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

Hi Kiara, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk has played an immense role in contributing to where I am today. My first big risk, in where I believe my true story to start, was getting my skydiving license. At the time (May of 2022) it wasn’t financially smart for me nor was it, obviously, physically the smartest activity/sport I could choose to partake in. I didn’t have much money as I was in college and I had my parents telling me it was a very dumb decision in regards to my safety. But I clearly was willing to take those risks of putting myself in debt and potentially disappointing my parents. My second big risk actually happened very recently. I dropped out of college to devote my full time and energy into “creating” myself and my brand on social media. I have had the utmost support and guidance from my friends to enter the creative industry and I couldn’t be more stoked to pursue a career in it. I believe I’ve gained so much insight through them and dropping the sense of “security” I had through being in college, is just going to drive me to start actually utilizing those skills. And finally, my next big risk that few people know my plans of, Is to leave my childhood home indefinitely. For about a year now, after deciding to do online school my second year of college, I’ve been living at home to save money and have the flexibility to travel. A lot of my friends do the same as well. It’s a sense of comfort not having to pay bills, rent, or even food in some cases. Some have even told me that the smartest thing for me to do is live at home as long as I can to get the most I can out of these free resources. But the truth is, it’s very hard for me to grow in an environment i’ve already outgrown (thank you Zach for putting that into verbal perspective for me.) And that, for me, is really what matters most, and the reason why I’m willing to take the risk of having to navigate self-sufficiency when I have the option to stay comfortable at home. Risk and discomfort go hand in hand. When you’re willing to take a risk, you’re agreeing to being uncomfortable. But the beauty in being uncomfortable is that there is always an opportunity to grow as long as you’re willing to take it. Moving across the country, 10 hours away from all of my family, is definitely a huge risk as I genuinely have no idea how to do a lot of adult things lmao. But I have utter blind faith in myself and my ability to figure things out as I go. I have zero clue how a lot of these risks will play out for me, but I know no matter what I will find a way to keep growing and come out of every situation I may be put in. The two risks I mentioned before have done absolute amazing things in my life: offering me opportunity, money, freedom, and a community. I believe this next one is a huge step into propelling myself into my idea of success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most proud of the mindset I’ve created for myself than anything else. It’s also what I believe to set me apart from others. I prioritize only the things I find most important to me and my goals and I endlessly reflect on the beauty of the journey I’m on. I don’t try to conform to what others may expect of me, especially society. I’m aware that life is short and when my time is up on earth, I will look back at all the amazing things I accomplished out of pure passion. I believe 1000% that I’m where I’m at today is because of the people I’ve attracted into my life. It started with my friend Mercedes who matched with me on a dorm roommate portal because we shared the same dream of traveling the world and having platforms to make an impact on. From there, I met so many amazing people who would soon teach me that my dreams weren’t as far as I thought. My friend Eric showing me that experiencing the world was truly just a flight away, that creating is extremely fun especially with good friends and a story to tell, and that social media can most certainly be a job with the right ambition and ideas. My friends Nate and Nico for introducing me to the skydiving / extreme sports world where I then would share the beauty of how finite life is with people all over the world. By being open about my values in life, I’ve attracted those who share the same ones and have allowed me to be a part of such an uplifting and supportive community. By sharing those same values on social media, I’ve only opened my horizons to larger pools of people who bring new outlooks, perspectives, and friendship. I’ve met people all over the world because of it and have learned so much from each and every person.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Melbourne. Not Australia but Florida. It’s a pretty small town but definitely has character despite how many people I know from here that call it “Melboring.” I’d obviously have to start with taking them skydiving if they haven’t been. Or even if they have because I consider the people there like a second family and would love to share the love and laughter that happens at a DZ. I skydive in Sebastian which is only about 30 minutes from my house and 10 from the ocean. The views are incredible on the plane ride up and it brings me so much joy to watch one of my friends experience people smushed in a small plane together like sardines, salty, cold wind coming from the open door of the plane, and the absolute bliss that comes from realizing you’re about to chuck yourself out of a plane for fun. Then for lunch I’d give them the option of Poke Bowls from Kona Poke, or Burgers from a retro diner in Downtown Melbourne. Downtown Melbourne is a pretty cool spot for locals to eat, celebrate events, paint pottery, do escape rooms, etc. Then around sunset, the beach is a must. My favorite spot is Ocean ave. There’s a little market that you can get Jarritos drinks, sushi, subs. Also a ton of streets to skate on with rows of palm trees. My favorite beach that I grew up going to with my dad is 2nd Ave. I go there all the time now to journal, take a sunrise swim, play with my puppy Koda, and just enjoy a quiet day by the ocean since its a less populated area. I love the small community I’ve grown up in and I much prefer it over a super busy place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To Mr. Soliven – Thank you for always pushing me to do my absolute best in English 3 and AP Literature. Thank you for making me realize I’m capable of pushing my self set boundaries. Thank you for teaching me what true hard work and dedication looks like. Thank you for making me write 493759843 essays and read 437847867 books <3

To Prof. Kassidy – Thank you for putting my goals into perspective, for challenging me to figure out what I envisioned my life to look like, and teaching me how to get there. Having such an early support system my first year of college, I was able to kickstart the journey of making my dreams come true. I will never forget the frequent guidance meetings in your office that went from “I want to change my major” to “I want to study abroad” to “I want to do online school to travel” to an email a year later “hey I dropped out of college.” You have been such a role model to me and I can’t thank you enough for inspiring me and supporting me 100% in whatever crazy ideas I came to you with.

To Mercedes, Nate, Nico, & Eric – Thank you SO much for being right by my side in all the crazy ideas we had for the direction of our lives. The dorm talks of how we were going to travel the world and share our journeys with others, will forever be ingrained in my head. The dreams we had in common over having platforms to portray our perspectives on life, to meet new people with similar mindsets, to experience new places and cultures, are no longer dreams. It’s been the most beautiful thing to watch us all grow substantially as individuals and achieve each and every goal we set for ourselves. I know I can always count on you guys to lift me back up if I feel myself falling down in ANY aspect of life. I’m forever indebted to the contribution you guys have had in getting me to where I am in my life and where I will be.

To Arianna – Thank you for being the one friend that has stuck with me despite all the trials of life. Since kindergarten, you’ve been the one to bring the absolute goof out of me, be a sister to confide in, and a soul to share the beauty of friendship with. I know I will I will always have a place in your heart as you will in mine, no matter how long it’s been since we talked.

To my Mom and Dad, Auntie and Uncle, Lola and Papa – Thank you for literally everything. For being the devils advocate to my insane ideas and prompting me to be conscious of my decisions, for STILL supporting me even after I decide to make those decisions anyway, and showing me what endless love looks like. Thank you Mom for teaching me kindness. Thank you Dad for teaching me mental toughness. Thank you Auntie and Uncle for always uplifting my adventure seeking spirit. Thank you Lola and Papa for keeping my inner kid alive and for being the comfort a little girl always needs.

Website: https://beacons.ai/kiaravernon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiaravernon/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWLoSntzVTvZ9kIMpoT6KA

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