Meet Kiki, Bourbon Loving Boss Babe and Future Author
Though Instagram may seem like an unlikely place to forge meaningful relationships with others, Michaela and I have been really lucky in how many amazing women we have gotten to know through this platform. One of these special women is Kiki Koerner from Columbus, Ohio. She is a real estate boss babe and a loving mama bear to her little boy. She reached out to us first through an Instagram comment about our then newly released Donut Lips Tee and ever since that moment she has been an unwavering fan of Yummiewear. Kiki is an incredibly inspiring force with her light-up-the-room energy and an unrelenting drive to be the best version of herself.
As we started to put together our 10 Questions with Yummiewear, we knew we had to interview Kiki. Her positive and bubbly energy in itself was something we wanted to bottle up and share with the rest of our community. So on a Thursday evening in October, the three of us spoke over video chat. It was our first time we were speaking to and seeing each other and it was nothing short of laughter and high energy as if we have been old friends catching up. A few weeks later Kiki was making a trip to New York City with her friend and Michaela had the opportunity to meet with Kiki in the flesh over a nice cup of coffee at the lovely Cafe Angelique in Tenafly. It’s moments like these when life feels so surreal. You realize that the business you are building is creating more than just a product but deep and meaningful relationships with wonderful and inspiring women that you may have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise. We can’t wait to introduce Kiki to you. We know you’ll love her just as much as we do! See her full interview below.
Meet Kiki.
Her favorite cheat treats are Bourbon, chili cheese fries, fried foods, and mac and cheese. This social media savvy Ohio real estate agent isn’t just a boss babe but a future author of her first book.
They say you are what you eat so which one of your cheat day foods would you want to be and why?
I would want to be a pizza because whenever you are eating pizza it’s always a party and you are having fun.
M: If you were stranded on an island and you could bring just one comfort food with you, which would it be?
"I would bring Bourbon."
I would bring Bourbon because if I'm stranded on an island I am going to have fun! I am going to let loose, and let go of all my worries.
M: What is the best junk food experience you ever had?
In Charleston South Carolina there is this place called Ye Old Fashioned Cafe. It’s an ice cream parlor, but they have the best chili cheese fries. I mean it was like heaven the first time I had them. They are these thick crinkle fries that absorb all the chilly sauce and they have the most amazing cheese sauce. They are also piping hot each time.
These fries are one of the reasons why I go down to Charleston at least once a year. I stop by to have them every time.
M: Did you ever have a meal that you looked forward to beforehand, but it turned out to be a total bust?
“Unfortunately, when I tasted my meal, my response was 'Noooo. What is this??' It was just terrible.”
One time I went to Bubba Gumps in New York City. I wanted some nice fried shrimp. I was so excited because comfort food is my jam. Unfortunately, when I tasted my meal, my response was “Noooo. What is this??” It was just terrible.
M: What is a goal that you have that you would like to achieve in the next two years?
This is the first time I am ever going to say this out loud so you are going to have to hold me to it. It has to happen now... I am writing a book! So in two years, my goal is to have it published. I’m really excited! The book is about my experiences as a real estate agent. There are so many funny and crazy stories that happen when you deal with people in my industry and I want to share them.
M: How do you stay focused on your goals?
I have my girl gang and I call them weekly. We are all entrepreneurs in some way or fashion and they inspire me and lift me up.
I have a team of people who help me stay focused. I have my girl gang and I call them weekly. We are all entrepreneurs in some way or fashion and they inspire me and lift me up.
Then there is my mom, my dad, and my grandparents. They are definitely part of this team but they fulfill me in a different way. They are not entrepreneurs so they don’t always understand the way my brain works, but they nurture my spiritual side. I can always count on them to quote me a scripture or to give me that little nugget of guidance from a higher being. The past two years have been the most difficult for me personally and the one thing that got me through was my grandfather saying “tend your garden”. Take care of you and do you, and I think this is where my whole concept of “zero f*cks” comes from. His words have resonated with me ever since and they pushed me to be where I am now.
M: How do you stay mentally and physically happy?
“Finding my voice and giving zero f*cks has been the most liberating thing I have done for myself.”
I used to let certain things get inside my head. For example, I have had people criticize me on how I raise my kid. The criticism used to bother me and I wouldn't be able to think about anything else. However, I have learned to tune things out by making a conscious decision to not care about what anybody except for my loved ones want or expect of me. I'm just doing me and if something doesn't fit into my or my family’s dreams then I am not doing it. Finding my voice and giving zero f*cks has been the most liberating thing I have done for myself.
M: Social media can create a lot of pressure and self-doubt. How do you keep its noise from affecting you?
The unfollow button is my best friend and I am not afraid to use it. I follow people that add something to my life. When you post, I believe the question everyone should always ask themselves is “how is this going to help someone?” I may not know you, but if I am going to follow you, you are in some way connected to my life now. I would say choose who you follow on social media very carefully.
M: What is one thing that you love about yourself and your body?
One thing I love about myself is that I know who I am and I really love the woman I am today and the woman that I am growing into. The thing that I love about my body is my mouth. I absolutely love the smile it produces. It’s the one thing I can always count on.
M: If you could design your own Yummiewear shirt what would you want on it? Go crazy!
If I could design my own Yummiewear shirt it would probably have fried chicken with a side of mac and cheese and a bourbon on it. That would be the Kiki t-shirt.