Building a Life That Truly Works for Me

This week, we’re celebrating the wonderful Kailyn Mazzone. She’s proof that you don’t need a loud leap or a perfectly mapped-out plan to build something truly meaningful. Sometimes it begins with a hard season, a few honest conversations, and the courage to imagine a different way of living, all made possible by a strong, loving support unit around you. What followed was not one, but two businesses, a deeply connected family life, and a community-first approach to success that we absolutely love.

My journey didn’t start with a big career plan or a bold decision to “go it alone”. It started in the first week of lockdown in 2020, when I experienced a miscarriage.

At the same time as processing that loss, I was raising our little girl Azzura in the middle of a world that had suddenly shut down. Not being able to hug my mum during that time was incredibly hard. We were so close, yet separated… the only thing between our homes was a wooden fence.

That fence became the place where everything began.

While dealing with grief and trying to keep life moving, chats over the fence slowly turned into what if conversations. What if we lived together? What if we supported each other more closely? What if life could feel a little easier, a little more connected?

During our one hour of daily freedom, we spotted a house nearby. It was absolutely perfect… and completely out of our price range. It became a long-running family joke, the house over the hedge. But even though we laughed about it, we kept our eyes open for properties that could meet all of our needs.

Those conversations drifted in and out of our lives over the next four years. And then, unbelievably, that house came back on the market… and this time, it was within reach.

Even better, it came with two self-catering lodges already in place: Lilybank Lodges. That completely sealed the deal. Suddenly, our future plans for retirement, security, and family life didn’t feel quite so daunting.

When we first viewed the house, it instantly felt like home. The kids took their shoes off and ran upstairs to claim their bedrooms. In that moment, I just knew.

Alongside running Lilybank Lodges, I also found my way back into work through Tropic Skincare.

After being a stay-at-home mum for five years, I joined Tropic in 2023 after a friend introduced me to the products. They’re 100% natural, vegan, and COSMOS organic certified, and they genuinely work. I loved that I could help people feel more confident in their own skin while reconnecting with others and building something that fit around family life.

As my confidence grew, so did my business. I’ve been incredibly lucky to receive real, positive feedback and before-and-after photos from customers, which pushed me to take the next step. Last year, I achieved my Level 2 Skincare & Facial qualification, and I’m now working towards setting up my own facial skincare business within the next six months.

One of the biggest highlights for me was being invited to Tropic HQ, the “Willy Wonka factory of skincare”, where I met founder Susie Ma and the amazing team behind the brand. Seeing how the products are made, tested, packed, and dispatched, and even creating my own, was such a special, full-circle moment.

Meanwhile, life behind the scenes has been full.

After my miscarriage, I went on to have my rainbow baby, Orion. His pregnancy was filled with worry and uncertainty. Night after night, my partner and I would sit looking at the stars, reassessing what we really wanted from life. That time shaped so many of the decisions we’ve made since.

Today, I juggle two small children, two businesses, and two part-time jobs. Two must be my lucky number! The mental load can be heavy, and finding balance isn’t always easy. But my children always come first.

They’re also part of everything I do. From packing Tropic orders and delivering them, to helping clean the lodges and change bed sheets, they’ve been involved from day one. I’m incredibly proud that they’re growing up seeing what hard work, teamwork, and commitment look like in real life.

Running Lilybank Lodges means I’m my own boss, working for my family, with the business quite literally on my doorstep. I love meeting our guests, we’ve welcomed people from Norway, Germany, America, South Africa, Ireland, and plenty of locals enjoying staycations. Achieving our 5-star self-catering rating was a huge moment of pride for us.

With Tropic, I love hosting events where people can relax, have a little pamper, enjoy a glass of fizz or a brew, and have a good laugh. It’s about connection just as much as skincare, and the supportive network of people I’ve met has been incredible.

And now I've combined the two! I've launched my own facial skincare businesses for both ladies and gents. I can't wait to grow this chapter.

Alongside everything else, I’ve also been a member of the Isle of Man Coastguards for 12 years, serving with the Peel Coastguards team.

I joined because I wanted to help people and learn new skills, and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since. I’ve been honoured to receive the late Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the King’s Coronation Medal. The role involves regular training, patrols, and callouts, and it’s a privilege to represent the Coastguards and support our community. My teammates are like a second family,  we always have each other’s backs.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to other women, it’s this: believe in yourself. If you can dream it, you can do it.

My mum has always told me that if you really want something in life, you’ll make it happen, and that’s something I’ve tried to live by. From buying my first house at 18, to giving up work to raise my children (the best decision I’ve ever made), to building a life that works for us as a family.

Looking ahead, I’d love to further develop Lilybank Lodges with a sauna, plunge pool, and hot tub to create the ultimate self-indulgent getaway. And I’m excited to fully launch my facial skincare business and see where that next chapter takes me.

At Level Up, we’re SO proud to share Kailyn’s story. Not because it’s flashy or flawless, but because it’s real. It’s about resilience, family, community, and choosing a life that truly fits. And if you’ve ever seen her beautiful smile, you know she’s doing it right. A reminder that sometimes the most powerful success stories are built quietly, with the people you love right beside you.