We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kaia Hofmeister. Check out our conversation below.
Kaia, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like waking up in the morning and getting right into things. I’ll get ready, make an iced coffee — or grab one on my way in — and take my corgi, Kevin, for a quick walk before heading to the office. I usually have the Brooke & Jeffrey radio show on during my drive, and sometimes it’s hard to get out of the car because I get so invested in their prank calls.
Once I’m at work, I like to start by checking emails, replying to social media comments and messages, and organizing my planner for the day. It’s a pretty laid-back routine, but it helps me get focused before diving into the creative side of things.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kaia, a social media manager and visual storyteller based in South Dakota. I currently work with Fat Boys Inc., where I handle social media and marketing for several of the brands under their umbrella. It’s been a really fun challenge — a mix of content creation, strategy, and design that keeps every day different.
I moved to South Dakota about a year ago, so a lot of this past year has been about getting settled and building new connections in the area while preparing to fully launch my own business here — KHof Media. Through KHof Media, I focus on photography, videography, social media management, and graphic design for businesses looking to tell their story in an authentic and visually engaging way.
Right now, I’m working on a few upcoming documentary-style video projects and some graphic design work — some in collaboration with Fat Boys Inc., and others under KHof Media. I’m really excited to expand creatively and continue blending storytelling with strategy in everything I do.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I think moving away from home probably shaped me the most, but honestly, the years that followed were just as important. I studied so many different things before I finally figured out what I was truly passionate about. I worked all kinds of jobs — bartending, event planning, serving, retail — you name it. Each one taught me something different about people, communication, and hard work.
Through all of that, I built a lot of relationships… and I damaged a few too. That’s just life and learning, right? Those experiences taught me empathy, accountability, and how to handle people with a little more understanding. Looking back, all of it — the jobs, the lessons, the people — shaped how I see the world and how I approach my work now. It gave me perspective, and that shows up both in what I create and in how I build relationships with clients today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself not to stress so much about the little things. Looking back, I realize I was happy all along — even when I didn’t think I was. I was so focused on goals and what was next that I didn’t always stop to appreciate what I had right in front of me.
When I moved to Colorado, I loved the freedom of being on my own and figuring life out. I studied different things, worked a ton of jobs, met so many people, and experienced more than I ever expected. Somewhere along the way, I started worrying about timelines — where I “should” be, what I “should” be doing — and I forgot to just enjoy where I was.
Now, being back in South Dakota, I can see how all of it fit together. Every season, every job, every detour shaped who I am and what I do. If I could tell myself anything, it would be this: you’re doing fine. Don’t rush through it. Don’t stress about every little thing. You’ll get where you’re meant to go — just don’t forget to enjoy the journey while you’re getting there.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
I think one of the biggest truths in my life is that it’s who you know, not what you know — and that timing really is everything. I’ve been so fortunate to be in the right place at the right time more than once. One of my favorite clients I ever worked with was Russell Klase, owner of Reckless Roadhouse. I only met him because I went to a trivia night with a coworker I barely knew. He overheard me talking about my degree, and before I knew it, I was helping produce commercials for his business. They were very “college student energy,” to say the least — not my finest work — but that connection led me to manage his social media and be part of something really fun and creative until I decided to move to South Dakota.
The same thing happened with my current job. When I moved here, I applied to work one day a week in the tasting room at Firehouse Wine Cellars — just to pour wine and meet people. But after my interview (and maybe a résumé that gave me away a little), they brought me in for a few shifts, and before long, I was offered a full-time position upstairs in the marketing office. I’d spent years in Colorado’s wine industry doing marketing and event planning, so it was this perfect full-circle moment that I never saw coming.
Another truth for me is that how you treat people will always matter more than what you do. Relationships are everything — they’ve opened more doors for me than any degree or résumé ever could. And through all of it, I’ve learned to stay grateful. The best things that have happened in my life weren’t part of the plan — they showed up when I was just being myself, saying yes to new things, and trusting the process.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
I think the light I used to dim the most was the weird part of me. I was such a weird kid — like, genuinely really, really weird — and I spent a lot of time trying to hide that. I wanted to be cool, to fit in, to have certain people like me. Somewhere along the way, I decided being myself wasn’t enough.
But I’ve learned that the weirdness is actually where all the good stuff comes from. It’s my creativity, my imagination, the way I see things differently. That’s what makes my designs and ideas stand out — because they don’t look or feel like everyone else’s.
It’s changed the way I see myself, too. I think I truly love who I am now. It’s a shame I spent so long trying to be “normal,” because that version of me wasn’t nearly as happy or interesting. A good friend once reminded me to be unapologetically authentic — she’s really weird too, but in the best way, which is probably why I liked her so much when I met her. Thanks for being you, Elaine.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.khofmedia.com
- Instagram: @khofmedia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaia-hofmeister/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khofmedia
Image Credits
Kaia Hofmeister (KHof Media LLC)
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