Welcome to Q4: Wrapping Up the Year with Purpose

I was going to write a longer LinkedIn post about my Congressional testimony and share it with you all here, but then I thought—why not bring you a special edition episode of The Let’s Get Candid Podcast instead?

I started my podcast as a passion project back in 2021, when I was a 3L in law school, and it has been the catalyst for my career ever since. It was my first successful trademark, the platform where I launched my personal brand, and the place where I learned everything I know about the creator economy.

I put those lessons into practice first at Konecta Social, my influencer management company, and then leveraged that experience into building what you now know as Kayla Moran Law.

In this special episode, I take you behind the scenes of one of the most surreal moments of my professional life: testifying as an expert witness on Capitol Hill about the creator economy. 

I share how this opportunity came to be, the rollercoaster of emotions before, during, and after the hearing, and what this means for creators and entrepreneurs everywhere. 

Feel free to give it a listen or watch on YouTube, if not don’t worry here’s a transcript of the episode!

“On Labor Day, I was overwhelmed, juggling the unique challenges of being a late-20s entrepreneur whose life is moving at a different pace than many of my peers. I was feeling the bittersweet mix of embracing where I am and mourning the friends and experiences I’m leaving behind. Beyond that, the pressures of scaling my law firm during a busy season in the creator economy were intense—plenty of work, but limited resources and time, all while managing finances, client relationships, admin, and business development.

During a therapy session shortly after, my new therapist shared a simple yet profound truth: “You’re not an octopus. You don’t have tentacles. It’s okay to say no.” That advice hit me hard and shifted my mindset immediately.

Then, just hours later, I opened an email from a U.S. House of Representatives staffer inviting me to testify at a Congressional hearing on the creator economy. At first, I thought it was a mistake, but after some back-and-forth, the call was scheduled for September 4th.

It was unpaid, inconvenient, and daunting—but also a chance I couldn’t pass up. I had never shied away from difficult challenges or non-traditional paths, so despite the timing and cost, I said yes.

What followed was a whirlwind of preparation: booking flights, drafting written testimony with the help of recent law school grads, styling consultations (because if I was going to be on C-SPAN and YouTube forever, I needed to look my best), media outreach, and leaning heavily on my mentors and “work parents,” Danielle Garno and Frank Poe.

By the day of the hearing, I had gone from therapy breakthroughs to congressional testimony, with every detail—from emergency botox appointments to last-minute flight changes—falling into place.

Walking into Capitol Hill that day was surreal beyond words. I kept having “pinch me” moments—the awe of sitting in that room, surrounded by lawmakers, alongside creators and industry leaders discussing an industry I’ve been passionate about and building for years. It felt like validation of every vulnerable post, every hard night of building my practice, every time someone told me to get a “real job.” This moment was proof that someone was watching, even when it felt like the engagement and recognition weren’t there.

This hearing was about much more than me. It was a pivotal step toward recognition for all creators and entrepreneurs driving a booming industry that urgently needs clear laws, better protections, and respect as legitimate business owners. From calls for a Federal Right of Publicity and better intellectual property protections to mental health and financial safeguards for child creators, the testimony laid out critical issues lawmakers must address as the creator economy continues to grow and evolve.

I’m still processing the significance of this experience, but I’m more committed than ever to helping creators protect their work and build sustainable businesses. Authenticity and consistency matter—they open doors you never imagined.

This moment feels like the beginning of a new chapter—not just for me, but for the entire industry. I hope you’ll listen to the episode to hear the full story and join me on this journey.

If you want to dive deeper, check out the hearing recap on YouTube, read my full written testimony linked in the episode notes, and follow me on Instagram and TikTok where I’m sharing clips and reflections.

Thank you all for your support, and stay tuned for more updates as I continue this important work alongside lawmakers and creators everywhere.”

What’s Next for Kayla Moran Law?

I’m so excited to share some amazing opportunities coming up where I’ll be diving deeper into the creator economy and connecting with fellow creators, entrepreneurs, and legal pros!

Returning to D.C.

I’m heading back to Washington, DC for the Marine Corps Marathon—an event that’s more than just a race; it’s a powerful reminder of resilience, community, and pushing through challenges.

Seeing the veterans show up and support each other always gets me every time and I don’t run but my dad, a Desert Storm vet, set a goal to run this marathon after he turned 55 so it’s time to support him. 

Last time I was there supporting him, I was a 1L questioning whether I should drop out of law school because I couldn’t get a handle on it but my dad reminded me of the Marine Corps mantra: improvise, adapt, overcome. So being back 6 years after his first one feels like a full-circle moment for us both. Check out a clip from me surprising him that day on TikTok here. 

Patently Impossible Panel

I’m honored to be attending the Patently Impossible event, hosted by Dade Legal Aid and the Miami-Dade Bar’s Intellectual Property Committee later this month. Now in its eleventh year, this event raises vital funds and awareness to support free legal services for low-income individuals, startups, and inventors in need of pro bono IP assistance. 

