We recently had the chance to connect with Carly Paige and have shared our conversation below.
Carly, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
At this stage in my life, I would say I’m chasing a better “balance”. I built my business when I was younger and single. At that time, my life and my identify were heavily entwined with my work. Now, I am a wife and a mother to a 10-year-old and almost 2-year-old. I’ve found a life that I love outside of work that I want to be more engaged with and present for. The challenge though, is that the business I’ve created is still demanding, if not more. It often feels like work drives family, versus my desire for family to drive everything else. I think if I stopped chasing this “balance” that probably doesn’t even exist, I could focus on how to become more content in what is, right now which would alleviate this feeling that I’m constantly chasing after what could exist in the future.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I am the founder of FitLiving Eats Winter Park, a local private chef company offering customized prepared meals services, boutique catering, and culinary experiences. It’s our goal to bring community around the table in a healthier way through nutritious swaps that will help you feel our best. Our focus is on fresh, elevated ingredients that are of the highest quality and nutrient density.
Since starting this business six years ago, I have built our team to 10 employees, including 7 chefs, and have built our dream space which we were able to move into as of April of this year. This new kitchen and event space allows us to expand our impact in the community through cooking classes and private events. Prior to FitLiving Eats Winter Park, I began my entrepreneurial journey as a content creator and health coach after having received certifications from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition based in New York and PlantLab Culinary based in Los Angeles.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I thought my potential was contained to a small box. I feared the day that I would have to get up and speak in front of a group of people. I didn’t thrive well in group settings. I played it safe by zeroing in on one close friendship, career aspirations that didn’t put me in a spotlight, client work that was individual, etc. This box was created from a physical limitation of having been born with a significant hearing loss that made it difficult to navigate many circumstances. I compensated for this by controlling my environment as much as I could in an attempt to reduce the exposure of my insecurity. I wasn’t confident in who I was. As I found that confidence in getting older and continuing to overcome obstacles, I’ve been able to break through the confines of that box. I now engage in speaking events professionally, have an online presence, and am a leader to my team and in my community. All things I once thought would never be possible.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me who I am, what I stand for, and that boundaries are important. From an early age, I learned how to become resilient, an important tool that has contributed to my success.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
What a great question, because I was just talking to my best friend about this very thing the other day. I believe it’s impossible for the public version of oneself to be a total depiction of who they are. The public version of myself is a part of me, but it’s not the whole me. Yes, I have built a successful business, have an amazing team, have built a gorgeous kitchen space, and have a loving family. But I also face challenges everyday. I’m reminded of and question the sacrifices it takes to be a business owner, manage a team, balance business responsibilities with family responsibilities, wanting to be present with my family and kids more, etc. It’s a slippery slope to compare yourself to the public image of others. No one truly “has it all” despite how it might seem.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m holding my son. He’s almost two, and the sweet moments I get to still snuggle him make anything I might be feeling in that moment melt away. It’s a feeling I want to be able to hold onto, because it’s so special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fitlivingeatswinterpark.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlypaige/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlypaige/
