Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Krause.
Katelyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Lisle, my parents worked from home and I always knew I wanted to do the same. I never was a fan of school, I always wondered how would I apply what they were teaching me in the “real” world. I wanted to know more about religion, philosophy, art, culture, travel, how to make money, how to run a business, and how to be a good person. I never felt like I fit in when I was a sophomore in high school, I learned about an Art School in the city that seemed like a perfect fit for me. Going to the Chicago Academy for the Arts was one of the best choices I have ever made for myself in this lifetime. Honestly, If I didn’t go to the Chicago Academy, I am not sure where I would be right now, that school saved my life. The Academy taught me that it’s possible to be surrounded by students and faculty who actually genuinely care and support you. I was in the music program with a focus on singing. I learned how to collaborate with other artists and how to make ideas happen. It was also at the academy, I learned to grow up fast. I woke up early every day to make the train to the city, to then get on a bus, to get to school, returning home late around 6 pm. I learned discipline and focus because it was all up to me to get to school on time and to complete my homework and school projects.
I went to Calarts for college and this was a very similar experience to that of the academy. Art school taught me how to be self-disciplined, network, recruit the people you want for your projects, and make your thoughts and visions come to life. After Calarts, I lived in LA, trying to “make it” as a performing artist. That’s when life hit me in the ass. My parents lost a lot when the economy tanked and I moved back home to Lisle.
A lot happened for me when I returned home. I was faced with humility and I wanted to give back to my family. I soon went to “Unleash the power within” and received a new awakening. I got a job at Trader Joes, the first ever corporate job I ever had. TJ’s taught me so much about excellent customer service and product knowledge. As much as I enjoyed my time at TJ’s I had to punch in and out of the clock and I hated that. Even punching in and out for a lunch break. For the two years I worked there, every time I punched in and out of the clock, I would tell myself this is going to be the first and last job I will do for a corporation.
While I worked at TJ’s, I was apart of a network marketing company and it was there I learned a lot about how to share your story, sell, and manage a team. I no longer am in network marketing but found the learning I gained from that business model really helped prepare myself in the work I do with Katelyn & Co. A woman on my team had wanted me to meet her daughter who said we would really get along. Her name is Ladie K, a Chicago based filmmaker, model, actress, and art director, who also had a small demo company at the time. I started working for her part-time doing natural food samplings and expos. She saw how much I enjoyed the organic/natural foods industry and she was looking to soon take on less work in the field and focus more on filmmaking. Ladie K passed on a referral to me and the rest was history.
I worked full time for a few years as an independent contractor for a few clients. I enjoyed being able to work the hours I wanted and would fit it into my schedule. I would work really hard for a condensed period of time, then I took time off to travel the world. I learned how to invoice, give detailed feedback on reports, and build relationships with the brands and store employees.
After a few years of being a contractor, I was no longer able to fit in all my client’s requests on my own. That’s when I realized, I could build a business out of all the relationships I had built over the years. The clients I had at the time, knew, liked, and trusted me, so that was pretty seamless for them to jump on board with having myself hire, staff, and train the reps. Katelyn & Co. started out by booking Chicagoland summer festivals, to staffing Chicagoland in-store demos, to eventually becoming a midwest natural foods & products instore demo company.
I never went to school to become a business owner. I found my niche in relationship and community building. If I ever find myself wondering how to do something, I tap into my network! My work allows me to be creative and constantly growing. I tell everyone it’s my spiritual path. Being an entrepreneur is confronting on so many levels, but I find the more you break through the obstacles the more rewarding it is on the other end.
Currently, Katelyn & Co. has become more social! I am sharing my story of being a female entrepreneur @katelynandcompany on Instagram. I am very passionate about sharing full transparency on my entrepreneurial path so that others can learn and grow.
Has it been a smooth road?
LOL, no! 🙂
I believe most entrepreneurs are visionaries who are in search of people to help build and bring their vision to life. If you think you can do it all on your own, good luck! My gift is relationship and community building, not necessarily structure and systems. I found people along the way to help build systems and software so that I could be able to manage a large team of clients and reps.
I had a “close” client not pay me out on about 30k last year. It was one of the most horrible business experiences ever. I had paid out my reps on the work they had done for the brand the year prior and my client strung me along for 6months in delaying the payment. I eventually got an attorney and we soon realized my client had filed for a bankruptcy and that it was too late. That was so hard on me emotionally. I remember wanting to give up and call it quits, but I worked through the pain and what I gained from that experience helped propel me to the next level of self-worth. After losing that money and client, I realized, damn, Katelyn & Co. really is the best demo company!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Katelyn & Co. story. Tell us more about the business.
Katelyn & Co. offers in-store demos for organic and natural foods, products, supplements, & beverages throughout most of the Midwest and other parts of the US.
We are known for our high touch experience with our clients, reps, and the stores we service. We know everyone by name and who they are and what their story is. Most of our clients and reps have worked with us for years and has been built mostly by referrals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katelynandcompany.com/
- Phone: 630-699-5707
- Email: schedule.katelyn.co@gmail.com
- Instagram: @katelynandcompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katelynandcompany
Image Credit:
Cassia A. DeMayo
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