It’s a fantastic opportunity to mingle with leading attorneys and professionals in the intellectual property community here in South Florida—and I can’t wait to join the fun and support this incredible cause. Plus fun fact, I volunteered at Dade Legal Aid in college! So I’m excited to see some of my former mentors and friends too. 

FIU Lunch & Learn: The Creator Economy Unpacked

In November, I’ll be speaking at Florida International University for a special Lunch & Learn, breaking down the real-world impact of the creator economy and sharing practical insights for creators and small business owners. If you’re in the area or part of the FIU community, I’d love for you to join and bring your questions!

I’m not quite sure how I’m planning things for November and into 2026 already but I’m grateful for these opportunities to keep growing, learning, and sharing with all of you. Keep an eye out for more details and how you can participate!

The Busy Season is Among Us

Time to get a little personal. Lately, my nightmares have been finance-induced; even though I’m doing well for my age, being single, and running my own business. Because financial independence has always been important to me, I’m thinking ahead: planning for retirement, saving consistently, dreaming up future ventures, and setting big goals.

But here’s the real talk, on top of all that, I want to be a mom someday. A present, involved mom.

AND I want to travel more, have disposable income to enjoy nights out with friends, indulge in some nice dinners and shopping sprees, and still keep my wellness routine (shoutout to ClassPass for access to yoga and Pilates wherever I am in the world). 

Especially in a time where the internet is mad about Ayesha Curry on Call Her Daddy saying the things women often whisper to themselves, I want to be honest about these moments with you all. 

I’m grateful for the life and career I’ve created for myself and I’m so lucky to have the support from my family and friends along the way but a part of me will always want to make sure I can do it myself, but I don’t want to lose myself along the way either. So I’m glad this is a safe space and myself and others are having these conversations now. 

If you’re wondering why things are so crazy lately:

It’s just me trying to keep up with the influx of work and speaking engagements, still creating content because that’s how I market my business (and it’s fun) and trying to stay sane. 

Staying healthy and finding a solid sleep routine feels like a full-time job in itself right now. I keep snoozing my alarm in the morning because even if I get 8 hours my brain needs more rest. A vacation is definitely in order soon. 

Balancing all these dreams and responsibilities? It’s a lot sometimes. No matter what though, I wouldn’t change anything. 

If you’re feeling this too, you’re not alone. Let’s keep showing up for ourselves, setting boundaries, and making space for all the parts of our lives we want to thrive. Sometimes good things come with sacrifices for better opportunities and attitudes to enter our lives. 

From My Info Diet Lately

I was recently listening to Hot Smart Rich by Maggie Sellers’ latest episode featuring Caitlin Begg, a Harvard trained sociologist, and I loved their discussion about decentralizing your phone from your life and the idea of the “contentification” of everything we do.

Social media is undeniably beautiful, it’s given me my career, my business, and my community. But it can also feel overwhelming to keep up with, especially when I want to stay fully present in my actual life.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve consciously chosen to keep more of my personal life private while building a personal, professional brand that’s still 100% authentic and real. It’s about striking that balance, being true to yourself while setting boundaries that protect your peace and presence.

I saw this post on Threads today by Scott Clary that really resonated with me! I’m definitely working on closing those loops more and being more intentional with my time lately. If you’re also feeling the tension between your digital life and your reality, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a journey, and I’m learning to navigate it one day at a time.

Additionally, something that really gave me chills recently was a quote from Gloria Steinem to Barbara Walters: “If we love our work then perhaps we don’t have to have hobbies.” The end of the Barbara Walters documentary I watched last week really had me reeling. I may not have become a newswoman but reflecting on Barbara Walters’ incredible legacy, as a woman in a traditionally male dominated field just like her, was deeply moving. She paved the way for the newswomen of today and all women in the workplace and that legacy is truly beautiful.

If you're looking for an evening or weekend movie check that one out on Hulu. 

Quote of the Month

Outro

They say if you love what you do you won’t work a day in your life. I disagree, you work 100x harder because you love it so much. 

As we head into Q4, it’s clear to me that this season isn’t just about closing out the year and raking in as much money as I can. It’s about showing up for myself, my community, and the work that truly matters. 

Whether it’s juggling the chaos of entrepreneurship, carving out space for personal growth, or stepping into new opportunities that push us forward, there’s power in embracing it all with intention.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me, through the highs, the challenges, and the milestones. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen to the special edition episode of The Let’s Get Candid Podcast where I share my Capitol Hill experience and what it means for creators everywhere.

Let’s keep breaking glass ceilings, setting boundaries, and supporting each other as we build the futures we want—both professionally and personally. Here’s to an intentional, inspired last stretch of 2025!

Keep Up With Kayla and Kayla Moran Law 

Let’s make October a month of purpose, passion, and productivity.

Thanks for reading!

Talk soon,

Kayla