Trading Secrets Ep. 262: Kaylor Martin – From Broke College Grad to Reality TV Star & Entrepreneur

Episode Date: November 10, 2025
Guest: Kaylor Martin, Love Island USA Season 6 & Lifestyle Creator
Host: Jason Tartick

Episode Overview

This episode of Trading Secrets dives deep into the behind-the-scenes of reality TV with Kaylor Martin. Emerging as a fan favorite from Love Island USA Season 6, Kaylor discusses her rapid journey from college graduation to national TV and social media stardom. The conversation explores the financial realities of going from “broke college kid” to influencer income, the business mechanics of reality TV, navigating newfound fame, pursuing entrepreneurship, and the ongoing tension between wanting to stay busy and seeking long-term fulfillment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kaylor’s Path to Love Island (00:56–07:17)

• Background: Pennsylvania native, psychology undergrad, involved in tutoring, working with autistic children, bartending and bottle service during college.
• Application Story:
  • Kaylor applied to Love Island via the official 150-question application, not being scouted or approached like many others. She underwent "all the callback interviews... absolutely everything under the sun for the raw process."
  • Notable anecdote: She lost her first application after her ex-boyfriend interrupted her ("the whole Google sheet went out the window"), but reapplied (“A couple fishbowls, a couple buzz balls later, and I applied again. Thank God I did.” – [07:17])
• Expectations: She never imagined the experience would make her a full-time creator; estimated maybe 100K followers was possible, not over a million.

Memorable Quote:
"Applying to be on a reality TV show, the number one tip is you cannot just give like one sentence answers. You have to give the—the open-ended answers and be as batshit crazy as you actually are because that’s why people will like you."
— Kaylor ([07:21])

2. The Reality of Going from Small Town to National TV (04:51–08:56)

• Social media influencer wasn’t a career option back home. She contrasts the lack of influencer culture in Pittsburgh with LA/NY.
• Initial skepticism: Her family and friends didn’t think going on a reality show was a serious move; her stepdad worried she’d be “kidnapped in Fiji.”
• Familial shift: When she began making more than both parents combined, her family’s support shifted to, “You pursue that baby, you reach for the stars.”

3. Mentality, Money, and Adjusting to Success (14:33–17:38)

• "Broke College Kid" Mentality: Still tries to live frugally due to the uncertainty of influencer income (“I’m a hoarder with my money... I just bought my first ever Miu Miu leather jacket and felt the worst.” — [14:46])
• Saving and Investing: Dreams like buying her brother a car, preferring investing over gambling.
• Financial Reality: Comes from Pennsylvania’s lowest-income county, making any earnings “so great.”

Quote:
“Having any little money is great. It’s so great... Like, my dream is, like, to buy my brother a car when he turns 16 and, like, things like that. In investing my money instead of, like, going out...”
— Kaylor ([15:14])

4. Behind the Scenes of Love Island Casting (16:15–17:07)

• Differentiating Herself: Her authenticity and “raw” application—did interviews from her messy dorm room with “beer cans... in the back.”
• Producer’s Response: Producers loved her unfiltered, real approach compared to more packaged contestants.

5. Financial Logistics on Love Island (17:19–20:47)

• Wardrobe: Spent ~$2,500 on clothes, funded from her modest college account—"an investment" she hoped would pay off.
• Living Arrangements: Fortuitous timing—her college lease ended right as she went to Fiji, so no rent.
• Expenses: No credit card at the time; relied on her mom to cover her phone bill.

6. Education Versus Influencing (22:35–24:42)

• Masters Ambitions: Considers returning for a graduate degree in autism behavioral analysis, admires her mom for pursuing a doctorate.
• Using Her Platform: Wants to bring value and awareness to autism via her reach.
• Balance: Feels she could return to school now that her influencer “brand” is steady, and fill her time productively.

7. Building and Defining Her Brand (24:42–28:53)

• Brand Pillars: Authenticity, transparency, showing imperfections, and making followers feel “seen and heard.”
• Growth: Shifted from partying and event-hopping at first (e.g., “hammered the entire time” at early New York Fashion Week), to “actually networking.”
• Social Media as Work: Treats her content calendar seriously, brainstorms new ideas daily, and sees social as a long-term opportunity—not just a phase.

8. The Psychology of Showing Vulnerability (28:53–30:40)

• Emotional Visibility: Criticized for crying on the show, but reclaims it as a form of emotional intelligence and authenticity (“I’m a psych major. And that’s why I know it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be emotional.”)
• Impact: Many women relate to her emotional openness.

