01 May Moxie Chat: Carla Hayes * Curious. Forward-Thinking. Passionate.

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Today’s moxie chat guest is Carla Hayes.

Carla is passionate about bringing people and ideas together. She is a writer, yogini (who needs to do more yoga), mom, wife, and friend to many.

Carla Hayes is an experienced content marketing strategist who pairs creativity and big-picture thinking with strategic planning and execution to create holistic campaigns that move the needle on business goals. She has a gift for matching the message to the audience, a passion for empowering women, and a yoga side-hustle. 

A two-time graduate of Rutgers University and former varsity rower, Carla is a born and raised “Jersey Girl” who recently moved her whole family to California where they are experimenting with a west-coast lifestyle and doing a lot of hiking with their dog, Blitzen.

During our chat, we talk about taking time to recognize what you are good at, the things you are thankful for, and the things you are proud of… and how she uses this in many aspects of her life and work. She also shares about her passion for yoga and what it has taught her about herself! 

Without further ado, here’s Carla!

1. How do you define SUCCESS?

I am successful when I open someone’s mind to a new idea.

I feel really successful when do that by creating the opportunity for amazing women in the Coldwell Banker brand to share their stories – either through a podcast, blog post or speaking opportunity.

2. Share the THREE WORDS that describe you BEST and why!

Curious/Thoughtful: When I’m involved in a project I really like to dig in and understand it from all perspectives.

Forward-Thinking: My goal is always to leave a thing better than I found it. A project, a person, the world (!)

Passionate: I’m interested in a lot of things, but when something hooks me beyond mere curiosity, I throw my whole self into it.

3. What is the best advice you have ever received?

“Done is better than perfect.” I tend to want to think and think and think and plan before taking action because I don’t want to be wrong or do something less than 110%. Sometimes that backfires and I wind up doing something 0% because I miss the opportunity. Still working on this one :)

4. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I finalized adoptions for 11 children and placed maybe a dozen others in what would eventually become their forever families. My first career was as a social worker, doing adoption case work for the state of NJ.

5. If you could go back 11 years – what would you tell yourself?

So much!

Don’t be so concerned about what other people think of or expect from you. I love the quote, “Other people’s opinon of me is none of my business.”

There is no secret meeting you’re missing out on. No one has all the answers; and there are answers you have that other people are looking for.

Take a risk.

6. What is one habit you are trying to build?

A daily meditation or gratitude practice.

7. If you could share a meal with ANY 3 people, who would they be and why?

Catherine O’Hara. I have always loved her, but I am currently obsessed with her character Moira Rose. I would LOVE to know more about how she created something so unique.

Stephen King. He has created an entire universe (worlds upon worlds) that connect and influence each other. I’m so in awe of how he orchestrated those parts to all fit together.

Billie Jean King. This is a new one. I was so impressed by her at NAR I want to hear more about her story and her perspective on equality.

8. What does MOXIE mean to you?

It means being unapologetically yourself and letting your light shine.

9. What does a “perfect day” in your life look/feel like?

Yoga. Outdoor time with my husband and kids. Finish with drinks with my favorite 5-10 people.

10. What is your ONE WORD for the next 12 months? Why?

Explore-mode. This is a mindset that I adopted when we moved to California and it was a way for me to let go of outcomes (specifically around travel and moving with the kids) but I’ve found that it was really helpful and I’m trying to hang on to it.