Kate Perry – Kate Perry Projects

Oh man….My Mate Kate!

What can I possibly say about Kate that hasn’t already been said? She’s the visionary behind Kate Perry Projects and there’s just something about her – something that I just gelled with the moment I met her. She’s open, warm, supportive, humble and honest – everything I kinda adore in people.

She’s also a legend when it comes to branding. If you want to get real (and I mean really real!) about who you are in your branding, then Kate could be your mate too!

Tell us a little about what you do for a living?

You know how micro-business owners are great at what they do but not so great at marketing themselves? Well, I help them create brands that sell: starting with a brand strategy roadmap (this is where the magic happens), brand identity to pull in value-aligned customers, and website design & build that converts.

Why did you start your business?

I find it a real thrill working with purpose-driven business owners and helping them bring their vision to life. Imagine two kids finding leftover cake at the back of the fridge. That’s my clients and me when we develop their brand that captures it all; Relief, clarity and excitement. That’s a real buzz!
Plus I get to dip into all my buckets: design, brand strategy, startup experience, small business experience, and working 1:1 with great people while working from home.

What has been the biggest challenge or fear you have had to overcome in business and how did you manage it?

Being visible as the face of my business. I used to let my work speak for itself but now we have to be “social” about it. I have to manage my internal narrative when doing FB lives and public speaking.
To get past my fear I just started. I take every opportunity to speak publically: Facebook lives, Radio, in-person workshops, zoom presentations, I even host my own branding course! You have to be crap before you’re any good, so I just started hoping to eventually get good(!)… I’m still practicing.

How do you achieve balance between relationships, work and personal needs (or kids, family and time out for yourself)?

Geeeeeeezz! I learned a while back I can’t focus on two things at once otherwise I’m not doing either well.
I work with a coach a project manager to keep me on task. We set out my weekly goals and then break my tasks into the “big daily 3”. I set out what I need to do each day to get me to my weekly goal which will get me to my monthly goal and so forth. This way I still feel like I’ve achieved for the day and when it’s time to shut up shop I can focus on my time with family without having guilt.
Time for myself?! I start the day early and go for a walk first thing if that counts?!

How did you prepare yourself to start your business?

Haha with a lot of trial by fire!! I threw myself into everything and learned by experience. So I kinda know more about what not to do than what to do each time I started a new business. Yep and I’ve had a few mainly just by developing a creative concept and putting it out to market: kids clothing, adults clothing, a co-op store, illustration, Screenprinting, freelance graphic design and now brand strategist.

However, the underlying skill that has been consistent in my life and prepared me for all my businesses is graphic design. It helps me bring my ideas and my client’s ideas to life.

How do you know when you are ready to do something?

I usually started something on a creative whim, but now I create a new product or service line for my business If I can help solve a real-world problem my clients face otherwise there’s no need for it.

What have you put in place as a reminder to nurture your soul?

I’ve blocked time every day in my calendar as “sacred time”. This means I won’t take phone calls, read emails, scroll social media etc when I’m in a productive flow which is usually the morning. I love being in the flow of work.  I feel energised.

I also make time to just be in my garden and soak up some sun

In the beginning, how did you attract your first good clients?

Word of mouth originally. Now once someone is interested in my work or help we jump on a zoom call to discuss where their business is at and what outcomes they’re trying to achieve. Once I know the result they’re after I put together a proposal and step out how we’re going to achieve that outcome. 

I’m fortunate because my work brings out the best in people. It gives them clarity and direction in their business the steps to reach their goals. This flows into super great word-of-mouth 

What does a typical day look like for you?

• Up at 5.30. Have a glass of lemon water and go for a walk finished with a weights session at the end. 
• At 6.15 I do the work that needs the most brainpower.
• At 7 I get the kids up and out the door and back to in my studio by 8.30 with coffee in hand.
• I work until 2.40 before I pick up the kids and do the family thing. I always intend to do more work but I just don’t seem to manage it so I enjoy the time unwinding instead. I’m still working on the changeover. I’d still love to work for longer but my best work for the day has already been done.
• I’m usually in bed by 9 or 9.30

What do you love most about what you do?

The people I work with and the journey I guide them on to re-love their business again! 

Honestly when we figure all this out and wrap it up in a meaningful brand identity it lights the person up! They have a whole new joy and love for their business. I freaking LOVE this about what I do!

People usually come to me when they feel stuck in business, they don’t know how to get customers because they don’t know what to say in their marketing. When we do a brand strategy we get really clear about what value they bring to the world, what problem they’re solving, why only they can solve it and who specifically faces that problem (ideal customer). Once we know this we know where to find those customers and what to say to them so they listen.

Who are your biggest role models or influencers that have impacted your career?

I surround myself with people who lift each other in business (which is you, Amanda!). I have an amazing mum and dad who have championed me all through my life. And when reach a stage in my business I learn what I need from those ahead of me and have done it successfully. So I do a lot of online courses and these come with like-minded online communities too which is fab for support.

Tell us something you we may not know about you already?

I’ve been told I have the moves! (as in dance moves – but that only happens at the right time ; )

Any words of wisdom to those thinking of taking the leap?

There’s a myth in business that you need a big audience to be successful, honestly, you can do ridiculously well with a small audience. Find your corner of the world, solve a real-world problem, serve the heck of those people and do it ridiculously well! You will naturally build out from there

How has working with Amanda as your photographer contributed to your business?

Amanda has captured my journey and growth as a successful business owner. This fuels confidence in me as it portrays me as the business expert I want to share with the world

Who are you listening to right now?

Audible books: Atomic Habits by James Clear and Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Podcasts: Amy Porterfield (digital marketing)

Quotes for inspiration right now?

The best things happen on the other side of your comfort zone – Michael Hyatt

What are your values?

Truth, Courage, Transparency, Humility, Mastery, Compassion and all that good stuff

What’s next for you and your business?

I’m currently working on a live 3-hour workshop for purpose-driven humans to create a spill of ideas they can profit from, test their feasibility in the marketplace and get their first 1-5 clients. https://workshop.kateperryprojects.com/overview

After that, I’m facilitating a 6-week online course to help micro-business owners create brands that sell (all that good stuff I spoke about previously) https://44daybrand.kateperryprojects.com/interestlist

Favourite movie?

Geez. I love a lot so don’t have a favourite. I still love Shawshank… Tim Robin’s character was all class. Never wavered from his truth and stuck it up the man in the best way possible.

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