Meet Kaitlyn Boyer | Founder & CEO of SUMMR Creative and The Founder Function

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

Hi Kaitlyn, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with risk. It started young – not in a reckless way, but in this selfishly aspirational sense that I was meant to do something extraordinary. I was the kid who was hungry for adventure, not for the thrill alone, but because that’s where I learned the most.

The real risks, though, started showing up in early adulthood, when my choices began to shape my actual life—not just my report card. And as someone with a personality wired for adrenaline and change, I learned quickly that making bold decisions wasn’t the same as being strategic. Risk has to be thoughtful.

There are a few key lessons that really shaped how I think about risk-taking now.

The first came from an entrepreneurship class I took during my undergrad at Cornell. We had an entire lesson on uncertainty—and I’ll never forget Professor Neil Tarallo, saying: “You’ll never be successful as an entrepreneur if you’ don’t get comfortable with uncertainty.” That hit hard. Up until then, success had always come with a syllabus: study this, do that, get the A. But building a business? No syllabus. No guarantee. Just decisions made in the dark, hoping they move you forward. That’s what being a founder is. You learn to get comfortable not knowing.

The second came from a mentor of mine, Grace McBride, the founder of Lucia. She told me something that completely changed my mindset: “Every failure is just data gathering.” That reframe helped me process some of my biggest stumbles. A five-figure mistake? Still worth it because now I know what not to do, and I’m one step closer to what actually works.

And the third is something I learned on my own—through quitting jobs, leaving relationships, firing people, moving cities, cutting ties with people and things that no longer served me. I realized there is never a good time to do a hard thing. If you wait for the perfect moment to make a bold move, it usually never comes. So I’ve trained myself to decide faster. Not recklessly, but with confidence. Try fast, fail fast, improve faster. That’s the game. And honestly, I think that’s where a lot of business owners get stuck—they want to make the perfect decision, while others are already on iteration twenty, learning a whole lot more as they go.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets SUMMR Creative apart is our commitment to authenticity and cultural relevance. We don’t just design brands—we translate what makes you special into visuals and messaging that connect with the people who need to hear it most. Our clients often say we’re refreshingly honest—we never sell what you don’t need, and we’re upfront about what it takes to build something that actually works. We’re here to see you succeed, not just to add another client to our roster.

It wasn’t easy getting here. I built SUMMR from scratch and worked with 25 brands in year one alone. The growth has been fast, but it came with its share of challenges. Like most founders, I’ve learned that building a business takes grit, thick skin, and the ability to get back up—over and over again.

That’s what led me to start my second brand: The Founder Function. It’s a space where founders can come together not just to connect, but to move and sweat together, break bread with one another, and truly learn from those who got to where you’re going. It’s a wellness-focused, retreat—something a one-hour networking event will never give you.

What I want the world to know is this: SUMMR Creative and The Founder Function were both built with one thing in mind—you. The ambitious, creative founders who are brave enough to build something of their own. We’re in your corner.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting San Diego for the week, I’d give them the ultimate wellness-meets-adventure itinerary—with just the right mix of nature, movement, and amazing food.

We’d start the week with sunrise yoga at Foxpoint Farms, Cardiff Tiny Farm, or Riff’s yoga—it’s intimate, grounding, and such a gem most visitors would never find. Naturally, this has to be followed by a bike ride to a coffee or matcha spot—my go-tos are Interim Coffee, Revolution Roasters, Invigatorium, Tap Shack, and Banana Dang for coffee. For matcha, it’s Lofty or Choice Juicery—non-negotiable.

And for brunch? Fig Tree Café or Superbloom—you’ll leave full and glowing.

For hikes, we’d hit the classics: Torrey Pines, Annie’s Canyon, and the always-fun challenge of Ho Chi Minh Trail. I’d balance that out with some water time—either paddleboarding or jet skiing in Mission Bay depending on the vibe.

For more casual lunch bites, Cotixan tacos and Board & Brew sandos are musts.

At sunset, we’d be watching waves at Windansea or the cliffs at Gliderport. Golden hour here is magic.

Evenings would rotate between a downtown SD concert or Padres game, and dinners at Atelier Manna (a hidden gem with a creative menu) or Callie for something upscale and unforgettable.

Honestly, this city has everything—and the people you meet along the way make it even better. That’s the magic of San Diego: you look around at the place and people and can’t help but feel an overflowing cup of gratitude.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a huge shoutout to Jeremy Asgari. From the very beginning of my career, he saw something in me and never hesitated to support my ideas, connect me to opportunities, and generously share his wisdom from years of building businesses.

Jeremy is the founder of Outsiders, a global adventure company that helps city dwellers reconnect with nature—and each other—outside the usual happy hour scene. Watching him build something so rooted in purpose, and do it with consistency and vision, has been incredibly inspiring. He’s someone who always made space for me at the table—even when I was just getting started—and that’s something I’ll never forget.

Website: https://summrcreative.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-boyer/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/thefounderfunction/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-founder-function/

Image Credits
Zill Media & Unholy Agency