Meet Katie Walling | Freelance Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Walling and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I ran marketing departments for 10 years, with no end in sight—or so I thought. And then I found out that not only was I pregnant for a second time, but it was with triplets! And so I made the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to and quit the career that had defined me for a decade to take care of my family. Fast forward, and the triplets were a year old… and I was MISERABLE. I missed having the drive to do something brave or that made me proud of myself. I missed interacting with adults outside of my house. I missed living outside of my comfort zone. It occurred to me that while I could no longer work a typical 9-5 job, I still had something to offer the business community in my skills. So I decided to take on a couple of clients and see how it went. Now it’s been almost a year and I’ve had a total of 16 clients, and I’m not looking back any time soon!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m proud of all of the normal things, like how my clients feel that they’re getting their money’s worth and how my decision to start a company has led to new, bigger opportunities for my family. However, the thing I’m the most proud of is that I have done zero paid advertising and still have a full roster of clients. Those people all either found me organically, are old friends/colleagues or were recommended by past clients! It means that my reputation and my work are to thank for my workload, not because I spent a bunch of money and time making my services look good but because they actually are good. It hasn’t been easy, but the biggest lesson this has taught me is that not everyone is going to be a good fit as client + service provider. Having to have tough conversations when things aren’t working is awkward, but ultimately the right move for all involved!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: pick them up from the airport and take them home to get settled and unpack. Cook hibachi on the Blackstone for dinner and play card games at night.
Day 2: take the boat to Lake Hartwell for the day. Grab subs from Moretti’s in Mauldin, SC on the way to eat on the water. Come home late in the afternoon and order pizza for dinner.
Day 3: Take a day-trip to Traveler’s Rest. Get brunch at Tandem, then ride bikes to Furman and back down the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Have beers at Swamp Rabbit Brewery.
Day 4: Go brewery hopping in downtown Greenville, stopping at all our favorite spots.
Day 5: Catch live music downtown Greenville and eat from the food trucks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Amy Elder and Carrick Jones, owners of The Greenville Hair Bar, are the reason that my company is what it is today. They were my first official clients, taking a chance on me when I didn’t have a proven track record of success as a freelancer. I would not have this company were it not for their trust in me from the beginning.

Website: https://kswmarketingllc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksw_marketing/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ksw-marketing-llc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kswmarketingllc

Image Credits
Amanda Ramirez