin's strongest messages. Is that women do not have to wait to feel good in their clothes. Many women say they will buy something when they lose weight, dress differently when they reach a certain size, or finally enjoy getting dressed when their body changes. Carlin challenges that thinking. Why not honor the body you have now? Glow and 2 is creating space for women to share what they know, tell the stories that matter, and connect with women navigating what comes next. If you have knowledge, experience, or a perspective that could benefit other women, I'm looking for contributors across the four pillars of Glow In 2 Style that evolves, what shapes us now, longevity, and women inside the workplace. There are opportunities to contribute your expertise, share valuable content. And become part of the growing GlowinTo community. And if you have a story, business, or brand you want more women to know about, GlowinTwo also offers media packages designed to go deeper than traditional advertising, including personal stories, business storytelling, podcast opportunities, digital exposure, and online visibility across GlowinTo platforms. Because sometimes the most powerful way to introduce what you do is to introduce the woman behind it. If you're interested in pursuing those opportunities or you'd just like to tell your story, please contact Jennifer Joyner at glowinto.com. You can also reach me by hitting the contact button at glowin' two dot com. Glow and two is for real women, real stories, and wisdom for what's next. Carlin's love for resale plays a major role in her business. She has thrifted and sourced clothing for years, drawn to the quality, craftsmanships, character, and affordability that secondhand fashion can offer. She shops local and regional thrift stores, antique malls, resale shops, and even sources pieces when she travels. She looks for quality, longevity, and pieces that still have life in them. Now Carlin is expanding that vision. Through a curated resale space located on the upper level of Blankard's Vintage Market in downtown Belleville, giving KS Signature a local presence where women can shop thoughtfully selected pieces. The space reflects the same philosophy she brings to styling her clients. Quality over quantity and pieces chosen with intention. And before items make it into the space, Carlin cleans, steams, irons, and prepares them so they feel boutique level and ready for second life. That attention to detail connects back to her years in service where presentation, preparation, and care were part of the standard. Carlin does not describe her business as a rigid five year plan. Instead, she sees KS signature as a passion that continues to grow naturally through styling appointments, client relationships, workshops, color analysis resale, and future creative collaborations. She is open to what may come next, whether that be more virtual styling, travel based styling, creative media work, fashion related collaborations, or special projects. She is especially drawn to the idea of combining her personal interests with her work. Thoroughbred racing, hats, and track fashion are also things she loves, and she can imagine those interests becoming part of Kaya's signature story in some way. She is not trying to force every opportunity. The right collaboration presents itself, she is open to it, if the right creative door opens, she is willing to walk through it. The structure is still there, and now there is more room for creativity, instinct, and joy. When asked what she would tell her younger self, Carlin says she would encourage her to seek adventure, pursue opportunities, be bold, be creative, and surround herself with people who empower her and bring her joy. She also believes deeply in seeking support when needed. Carlin shared that counseling and mental health support have become important throughout her life. Her parents recognized early that support mattered, and she began counseling at 17. Over the years at different points and different places, she has returned to counseling when she needed help working through life, relationships, stress, or internal changes. Over the years, at different points and in different places, she has returned to counseling when she needed help working through life, relationships, stress, or internal challenges. For Carlin, that willingness to seek help has been part of building confidence. It has helped her grow, succeed, serve, and continue becoming. That message matters because telling women to just be brave or just take the step can sound simple. Sometimes taking the step requires support and it requires confidence that has to be built. Sometimes joy has to be uncovered after years of doing what was expected. Carlin understands that growth is not always a straight line. Through Kaya's signature, Carlin is helping women move past the frustration of a closet that no longer makes sense and toward a wardrobe that feels more aligned with who they are now. She is helping women understand fit, feel, and function, and she is helping them shop with intention. She is helping them see resale as elevated, thoughtful, and full of possibility. Most of all, she is helping women honor the season of life they are in now, while giving them the confidence to show up fully as themselves. For Carlin, this second chapter is not about leaving one identity behind. It is about bringing more of herself forward. And through Kaya's signature, she is helping other women do the same. To read Carlin's full story, head on over to glowin2.com, where you can see her full feature photos and learn more about the woman behind Kaya's signature. And while you're there, be sure to check out Carlin's latest contribution to Style That Evolves. New to you, why resale deserves a place in your closet, where she shares why resale, vintage, and consignment can be a smart and stylish part of the way we dress now. And thank you for listening to the Glowin Two podcast. Until next time keep glowing into who you were always meant to be.