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Laycilates utilizes her comprehensive knowledge of classical Pilates when curating each clients’ private studio session. At its core, the Laycilates method promotes muscular endurance, balance, flexibility & mobility. By incorporating small controlled but impactful movements, her unique modern method is proven to tone, lengthen & strengthen.

LACY LOONEY

Pilates Instructor, private personal trainer, and founder of Laycilates.

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Meet Jackie

Community Architect & Brand Strategist

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How did you get into your profession/field? Reflect on your story & background so far.

I've always had a love for digital media and initially planned to pursue a career in radio or television. I entered college as a communications major but quickly switched to Social Work within my first week. I've always had a heart for helping others and being of service. Ironically, my high school social worker once told me I'd become a social worker, and while that path evolved over time, I did earn my Bachelor of Social Work.

After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles and discovered my passion for wellness and fitness while working in operations and marketing for SoulCycle and other boutique fitness studios. It was during that time that I recognized my deeper gift: building intentional, authentic communities. That realization led me to found my lifestyle and wellness brand, Sweet Life Sundays, eight years ago, a platform dedicated to bridging the gap between wellness, inclusivity, and meaningful connection. In many ways, my journey has come full circle, blending my love for media, my heart for service, and my passion for community into the work I do today.

Which area of your field are you most passionate about?

Intentional community building and brand storytelling are the areas I’m most passionate about. I believe that when communities are built with care and authenticity, they create lasting impact, not just for brands, but for people's lives. My work has always centered around helping others feel connected, empowered, and seen.

Tell us about 1-2 major milestones in your career thus far. We're talking accomplishments and achievements that marked major changing points.

One major milestone in my career was founding Sweet Life Sundays eight years ago. I created it to bridge the gap between wellness, inclusivity, and authentic community — long before these conversations became more mainstream. Building and scaling that brand from the ground up taught me not just about marketing and operations, but also about the power of intentional, heart-centered leadership.

Another defining moment was when BET and TechStyle Fashion Group invited me to host a Sweet Life Sundays wellness hour at their headquarters and speak on a panel. Being recognized by major media and lifestyle brands validated the impact of the community I had built and reinforced my commitment to creating spaces where wellness feels accessible, inclusive, and empowering.

What do you love most about what you do?

What I love most about what I do is creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to live more fully. Whether it's building authentic communities, designing meaningful brand experiences, or leading teams behind the scenes, it's always been about connection for me. What lights me up most is bringing people together and seeing real friendships, collaborations, and even business partnerships form because I helped connect the dots. But beyond that, I feel deeply fulfilled helping lead people to live well, to heal, and to take actionable steps toward becoming 1% better each day. Watching those relationships and personal transformations unfold — and knowing I helped spark something lasting — is the most rewarding part of my work

What would you say is the overall mission for your business or brand?

The mission of Sweet Life Sundays is to create inclusive spaces that inspire people to live well, heal deeply, and connect authentically. We believe wellness should feel accessible, joyful, and rooted in community, not reserved for a select few. Through intentional experiences, storytelling, and meaningful partnerships, Sweet Life Sundays aims to help people nurture their whole selves and take small, sustainable steps toward becoming the best version of themselves. At Sweet Life Sundays, we believe that when one person heals and grows, it strengthens the entire community, and that's the legacy I am committed to building.

What are two challenges or obstacles that you've faced along your career journey? And how did you overcome these?

One major challenge I faced along my career journey was embracing the power of pivoting without letting the fear of being perceived as 'all over the place' hold me back. I’m someone with multiple gifts, and early on, I had to overcome the hurdle of worrying about how others might view my path. I chose instead to nurture my talents — in operations, marketing, community building, and brand development — because I know they are all aligned with my greater purpose. Trusting that every pivot and evolution was part of my assignment has allowed me to build a career that's both authentic and expansive.

Another challenge I’ve faced is navigating burnout from constantly pouring into others without prioritizing my own well-being. As someone deeply committed to service and community, I realized that in order to lead sustainably, I had to lead myself with the same intentionality and care. I overcame this by creating healthier boundaries, honoring my capacity, and making my own wellness a non-negotiable part of how I live and lead.

How do you empower other women through your work? And what advice would you give to other women who want to pursue what you do?

I empower other women by creating intentional spaces where they can show up as their full, authentic selves. Through Sweet Life Sundays, I focus on wellness, healing, and building meaningful connections that allow women to thrive together. I lead by example, demonstrating that it’s okay to pivot, change direction, and evolve, all while staying true to your core purpose. When we come together with shared intention, we amplify each other's strengths and uplift each other in ways that create lasting impact.

My advice for other women who want to pursue a similar path is simple: Don’t wait for permission. Trust in the fullness of who you are, and embrace your gifts, even when they don’t seem to fit into a box. The journey won’t always be linear, but if you stay anchored in your ‘why’ and stay connected to your purpose, you’ll have the courage and clarity to move forward — no matter the hurdles.

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Meet Jennie

Hospitality Branding Expert

Regional Brand Manager, The LINE Hotel

So what does your career as a brand manager entail?

I oversee all the brand and creative for these properties: our brand partnerships, brand events, the overall aesthetic, the smell, just the overall experience when you walk into the space and how that feels. That includes activations focused mostly on community and building community, providing third spaces. We're lifestyle-focused, so a lot of our programming is built around four pillars: health and wellness, food and beverage, music and entertainment, and arts and culture.