9. Financial Impact Post-Show (30:19–36:01)

• Love Island Pay: Received more than what she spent on clothes, but less than what she was making through three college jobs.
• First Major Brand Deal: $20k for a large deliverable campaign at luxury resort Amangiri ([35:15]–[35:19]).
• Speed of Fame: Overwhelmed by the rapid transition from Applebee’s to luxury brand trips—“making transactions just to pay for the fishbowl” vs. getting paid five figures for a social post.

Quote:
“I called my mother and I was, like, crying, like, what? I made off of one brand deal off of the show. I haven’t made this in four months, and I’m making it for one job. Like, it was insane.”
— Kaylor ([33:12])

10. Navigating Fame, Identity & What's Next (36:01–44:16)

• Fame High & Uncertainty: The post-show “high” was intense, but now she struggles with “what’s next?” and sustaining momentum.
• Imposter Syndrome: She’s hard on herself when social posts underperform, but reminders from others keep her grounded in gratitude.
• Long-Term Goals: Dream brand deal = $500k+; already exceeded her first-year goal of six figures. Has achieved more than she once dreamed.

Quote:
“I have a bunch of dreams and goals that I’ve already achieved and I keep just shooting higher ... for instance, I’d love to get a half a million dollar brand deal. Like, that would be insane.”
— Kaylor ([41:44])

11. Deals, Friendships, & Business Lessons (47:08–48:35)

• Collaborations with Friends: Worked with friends (notably Liv) on YouTube; admits business and friendship is “very difficult... things can become difficult and challenging and even competitive in some sorts of ways.”
• Lesson: Separation and clear boundaries are key when working with close friends or significant others in business.

12. Looking Forward (52:02–52:57)

• Potential Ventures: Would love to launch her own makeup brand, try acting, or do more reality TV (excluding dating shows).
• Flexibility: “I’m 23 years old and I’m not stressing it. I know I’ll figure it out. I always have. ... sometimes, though, work picks you and you don’t pick work.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[When] you go in the villa, you can’t tell anyone. ... I spent, I think, $2,500 on outfits. ... I hope this pays off!” (18:30)
• “Just being raw. And authentic, the authenticity of it. ... Like, beer cans, like, in the back. Like, it’s messy, it’s disgusting, but, like, it shows the producers, like, who you are.” (16:58)
• “I never owned a credit card until, like, a couple months ago.” (20:00)
• “If you’re applying to reality TV, ... you have to give them every little detail and be as batshit crazy as you actually are.” (07:21)
• “[From my small town,] my biggest haters are where I’m from, like, the small town haters.” (12:53)
• “Sometimes ... I could potentially take a class or two for my master’s degree... because I want to be busy all the time.” (38:24)
• “Showing weakness is a strength. Right? It’s not a negative... [when] you can show up in an authentic way, but still like an intentional way, you can magnify everything you want to do.” — Jason ([55:00])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kaylor’s background, application process: 00:56–07:17
• Family reaction, money mindset, saving: 12:53–15:45
• The wardrobe investment, preparing for TV: 17:19–18:35
• First brand deal & influencer leap: 33:12–35:19
• Branding and intentional authenticity: 24:42–25:49
• Emotional vulnerability & critics: 28:53–29:57
• Balancing friends and business: 47:08–48:35
• Future ambitions & business ideas: 52:02–52:57
• Overspending confession: 53:18–54:02

Trading Secrets (Tips From Kaylor)

“Always be you. Always stay true to yourself. Trust your heart, and everything will turn out. Just be yourself and people will see you for you and love you for you... I think being authentic is the best way to be.” ([54:23])

Summary Tone & Style

The episode is highly conversational, honest, and unfiltered, much like Kaylor’s own brand. Jason Tartick guides the discussion toward actionable takeaways for anyone curious about the real business behind reality TV and the transition from obscurity to influencer. The dialogue is peppered with candid, often humorous stories from the trenches—from navigating awkward family conversations about money to the practicalities (and risks) of chasing fame with only a few dollars and big dreams.

For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In...

This episode is much more than a reality TV recap. It’s a revealing look at the grind and uncertainty behind influencer success, and a powerful lesson in leveraging authenticity, working hard, staying grounded, and adjusting to rapid change—financially, emotionally, and career-wise. Kaylor’s journey is relatable for anyone who’s ever dreamed big from small beginnings or wondered what really happens after reality TV.