Her Story
About Katelynn
I started my career as a personal assistant after getting a job at a golf club, where someone reached out to me about helping him with various tasks. I discovered that I loved being dependable and helping others fulfill everything they needed, and I ended up being really good at it. After about 5 years in that role, I decided to take it to the next level and became an executive assistant, now working for a vice president of a company, which has been going really well. Alongside that, I've been in event planning for about 10 years. It started as a hobby when I was bartending - people would ask me to help them plan their parties, and I would do it for fun with just a little bit of pay. Within the last 4 years since I moved to Jacksonville alone, I got my name around and built up to 25 clients. I recently made it official and became the CEO of my first company, One Wave Solutions, which provides event planning services throughout the Jacksonville and Yulee areas. What I love most is going through life and helping others out - that's the mindset I try to keep and teach my daughter every day.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katelynn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to motivation and not stopping during any kind of obstacle. You know, I started off a little rough on the edges - it was hard for me to graduate high school after my brother unfortunately passed away. But I kept going, and coming from where I'm at, I now have my associate's degree and I'm working on my bachelor's. I think that was an accomplishment, probably my biggest. Throughout my journey, I've learned that not everything can be done on your own - you need help. You definitely need to reach out and have good connections with others as well. That mindset of helping others and staying motivated through challenges has been key to everything I've achieved.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would be that not everything can be done on your own - you need help. You definitely need to reach out and just have that good connection with others as well. Building those relationships and being willing to ask for support can mean the world of difference in getting your business up and running.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
What I love most and what's most important to me is really just going through life and helping others out. That's the mindset I try to keep, and it's what I try to teach my daughter every day. Being dependable and helping people fulfill everything they need is what drew me to this work in the first place, and it's what keeps me going.
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