Welcome to This Is Me Thursdays! To read other posts in this series, click here. If you want to be involved, please email me for more details! Today, learn more about Katie Seller, someone I’ve followed on social media for years and recently connected with more!
I first started following Katie several years ago when I bought some headbands and jewelry from her brand Metal Marvels. Then two years ago, I found her podcast called Boss As Fuck and I really loved her honest and refreshing take on business and entrepreneurship, even before I ever had the idea to start my own small business! She’s a busy, multi-passionate badass who I think all of you will appreciate and admire as much as I do! Visit her on Instagram @katieseller, @metalmarvels and @fuckinggoodcoffeeco, and let her know you saw her post here!
This Is Me: Katie Seller
Share a little about yourself and what you’re up to these days.
I grew up in Southern California and worked in retail my entire life. After being fed up with the endless promise of promotions, and someone else deciding my future, I wanted to be in charge of that, and of my success. I decided to start my own business and take my success into my own hands. I started Metal Marvels in 2012 and still worked another job until about 2017. I then quit to run Metal Marvels full time and have since purchase another business, Profanity Pillows, which I rolled into Metal Marvels. I also started Fucking Good Coffee. These days are crazy, trying to keep up the hustle and keep everything afloat during this pandemic madness.
What does life purpose mean to you? Does it really exist for you/all of us, or is it just some pipe dream?
I absolutely believe it does, but I sort of think we find it. I don’t think it’s always what we think it is. I want to be a multi-millionaire, but it’s not my life’s purpose, it’s a goal. My purpose sort showed up one day. I rebranded because my business coach told me that I wasn’t putting my true self, my personality into the business. I was scared because it was going to be polarizing. I’m certainly not a please everyone type, moving into profanity and empowering messages, definitely niche down the business. But in being my true self in my business, I saw how many flocked to us because no one else was doing it. We’re surrounded by airbrushing, and politically correct brands. I realized my purpose was to fully be my true self, in order to inspire women to do the same in a world that tries to shove them in a box.
What motivates and inspires you in your life?
I would be lying if I said financial freedom didn’t inspire me, because hello, permanent goals. But honestly, seeing women chart their own path, living life on their own terms, being successful in business, motivates the hell out of me. Every time I connect with someone who is working for themselves, creating a business they’ve always dreamed of, etc. it gives me so much energy and in turn motivates me.
Is what you do now what you always imagined doing? Why or why not, and what have you learned because of that?
Nope! From being a kid, I wanted to be a makeup artist because I have a natural skill in it. I ended up talking my dad into a degree that matched that creativity with a “successful career” in his eyes and went to school for Interior Design. Then upon graduating, changed course, when to business school and the rest is history. I learned that it’s ok to change paths because it can lead you to the place you’re meant to be.
What’s something you desperately want other people to know or realize that may help them in their lives?
That just getting started is all you have to do. Google is a wealth of knowledge, there’s so many free courses, inexpensive coaching, etc. to just get you started. People always get stuck on the idea of what to do and in up overthinking into not doing anything. I think the first place to look is hobbies or things you already love doing, that you could get paid for!
How do you define belonging and connection, and how have your definitions changed over time?
Belonging is something I used to yearn to do until I decided that I didn’t want to fit in. So that’s definitely changed. Connection as changed with the times. Especially with Metal Marvels and rebranding, I was able to find women who identified with what I was creating. We’ve created such a bond, have a group of women on Facebook where it’s my favorite place to hang out, and truly connect with women who are tired of the same societal ideals that I am.
What’s something you make sure to do every day/week/month that helps you practice self-care and self-love?
I force myself to take time off. Even if it’s just a night vegging out and watching tv, or reading, or going outside. Before the pandemic, I loved a good spa day. I love what I do so I definitely have heavy work to life balance but it’s because it doesn’t feel like work. I do have anxiety and tend to get overwhelmed, so any time I can make myself take time, works.
How do you define success in your life and/or business?
Financial freedom. Never having to worry about a bill being paid. And inspiring more women to go after their dreams, to speak their truth, and to give the finger to societal norms.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Just fucking start! Whatever it is you want to do, just try it. The worst you can do is “fail.” In which I mean, an event that you’ll learn from. It’s worse than regretting you never did it. I promise.
Photo courtesy of Katie Seller
