Today we’d like to introduce you to Catie Hogan.
Catie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Where do I even begin? I’ve loved comedy since I was a kid. I grew up in a household full of laughter and around cousins who loved to quote funny movies nonstop. I’m an awkward person, so making jokes is also how I relate to people and relieve my social anxiety.
I also grew up lower-middle class, I had to take out a lot of student loans to finish college and, lucky for me, I graduated during the worst job economy and recession since the 1930s. When I finished school, I was unemployed, had to move back in with my parents, and realized I had no clue how to get out debt or achieve my financial goals. This was the catalyst for my current career.
Over the course of several years, I became a financial planner and also decided to pursue my love of comedy simultaneously. I ran my own firm for three years. I also grew as a comedy writer/satirist. Still, I wasn’t making much money. So, I decided to infuse my love of humor into finances. I now write, teach, and speak about personal finance using humor as an integral tool. Money isn’t always funny, but humor helps make money feel like a more approachable topic and less like scary rocket science.
Comedy and financial planning are very much intertwined in my life now. I do financial planning for people in most creative industries: actors, comedians, directors, artists, writers, architects, etc. I do humorous personal finance workshops and seminars. I want to make financial literacy as funny as possible.
When I’m not helping people manage their cash flow, I spend almost all of my spare time writing comedy. I probably spend too much time writing comedy. I need to exercise more now that I think about it. Anyway, in the last three years, I’ve written two humorous personal finance books, wrote and performed a TEDx Talk, a musical parody called Vape, about a million sketches for Sketchworks, and several published satire pieces. You can see my work through Sketchworks. We usually perform at The Village Theatre or Ironmonger Brewing. Vape is nominated for 10 Broadway World regional awards and we’re hoping to take it to NYC!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. I was underemployed and completely discouraged for most of my 20s. I became a financial planner because I struggled with understanding money and was drowning in student debt. I wanted to help myself as much as I wanted to help others.
I also started doing comedy for basically the same reasons. I became a comedy writer because it’s therapeutic and a great way to turn my frustrations with life into humorous content. I also crave public approval… so there’s that too.
In all seriousness, starting a business, a speaking career, and putting myself out there comedically has been extremely difficult. Still, inside the challenges and obstacles is where you’ll find yourself growing.
Please tell us about Sketchworks Comedy & Element Financial Group.
I used to own a company called Hogan Financial Planning. I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse in September to join a women-owned financial planning company called Element Financial Group. So, I decided to join their team as of October. Now, instead of just me, there’s a small group of us at this company working hard to help people make the most of their money. It’s nice to have co-workers again, I was quite lonely in my one-woman shop.
I specialize in working with Millennials and artsy people. It’s just who I naturally connect with. I love planning their finances. Young people and creatives face unique challenges and that’s what makes my job fun.
On the comedy side, I do a bit of freelance humor writing. I’m lucky enough to have been published on some cool sites including McSweeney’s, The Belladonna Comedy, and a few others. I’ve been a sketch writer/performer/annoyance for Sketchworks Comedy the last three years.
In comedy, I think I’m best known for writing Vape the Musical which is a parody of Grease. I also had some stuff on Funny or Die. I’m not famous. Unless 600 Twitter followers is the new famous threshold, then yes, I am famous.
What sets me apart is that I think I might be the only financial planning comedian. If there’s another, please get in touch.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would’ve started comedy long before the age of 28. I always wanted to pursue it, but I wasn’t brave enough nor did I have the confidence. That’s my biggest regret in life other than eating a fish eyeball when I went to China. I don’t think I’d want to start over. I’ve learned so much along the way. Experience is the best teacher.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sketchworkscomedy.com
- Instagram: @Catie_Hogan20
- Twitter: @CatieHogan
- Other: http://a.co/d/7q7aV7O
Image Credit:
Megan Alarie Photography
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