Buffalo Boss Babe: Katie Krawczyk
Todays Buffalo Boss Babe is Katie Krawczyk, the owner of 19ideas. 19ideas is full-service agency, offering creative solutions in marketing, public relations, design, and web and software development. Keep reading to see how Katie’s path led her to entrepreneurship and how she continually lives a life of joy!
What made you start or brought you where you are today? Tell us your Story. What makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe?
Right before I started 19 IDEAS, I was in a job that was not fulfilling. The position, while a prestigious one, was not how I wanted to grow my career. During this time, I also had a new relationship with someone (my now husband, Dan Gigante) who has entrepreneurialism coursing through his veins. Dan inspired me to think bigger about my career and consider going on my own. Watching him grow his own business gave me the confidence I needed to try my hand at it. I took that leap and never looked back.
Nearly eight years and 18 employees later, people ask me if running an agency was always part of my plan. The answer to that is I never considered it until I was in the middle of becoming one. Being a business owner was not something I wanted when I was younger. The risk was too daunting. I was particularly turned off to the possibilities after seeing the significant challenges my mother went through with her business when I was in middle and high school. It goes to show you never tell yourself never. I would have never guessed this is where I would be with my career, but I am so glad that I am.
Being successful and having a career that I was proud of was something I can remember thinking about at a very young age – strange as that might sound. What I take away from that is two-fold: first, that I always had the drive and ambition to do big things in my career; and second, being open to doing things you never thought were a possibility can lead to your life’s biggest fulfillment.
What does being a Buffalo Boss Babe mean to you?
Owning your power.
Who are your favorite people to follow ?
I love @zoebakes on Instagram. Her videos are fun and sometimes mesmerizing to watch and the stuff she makes looks gorgeous. She also makes complicated recipes look easy. Anytime someone can make something complicated look easy, I have mad respect for them.
One of the best dog accounts on IG has to be @neilpatbg. Neil Patrick Harris is a local pup who loves coffee and hates Mondays just like the rest of us. His mom dresses him in button down shirts, vest, boots, and hats, and has a hashtag #mealswithneil where we features different eats around Buffalo. I can't get enough of his street style and sass. Plus, his name is Neil Patrick Harris. I mean, come on.
I am a big fan of the junior U.S. Senator from California—now 2020 U.S. Presidential candidate—Kamala Harris. I find her to be incredibly intelligent and thoughtful in her positions, and I love seeing her go toe-to-toe when she is challenged. She maintains pose and grace while not backing down on her position. Grace under that kind of pressure is a virtue, and I really admire her for these attributes. Not to mention, she is one to watch in politics right now. You can follow her on Twitter, @KamalaHarris.
Generally, I mostly follow art, architecture, travel, fashion, foodie and dog accounts on Insta. Some additional favorites include: @pupsncoffee, @archdigest, @architectanddesign, @cntraveler @accidentallywesanderson, @doodleloversofig @csiriano @thezoereport @designmilk
What are your favorite things to do in the area ? Buffalo and greater WNY
I love going to Niagara Falls at night when the crowds are gone and you feel like you can have the Falls to yourself. It’s a very powerful feeling being near the Falls. Close your eyes to get a few minutes of quiet meditation, feel the powerful energy, and you will leave feeling better than when you got there.
I also love supporting local restaurants with my husband and our friends. Going to new and old favorites to catch up with the people I love is my go-to Saturday night.
My neighborhood is the Elmwood Village. One of my favorite things to do is walk (and shop) Elmwood Avenue. Hertel is also becoming a favorite hang-out. This is how I love spending any Saturday afternoon, especially when the weather is great.
I think we are really lucky to be on the water. Anytime I can spend at one of WNY’s beaches is time that I cherish.
Tell us about your favorite collaboration or dream collaborations ?
For me, the measure of a great collaboration is one that has lasting impact. Here are a few I like the most:
1. Run-DMC and Aerosmith - this collaboration is credited with bringing hip-hop into the mainstream and revived a rock band's career.
2. Isaac Mizrahi and Target - this collaboration was the first and longest-running Target/designer collaboration and also introduced higher-end fashion to the mainstream. Like Aerosmith, this partnership also revived Mizrahi's career.
3. Michael Jordan and Nike – the collaboration that launched a thousand successful ad campaigns. And making both Nike and Jordan richer than they already were.
4. Chocolate and peanut butter - do I really need to explain?
5. Gwen Stefani and Eve – I love these two kick-@ss women separately, but together, they were unstoppable.
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?
Anyone who knows me is not going to be surprised by this answer. My first music memory happened when I was four and it happened when I heard and saw a U2 video on MTV. I've been a huge fan ever since. Because of that, Bono is at the top of my list. And, he’s not only a legendary musician, but I really admire him for using his celebrity to effect policy changes around the world.
I feel passionately about human rights, hence why I was motivated to start my career in government. I wanted to make a difference in people's lives. So, I appreciate others who make fighting for human rights part of their life's work.
What are your hopes, dreams, goals. Big or small?
Very simply, on any given day, I hope that I am living a life that gives me joy. In my life, whenever I was unhappy is when I knew it was time to make a change of some sort. That came in the form of ending relationships, leaving cities, changing jobs, changing a health routine, you name it. To me, living a life that is happy and fulfilling is the ultimate goal. It’s way easier said than done. And, what gives me happiness or joy changes. So, to me, it’s about being in touch with myself enough to know what I need to change or what I need to do more of to make sure my heart is happy. Living a life from a place of joy only leads to more joy.
Tell us about your family?
I have been married to my husband, Dan Gigante, for about 18 months (together a total of 8.5 years) and, together, we worship and adore our mini labradoodle, Ellie. She is three years old and is the light of our lives. We like to joke that she codes in HTMEllie, so her Instagram handle is appropriately @HTMEllieDoodle. My husband is also my business partner at 19 IDEAS.
Isn’t Katie such an inspiration?! You can keep up with Katie and 19ideas at @19ideas and @katiekraw!
until next time babes
xoxo
-Emmily
Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog series featuring women in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y.
