Career Champion: Katy Roark

Introducing a new series to this bloggity: Career Champion! One thing I love about the blogging community is meeting incredible, strong, beautiful, courageous and wildly talented, smart, innovative, entrepreneurial boss babes, chief chicas, inspiring women. Every month, I'm going to spotlight one of these incredible role models and share a little bit about what makes them amazing. 

Today, I'm so excited to share Katy Roark, owner of www.kadydyd.com and co-founder and COO of Rush Deliver LLC. This babe is not only making waves in business and blogging, but she is the kindest, most-down to earth girl. Personally, I reached out to her for advice when I first started blogging and we've developed a great blogging friendship. Read on to hear more about Katy!

1) While many know you as kady.dyd on Instagram, blogging is not your full-time job. You recently shared that you started a sorority recruitment clothing company (Rush Deliver LLC) with your mom. Can you share what you do? 

If you aren’t familiar with the sorority world, what we do might sound a little crazy. Long story short: most southern sorority leaders ask their current members to dress similarly during their recruitment (rush) week where they are trying to get a new member class. Even though the leaders pick out certain colors, outfits, and dress codes, they often don’t provide their members with actual pieces to purchase. That’s where we come in! We meet with the sorority’s leadership, ask them what they would like their members to wear, then we custom make it from our catalog! This ensures that all colors are cohesive, all outfits are appropriate, and that no one is breaking the bank thanks to our capped price list! 

2) How did that idea come about? 

My mom actually came up with the idea after my first year freshmen experience in my sorority. Our leadership asked us to wear red dresses, which is actually a tall task in the middle of summer. I was so frustrated because I couldn’t find a red dress that wasn’t too dressy (like a cocktail dress) or that wasn’t too expensive. That’s when my mom said, “why don’t they provide you with options?” And the rest, as they say, is history. 

3) How do you balance blogging with your full-time position? 

Early in 2017, I actually decided to stop trying to blog for money. Lots of wonderful bloggers work extremely hard to monetize their blog presence, which I have a lot of respect for. When I was doing both a full-time position in Dallas, getting my start up going on the side, and trying to monetize my blog, it all just became too much. Once I made the choice to keep my blog as a hobby, it really opened me up to blog the way I wanted to and on my own schedule. 

4) How did you get into blogging? 

I was a sophomore in college, and I went in to talk to my academic advisor about what I realistically needed on my resume in order to get a job out of college. Even as a sophomore, I knew that the fashion world barely glances at your GPA, so there had to be more to pique their interest. She encouraged me to start a type of online portfolio - either just photos, or a blog - in order for future potential employers to see a portfolio of my style and work. I chose blogging because my minor was in writing, so I could think of no better way to merge my two passions!

5) What's your advice to other women looking to get into fashion/blogging/entrepreneurship/etc.? 

Don’t rush through the first steps - there is nothing that kills a thriving brand more than RE-branding. I’ve seen countless amazingly talented women start something, rush through the design portion, and then once they start gaining momentum they want to stop and re-brand. My advice is to hire a graphic designer, get a solid logo, choose your base color palette, have a little photoshoot done featuring you in and around those themes, and then putting together a solid website you’re proud of! 

6) Go back in time to your college graduation: What would you tell yourself then? 

Don’t take the first job that offers you a good salary. Mostly, because that’s what I did. I chose a job that was, what I considered, an extremely high salary for an entry-level employee. I ended up realizing I wasn’t passionate about the job at all, and I was back to square 1 - looking for a new job. Wait until you find something you’re passionate about.

7) As a post-grad, what does adulting mean to you?

I used to think it meant “having it all together,” but now I realize it means “completely losing your mind there for a second.” The real world is nothing like I thought it would be, and every single decision you make literally directs the course of your life. To me, adulting is finding the coveted balance between taking yourself and your worth seriously, and not taking the rest too seriously at all. 

8) How do you find inspiration?

I’m lucky enough to gain a lot of inspiration from my work. I do a lot of freelance, so working with new bloggers, influencers, entrepreneurs, etc., really breathes life into my own work. Even if you work from home (like I do) make sure that you get out of the house at least 2-3 times a week to meet up and work with other WFH professionals. Coffee shops have become a huge source of inspiration for me!

9) Who is your role model? 

My business partner and mom, April Roark. She’s a full-time Ethics Lawyer at a major law firm in Dallas, makes time to help me with our company, and is a devoted wife and mother. She is extremely strong, insanely brilliant, and fiercely loving. 

Rapid fire: 

Favorite workout? I legit HATE working out. It is my least favorite thing on Earth. I have yet to find a workout I like, so seriously, all suggestions are welcome in this arena!

Favorite healthy snack? Veggie chips are my OBSESSION. I eat them with hummus daily. 

Favorite indulgent snack? Reese’s have become a problem in my life. But not the normal ones, the mini ones only. AND NEVER REESE’S PIECES - SO GROSS.

Favorite store? ASOS - the price range is great, the pieces are good quality, and they are always a step ahead in the trends!

Favorite spring/summer fashion trend? I usually dress in muted tones, but I’m loving all the bright colors for this summer! I’m definitely indulging in some hot pink and lemon yellow this year. 

Best way to spend a sunny Sunday? Sleeping. I go to an amazing church in Dallas, then I go home and power nap! 

Go-to drink order? I generally don’t like Rose, buuutttt I’m starting to LOVE Froze - frozen rose. It’s refreshing and light!

Favorite app? Definitely Unfold right now. I use it for all of my instagram stories, and it just gives them a cleaner and more cohesive look.