Meet Kathleen Boocks

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

Hi Kathleen, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My journey to develop confidence and self-esteem was over many years. Though it may sound cliche, I truly believe you have to ‘fake it until you make it’ when it comes to building confidence and self-esteem. I’ve also learned that though your inner self may be working against you, you have to put faith in your vision and abilities or you will never grow!

I am also a true believer in the concept that practice makes perfect. As I look back on old projects, collabs, etc, I can see the development of my skills and self confidence. The more you make yourself practice something, the more comfortable you get, allowing confidence and self esteem to follow.

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 curate experiences and stories that connect people to the pulse of local culture, one standout spot at a time. What’s most exciting is uncovering places, flavors, and spaces that are a little off the beaten path — those unique spots with character that make a city truly feel human and alive. I believe what makes my brand stand out is my focus on authenticity and storytelling; it’s about finding places that don’t just look good but feel meaningful, capturing the essence of each spot so it resonates with people. It’s about thoughtful exploration that goes beyond aesthetics, bringing people along for a genuine experience that highlights the quirks, histories, and people behind each space.

I’m also very passionate about supporting small businesses because they are such a vital part of this country and every community. When you support local, you’re investing in creativity, resilience, and the stories that make each city unique and vibrant.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, embracing what was a completely new city to me with open arms and really diving deep into all it has to offer was key to finding my niche as a creator. I have always been a photographer first, so I believe that having a unique ‘eye’ or ‘lens’ in which I capture things allows me to stand out in the ever growing world of creators. Furthermore, I believe that my ability to paint a picture or tell a story about each business I capture helps draw people in versus simply posting ‘aesthetic’ content.

My best advice for those early in their journey is to dig deep into what makes them unique so they can stand out. Though drawing inspiration from others can be valuable, you must truly create your own brand in order to grow and flourish in the landscape of creators. I believe everyone has something different that they can bring to the table, and that’s a beautiful thing!

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My husband has been my #1 supporter and cheerleader through out this journey. In fact, it was he who pushed me to really channel my photography skills and translate them into video format to keep growing as an artist. He is constantly providing feedback, brainstorming new ideas with me, and exploring this beautiful state with me as we enjoy all that our ‘new-ish’ home in the American West has to offer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @theDCnative
• Other: TikTok: @theDCnative

Image Credits

portrait of me shot by my husband, Zachary Boocks. All others shot by me.