Katie Lipsett of Cedar Rapids is the owner of Hello Digital, a social media marketing company with a purpose of helping other businesses grow through content marketing and advertising on social media. Learn about Katie Lipsett…
Hometown: Cedar Rapids
First job: I worked a ton of places in high school and college, but I think my first job was a lifeguard at the YMCA when I was 15; I’ve always loved to work! But my first job in my career was a leasing specialist at a luxury apartment complex in Kansas City. From there I have worked in various marketing positions until I started my company in 2019.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in IA: Give me a bike or some running shoes and put me on a trail, and I’m a very happy girl! I love that Iowa’s scenery changes four times a year which makes spending time outdoors always fun and beautiful.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: My biggest accomplishment is being able to grow my Hello Digital business while being a present mom to two. I have always prioritized quality time spent with my kids and my family, so being able to find a balance that allows me to be a mom, a business owner and someone who is able to spend time on personal passions is something I am super proud of.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Sometimes business decisions and partnerships don’t always end up the way we want them to. Learning to understand that even if you’re about to climb a steep uphill mountain in order to maintain your “why” and your vision is hard but necessary. I went through the thick of a major pivot in the last year and even though it was a huge challenge, my business has since taken off with clients and partnerships that are perfectly fit for our values and personalities.
Someone who inspires you and why: Maybe it’s because of my “Grey’s Anatomy” obsession, but Ellen Pompeo inspires me greatly. She started her career later than her peers, yet she was firm in what she wanted out of life and stuck with it to become very well paid and very successful. She used her voice and bargaining skills to make her life exactly what she wanted and has been firm about what opportunities she takes based on if it fits her personality and values. Now she’s breaking records with her show, is able to spend her time on her hobbies and passions, and is using her platform to teach and inspire young women on how to break barriers and live a full and inclusive life. She’s the real deal.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Know that you will make mistakes and to not let any of them set you back. If you can learn from a mistake then it’s not really a mistake; it’s a learning opportunity. Speaking of opportunities; they’re everywhere. If you want to do something you will find a way as long as you work for it and stay patient. In looking for opportunities, focus on your why and search for people and companies that align with who you are and where you want to go.
Favorite quote: “Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.” –Brene Brown
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I am such a big Harry Potter fan. I have read all the books several times and have watched each movie probably over 50 times each.
What makes someone fabulous: At the end of the day, I think it’s as simple as kindness. Having a strong drive, excellent leadership skills, a passion for something, a big network or a lot of successes are all fabulous, but without kindness I think all of those things don’t really matter. I always look up to and try to surround myself with people who are kind and respectful in both my personal life and in business and that makes my life and my job feel pretty fabulous!