Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Bailey (Foote).
Hi Katherine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In April 2020, I was furloughed from my dream job with Disney as a Marketing Strategy Associate supporting the Disney Springs brand at Walt Disney World. During the leave, which was around a total of 5.5 months, I decided to dip my toe into freelance marketing projects to keep my skills sharp and earn some income. I loved working with different businesses to help make strategic, actionable marketing plans for their brands. I was also flexing a few entrepreneurial muscles I didn’t realize I had, which was a fun challenge while stuck inside. Then, in October 2020, I was laid off from my dream job with Disney. I thought the whole world was crumbling. My dream since high school was to work for Disney in some creative capacity, and like so many, my dream ended due to the pandemic.
I was fortunate enough to land a new corporate role shortly after being laid off as a Content Manager for a large recruiting company. While I knew in my gut it wasn’t where I was meant to be, it was a paycheck and a promotion to a Manager title, so I was more than happy to sign my offer contract. I was miserable after working for this company for around 6 months. And while Disney was starting to hire again and I was actively interviewing, the stars hadn’t aligned yet. So, I took a leap of faith and decided to leave my corporate job in the recruiting industry and fulfill freelancing full-time until Disney was ready to take me back.
So, I started working with an agency on exciting projects and took on a few writing clients and projects via Upwork. Until I got an offer to return to Disney as a Digital Product Operations Manager supporting the digital team, with a focus on the parks and the 50th Anniversary Celebration, it was a dream come true! I had the opportunity to come back to Disney and work with amazing people on innovative projects. But after being there for a few months, I realized that Disney wasn’t my dream anymore; freelancing was.
In January 2022, I made a tough choice to leave my new job with Disney and put my all into my freelancing business, Creatively Katherine LLC. And since then, I’ve never looked back. Freelancing is my passion. I love helping brands with their marketing plans, taking on social media strategy projects, managing paid ad campaigns, copywriting, and more.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Navigating the freelancing journey has been quite an adventure, filled with its fair share of ups and downs. As an entrepreneur, balancing the roles of marketer, salesperson, financial planner, accountant, operations manager, and HR personnel is no small feat, but it’s all part of the ride. While I’m passionate about what I do, I won’t sugarcoat it – running a business solo comes with challenges. Yet, I’m grateful to have a network of incredible entrepreneurs and freelancers who’ve been my guiding light through the storm. They’ve shared invaluable insights on pricing strategies, offered contract wisdom, provided referrals, and even helped answer tough questions like, “When is it time to part ways with a client?” These hurdles test your fortitude as a business owner, but overcoming them has undoubtedly made me stronger and more resilient in this journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
Creatively, Katherine LLC was born from my deep passion for marketing and freelancing. My mission with every client is to serve as their comprehensive solution for all their marketing needs. Whether they require assistance with organic social media management, paid ad strategy, copywriting, or overall marketing strategy, I am dedicated to guiding them every step of the way. What distinguishes me from others is my extensive experience and empathetic approach. I genuinely care about my clients’ success, treating their brand as if it were my own and implementing strategies that will positively impact achieving their goals. I’ve collaborated with businesses of various sizes, ranging from Fortune 100 brands to small local businesses. Regardless of size, every business deserves access to top-notch marketing expertise tailored to their unique needs. My diverse experience has equipped me with the skills to adapt and deliver impactful strategies that drive results, no matter the scale of the business. If you’re seeking marketing support, I would be thrilled to discuss how I can assist.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Please share something that might surprise us.
Here are some fun facts about me: I’m originally from Annapolis, Maryland, but my favorite city is New York City. I’ve had the pleasure of attending The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon not once, not twice, but three times! I studied Digital Media at the University of Maryland and gained valuable skills in creative storytelling and digital marketing strategies. As a proud Swiftie, my favorite Taylor Swift albums are Speak Now and 1989 (Taylor’s Version), and her music always inspires me creatively. And last but not least, my go-to morning beverage is an iced matcha latte with almond milk.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativelykatherine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatively_katherine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativelykatherine
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-foote/
Image Credits
Headshots by Sydney Tobin Photo @sydneytobinphoto
