We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Austin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My business idea started as a 12-year-old growing up in the Chicagoland area. Gun violence is a daily issue in Chicago. Watching the news as a young person was and still is disturbing, to say the least. I decided to be the change I wanted to see. While participating in the Junior Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program where we had to solve a world problem, I got a chance to evaluate the problem of gun violence against youth with significant data. I discovered that many shootings involving use are caused by adults not safely storing their weapons. In other words, I found out that these tragedies are preventable! I asked myself “how can I use technology to reduce the number of shootings involving young people”? That’s when my journey with My Gun’s Been Moved began. Since that time I have indulged myself in the world of youth activism and organizing. I’ve also continued to develop my initial idea and design. I worked with students from Ohio University to develop a working prototype of my invention and have a patent pending on the device and app. I am super excited about all that is to come! Be sure to follow @MyGunsBeenMoved on Instagram!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artistic work is an expression of me and the ways in which I view the world as an individual. I call myself a “creative” because I’ve explored different mediums. Whether that be through photo, video, textile weaving, painting, or UI/UX design – I’ve never been hesitant to try something new. Being able to submit a patent application for my creative gun safety idea has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. It has taken me years to get to the point I am now. I’ve submitted 2 patent applications after getting feedback from the first one. Even then, as I begin the development phase of the product, I’ve learned that partnering with other creatives and design experts is a vital part of my entrepreneurial journey.
Within this past year, I have had a chance to expand my photography experience since being at Howard and the Washington, DC area. I’ve shot for Monarch Magazine, restaurants, and even for several Howard University athletic teams.
One valuable lesson I’ve learned in my creative journey is that my art is for me! Art is supposed to be raw and genuine. Receiving critics and feedback is important and it allows you to grow and challenge yourself… however art is subjective and you need to make and produce what you like and what matters to you! Go outside and create what feels good. It’s the moments in which I stop overthinking that I produce my best work. I recently began working with a creative agency started by Howard Students, Winter Minisee and Busayo Ogunbiyi called “No Free Gas” so I’ll have some cool collaborations on the way!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents and my sisters, Telia and Alexis, absolutely deserve a shoutout! I have always been someone with big creative ideas and I am forever grateful that they have supported me in quite literally all of my endeavors. Their support, guidance, and ability to cultivate a learning and loving environment for me will forever be appreciated.

Website: MyGunsBeenMoved.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayrox/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylamaustin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thekayrox

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN4X7V5bJpM3MCj6yJ1h6aQ

Other: My business Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/mygunsbeenmoved/

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