We recently connected with Kitty Norton and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kitty, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’ve made my living as a professional musician my whole life. My husband Jack and I have toured the United States…and the world. We’re not famous – far from it. We’re simple folk musicians…but somehow we made a nice living playing bars and clubs, festivals and events…touring almost nonstop. I loved it. What could be better: see the world with your best friend and get paid to sing while doing it? Well, all that stopped during the global pandemic of 2020. In fact, we had around 275 concert dates all cancel within a few week period during that early lockdown. An entire year of work…gone!
We had to pivot. We had to do something.
That’s when I had a lightbulb in my head moment: travel!
Say, whaaaaaa?
Travel?
Yes. Use our vast experience of the past two decades of traveling the world to share with others tips, tricks and funny stories. We started a travel blog and YouTube channel – it took years to design, outline, plan, build and launch.
In fact, we’re still in the midst of launching all elements of our travel business.
It was a risk…but I’m so glad we did it. As travel writers and filmmakers we can highlight our favorite places and help folks make the most out of their next roadtrip or vacation!

Kitty, 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 Kitty from Travel with Jack and Kitty – we’re high school sweethearts turned married soulmates…world travelers with a passion for sharing with you fun and quirky travel destinations all around the globe!

We’re from Minnesota, so a focus of ours is telling folks about all the awesome things you can do here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We do love to travel all over the world, so occasionally we share things in the Midwest, throughout North America and in Europe.

Our blogs and travel videos are quirky, fun and helpful.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Buy local. Buy small. Support the makers, the creators, the dreamers, the doers. Never underestimate the power of a direct purchase from an artist or creator. A few bucks can make a huge difference in the life of that person. Love books? try to buy direct from the author? Love a band? Try to buy a t-shirt at their next local show. Love an artist? Support them on Patreon or buy their work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is the fact there are no rules. In fact, that is our only rule at Travel with Jack and Kitty. We have a big sign on our office door that reads: “There Are No Rules. Just Have Fun!” That’s what it’s all about.
Having fun.
No rules.
Follow your heart.
You can do that when you work for yourself as a creative artist. You can’t do that when you work for The Man. Maybe I’ve watched “Office Space” too many times…hehe.    

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jackandkitty.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackandkittyxo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackandkittyxo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackandkittyxo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JackAndKitty