Good Ideas + Bad Decisions

Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat: Episode 024

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Kat and Ellen discuss a book, "This Story Might Save Your Life," that mirrors their own podcast experience, then debate whether audiobooks count as reading (spoiler: Kat and Ellen agree that they do). They also explore how to make networking feel less awkward through clear purpose, low barriers, casual formats, and community containers where members can genuinely support one another. Don't forget to⁠⁠ submit your business questions⁠⁠ [https://organized-country-4e6.notion.site/1ca50631201e81b19c0dc4cc2363d894] for future episodes!  Kat is the Founder of ⁠kat&co⁠ [https://www.katandco.org/], a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at ⁠Benchwork Fabrication⁠ [https://www.benchworkfab.com/]. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, ⁠The kat&co Download⁠ [https://katandco-download.beehiiv.com/subscribe]. Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of ⁠Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠ [http://www.ellenhockley.com/] and ⁠SAGE Women⁠ [http://www.ellenhockley.com/joinsage]. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter,⁠ ⁠The Quiet Wins⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@ellenhockley].

S2 E6: Embracing Change, Marketing Operations, and Building Remote Connections with Emily Oberman

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen sit down with Emily Oberman, founder of The Content Atelier [http://www.thecontentatelier.com], a copywriter and content strategist who built a boutique agency around long-form content, newsletters (including Substack), and podcast support after recognizing a gap in the market for writers who actually understand the nuance of founder-led storytelling. The conversation spans remote work, packaging services as a generalist, navigating AI, a tough 2025 economy, and her advice to founders. Emily Oberman is a copywriter, content strategist, and founder of The Content Atelier [http://www.thecontentatelier.com], a boutique content marketing agency that focuses on long-form content. She has over 10 years of experience in content and systems strategy and has ghostwritten for over 150 individuals and brands. Her clients consider her their digital Mary Poppins. Kat is the Founder of kat&co [https://www.katandco.org/], a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Benchwork Fabrication [https://www.benchworkfab.com/]. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, The kat&co Download [https://katandco-download.beehiiv.com/subscribe]. Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of Ellen Hockley Consulting [http://www.ellenhockley.com/] and SAGE Women [http://www.ellenhockley.com/joinsage]. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter, ⁠The Quiet Wins⁠ [https://substack.com/@ellenhockley]. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:47 Chaotic Catch Up 01:27 Meet Emily Oberman 03:11 Long Form Content Focus 04:24 Substack Versus Blogs 07:06 Podcast Strategy Work 07:42 From Corporate To Remote 08:27 Commuting And Childcare 11:02 Remote Agency To Solo 11:55 Imaginary Friends Origin 13:35 Digital Mary Poppins Brand 16:46 AI And Marketing Ops 19:40 Clients Using AI Drafts 22:27 Why And Who First 24:48 Values Driven Services 25:43 Pricing For Small Business 27:00 Choosing Tools By Values 28:59 Claude Versus ChatGPT 30:18 Generalist Boundaries 31:53 Intuition And Human Design 33:41 Remote Work Setup 37:19 Contractors And Volatility 41:34 Female Founder Stigma 43:50 Advice And Wrap Up

Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat: Episode 023

In this mini-episode of ‘Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,’ Kat and Ellen discuss Kat’s first hypnosis session with Kelly Chessen of Hope Rd. Hypnosis [https://hoperd.com/]that focused on her relationship with money. Kat describes a guided visualization exercise involving inviting past influences on money to a mental table, confronting negative associations, inner-child emotions, and asking money what it needs. Kat feels empowered by her takeaway about using money for creativity, joy, and connection and notes new opportunities arising. They close by discussing how to talk with clients about money, pricing, and boundaries. Don't forget to⁠ submit your business questions⁠ [https://organized-country-4e6.notion.site/1ca50631201e81b19c0dc4cc2363d894] for future episodes!  Kat is the Founder of kat&co [https://www.katandco.org/], a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Benchwork Fabrication [https://www.benchworkfab.com/]. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, The kat&co Download [https://katandco-download.beehiiv.com/subscribe]. Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of Ellen Hockley Consulting [http://www.ellenhockley.com/] and SAGE Women [http://www.ellenhockley.com/joinsage]. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter, ⁠The Quiet Wins⁠ [https://substack.com/@ellenhockley].

S2 E5: Finding Your Creative Flow with Wildly Creative Wellness Founder Vicky Winkler

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Vicky Winkler, founder of Wildly Creative Wellness, an art journaling and creative wellness community. Vicky shares how art journaling helped her move from feeling "only okay" to finding real purpose and fulfillment. She describes art journaling as focused on process over outcome with no perfectionism required, and explains how that mindset can build confidence to experiment in other areas of life too. She outlines her Wildly Creative’s monthly themes, weekly prompts, live creation calls, and co-working sessions, and the group discusses why rigid routines like The Artist's Way can fall short and how to start simply instead. Vicky Winkler is the founder of Wildly Creative Wellness [https://www.wildlycreativewellness.com/], a space where everyday people discover that creativity has always lived inside them. Through art journaling workshops, online retreats, and one on one support, she helps people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and find fulfillment through self-expression. Her work is rooted in the belief that making art isn’t just for “artists.” It’s for anyone who wants to feel more alive. Kat is the Founder of kat&co [https://www.katandco.org/], a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Benchwork Fabrication [https://www.benchworkfab.com/]. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, The kat&co Download [https://katandco-download.beehiiv.com/subscribe]. Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of Ellen Hockley Consulting [http://www.ellenhockley.com/] and SAGE Women [http://www.ellenhockley.com/joinsage]. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter, ⁠The Quiet Wins⁠ [https://substack.com/@ellenhockley]. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:09 Meet Vicky Winkler 02:34 Why Art Journaling 04:59 Perfectionism Blocks 06:26 Journal Not Canvas 08:00 Creative Without Selling 10:36 Membership Breakdown 14:07 Calls And Sanctuary 15:20 Artists Way Debate 20:06 Five Minute Practice 21:17 Tools For Regulation 23:51 No Rules Mindset 25:30 Leap of Faith Art 25:49 Cortisol and Creativity 26:42 Blank Page Tricks 27:27 Five Minute Time Paradox 28:45 Timers Flow and Breaks 32:03 Finding Art Journaling 35:01 Creative Identity Blocks 36:35 Easy Supplies to Start 38:56 Healing Through Drawing 42:18 Try It and Connect 43:38 Episode Wrap Up

Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat: Episode 022

In this mini-episode of “Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,” Kat and Ellen dive into the topic of discovery calls and networking. Kat walks through her approach of offering a single free 30-minute call for prospective clients, collaborators, and general connections alike. Kat and Ellen address client fit, barters and trades, and keeping up a connection. The episode also explores the value of maintaining boundaries, being intentional about how time is given, and keeping follow-up communication clear and straightforward. Don't forget to⁠ submit your business questions⁠ [https://organized-country-4e6.notion.site/1ca50631201e81b19c0dc4cc2363d894] for future episodes!  Kat is the Founder of kat&co [https://www.katandco.org/], a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Benchwork Fabrication [https://www.benchworkfab.com/]. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, The kat&co Download [https://katandco-download.beehiiv.com/subscribe]. Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of Ellen Hockley Consulting [http://www.ellenhockley.com/] and SAGE Women [http://www.ellenhockley.com/joinsage]. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter, ⁠The Quiet Wins⁠ [https://substack.com/@ellenhockley].