RTDM: Krystle Baller
Krystle Baller
Owner of Pachyderm Music Lab, Founder of Lady Rockstars and Music Director for Girls Rock Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?
I’m a creative heart-centered entrepreneur who uses music to amplify confidence in women, girls and gender non-binary folks. Music saved my life by giving me solace after a trauma happened to me in my teens. A huge transformation happened to me when I moved from a small town in West Virginia to Hilton Head Island and I joined a band in my early 20s. Performing on stage gave me confidence and helped me step into my power. I realized after moving to Charlotte, NC that my true calling was unlocking power in others with music when I became the music director for a nonprofit organization called Girls Rock Charlotte. I then started my own business, Pachyderm Music Lab, where I offer Lady Rockstars, an empowering 4 week class where women form bands and rock the stage. Having a daughter and not a lot of mom friends, I was led to create a class called Babypunk. Kids ages 0-6 participate in an unconventional music class where we play kazoos, get temporary tattoos and have crowd surfing and baby mosh pits. I also teach guitar, bass and ukulele during the day and offer metaphysical and art workshops a few times a month to connect spirit and creativity. I follow the white rabbit by keeping my heart open and recognizing the signs and connections guiding me. I am brave and push myself constantly to step into my fear and move forward on this beautiful road.
How do you define success?
I ask myself that often. The bar keeps on moving. I don’t think there is a concrete feeling, I keep waiting to feel this moment of “I made it” and it hasn’t surfaced, yet. To me, successful people chase their dreams, push through their fears, and create a better world but it first has to start inward. Success is backwards nostalgia. A reflection of the good things you wanted to manifest. If I look at what I dreamed was success as a kid and then what I accomplished in my 20s I was successful, and the same can be said for my goals in my 20s and where I'm at now in my 30s.
What did it take to make your dream happen and when did you know you had arrived?
I try to stay in flow with the universe and recognize those serendipitous moments that occur only when I’m on the right path. I’m still on this path, and don’t feel I’ve fully arrived yet.
What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!
Giving women, girls and non binary folks a voice through music! In the past 5 years I’ve created over 30 all women bands and helped build over 30 kid bands! I also gave a TEDx talk this year, which was a bucket list thing I didn’t really believe was possible. Raising a strong and incredibly brilliant child.
What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?
My biggest fear was staying in the same town, with the same people and the same BS for my entire life. I could see my memories all blurring together, because most days were all the same. Living a boring life… My turning point was when I pushed past my fears and moved to an island by myself at the age of 24. I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t have a lot of money, I didn’t even have a car! That move was the catalyst to anything but boring.
What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?
You’re going to achieve things you didn’t know you could. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling now. Just know it won’t last. You have lots of life ahead and the lessons you are learning now makes you have a better future. Make friends with people who have dreams and goals and then actually take steps toward achieving them.
How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?
I grab my planner and write down a to do then schedule it in. On the days I’m feeling small and overburdened, I try to be like an ant. Take steps forward. Be present. Work with the people around me. Remember I'm stronger than I look. Ask for help when I need it. Get up early, meditate, focus, troubleshoot potential obstacles before they occur. Some days my daughter (she’s not in school yet) is more demanding than others and I can’t get as much done as I’d like. Those early mornings are so important. I knock out a lot of the big stuff before the sun even comes up. I talk to a few good friends and make a point to schedule lunch dates with them at least bi-weekly. We keep each other accountable. I also watch YouTube videos from people like Marie Forleo and Brene Brown or go down a rabbit hole of TED Talks instead of binge watching Netflix.
Tell us a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise or served you in a surprising way.
I went to college and thought I broke free, then ended up in my hometown feeling completely depressed, unhealthy, stuck. When I hit rock bottom, I had no where to go but up.
What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!
-soft blankets. I’m addicted. -I meditate in the sauna at my gym on the regular and I think I weird people out sitting there all zen, but idgaf.
What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?
Saving up to move away from my home town and really start my life.
What’s MOST important to you right now?
My daughter, Cadence and all the other kids I work with. They are the future and they need strong role models that can show them how to achieve their dreams in a world full of distraction.
Share 1-2 books you've given as gifts:
The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten It’s not about music theory, it’s about music as a way of life. The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer Amanda Palmer is a goth punk rock burlesque queen who started her career as a living statue and ended up building a die hard fanbase by making a genuine connection with her fans during and after shows
What have you learned to say no to?
Things that I don’t feel super passionate about/ don’t align with my values. When I first started my biz I was trying to please everyone. I realize that that’s impossible and taxing. Now I focus on being my loving, weird self and the right folks are drawn to me!
What's something most people would never guess about you?
I was a cheerleader when I was little and I still do cartwheels from time to time.
Who is a Risk Taker Dream Maker that's inspired you?
Amy Jane Williams from Amy Williams Wellness. She has helped me so much and is a constant source of inspiration.
Follow Krystle:
Instagram: @pachydermmusiclab
Twitter: @pachydermlab
Facebook: facebook.com/pachydermmusiclab
www.pachydermmusiclab.com
