Welcome to Living Well — our spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these women’s lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

We're so excited to introduce the founders of Subtle Senses Wellness Community. Over the years, they've shared their gifts with the Well Lived Woman community through thoughtful, grounding offerings, and it's been such a joy to witness the care they bring to every space they create.

Now, they've opened the doors to their own holistic wellness community, and we couldn't be happier to celebrate this next chapter alongside them. We're so grateful they took the time to sit down with us and share more about their journey, their vision, and the intention behind Subtle Senses. We hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we have.

What does a life well-lived look like?

Kaylie: To me, a life well lived is an even balance of mind, body and spiritual connection. Exploring the intersections of creativity and efficiencies in life. Being open and willing to experience new paths and interests at any moment! 

Suz: To me, a life well lived is simple: giving and receiving love well, noticing the beauty all around us, eating chocolate and cheese, snuggling the people we love, creating art, and building community in meaningful ways.

My version of success is…

Kaylie: Having the ability to flow through each day with less stress and scarcity and finding calmer solutions through difficult moments. Trusting in yourself enough to know that the outcome is inherently successful no matter how it manifests.

Suz: Success is having the freedom to create, to keep learning, to nurture meaningful relationships, and to build spaces where people feel welcome, inspired, and connected. If my life reflects those values, I feel successful.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now? Who embodies this quality?

Kaylie: I am growing on building boundaries and taking deeper assessments of what fuels me vs. what takes more energy to complete. I am finding more power and acceptance in taking rest and space between projects without the need to always multi-task.

Suz: I’m learning how to speak more confidently about the work I’m creating. Selling has never come naturally to me—in fact, anything that feels like sales tends to turn me off. But I deeply believe in what we’re building at Subtle Senses, and I’m realizing that sharing something you genuinely love isn’t the same as selling it. It’s an invitation.

One of my biggest inspirations in this is Katie Silcox of The Shakti School. She has a beautiful way of communicating from a place of authenticity, wisdom, and service. She reminds me that when you truly believe in what you’re offering, speaking about it can become an act of generosity rather than persuasion.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

Kaylie: So much life has been lived in the last 10 years, allowing more time and wisdom to come into my space. I have more discernment and patience to simply wait and see before actioning and setting plans into motion. 

Suz: If I’m being honest, my tolerance for bullshit is at an all-time low. Maybe it’s experience. Maybe it’s perimenopause. Probably both.

Ten years ago, I spent a lot more energy people-pleasing and trying to keep everyone comfortable. Today, I’m much more interested in radical responsibility—for myself and for the people around me. I’ve learned that kindness doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations, and compassion doesn’t require abandoning yourself.

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

Kaylie: I am highly adaptable and process patterns in a way that allows me to be efficient and analytical while still remaining creative and warm

Suz: I’m excellent at creating spaces where people feel like they belong. I love weaving together different voices, perspectives, and gifts into a community that feels welcoming, meaningful, and deeply connected.

And on a much lighter note—I give a really great foot massage.

Whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

Kaylie: This is a cliche answer, but my grandmother carried herself in a warm, loving generous way that I aspire towards. She was driven and hardworking while maintaining a level of care and compassion that inspires me to continue to never lose my sense of community. 

Suz: My grandmother has always been one of my greatest teachers. She was born in 1916, lived through the Great Depression, and worked as an architectural draftsman at a time when very few women did. She had incredible style, impeccable taste, and a deep appreciation for beauty.

After a stroke at 85 took her speech, she came to live with our family. Having her in our home during those years was an incredible gift. She was instrumental in shaping the way I see the world—teaching me to notice thoughtful design, appreciate craftsmanship, and find beauty in everyday life.

She also showed me that resilience doesn’t have to be loud. Even after losing her ability to speak, she continued to live with dignity, creativity, and presence. I still find myself asking what she would notice, what she would make, and how she would move through the world.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?

Kaylie: Lately I have been fond of telling myself that many seeds can be planted and each one germinates or sprouts at different moments. You can nurture and nourish some seeds but don't need to do them all at one. Others will flourish when they are ready - in days, months or even years. 

Suz: As a watercolor artist, this medium has become one of my greatest teachers. The mantra I return to is: let the water do the work.

Watercolor reminds me that not everything needs to be controlled. I can set an intention, create the right conditions, and then loosen my grip. Often, the most beautiful moments happen when I stop forcing the outcome and allow something unexpected to emerge.

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

Kaylie: Untethered Soul by Michael Singer came to me at a formative time in my life in a way that allowed me to deepen my relationship with self 

Suz: The first thing that came to mind was The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. I was 17 when I first heard it, and it has stayed with me ever since. 

You can feel how painstakingly she crafted that album and how deeply invested she was in the creative process. It’s more than a collection of songs—it feels like a work of art that invites you into someone’s inner world. Her voice still reaches my soul, and her rapping cadence is unparalleled. I honestly don’t think another album has come close for me. And don’t get me started on Sister Act 2! 

The lyric I return to again and again is, “Deep in my heart, the answer, it was in me.” I didn’t fully understand it at 17, but over the years it has become a compass. It reminds me that while teachers, books, and community can guide us, some of the deepest wisdom comes from learning to trust what’s already within us.

What are you grateful for today?

Kaylie: The ability and freedom to explore a multitude of interests while continuing to come back to self and community.

Suz: I’m incredibly grateful for my business partner, Kaylie. She carries so much of the administrative and operational side of Subtle Senses—work that doesn’t come naturally to me—and somehow makes it look effortless. She’s thoughtful, steady, incredibly effective, and her partnership allows me to spend more time in the creative work that I love. Subtle Senses wouldn’t be what it is without her.

I’m equally grateful for my husband Troy, who has carried so much more at home while we’ve been building this business. He’s my unicorn, my best friend, and my biggest supporter. Knowing he’s beside me makes it possible for me to pour myself into this dream.

Kaylie and Suz are co-founders of Subtle Senses Holistic Wellness Community. Learn more about Subtle Senses Wellness on their website and over on Instagram @subtlesenseswellness. You can also connect individually with Kaylie and Suz on Instagram, @kayyemmcee and @suzbornart.