We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carly Koemptgen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Carly, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
After I graduated college and into my mid-twenties, I felt a profound desire to find purpose in my life. After years of meeting goals and benchmarks for school and other activities, I felt a little lost. I think that’s a common feeling among young adults.
I thought that I needed to find purpose in my work, but actually, the opposite was true. I started viewing work as a means to an end. A way to fund the life that I want to live outside of work. Once I started to detach meaning from work, I started to see a lot more meaning and purpose in my life outside of work.
I don’t know if there’s one true meaning or purpose to life, but for me I think it boils down to enjoying the passage of time. I want to enjoy my time here on earth, whether that’s with good people, exploring new and exciting places, or simply feeling calm and content with whatever I’m doing.
I also realized the profound impact we have on the people around us, whether we recognize it or not. I think part of my purpose is also to give love and help others feel seen and heard. To me, that’s something that comes naturally. But to be able to see purpose as simply the positive impact you have on others, plus enjoying the passage of time, has helped me come to terms with this world that sometimes can make us feel so out of control.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I help small businesses level-up their digital marketing. My unique skillset includes social media strategy, content creation, copywriting, influencer marketing, public relations, and community engagement. I’ve successfully led numerous strategic social media initiatives and in-person brand activations. My approach revolves around crafting compelling content that resonates with audiences and fosters authentic and engaging connections.
Every client is different, and I’m happy to provide full-service digital marketing packages as well as consulting services.
On my blog and personal social media platforms, I share content about travel, outdoor adventures, van life, food, lifestyle, and more.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I didn’t know that winning others over (or WOO for short) was a skill, but I took the Clifton StrengthsFinder test in college multiple times and it always came up as my top skill. I think being able to read the room and understand your audience, then quickly figure out how to effectively communicate with them and make them feel comfortable with you is a huge skill that’s taken me far. Part of it is probably innate, but I think you can develop this skill by practicing being an active listener.
For me, social media has been a huge tool in developing my career and personal brand. I also have made friends in real life from introductions on social media. A big bulk of my digital marketing work involves social media, so I would say to not underestimate this as a tool for personal and professional growth!
This might be an unconventional take, but I do think my sense of humor has helped me tremendously in my journey. I’ve learned to not take things too seriously, use humor as a tool to make people feel comfortable around me, and overall to reduce stress and seriousness. We take things way too seriously… it’s okay to crack a few jokes here and there.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I truly have the best parents, no question. I think the most impactful thing they did for me and my siblings was encouraging us to be ourselves, trust our gut, and be resilient. Both of my parents embody these characteristics and were a great example for us.
Looking back, it was probably really difficult to parent a teenager who was extremely stubborn, but my parents were always so great about letting me explore my natural curiosity.
All of this is in addition to the sacrifices my parents made for us to get a good education, participate in activities that made us well-rounded adults, and the general nurturing that comes with being a parent. I know that’s not always the case, but I really lucked out with mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chasingcarly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasing.carly
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-koemptgen-047389105/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chasing.carly
Image Credits
Jovelle Tamayo for photo #4
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
