Whether you’re itching for more out of life, feel like you’re living for the weekend, or need a nudge to take a leap into the unknown, you’re in the right place.
Since you’ve made it here, you’re probably open-minded, hungry for fulfillment, and not afraid to get your hands dirty.
Maybe you…
- Are pretty content but feel like something is missing from your life.
- Have a nagging feeling that time is slipping away and you’re no closer to pursuing your passions and goals.
- Feel tension between the excitement of chasing your dreams and the comfort of where you are now.
No matter where you are in life, you want to be happier, more fulfilled, live in a way that’s aligned to your core values, and make a positive impact on those around you.
You want to use your innate strengths and gifts towards something that matters to you.
You’re ready to take your life to the next level and maybe even make big changes like starting a side hustle or quitting your day job.
But you don’t know where to start or where to focus. It’s overwhelming and ambiguous.
I totally get it since I’ve been there too.
While it can feel like a giant uphill battle, it doesn’t have to be.
Hi! My name is Kate and I am passionate about helping others unlock their full potential to ultimately live happier, more fulfilled lives.
How did I get here?
I’m a business school graduate who worked in marketing and strategy roles for several years.
In 2012, while working full-time, I started a beauty blog (formally called Kate’s Beauty Blog) as a way to lean into one of my passions, share what I had learned to help others, and connect with beauty lovers around the world.
While I loved testing out new products, making blogger friends, and connecting with my readers, I ran out of steam. First, I wanted to write about more than the hottest nail polish shades and how to help your makeup last all day. Second, it took a lot of time and money to maintain my blog, and I wasn’t receiving much income from it. And third, if I’m being totally honest with myself, I felt like my blog wasn’t a success and took this perceived failure personally.
I rebranded to a lifestyle focus (under the brand Kate Lauren), launched a YouTube channel, and posted sporadically. While this new approach threw the content issue off the table, the second and third constraints I experienced with Kate’s Beauty Blog remained. I rebranded again (to Fun & Fulfilled), but a new name couldn’t fix the underlying issues.
Meanwhile, in October 2015, after becoming obsessed with all things planner-related, I launched an Etsy shop to sell handmade planner and scrapbooking stickers. It was a lot of fun and I was actually able to earn money from a passion – far more than I ever earned through blogging or YouTube.
I steadily grew my Etsy shop, though the essential desire to help others through blogging and YouTube was never far from my mind.
In the Summer of 2016, I became antsy. My grandfather passed away in June, and the experience led to a lot of reflection. I reflected on the importance of making time count. I reflected on the entrepreneur that he was, starting from extremely humble beginnings and working long hours to grow a business from scratch and provide for his family. I reflected on how fulfillment, while at times risky, is something we should never stop pursuing.
By the end of the year, this inner tension had reached a breaking point. I knew in my heart that I wanted to really give both Etsy and blogging a shot, and that I wouldn’t be able to do so without giving them substantially more time and attention.
I was living my life feeling somewhat miserable, sharing a fraction of myself with the world, and going every day to a job that wasn’t fulfilling enough.
So, I quit.
In January 2017, I left all the comforts of a corporate job and my 8-year career in strategic roles at large companies to take a huge dive into the deep end. I took Mark Twain’s words to heart and “sail[ed] away from the safe harbor” with a goal to explore, dream, and discover.
I’ve been self-employed since then, focusing on growing my Etsy shop and building a blog the right way. It’s been a leap outside my comfort zone, and despite the tears, fears, and uncertainty, I’m living in a way that is personally authentic and aligned to my core values and aspirations.
And now I want to help you live your best life too.
Beyond the Safe Harbor is still in its infancy. New content will be added twice a week, focusing on topics like generating multiple streams of income, spending smartly, pursuing your passion, living intentionally, volunteering, and improving your relationships with others.
I’d love to invite you to join my email list community. It’s totally FREE to sign up, and will give you access to the posts and resources I share.