We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie McCarthy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Balance.

I believe life is all about balance and I live by an “everything in moderation” mentality. I am a multi-passionate entrepreneur with so much to offer the world. I think we all are. First, I built a stable career, one that I knew would allow for the flexibility to provide for my family through all the different phases of growth and transition. Then I leaned into my passions and followed my intuition. Starting my own business just seemed like the next step. A risk that my gut was sure I should take. So I listened to my intuition and I went for it. It allowed me both the secureness I needed, alongside the freedom to control my schedule and be there for my family.

My first passion was connection with people and feelings of fulfillment through helping others. This led to my nursing career. While building that foundation, I sought peace and balance through escaping in artwork. A second career, photography, blossomed and I made room in my life to do both. In 2014 I established my first business, Little Moments by Katie photography services.

Throughout these journeys, I learned a very important lesson. Giving all of your time and attention to one thing can lead to burnout if you are not careful. Moderation keeps the fire for your passions ignited and allows space for appreciation.

In 2020, the pandemic forced the closure of my photography studio, and as for nursing, well, nursing changed. I lost my balance. I lose all of that fulfillment and freedom. I was burnt out and lost. I took some time to reflect and focus on personal development. Through 5 self – care habits, I reinvented myself and reimagined my future.

In 2021, I established a second new business venture, Katie McCarthy LLC. By creating a workshop called Meant for C.H.A.O.S. and teaching at local wellness studios and hosting events, I found a new meaning to my entrepreneurship and nursing career. This business allowed me to inspire others to begin their own personal development journey, while providing them with the same tools that I used to bring calmness and clarity to my life. I have spent the past few years learning different modalities for holistic wellness. By combining my disciplines, I aim to provide a comprehensive approach to care that addresses the physical emotional, and energetic aspects of health. I believe in treating a whole person rather than focusing on symptoms of illness and strive to create a safe and inclusive space where clients feel, heard, respected, and supported.

As a Reiki Practitioner, Cannabis Health Coach, Registered Nurse, and Artist, I have aligned all of my strengths to share with the world. Every year brings new lessons, but starting my own businesses has allowed me to pivot freely and redefine myself over and over again as life transitions. Whether it be internal or external factors that create change, business ownership empowers me to be the CEO of my life and to create my own version of balance time and time again.

What should our readers know about your business?
Easy?! Ha. There is no such thing! Every journey in life brings challenges. The question is, have you taken care of yourself to build your capacity to overcome these challenges. Can you work through what is hard? There have been times in my career where I could, and there have been times in my career where I have chosen not to, and I have walked away. But one lesson I have learned over and over again is that… how I move forward is always my choice. Meant for C.H.A.O.S. is a workshop that is built from a lifetime of experiences and it teaches you to do just that, build your capacity to choose what is right for you.

My background is very dynamic and I am an open book. I am always willing to hold space for anyone and share all of the knowledge that has been shared with me. I stand out for the same reason you do, because there is only one me!

I offer 12 years of comprehensive hands-on nursing experience as well as held executive director nursing roles. Alongside my nursing career, I built a successful photography business. I later pivoted into the holistic and integrative medicine space. I became a hemp wellness advocate partnering with a USDA certified organic Hemp Company called Green Compass Global before founding Katie McCarthy LLC where I offer Reiki Healing, Plant Medicine Education, CBD Sales, and personal development workshops.

In 2022, I retired from photography studio ownership and began a career as the Director of Medical Affairs at the DRIPBaR, an IV Vitamin Therapy Franchise. In 2023 I was offered the opportunity to partner with Holistic Caring Network and Bloom Hemp as a part owner and Cannabis Medicine Educator, offering guidance & education to patients and medical professionals as well as USDA certified organic CBD products, an opportunity I could not pass up.

The following are some of my key skills and achievements:
-Recognized as a nurse leader.
-Built a successful six-figure boutique photography business.
-Joined the American Cannabis Nurse Association and completed a program with Holistic Caring Network to obtain a Cannabis Nurse Health Coach certificate
-Started a holistic wellness practice which provides reiki, aromatherapy, and CBD consulting
-Founded Comfort Care Collective; a group of reiki practitioners who offer in home holistic wellness appointments.
-Wrote, published, and teach a self care workshop called Meant for C.H.A.O.S.
-Awarded 6th in preferred customer sales at Green Compass Global out of 20,000 advocates.
– Began working as Director of Clinical Operations at The DRIPBaR
– Became Part owner and Nurse Executive at Holistic Caring Network & Bloom Hemp.
-Fundraising for Holistic Caring nonprofit benefiting patients in need of supportive holistic treatments for Cancer, Alzheimers, and other chronic health conditions.

All of this to say, I am different because my life experience allows me to be and I want the world to know that each and every person out there deserves to have time for themselves. My workshop teaches you to find clarity in C.H.A.O.S.

C. Clear your mind,
H. Heal with Hemp,
A. Affirm your worthiness and explore the power of a positive mindset.
O. Organize your thoughts through journaling
S. Set boundaries for yourself

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am actually from Boston but I frequent the LA area as often as possible.

My favorite location is Venice Beach. If I were to give someone an Itinerary of the perfect day in Venice Beach, I would start with a beach sunrise followed by a nice long walk along the Venice Beach Canals. I would rent a bike and ride along the Venice beach bike path. Stopping for lunch at the Cow’s End Cafe and enjoying dinner at Beach and Brews. There is a little gift shop I love called MODA Venice so I would visit there, and then I would make sure to check out a class at Hallowed Ground Meditation Center. Smiling and talking to everyone along the way. I would also take part in an immersive experience with Shine on Collective.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The list of mentors and people who have inspired and influenced me is ever-growing. However, right now, in this stage of life with consideration of my holistic wellness business, the organization and mentors that deserve a shoutout are Elisabeth and Sheri Mack with Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse. These two women exemplify innovation, perseverance, and mentorship.

Holistic Caring has provided me with ongoing knowledge and resources to build a successful practice. Elisabeth’s Book, Cannabis for Health: Become a Coach, took my own personal journey to a whole new level where I could envision opportunity in using my story to help others. Their level of commitment, love, and encouragement far surpasses any leadership that I have worked with in the past. Thank you Elisabeth & Sherri for paving the way in the Holistic Care space, for bringing plant medicine education to the masses, and for allowing me to be a part of it! I am forever grateful for the part you play in my success.

Website: https://katiemccarthyllc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meantforchaos/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-mccarthy-308528156/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078001033191you

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegreennurse

Image Credits
Stefanie Palmacci Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.