Hi Katie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Life shifted drastically for me in COVID. My industry completely shut down in Philadelphia. I knew then there was no going back. I was managing a well-known commercial/ residential design company. I loved meeting people, learning their personalities, and bringing a vision to life. My background is in Behavior Science and addictions counseling. Only, I never wanted to use it for therapy. I wanted to understand people.
Sadly, my father became ill with cancer during that time as well. My mother moved in after 27 years of being divorced to help me care for him. We helped him survive stage four throat cancer which is almost an impossible feat. That year my mother made every birthday and holiday one I’ll remember forever. They even got remarried during that time as well. My father then came down with a second round of cancer. Sadly, David Kerl passed away two weeks after walking me into our opening at Derek Automotive Technologies Inc. Located in the heart of Atlantic Station, GA. He may not have walked me down a wedding aisle but walking me into my purpose was much more fulfilling.
Figuring out the stock market, crypto, and NFTs during the shutdown in Pa. gave me a brand-new skillset. I found being able to read trends was the key to my success here. Not reading charts and having to do a lot of math. Channeling my creativity into lifestyle writing at Tony Ward Studio, in Philadelphia was my therapy, and Tony was my first mentor. My goal was to help others through telling my story. Writing about myself, politics, holistic health, city guides, and small business interviews. This is also how I met my current CEO, Derek Bailey. I conducted a small business interview on him for the Tony Ward December cover in 2019. Mr. Bailey welcomed the interview. He is the second black-owned automaker, and the first electric vehicle innovator in the space. Mr. Bailey offered me a position at Derek Automotive Technologies at the end of the shutdown. I happily accepted after seeing his vision and was excited about the adventure ahead.
Starting out I printed stock certificates and pre-order sales. We then acquired our now Derek Automotive Experience Center In Atlantic Station, August of 2021… I was then appointed the VP of Lifestyle because I saw Mr. Bailey’s vision. I was then able to design the first Derek Automotive Experience Center. We sourced a few local vendors to do custom leather accessories. Taking along small business owners with us. Every woman wants that Sex in the City moment. I had mine in the New York Garment district. Gathering snake, alligator, and cow skins for our line.
Going back and forth from Philly to Atlanta was exciting after being in lockdown for so long. Leading to being here full time in May 2022.
In January, we merged into 6 divisions from one. I was then also appointed to VP of our Electa World Entertainment web3 world that is still being developed. I am still overjoyed at that. I wake up everyday thankful I get to pursue my calling. My brain runs on the possibilities of web3, and how it can help heal our communities.
Aside from my position at Derek Automotive, I left my old life behind in Philadelphia with no intention of returning to it. Atlanta is more progressive, and the home of the creative. Networking here is awesome. I have met some amazing people in just a little under five months. I cannot imagine my life not having met some of them at this point.
I was asked if I liked living in such a ruff city from a friend at home.
If I made it 20 years in Philadelphia, I can make it anywhere. People in the south actually say hello to you walking down the street, there is something to do every night, and people with ambition outside of a typical 9-5 job! Something I had been looking for a very long time. Being accepted for who I am.
I was so welcomed by the black community here before anyone knew what my job title was.
That made me love this city even more. Bridging the gap and flipping a culture across the nation after covid is part of my goal. Along with reducing carbon emissions, educating people where we’re headed in the next phase of the economy; web3 worlds/NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The hardest thing I had to fight for in Philly was being accepted for who I am. That is one fight I have I have yet to have here in Atlanta.
I’m excited to embark on this life calling with amazing people. Mr. Bailey took the smartest people he could find, put us together never having technology, or vehicle industry experience. It is all working; by doing that it took the ego out of executive positions.
It honestly does not get better than this.
I found out later Atlanta was built on a railroad. My father retired after 37 years at Amtrak. I am now here during the technology boom. I do not think that was by accident.
Some people chase money, and it destroys them.
I chase good energy and calling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a part of a startup there’s a lot of stop and go. Every time we slowed a bit, we started again with much more than we previously acquired. This has been such a positive, purposeful experience so far. No road to success is a smooth one, or everyone would do it.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am a very spiritual person. I started meditating when my father turned ill and it changed my life. After studying for a while, it is a practice I will always keep. I write things down I am thankful for, things I want in the future in the present tense, and speak it into existence. Finding one who can sit with themselves is a powerful being.
Overcoming your mind in silence is true healing.
Contact Info:
- Email: katie.kerl@derekautomotive.com
- Instagram: @kerlupwithkate @
kerlupwithkate_retrolife @ derekautomotive @ retrobyexeeder - Website: https://
derekautomotive.com/