How did you first get involved in the hospitality industry?

It’s funny. I grew up in a home that was an open door for the community. We always hosted events, whether it was a holiday, a barbecue, or any kind of celebration. My mom welcomed people from all walks of life. I didn’t realize it was preparing me for what I do now until I started this work. I began in hospitality at the Ace Hotel in New York. I'm originally from New York, and everything just started to fall into place—my passion for creativity, community, food, sustainability—all of that led me to where I am today.

And how did you come to focus on the branding aspect?

 I went to school for marketing. While working at Ace, I was on the front office/operations side, but it was a lifestyle space. We had parties in the lobby, art exhibits in the gallery, a strong food and beverage program. We partnered with different chefs and hosted special dinners. I fell in love.

Then I became interested in all our brand touchpoints: marketing assets, fonts we used, the stories behind partnerships. Sitting in the lobby, I learned that people are deeply passionate about connection and third spaces. That drew me into brand and creative work, realizing you could reimagine what a hotel looks like.

In cities, hotels can feel like resorts, full of programming and activations, but they're also spaces for people to rest. The lobbies are like living rooms of the neighborhood. I’ve seen strangers connect, form friendships, start businesses, even romantic relationships. Two people met at one of our events and recently got married.

Also, at Ace, we partnered with Le Labo. We had key cards and business cards sprayed with Santal 33. That scent became a part of the memory of the place. That made me think of Abercrombie & Fitch. You could smell it before you even walked in. So, those experiential elements—smell, look, feel, story, art on the walls—they all matter.

What is your signature style and voice when it comes to branding?

It’s really about turning spaces into stories, crafting experiences that connect people, celebrate culture, and feel deeply intentional. I thrive at the intersection of creativity and community.

I bring together artists, chefs, brands, and experiences to create moments people talk about the next day and the next. I want guests to leave with that nostalgic, unforgettable feeling.

Recently, I saw a post on Instagram where someone wrote, “Who knew I'd be in town and my favorite photographer was doing a talk at The LINE?” That person had an amazing stay and also got to attend an inspiring community event. That’s what it’s all about: people feeling seen, creativity meeting community, and building something through hospitality.

Can you talk about a big challenge you’ve faced recently and how you overcame it?

One major challenge—especially working in corporate—has been proving the value of branding work when it doesn’t have a direct or easily measurable revenue impact. My work focuses on community activations and long-term brand affinity, which aren’t always trackable through traditional metrics.

For example, we might spend $5,000 on an event, draw 1,000 people, but only make $4,000 in food and beverage sales. Some might question if that’s a success, but it absolutely is. You're building new loyalty, new customer bases, long-term impact.

I’ve had to build systems to track that, like following up to see if guests who came to the event also booked rooms, or returned later.

Another challenge is operational support. We wear a lot of hats. I source partners, do pre-production, help with execution. Having more support would make a big difference.

Switching gears a bit—you have a personal brand outside of The LINE. Can you talk about that?

 Yeah! I have a brand called Co-Host. It's about reimagining hospitality as a form of storytelling through curated experiences, design, and cultural and local connections. I collaborate with brands, creatives, and communities to create gatherings that celebrate diversity and elevate underrepresented voices. I’m also a chef. Food is a love language and a universal language—we all eat. I cook most of the food for Co-Host events. It’s rooted in my Caribbean heritage and serves as a way to build my personal brand and merge my culinary journey with hospitality. I also partner with other hotels to bring these experiences to their spaces.

Of all the things you’ve shared, which passion came first?

I think they came together. My passion for food and community was rooted in how I grew up. My family is full of creatives—from quilters to graphic designers—and we’d gather around food and conversation. Branding came later when I studied marketing in college.

Can you describe a distinct childhood memory where you realized you were a community builder?

I was living in Brooklyn, and I started hosting events at my home. I wasn’t cooking much yet, but I’d invite my chef friends to prepare meals. I'd create little prompt cards with a couple of discussion questions. We’d talk while the food was being made. That’s when I realized I loved bringing together people from different walks of life to have meaningful conversations.

Also, I went to camp a lot and had friends from everywhere. I naturally enjoyed connecting people. My friends still say I’m the connector. I’ll say, “You have to meet this person,” and now those people are friends. That’s how my community has grown.

Where’s your family from in the Caribbean?

 My mom’s family is from Barbados, and my dad is from Costa Rica.

And you grew up in New York?

Yeah, in Westchester.

What brought you to LA?

The pandemic. I just needed a change. I call it the “Great Migration.” A lot of us from the East Coast came to LA. I didn’t have a plan. I picked a date and moved. And I’m so glad I did. LA gave me space to grow and to really listen to myself and discover my purpose.

How do you hope to empower others through your work?

I want to show people, especially people of color, that creativity has no single path. You deserve to be in spaces where you may not have seen yourself before, whether that’s leadership, luxury hospitality, or lifestyle branding.

We define culture. We define hospitality. We belong at every table. I dream of owning a ski chalet. I love snowboarding and want a space in Aspen that reflects our culture. I want you to walk in and feel the presence of the African diaspora. I also want to build a hospitality group that centers community and culture. I want people to dream big, take up space, and keep pushing.

I want you to make that ski chalet happen! We need some flavor!

Yes! I’ve gone to Black ski group events. They’re beautiful. But I want to own the space. I want our culture infused into it.

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