Story & Lesson Highlights with Katie Thompson of Dacula

Katie Thompson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Katie, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’m obsessed with thrifting and antiquing, and lately I’ve been having so much fun letting my online followers decide what I should hunt for. They pick a character, a vibe, or an aesthetic, and I go see what treasures I can find to match it. Then I make a little video so they can take the inspo and go on their own thrift hunt. It’s become such a fun way to share my love of treasure hunting while also keeping my own shopping more intentional.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Katie Thompson, an author, audiobook narrator, and creative entrepreneur based in Georgia. I’ve had a lifelong love of stories in all their forms: books, film, theater, music, and art. That passion has shaped both my work and my life, pushing me to explore creativity from every angle.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Film, Media Studies, and Art, as well as a master’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies. I’ve always been a consummate learner, drawn to new ideas and new ways of seeing the world. That curiosity is at the heart of everything I do, whether I’m writing, narrating, or creating something entirely new.

I’m also a mom to a spirited four-year-old who inspires me daily and keeps me grounded in the wonder, and sometimes the wildness, of life. Over the past eight years, I’ve built a business that allows me to blend creativity with entrepreneurship, often working as a digital nomad and shaping a life that balances flexibility, adventure, and art.

These days, my focus is on narrating audiobooks and writing, with my debut novel on the horizon. Sharing stories, both my own and those of others, is my work and my joy. I’m excited to continue bringing them to life in ways that connect with readers and listeners everywhere.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I saw the world came right after graduate school. I had gone from four years of college straight into two and a half years of grad school (I really do love school), and then immediately into my first corporate job. Growing up, we were told there was one clear path to success: do well in school, get a good job, stay there for decades, and then retire.

I knew my generation was more open to following passions instead of staying in a job they hated for decades, but part of me still clung to that old formula for success. Within a year, I realized not only that my job was not a fit for me, but also that the corporate world as a whole felt wrong. It was not about a problem with authority. I just felt caged. My creativity was restricted, and I was working only to make money rather than working to make a difference. What I wanted was a way to do both.

While still working in my corporate role, I poured early mornings, late nights, and weekends into a side hustle. It started as a photography business, grew into social media work, then a podcast, and eventually a full-blown marketing agency. By the end of my second year, I had built it up enough to support myself full-time. I was even making more than any corporate offer I had ever received, even with a master’s degree. That was when I got a taste of the entrepreneurial life and knew it was the right fit for me.

I am multi-passionate and love pursuing different creative paths and weaving them into my business. Entrepreneurship has also given me the freedom and flexibility to parent my daughter in the way I always dreamed. I can be present for her while also building my own dreams. Today, I am in love with narrating audiobooks. I never thought I would be able to turn my love of performing and theater into work. I always assumed it would remain a hobby, but now it is one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.

The lesson I carry from this journey is simple: you have the ability to shape and create a space where you can be yourself, pursue your passions, and still define your own version of success.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
One of the biggest struggles I had early on was the fear of not being perfect. As a creative, you put your heart, time, and energy into your work, then put it out into the world for people to judge. Some people will love it, some will not, and that can feel overwhelming.

What I had to learn is that sometimes done really is better than perfect. Of course, attention to detail matters, especially when you are working for a client, but perfectionism can stop you from ever starting. We overthink launching a website, posting a video, or finishing a painting, and end up holding ourselves back.

The truth is that nothing is permanent. You can revise, update, and improve along the way. But if you never share your work out of fear it is not perfect, your story and your art never make it into the world. Progress matters more than perfection, and the act of putting your work out there is what allows growth to happen.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think people would say that one of my strongest beliefs is how deeply creativity and giving back are connected. To me, art is not a one-way act. It is always an exchange between the creator and the receiver. It is the passing of ideas, emotions, beliefs, and experiences from one person to another. That exchange is what makes art and creativity some of the most powerful ways we have to connect with each other.

No matter what project I am working on, I try to ask myself how this particular piece is giving back. When I am narrating, I think about the author who spent years pouring time, care, and love into their book. It matters to them that their work is brought to life in audio, with a voice that carries the emotion of their words. I think about myself, and how grateful I am to find joy in reading and performing as part of my career. And I think about the listener, who may be a busy mom like me, catching a story during her commute, someone who is visually impaired and relies on audiobooks, or even a new narrator listening closely to learn how they might begin their own journey.

For me, creativity is at its best when it gives something back. It can be joy, inspiration, escape, or even the encouragement to start a new chapter in someone else’s story. That belief guides how I create and how I share my work with the world.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that people would say, no matter what kind of relationship they had with me, whether it was personal, professional, or just as a friend, that I made them feel seen, heard, and important. I’ve always believed the saying that people might not remember exactly what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel. That idea has stuck with me and shaped the way I try to show up for others.

Part of it comes from being naturally curious. I really love learning about people, listening to their stories, and asking questions. When you show genuine curiosity about someone, it makes them feel valued, like their experiences and perspectives matter. It is such a simple thing, but it can completely change how someone feels in a conversation.

Whether I am working with someone, creating something, or just catching up with a friend, I want them to walk away feeling like they mattered. If people leave an interaction with me feeling a little lighter or more understood, then I know I’ve lived out the kind of presence I want to have in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bookkatiethompson.com
• Instagram: @katiethompsonnarrator
• Facebook: @katiethompsonnarrator
• Other: Tiktok: @katiethompsonnarrator