We recently connected with Katrina Margell-Fleisher and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Katrina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
As with most things, there are pros and cons to being a business owner. You have to be creative, think outside the box, and put in long hours, even if it means eschewing the illusion of financial security. Finding a workable work/life balance can be a challenge; some people are prone to overwork, others to not work enough. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but overall, I’m much happier working for myself. I’ve done so for a decade now, and it is difficult to imagine myself at a typical job. I likely do work harder and have more stress than I would at a regular job, I’m also much freer. I’m able to be home with my young son and husband (we run our businesses together), I never have to set an alarm, my commute is only as far as my home office, and I never have to ask a “boss” for time off or a sick day.
Katrina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m an independent marketing & media professional (Click Kat Web & Marketing), specializing in weddings and events. I work closely with my husband’s company, Let’s Party! DJs & Events, and our event venue project, Royal Palm Events. I write engaging content, create websites, design mailings and marketing materials, and put together ad campaigns to reach clients. I came into the business somewhat by chance. I’ve always enjoyed writing, graphic design, and web design, and when I met my husband, I realized I could use my talents to take his business to the next level while also creating my own niche within the marketing industry. I enjoy spreading messages of love and celebration, and promoting companies that offer both quality and value to people. Why pay more for similar quality services when you don’t have to? On your wedding day, it’s understandable to want the best, but realize you can have outstanding quality that will still allow you to save for your honeymoon, and most importantly, your life together.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
It’s a love story more than anything. I met my business partner and husband, Bud, on Facebook. We had a mutual “friend”, and we began talking amongst ourselves, which led to phone and video calls, and eventually an in-person visit. Once we met face-to-face, we fell in love quickly, and I uprooted my life in Texas to live with him here in South Florida. Bud already owned and operated Let’s Party! DJs, a successful and well-established DJ & Entertainment company, but I knew I could use my knowledge and skills to take his company to another level. It wasn’t an easy or clear path, but eventually, the business did grow, and I was able to build my own company and client base as well.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the worst of the Covid Pandemic, there were no events going on. Times were very lean for our businesses, and we decided to shift our focus to Micro-Weddings and Wedding Officiant services. Being a talented MC and licensed reverend, Bud had performed several ceremonies already, so we opted to market to it, as more and more people were having small, intimate gatherings for their weddings. This pivot helped our business stay afloat during trying times, and it turns out, “Reverend Buddy” has a true prowess and joy as an officiant.
Image Credits
SoFLo Photographers, Smile Photography, MBJ Photography, Real Memories, Alyssa Lewis