Badass Boss Karleen Roy On How She Balances SoulCycle With Planning Parties For Cardi B & Migos
In xoNecole's Finding Balance, we profile boss women making boss moves in the world and in their respective industries. We talk to them about their business, their life, and most of all, what they do to find balance in their busy lives.
When I think of Karleen Roy, the first thing that comes to mind: Dope AF.
That's because the Howard alum has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry in more ways than one, all while showing what true hustle and grind looks like (while doing it fabulously, of course). And while we live in a time where places like Instagram make the journey look cute, Roy is no stranger to hard work and sacrifice (and she'll tell you in a heartbeat).
Not only has she worked for some of the greatest names in media (hello, she was Diddy's executive assistant for YEARS), but she's also the founder of The Vanity Group, a boutique luxury lifestyle management company specializing in event production, luxury concierge services and talent relations for some of the biggest names you can think of.
Luxury cars and exclusive vendors? That's all Karleen. A tight deadline while accommodating some of the wildest requests from celebrities? Yep, that's also Karleen. Oh, and the Memphis-bred fashionista who still has time to slay on the gram? Yep, you guessed it.
We wanted to know how Roy juggles it all from friendships, to her high-demand job, to finding peace in the down moments, so we chatted with her for this month's installment of Finding Balance.
What is an average day or week like for you?
There is not an average day for me. One day can be a chill day where I'm just catching up on emails, and the next day, I could be flying to Miami without prior notice to plan a party for Migos.
What do you find to be the most hectic part of your week/your work?
It's a challenge for me to find balance between my work and personal. Honestly, if I had a better handle on managing my clients, I could probably be more efficient in my day! I try to "design" my day with my day planner (I use the notebook DAY DESIGNER) — it's really helpful because when you fall off track, you can go back and read what you need to accomplish for the day, week or month. That's exactly what I need.
Do you practice any types of self care?
I have a routine in the morning and at night. My morning routine usually consists of: wake up, watch/listen to short motivational videos, check the Bible verse of the day, and then I'm off to workout by 7:30am. I try to start my work day by 10am. And in the evenings, I read a book to wind down.
How do you find balance with:
Friends?
I believe you should show up to the moments and life milestones that count. Text, GroupMe, and Marco Polo groups. My friends are my village.
Love/Relationships? Dating?
I have a boyfriend. Most days, he's amazing…other days, I want to strangle him. He's great at understanding my crazy and being very supportive.
Exercise?
I workout faithfully. Health is wealth. I want to be strong, lean, yet juicy, and live a long fruitful life. How we treat ourselves now will determine our bodies later in life. I workout maybe five times a week, usually at SoulCycle. In the summer, I run in Central Park.
What about health? Do you cook or find yourself eating out?
I eat out mostly, besides breakfast. I try to make breakfast every weekday morning. My evenings are usually up and down, so I'll cook, depending on where the day takes me! But cooking takes too much time and preparation, I'd rather order out if I had to choose.
Do you ever detox?
Yes! BluePrint cleanse usually after the holidays or an exhausting work project.
When you are going through a bout of uncertainty, or feeling stuck, how do you handle it?
I remind myself that I'm the shit!! (*Kanye West vibes*) I made it this far…God don't bring you to leave you!
And honestly, what does success mean to you?
Success is achieving the goals you set to achieve in all areas of your life. Not someone else's life or goals, but what you designed for your own life.
For more Karleen, be sure to follow the inspiring experience curator on Instagram and check out her luxury lifestyle management agency The Vanity Group.
- Karleen Roy (@karleenroy) • Instagram photos and videos ›
- The Vanity Group - Where Being Self-Centered Is a Good Thing. ›
- ESSENCE Network: Karleen Roy Shares How She Went From ... ›
- NYLON · Karleen Roy Is The Ultimate Girl Boss ›
- Karleen Roy - Founder & Managing Director - The Vanity Group ... ›
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- Karleen Roy, CEO, Vanity Group ›
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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