We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kate Rapier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My name is Kate, and I’m the founder of Good Shift Marketing, a social media consulting and coaching company built on one simple belief: the right post, the right message, or the right story can change someone’s life.

And I know that’s true because it happened to me.

Years ago, I was scrolling Instagram when I came across a post. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t part of a campaign. It was simply someone sharing their honest experience with foster care. That one post shifted something in me.

It led me to sign up to become a foster parent.

Today, I’m the mom of two incredible kids I adopted through foster care…all because one person showed up and shared their story.

That’s why this mission is so personal to me. I believe in the power of social media not just to grow businesses, but to grow impact. Yes, strategy matters. Yes, content should convert. But the heart of it? That’s connection. That’s purpose. That’s service.

Your story, your voice, your offer….they deserve to be seen. Because someone out there might be waiting on exactly what you have to say.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Kate Rapier, the founder of Good Shift Marketing, a social media coaching and consulting company built to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs show up online with clarity, confidence, and heart.

I didn’t start in marketing—I started on the road. I spent over two decades touring the world as a singer and creative, including six years as a backup singer for Kelly Clarkson. It was an incredible chapter that taught me how to connect with an audience, tell a story, and show up with consistency…skills I later realized were foundational to building a brand.

After I stepped off the stage, I naturally gravitated toward the digital world. I started helping friends and small businesses with content, then built a consulting business that grew far beyond what I ever expected. Today, I lead a team that helps founders, creatives, and small business owners harness the power of social media, not just to grow their audience, but to grow their impact.

We offer done-for-you social media management, 1:1 strategy coaching, and a group program called The Good Shift Growth Group, a space for small business owners to get expert strategy and ongoing support in a way that feels human, not hustle-y.

What makes us different? We care about both growth and goodness: strategy and service. I don’t just want you to get more likes; I want you to make a greater impact. And I believe social media, when used with intention, can help you do both.

What I’m most proud of is how personal this mission is. One honest Instagram post about foster care changed my entire life. That single post led me to become a foster parent, and today I’m a proud mom of two amazing kids I adopted through the foster system.

That’s why I do what I do. Because your story, your voice, your work…it matters. And someone out there might be waiting for you to show up and share it.

If you’re overwhelmed by social media or unsure how to use it well, I’d love to help. At Good Shift, we make strategy simple, content feel authentic, and marketing feel meaningful again.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For me, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of word of mouth, consistently delivering results, and staying top of mind by showing up on social media.

When you truly serve your clients well—when they see real results and feel genuinely supported—they naturally become your best marketing. Most of my clients come from referrals, and that’s something I’m really proud of.

At the same time, staying visible matters. I make it a point to regularly show up on social media, not just to promote what I do, but to share insights, offer value, and let people get to know me. That kind of consistency builds trust over time, and it often leads to those “I’ve been following you forever and I’m finally ready to work with you” messages.

It’s not about chasing the latest trend. It’s about showing up with intention, serving well, and letting your work speak for itself.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Yes, my side hustle absolutely turned into a full-time business…but it wasn’t overnight.

It began when friends started reaching out, asking for help with their social media. I was working a remote job with a startup at the time, and I started taking on small freelance projects on the side. Before long, I was close to replacing my paycheck with the income from my freelance work.

That was the moment I started thinking seriously about making the leap. But here’s the honest part—I was only looking at top-line revenue. I didn’t yet understand how much of that income I’d actually keep after expenses, taxes, and everything else that comes with running a business. So while it looked like I was doing great, the bottom line told a different story.

That reality check pushed me to hustle even harder. I learned how to run a real business, not just take on more clients. I figured out my pricing, built a stronger foundation, and got clearer on what it would take to make this sustainable long term.

Making the jump wasn’t just about income. It was about learning how to lead, build, and grow something that could last. And I’m so glad I did.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stan.store/goodshiftmarketing
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katerapier
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kate-Rapier/61577895173851/
• Other: www.instagram.com/goodshiftmarketing
  https://www.tiktok.com/@goodshiftmarketing