Meet Kyra Albarracin | Plant Designer & Stylist

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

Hi Kyra, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
A work life balance as an adult has become more of a priority over the past decade. My twenties and thirties I spent letting my day job consume me and up until my mid-thirties is when I decided I needed to travel more and take the time I need to see the world outside my computer screen. During the pandemic things took an interesting turn since I had more time on my hands and at first, introducing Keeks Corner as a business opportunity felt like it may be too much to handle. But as time went by, I learned that organization and being kind to myself was the way to succeed.

Last year, I had the opportunity to take a short leave of absence from work because I was feeling burnt out and overwhelmed with my career and the demands I placed on myself to run Keeks Corner.

I took the time to reflect and think about what I wanted to do and how I was going to get there. While I’d love to say I put this down on paper, it was more about me understanding my worth and being OK with going at my own pace.

After all, I am my own boss at Keeks Corner so allowing myself to not sweat the little things continues to make things enjoyable for me as I continue to participate in pop up events in my down time and connect with people who love plants. I would love to say I will focus on Keeks Corner solely tomorrow but I am currently manifesting myself to get there in 5 years. How this will happen? Nobody knows but I love knowing it will just happen when its meant to happen.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For many years I wondered what I was passionate about. I spent much of my youth going out and dedicating my life to being a Project Manager at a large agency. I came to a realization years later that I wasn’t fulfilled anymore by these things and while I took other hobbies like cross fitting in my thirties or traveling, I needed something else. I need something that defined ME.

During the pandemic I realized I was a bit more introvert than I originally thought and I enjoyed not having the pressure of doing something ALL the time. This is when I dedicated more of my time to plants and beautifying my home. Learning about plant designs and landscaping, home designs and anything that had to do with creating Zen spaces.

Typically I identify with being a Type A personality but during this time my creativity awoke. I found joy in coloring outside the lines. In getting inspired by pages I followed or people that I met on social media with similar interests.

I didn’t really believe in my creativity till others started to believe in it first. Once I started exploring pop up events and researching my competitors I realized I truly had something special and unique to offer. I found inspiration in planters with faces and body shapes and beautiful craftsmanship that when you add a plant or succulent it harmonizes to produce the perfect arrangement.

With every month that passes, I feel more and more confident in my creations and I have learned so much about what works together and what doesn’t through trial and error. I owe that all to each and every person who have trusted and purchased one of my arrangements.

My small business is definitely unique in that I do offer two non-conventional services — dry floral arrangements and succulent arrangements. Both are very different yet, bring me joy and creativity in different ways. So why limit myself!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This actually happens quite a bit!

My typical to-go plan is a weekend on the beach or the Florida Keys. You can’t go wrong with either depending on if you are looking for the “Miami” life or a laid back R&R trip.

Renting a boat with friends is definitely top on my list because who doesn’t love hanging out at the sandbar surrounded by a clear blue/green ocean.

I would definitely make sure we find time to dress up and have some quality food — Joes Stone Crab or Smith & Wilensky or the Gramercy in Coral Gables. I usually like to also find trending new restaurants to get the full effect.

Finding time to dine or walk around Coconut Grove, Wynwood and Brickell City Center for drinks and socializing is a must too!

I’d also make sure to sprinkle in walking around in Little Havana or taking an airboat ride in the Everglades.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While I am sure going to forget a few, I feel like there has been a network of people who have helped me along the way. For one, I want to say having my family and friends support me at events and sharing the word about my small business has been extremely helpful and humbling.

I do want to call out my friend Sandra Rojas, another small business owner of Color Me Karma, who has provided invaluable business advice throughout the process. Not only has she given me the advice but she has opened up the pop up event world to me which has helped me grow my brand awareness in the community.

I also have a group of girl friends — Jessica, Marcella, Kristi, Karen, Rennatta — who have contributed in so many ways to my brand by supporting me at events, sharing content on their social media or just being a client of mine for all their plant needs.

And last, my parents and my brother have been helping me since Day 1 fulfill my dream by putting up with all the behind the scenes preparations that goes on to setting up shop at events. Without them I wouldn’t have a Keeks Corner.

Website: www.keekscorner.com

Instagram: keeks_corner