Meet Katie Martin | Entrepreneur, Makeup Educator, Fitness and Wellness Enthusiast
We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Katie, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was hard wired for creativity since I was born. I was adopted as a newborn and raised by the most amazing parents… however they didn’t have a lick of artistic ability (business owner and an accounting teacher!) I remember them feeling like they didn’t even know what to do with me at times. EVERYTHING for me was an art form or a form of creative expression. It was just compulsive.
After university – instead of getting the “safe” 9-5 my parents hoped for with a 401k and a pension plan (lol) I opted to be a lead singer in a band by night and start a jewelry design business I could work at during the day. All of my art credit in college was traditional jewelers benchwork.
I still “adulted” of course – paid for my own healthcare, bought a house on my own, and started saving for retirement. But my method of “survival” was unconventional. I was a gypsy with a college degree. It took many years and many stages of evolution before doing what I do now… a career that I think has finally felt “safe and secure” enough for mom and dad!
Maybe it was the long way – but it was my way – and it was just the path that I was meant to follow. When I look back at the career life I’ve had – I’m proud that I was self employed for 99.9% of it. I never had a salary I could rely on…. and that kept me hungry and full of ambition to make it work.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Most artists across history are multi-medium. Picasso didn’t just paint. There were times that in the evolution of my career – my family just thought I was just going a million miles an hour with my hair on fire – on to the next shiny toy. I never saw it that way. For me it was a staircase of skills. I went from singing on stages to designing and manufacturing my own line of jewelry – to picking up a camera to photograph and market my work – to becoming a full time professional portrait photographer for over a decade. When I bumped into the makeup brand I currently sell – I was on location shooting in Savannah GA – and wasn’t even looking for it.
Learning how to promote on social media with success… required for me to dip into my photographic skill set to produce quality content. I’m my own best photography client now. I relied on my years singing on stages to get over any fears of “going live” on social media. The type A/Capricorn in me stayed organized and ambitious to wear every hat imaginable as an entrepreneur. Some days you’re the CEO and some you’re the janitor. And that’s A-ok with me.
This path wasn’t easy. There was a lot of life thrown into the mix. I had three amazing children. One painful divorce. I had to figure out how to feed these babies and keep a roof over their heads AND maintain my love for working as a creative. But being a single mom is the best jet fuel you’ll ever have. In my humble opinion – single moms are among some of the hardest working souls I know.
There were years that getting Starbucks was a luxury… but I never once thought about just packing it in and “getting a job.” I focused on what was going to make me HAPPY – and I knew if I worked hard enough – the money and stability would eventually come.
My advice to other creatives out there is to just stay true to yourself. Stay on that path – no matter what. People might think you’re crazy. I know I made life harder for myself at times than I probably needed to. But at the end of the day… this was my authentic journey and I wouldn’t change a thing.
And the best part is – I’m just getting started!!!
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.
Well…. I’m new to Florida. Lived in Maryland for 12 years before and moved south during COVID. But – its amazing. The beaches here in Santa Rosa will turn you into a total snob for the rest of America! LOL. White sand. Turquoise water. Its where I go to recharge my batteries. I had a lifelong dream of living at the beach and I truly didn’t think it would happen until retirement. But when opportunity knocked I answered and here we are.
SO… spend some time with your ass in the sand. Pack a cooler of High Noons… or my favorite Hendricks Gin and GingerAde Kombucha on ice and read a book and swim. That’s a damn good day around here.
Good eats…. The Citizen, Louis Louis, Amici, BackBeach BBQ (so far these rank pretty high up!)
Love the Sunday farmers market in Rosemary Beach
Rooftop sunset at Bud and Alleys or The Pearl are cool too!!!
This is a pretty laid back community so there’s not much “city life” happening…. but its the most relaxing vibe around!!!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Parents of course. Set me up to have every opportunity to succeed in life. Beautiful upbringing, college education. Graduated debt free. I was off and running thanks to them!!!
My current mentor, Kacey Stephens. She is my life/business/empowerment coach. Been working closely for the last year. She has been incredibly instrumental in everything I’m manifesting currently. The last twelve months have been by far the most transformative of my life for my inner being. I wouldn’t be feeling the way I feel now without her guidance. She’s a guru.
Past mentor/coach – Paul Blanchard… we worked closely for about a year as well. Some major personal and professional breakthroughs with him. He continues to be a trusted advisor and friend. Huge hugs chest bumps and high fives to him always.
Instagram: @katiemartinstudio
Facebook: Katie Martin Studio
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb68M_PHnw2CiyY1VIhGxMQ
Other: TikTok : @katiemartinstudio
Image Credits
Melea Ellet, Leah VanHoose
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.
