ABOUT
Creativity is a gift
I believe everyone has the ability to create something beautiful, no matter what their background or experience.
Where It All Began
Hey there, I’m Karen, or as many call me, KVT, and welcome to my cozy corner of the internet. I hail from a small town in Iowa, where the grit of rural living became a part of my DNA.
My parents’ divorce when I was young taught me life’s earliest lesson: If you want something, you better roll up your sleeves and work for it.
My sisters and I learned the value of hard work early on, with a dad who farmed and a mom who worked multiple jobs to support us.
Picture a kid hustling newspapers door-to-door; that was me, landing my first gig as a papergirl for the neighborhood at 9.
The Dream of Big-City Lights
Ever since I can remember, I wanted to leave my quaint hometown to explore more opportunities. I was itching to swap cornfields for skyscrapers.
College was my ticket out, and there, I earned a two-year degree in Accounting and Business Administration. I got a full-time job after college, and this is where I met—my incredible husband.
Juggling Diapers and Degrees
Life didn’t slow down from there. In the blink of an eye, we welcomed our first bundle of joy into the world. That same period saw me return to college to complete my four-year degree. Talk about a whirlwind; I graduated and gave birth to my second child—all in the same month!
Climbing the Corporate Ladder
I spent 17 rewarding years in accounting. I was an integral part of the finance department at a mortgage banking company. My roles spanned everything from accounting to crafting intricate financial models for large-scale projects.
But wait, there’s more! Our family of four soon became a family of five, and at the same time, I transitioned into the tech sector.
For 15 years, I became the linchpin connecting technology and business teams, ultimately serving as the Chief of Staff to the CIO. I led a brilliant team of seven and mastered translating ‘tech-speak’ into everyday language through snazzy infographics and impactful PowerPoint presentations.
The Creative Muse
While the corporate world was satisfying, my creative spirit sought an outlet. Enter my side hustles. I ignited my senses by founding my candle business and exploring photography. Becoming a mom refueled my love for capturing life’s sweetest moments, initially through traditional scrapbooking and later evolving into the digital realm.
Why I’m Here
Now, I’m funneling all that experience—both professional and creative—into this blog. It’s a platform where I can connect the dots, just like I’ve been doing all my life, but this time, it’s between you and the strategies, tips, and insights I’ve amassed over the years.
So whether you’re here for financial wisdom, tech tidbits, or to ignite your creative spark, I’m thrilled you’ve found your way to my online sanctuary. Let’s journey together.
