Meet Katie Herndon

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Herndon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.

Hi Katie, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

As someone who was raised on a family farm, I think I got my work ethic from an early age as this was something that my parents emphasized and placed a lot of value in. From a young age, I was given responsibility and expected to contribute. I think this helped create a sense of purpose and drive as well as introducing me to the joy of completing something challenging and taking pride in that. This later, translated into school as a place where I applied myself, but also found joy in learning.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m at a point in my journey where I’ve embraced multiple careers, each shaping who I am today. Currently, my focus is on growing my company, **Levity Arts**, which is dedicated to building community, empowering artists, and inspiring meaningful change. We host free community events during the summer, collaborate with arts festivals to produce captivating shows, and create independent productions that spark joy and wonder.

For me, art is a powerful tool for connection. It provides a space for people to find common ground—something I believe is incredibly important in today’s world. Art has the unique ability to communicate in ways that transcend words, inviting us to see through new perspectives, explore our emotions, and reflect on the shared human experience.

My vision for Levity Arts is to craft experiences that bring both levity and depth—sparking curiosity, playfulness, and introspection. I want to inspire people to feel more connected to themselves and others while supporting local artists in pursuing their craft. As we grow, I aim to expand Levity Arts into an organization that creates even more opportunities for artists and continues to nurture the vibrant, creative communities we serve.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I believe three qualities have been particularly impactful in my journey: a proactive approach to learning, tenacity, and empathy.

1. Proactive Learning:
One of the biggest factors in my growth has been a commitment to learning for the sake of learning. We live in an incredible time where access to knowledge is virtually unlimited. The key is understanding how you learn best and staying curious about the things that inspire you. Whether it’s diving into books, online courses, or hands-on experiences, cultivating a habit of continual learning can open countless doors. My advice for those early in their journey is to explore different learning styles—visual, auditory, experiential—and focus on what excites you. Passion-driven learning is one of the most effective ways to build expertise and resilience.

2. Tenacity:
Every career comes with its share of challenges, and everything worthwhile is going to feel hard at times. Embracing this reality early on is essential. For me, setting clear boundaries and goals has been key to staying focused. For example, when I decided to pursue a career as a professional circus artist, I gave myself a two-year timeline to secure a professional contract. I committed to doing whatever it took—whether that meant waiting tables (even with a business degree) or living on a tight budget—to achieve that goal. This self-imposed “container” helped me push through moments of doubt and uncertainty, as I had already decided to give it my all for a specific period. My advice? Create a timeline or structure for your goals and commit to seeing it through. This focus will build grit and help you push past obstacles.

3. Empathy and Compassion:
Kindness and genuine connections have been just as valuable as technical skills in my journey. Being considerate and authentic with others creates a ripple effect. Opportunities often arise from people who remember your sincerity, not just your accomplishments. In fact, most of my professional opportunities haven’t come from polished resumes but through referrals from people I’ve connected with in meaningful ways. My advice is to focus on building relationships without expectations—networking not as a transaction but as a way to engage, encourage, and support others. Those genuine interactions can lead to unexpected opportunities and lasting partnerships.

Ultimately, these three qualities—proactive learning, tenacity, and empathy—are not just about building a career but about creating a meaningful life. My advice is to embrace them with intention, and over time, they will serve you well in ways you might not even expect.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

To be honest, I often feel overwhelmed—it’s something I’ve learned to navigate over time. Being neuroatypical, I manage both bipolar disorder and ADD, which can lead to overcommitting and wanting to take on too much at once. These tendencies have taught me the importance of self-awareness and developing strategies to maintain balance.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is understanding my own capacity and setting boundaries. This means anticipating what a commitment will actually require and being honest with myself about what I can realistically take on. I’ve also learned to recognize the difference between how capable I feel in moments of confidence and excitement versus what I might be able to sustain later. It can be tough to turn down opportunities when you’re enthusiastic, but it’s essential to prioritize and only say yes to a manageable number of things at a time.

On a broader level, I manage overwhelm by organizing my time and tasks, prioritizing projects, and focusing on what truly matters. On a daily basis, I start my day with at least 20 minutes of yoga and mindfulness. This grounding practice helps me stay present instead of overthinking the future. It reminds me that my to-do list isn’t everything, and that stress, while real, is often amplified by our own thoughts. Our brains evolved to handle life-and-death situations, but in modern life, we often treat smaller challenges with the same intensity. Mindfulness helps me put things into perspective.

Finally, I’ve learned the importance of giving myself permission to let go. Sometimes, we put immense pressure on ourselves to see everything through, even when it’s no longer serving us. Allowing myself to quit or step back when necessary has been a powerful reminder to focus on what’s truly important. My advice to anyone feeling overwhelmed is to practice self-compassion, prioritize ruthlessly, and take moments to breathe and reconnect with the present.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.levity-arts.com/
• Instagram: @levitybykatie or @levity.arts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levitybykatie/

Image Credits

Pete Saloutos, Dave Gallagher,