I was *just* talking to a friend in her early 20s today who wanted advice on how she should decide the direction of her career - go into something she sees as world changing, go into something she loves/has fun with, optimize for most money - and this is perfect material to send her after our convo. Very cool to see in more detail a story of knowing what you want to do and taking the necessary hard steps to get there, good for you girl!
I really liked the "Katie" episode of DL where you covered a lot of this, but I also deeply enjoyed reading it + more details. I always have 10x more questions than there are answers and this was excellent!
Thank you for always being transparent about your wages during your pre-MWK days. It shows how important that starting salary is to setting a financial course. I say this as a 43yo whose first journalism job paid her under $18K a year (not a typo) in 2004.
It took me 12 years to make what you made out the gate after college, and I now realize how different my financial trajectory could have beennhad I valued myself and my work more highly 20 years ago. I hope all the 20- and 30- somethings who follow you listen and push for higher salaries and bet on themselves early on!
to give you some grace here, it was the industry that undervalued your work, not *you* — you were navigating the playing field you were dealt, particularly in a really hard time for the US economy in the 2008–2013 window. in retrospect graduating into 2017's job market was just dumb luck. post-great recession recovery, but pre-pandemic meltdown.
but yes to your underlying point, the majority of people struggling in the US are not struggling because they lack financial literacy, they're struggling because the median wage cannot afford the median life—let alone save adequately for the future
This was such an interesting insight into intellectual property, something I’ve not had to think about in my entrepreneurial journey (I have always worked in tangible assets). Excited to see you reclaim full control, from one control freak to another! In fact, I just took over my whole investment portfolio because I was sick of having a gate kept 😂 love a good full financial audit so I really appreciated listening to self-employment episode that you put out not too long ago.
Real estate, particularly STRs and flips. However, thanks to both your content (and Tori Dunlap’s), that I’ve been heavily consuming for the past 12 months, I’m moving into a new era of teaching financial literacy. Starting a nonprofit in my community working with underserved women. Super excited and energized for this next part of my life journey (I typically reinvent every five or so years to keep life spicy) I guess intellectual property might be on the horizon, as I’m currently developing my curriculum! Seriously can’t thank you enough for your insight into systemic issues, interesting topics and delving into how intentional personal economics can change lives! I’m 40 but it’s fun to hear the perspectives of other kick ass women of all ages!
Thanks so much for this, Katie. This should honestly be an inspiration for lots of creators out there to roll with the punches and take what is dealt with them in stride, but always remembering that they are typically the most valuable things about their product!
Very much appreciate the coach recommendation—have been curious about it whenever you mentioned it in passing on the pod. Also… who is Mallory, and can we get her details too? 🙂
Katie! This story is fantastic. It’s comforting to see how you can make things work out even when you don’t have it all figured out from the beginning. You had plenty of luck in good partners around you, but that also comes from a Swift-esque determination — knowing what you wanted and being willing to figure out how to get it.
Adored this. Also have you considered starting another substack where you Katie-splain all Taylor Swift lore? I’d go founding member on that shit.
yes it's called diabolical lies lol
😂 Katie you have a very persistent scammer bot that’s also tried to get me on TikTok
Loved the transparency here - so interesting and one of the things I find myself often craving at work is autonomy and control, spot on!!
I was *just* talking to a friend in her early 20s today who wanted advice on how she should decide the direction of her career - go into something she sees as world changing, go into something she loves/has fun with, optimize for most money - and this is perfect material to send her after our convo. Very cool to see in more detail a story of knowing what you want to do and taking the necessary hard steps to get there, good for you girl!
aw, thanks, amanda. i hope she gets something out of it!
I really liked the "Katie" episode of DL where you covered a lot of this, but I also deeply enjoyed reading it + more details. I always have 10x more questions than there are answers and this was excellent!
ah good i'm glad it wasn't too repetitive!
Thank you for always being transparent about your wages during your pre-MWK days. It shows how important that starting salary is to setting a financial course. I say this as a 43yo whose first journalism job paid her under $18K a year (not a typo) in 2004.
It took me 12 years to make what you made out the gate after college, and I now realize how different my financial trajectory could have beennhad I valued myself and my work more highly 20 years ago. I hope all the 20- and 30- somethings who follow you listen and push for higher salaries and bet on themselves early on!
to give you some grace here, it was the industry that undervalued your work, not *you* — you were navigating the playing field you were dealt, particularly in a really hard time for the US economy in the 2008–2013 window. in retrospect graduating into 2017's job market was just dumb luck. post-great recession recovery, but pre-pandemic meltdown.
but yes to your underlying point, the majority of people struggling in the US are not struggling because they lack financial literacy, they're struggling because the median wage cannot afford the median life—let alone save adequately for the future
I love your writing style. It’s like a great chat with a bestie, but one who happens to be a wicked smart scholar and shares your same sense of humor.
this is so generous, thank you melissa
Huge huge HUGE congrats on this !!! So unbelievably happy for you
This was such an interesting insight into intellectual property, something I’ve not had to think about in my entrepreneurial journey (I have always worked in tangible assets). Excited to see you reclaim full control, from one control freak to another! In fact, I just took over my whole investment portfolio because I was sick of having a gate kept 😂 love a good full financial audit so I really appreciated listening to self-employment episode that you put out not too long ago.
ohhhhh tangible assets? cannot relate, as i type words into the abyss for money. lol what sort of business do you run!?
Real estate, particularly STRs and flips. However, thanks to both your content (and Tori Dunlap’s), that I’ve been heavily consuming for the past 12 months, I’m moving into a new era of teaching financial literacy. Starting a nonprofit in my community working with underserved women. Super excited and energized for this next part of my life journey (I typically reinvent every five or so years to keep life spicy) I guess intellectual property might be on the horizon, as I’m currently developing my curriculum! Seriously can’t thank you enough for your insight into systemic issues, interesting topics and delving into how intentional personal economics can change lives! I’m 40 but it’s fun to hear the perspectives of other kick ass women of all ages!
Superb piece. Good lessons to learn here. Thank you
I’m excited to see how you experiment with the newsletter!!
Thanks so much for this, Katie. This should honestly be an inspiration for lots of creators out there to roll with the punches and take what is dealt with them in stride, but always remembering that they are typically the most valuable things about their product!
Love reading this and love your transparency!
Very much appreciate the coach recommendation—have been curious about it whenever you mentioned it in passing on the pod. Also… who is Mallory, and can we get her details too? 🙂
her name is Mallory Rice! she is fantastic. malloryrice@gmail.com
Katie! This story is fantastic. It’s comforting to see how you can make things work out even when you don’t have it all figured out from the beginning. You had plenty of luck in good partners around you, but that also comes from a Swift-esque determination — knowing what you wanted and being willing to figure out how to get it.
thank you so much dana, that means a lot to me coming from you!
So unbelievably happy for you!! Ownership is everything!
thank you alisha — i appreciate you and your insights into this world so much
Love that your back to being your boss! And that money management tip for ADHD people at the end was really helpful!