Meet Katelyn Orth

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katelyn Orth a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Katelyn, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

The truth is, everyone feels like an imposter sometimes—and that’s okay!

For a long time, I attributed my success in art to external factors—my privileged upbringing, the creative genes I inherited, or just plain luck. But when I take a step back and truly reflect on how I got to where I am, I realize I haven’t given myself enough credit for my own ambition, tenacity, and discipline. Those aren’t things I was handed—they’re skills I’ve cultivated through hard work and persistence.

Outside factors can only take you so far. The person you have built—your unique perspective, your dedication, your growth—is entirely your own. Once you recognize that, you realize you were never an imposter to begin with.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

By day, I’m a stuffed animal designer for Aurora World, Inc., and by night, I run my small business, Katerbugs Art! I’m the lead designer for Palm Pals, Aurora’s #1 brand right now—tiny, bean-filled plushies that fit in the palm of your hand. They’ve become wildly collectible, and we now have over 300 SKUs!

The most exciting part of my job is stumbling across my designs in the real world. Most recently, I was visiting my best friend, and we popped into a local mom-and-pop toy store—sure enough, they had a bunch of my designs! Getting to point at them and say, “Hey, I made those!” was such a surreal and rewarding moment. But what really makes my work special is seeing collectors share their Palm Pals online, displaying their growing collections. Knowing that my designs bring people so much joy is the most fulfilling part of what I do.

While I absolutely love my job, creative people notoriously have 800 hobbies, and I’m no exception. That’s where my small business, Katerbugs Art, comes in. It’s my creative playground, where I experiment with stickers, polymer clay sculptures, paintings, embroidery—you name it. Each year, I like to challenge myself with a big creative project. Two years ago, I designed and manufactured my very own plush. Last year, I focused on stickers and keychains. And this year? I’m diving into something completely new—writing and illustrating a picture book specifically for dogs!

Katerbugs Art allows me the freedom to explore, create, and keep my creative spark alive. No matter what I’m working on, my goal is always the same: to bring a little more joy and whimsy into the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Keep learning. The world is constantly evolving, and staying curious will not only keep you sharp but also push you to explore new things. Learning in school often comes with pressure—grades, tests, deadlines—but learning as an adult is incredibly freeing. There are no expectations, no failures—just opportunities to grow. If something doesn’t click, you can simply move on to the next thing. Embracing lifelong learning will keep your skills fresh and your creativity thriving.

2. Creativity is a skill—own it. Too often, creative thinkers overlook this as a valuable asset, but it’s one of the most important skills you can have. Whether you’re solving problems, streamlining a process, or tackling something unfamiliar, creativity allows you to approach challenges in unique and effective ways. Even in industries where creativity isn’t the main focus—like tech, sales, or business strategy—creative problem-solving sets you apart. So put it on your resume and own it!

3. Be kind and help others. No matter what industry you’re in, relationships matter. The creative world, in particular, is small, and you’ll likely cross paths with the same people throughout your career. Being kind, collaborative, and willing to help others goes a long way—not just for networking, but for building a strong and supportive reputation.

For those just starting out, my biggest advice is to stay open to new opportunities, trust in your own creativity, and always treat people well. Those three things will take you further than you might expect!

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

There are two main situations that make me feel especially overwhelmed: task paralysis—having so much on my plate that I don’t know where to start—and creative block—staring at a blank canvas with no ideas.

For task paralysis, I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is break things down. I start by listing out everything I need to do, prioritizing what absolutely must get done first. Then, I break those big tasks into smaller, bite-sized steps. Once I have a clear, organized list of micro-tasks, things feel way less daunting, and I can focus on tackling them one at a time.

For creative block, it’s trickier because sometimes, you just have to wait for inspiration to hit—and I personally hate waiting for my brain to catch up! The biggest struggle is that when I don’t have ideas, I feel unproductive. To combat that, I keep my mind or body busy. I’ll scroll through Pinterest or social media to see what other creators are working on, or I’ll step away from screens entirely and go for a walk with my dog. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is give yourself grace and try again the next day.

I’ve learned that forcing creativity never works. You wouldn’t expect to run a perfect mile after an hour on the stair stepper, so why expect your brain to generate its best ideas when it’s already exhausted? Taking a breather isn’t wasted time—it’s recharging. If you allow yourself that space, the good ideas will always find their way to you.

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