We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kateri Wozny. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kateri below.
Kateri, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Growing up, I was always a creative child who loved to write and draw. I even feel in love with media when I volunteered for a local community television station and I knew I wanted to make my career path in the communication field.
I have a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a Master’s in Organizational Communication but expanding your creative knowledge still goes beyond having a degree. As a Freelance Journalist, I always like to take workshops or seminars focused on topics that can enhance my research skills and report better to my audience (e.g., investigations, elections, data). I also always have to keep up with changes in the Associated Press Style Book!
As a Content Creator, I am always exploring new social media trends to enhance views or gain more followers along with learning to film certain shots better with lighting, color and editing. I find most of my tips through TikTok or LinkedIn. I am also an Event Specialist focused on promoting different types of wine, beer and spirits in stores, so I always have to have a knowledge of new products through sales sheets and be able to compare or contrast it against other brands on the market.
I also like try and volunteer for organizations who may need my skillset and help others who may reach out for advice about how to get started in journalism or content creation. I want to see others succeed just as much as I have – even I reach out to pros and follow them on social media for tips! Dipping your toe in different creative areas is healthy, makes you more well-rounded and enhances your skillset!
It is also important that I set a schedule where I sleep well, eat well and exercise. There is such a thing as creative burnout and it is important to set boundaries for your well-being. I used to be a “yes” girl and I said yes to everything because I was afraid of missing out on an opportunity that may never present itself again. It’s great to be a go-getter but now I just take on projects that I feel passionate about.
I will always be on the hunt for different types of creative education because it changes so much. The creative industry isn’t just a one category thing and is always full of exciting opportunities!
Thanks, so before we move on, maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I work full time as a Content Manager in the public sector and I am also a Freelance Journalist, Content Creator and Event Specialist, so I have a lot on my plate! I wouldn’t have it any other way though, I love what I do!
I grew up in Minneapolis, MN and was always fascinated with the news industry. I started volunteering for a kid’s community television program called Kid Vision when I was 9-years-old and I learned about all of the aspects of television production. From there, I received my Bachelor’s in Journalism from St. Cloud State University and won an Associated Press award for my coverage of the Senator Paul Wellstone memorial for KVSC-FM. I also have Master’s in Organizational Communication from Arizona State University. When I lived in Minneapolis, I worked in print news as a Freelance Reporter for various publications around the Twin Cities and as a part-time Traffic Producer for KSTP-TV. I later landed a full-time job as an Assignment Desk Editor at KSTP-TV and I learned so much about what goes into making a newscast successful. Our newsroom even won a National Emmy for our coverage of the I-35W Bridge Collapse in 2007!
I always wanted to relocate to the Los Angeles area and expand my media background, so in August of 2010, I did just that. I currently live in Pasadena and I love being a resident! I have freelanced for various publications in Los Angeles (Pasadena Magazine, Pasadena Weekly, Malibu Coast Lifestyle Magazine, Malibu Surfside News, Pepperdine University, Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Topanga Messenger), Santa Barbara (Carpinteria Coastal View News, Santa Barbara Sentinel, UC – Santa Barbara) and Ventura (Acorn Newspapers, Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine, VC Reporter) and national publications such as the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Elite Daily, GateHouse Media, GoDaddy, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Newsmax, Snooth Media and U.S. News & World Report. I love reporting stories because it brings the community together and keeps them informed!
I also worked at CBS LA as a part-time Traffic Producer and at KEYT-3 Santa Barbara (now News Channel 3) as an Assignment Desk Manager and Web Producer. I later transitioned into public relations and marketing working in the private and public sectors. I love helping clients reach their potential in the media or through other types of advertising!
I am also on TikTok @kitkatw0706 and I have had some videos gone viral! The video with the most views was one I filmed last year about Pasadena houses that were used in movies or TV shows. It currently has more than 193,000 views! I also post daily life stories on Instagram @kitkatwozny as well. I also have my lifestyle blog, SoCal Shuffle! I started it in 2016 and it discusses industry tips, beauty, health, cooking and baking, events, traveling, survival tips, and hot spots mostly related to the Southern California lifestyle. I love the freedom it gives me to create the content I want for my audience! You can check it out at www.socalshuffle.net.
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?
The biggest skill that impacted my journey was to be a decision-maker. I am single and my own manager all day long and I really had to learn how to make strategic yet healthy decisions not just on projects I was working but on my quality of life as well. Being a decision-maker is more than just being confident, it takes effective communication, critical thinking and problem solving to achieve a desired goal. Working in news on deadlines and last minute new stories, I have to be a fast and effective decision-maker!
Another important skill in my journey was my creativity. Being creative allows me to think outside the box along with utilizing my writing, editing, listening and communication skills. I am constantly expanding my mind by attending different courses, workshops, seminars or coaching sessions on how to enhance my creativity even further, such as learning new style guidelines in journalism or how to use lighting and color more effectively when making TikToks or Instagram Reels.
Finally, I incorporate humor into my daily life. I can’t be serious all the time with work and it is a nice release when I can make one of my co-workers or clients laugh for a few seconds – or even myself! It lightens up someone’s day if there is a tense situation to realize that not everything has to be serious and it will work itself out.
My biggest advice on how to achieve these qualities is through real world experience and mentorship. You’re going to make mistakes along the way but it is the lessons learned that will help you achieve your next desirable goal!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I have become very passionate about creating original content for Instagram and TikTok and I would love to collaborate with lifestyle brands around the Los Angeles area or online brands! I love trying new products, trying new local restaurants, exploring local events or hidden spots, and traveling!
I am also always open to receiving pitches from publicists about anything happening around Los Angeles (specifically San Gabriel Valley) to report on for publications! You can email me at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: www.socalshuffle.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kitkatwozny
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kwozny
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/kitkatwozny
- Other: TikTok: @kitkatw0706
