Work life of Kayla Duggar, partner at Ready at 7 and co-founder of Hygge Co-working

I’m a HUGE Kayla fan. The first Axios Charlotte office was in the @809 coworking space, next door to Hygge, where Kayla works. I’ve gotten to know her well over the last nine months of my life. She’s a quiet assassin. She’s a leader. She’s a make-things-happen person. She’s running two fast growing businesses. And she’s hilarious.

Kayla may be the best young entrepreneur that you don’t know in Charlotte. Well, let’s get to know her…

Office location

Hygge Co-Working (809 W. Hill St.)

Job title 

Partner at Ready at 7 and Co-Founder of Hygge Co-Working

Commute

13 minutes via my Subaru Outback.

What do you do during your commute?

I practice my set for my comedy routine – by putting my phone up to my ear so no one thinks I’m actually talking to myself. Or, I finish up whatever podcast I was listening to while I was getting ready.

Phone type

iPhone 6? Not completely sure.

Desk

Computer

I’m a Mac something. What I know for sure is it’s a laptop and it’s pretty lightweight.

Gadgets you can’t live without

My iPad, which is just a glorified e-reader for me. I do nothing but download books that are not worthy for shelf space.

Do you listen to music while you work?

Spotify. We have a shared Hygge playlist that plays throughout the space and anyone can contribute to. This is my own: https://play.spotify.com/user/duggerkayla – save your comments. I listen to stuff like this when I am in get-it-done mode. I listen to this stuff when I’m trying to impress people.

What software are you a power user of?

I want to say, none.

What’s your favorite spot for a business lunch? Your order?

Rhino Market – Rhino Club. Or, a grilled cheese and soup (if I know the person well).

Social media habits

I’m not a follow/Facebook-friend first person. I let people come to me if they want. People have a lot of noise in their feeds and if they want me to be a part of it, I’m honored… If not, I totally get it. I hope that didn’t sound as douchey as I think it did.

To-do list manager

Basecamp and notebook.

What everyday thing are you really good at?

Remembering different movies/shows actors have played in. I can identify “that guy from that one thing” pretty quickly.

What’s your one favorite thing about your job?

Ready at 7 – we don’t fit into any check boxes.

Hygge – I’m naturally shy, so having a co-working space seemed like an offbeat thing to do for me. But, it’s nice to have a community in my home/on my turf if you will; it makes networking easier.

Best time-saving shortcut or Charlotte life hack

I use is Fit You Meals; I love it for lunch (keeps me from just ordering Jimmy John’s). Now that I’m on that, I’m looking for other things to outsource – heavily considering 2U Laundry and Uptown Errands.

Sleep routine

In bed by like 9:30 to fall asleep to… hear me out… Ghost Adventures, which I nicknamed Ghost Puncher. If you haven’t watched it, OH MY GOD you’re missing out. To summarize: it’s a rag tag team of paranormal investigators who try to convince ghosts to fight them while wearing Ed Hardy T-shirts.

Where do you go around Charlotte to get away from the office?

I have a couple of nooks I like to get into. My office at Hygge or Smelly Cat.

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

I can’t remember. I’m really bad about eating breakfast. I have Soylent on the way, so I can get better at making sure I consume calories in the AM. Soylent is an unfortunate name… probably unfortunate choice on my part too, but we’ll see.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?

Writing scripted comedy.

Best job advice you’ve received

Only check your email if you’re in a place to mentally receive it and thoughtfully respond. If someone emails at 12 a.m., I’m probably not equipped to handle their email (whether it’s good or bad) at that time.

Last book you read (grade it on a A-F scale)

The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*cK – Grade: B

Rework – Grade: B

Fire Starter Sessions – Grade: A.

I read a lot of books at once because my brain is so big.

Last movie you watched (grade it on a A-F scale)

The cool/relaxed girl answer – Straight Outta Compton. Grade: A (If anyone wants to get together and talk about Suge Knight for a like half an hour, email me directly.)

Slightly embarrassing answer – I think it was either Unfriended or The Intern. I have no moral compass for the consumption of horror movies or Nancy Meyer-esk movies. Grade: D+.

What other Charlottean would you like to answer these questions?

Abby Clark.