Meet Kalyca Zarich

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Kalyca Zarich . Kalyca was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Katie Grinstead.

Hi Kalyca , we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
I am a native to Colorado and have spent the majority of my life exploring the Rocky Mountains. I split my time between the Front Range and little badass town of Leadville, Co. I’m an avid trail runner and enjoy spending time on the trails and time with family more than anything.

Professionally, I’m leading the launch for a Digital Consulting Company. I oversee the product development, business strategy, and will be developing the teams that oversee all of the above.

Please tell us more about your brand, Operations manager/consulting company
I’m in the process of launching Jafeco, LLC – a digital consulting business focused on helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs get their message out to the world. Our mission is to free entrepreneurs from overwhelm while simplifying and amplifying their message, allowing them to focus on what they do best: creating positive impact and making a difference in the world. The business is built around a set of core values that guide everything we do. These values include speed, problem solving, overachieving, data-driven decision making, and an attitude of gratitude. We believe in taking personal responsibility to find solutions and never dwelling on problems. We strive to be one step ahead, anticipating the next thing, and always work together with our clients as a team. Our vision is to create a machine that any business can plug into, which will exponentially grow their reach. We want to provide entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to achieve their goals and create a better world. At the heart of our brand is the belief that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and invest in yourself. We help entrepreneurs build confidence and self-belief through mentorship and provide digital solutions to cut through the noise and increase brand awareness. We simplify processes and save time, allowing our clients to focus on what matters most. Jafeco is more than just a digital consulting business – it’s a movement. We provide Digital Creative Services to Multiply your Impact and Create Freedom because freeing people from the status quo is what we do best. We are here to help entrepreneurs get their message out to the world and make a positive impact.

Katie Grinstead has been a great friend to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Katie and your experience with them.
Where do I even begin?! My experience with Katie has been so far beyond my wildest dreams as an experiecne from start to finish – that I am actually fearful that my words will fall super short! But, I will try my best to capture the essence of what an insanely amazing journey it has been and what a tremendous BADASS that woman is.

In April of 2018, my Dad passed away from health complications after spending years confined to a wheelchair. Shortly after his funeral my Mom began complaining about a mass on her right shoulder. Fast forward six weeks and my Mom died suddenly in a hospital bed. Stage four colorectal cancer. In the short matter of three months I found myself orphaned at 28 with a life that would never be the same.

I had always imagined I would get some, “forever art”, on my body… but I never imagined what a healing, magical, journey that process could become. As my grief evolved I decided that getting a tribute piece on each of my forearms would be an amazing way to commemorate my Mom and Dad.

By pure chance, a client at the gym I was coaching at had raving reviews of his experience at Fallen Owl Tattoo in Lakewood. I trusted this guys, and decided to look the shop up on Instagram and check out the artists. I stumbled upon the feed of Katie Grinstead (@katie.g.z). Her work was SO STRIKING and SO UNIQUE. It also instantly reminded me of my Mother, who was truly an artist at her core. Side note, I had always assumed any tattoos I got would be in black and grey. But, I knew pretty much instantly that this unique and amazing style was EXACTLY what I wanted to truly capture the spirit of my Mom and Dad. They were, after all, colorful people!

This being during Covid and my first real experience with commissioning an artist to create a piece of magic and put it on my body forever, I did what most would – shot her an email. I alluded to the story and the essence of what I was hoping the process to yield in a concise manner. When she got back to me we set up a consult on Zoom so that I could share more of my vision with her.

Well, by a crazy twist of fate my first tattoo consult with Katie landed on my Mom’s birthday – March 12th. This was so meaningful to me. I received this as a divine sign that she was my girl! The consult was emotional, of course, but in a beautiful way. Katie was compassionate, kind, and made me feel so deeply understood. We instantly connected on a soul-level. After the consult I put down a deposit and she went to work on the art that would capture the essence of two of the most important people in my life.

Arriving at my first session, slightly nervous, I was blown away she unveiled her first creation. We would start on the forearm for my Mama. It would be an etherial collection of whimsy, with flowers each significant to memories we shared and things she loved. She nailed it so hard that I cried. At our first session we also became bonded for life. We talked for hours about all things love, life, and forged a sisterhood that will withstand the test of time.

After a handful of additional amazing sister sessions we finished my forearms for both my Mom and Dad. They were both so perfect, so beautiful, and so spot on. I didn’t want the experience to end. I had a vision of how the pieces would continue and evolve into a full sleeve dedicated to each of them. Katie was on board, excited, and went to work again taking my half-finished vision and creating two stunningly perfect works of art.

This experience was not just incredible from start to finish because of her artistry. It was incredible because of who she is as a person. In our sessions, a massive amount of my grief was processed. Through the experience we shared in this commemorative matter – I found healing.

I am just so overwhelmed with gratitude for this woman and her insanely phenomenal gifts. I feel SO honored to display her art on my body and the finished product is far and away more perfect than anything I could have ever dreamt up on my own. I love Katie and if you go see her – you will to.

Instagram: kalycajinzarich

Facebook: Kalyca Jin Zarich

Other: Our assets for my new biz aren’t quite ready yet – but feel free to reach out to me if your publication has any interest in partnering in the future!

Image Credits:
My headshot was taken by @timothy_rhyne of @typo.design.studio