When I first moved to New York 15 years ago, the idea of leaving my dream job and striking out on my own would have paralyzed me with fear. Today I’m ready for it and am excited to announce the launch of my new company Various & Co! But before I tell you about that, how did I get here?
I ❤ Podcasts
Me in my natural habitat clutching a phone laughing at a Dad joke and hanging with Rugby.
I love podcasts. That’s not a surprise to anyone. When the opportunity to work in the industry and help build the world’s largest global podcast company came up, I just couldn’t say no — I had landed my dream job.
Me in my natural habitat clutching a phone laughing at a Dad joke and hanging with Rugby.
That was nearly 3 years ago and that little company with a big dream was Acast. Since then the company has grown at an astounding rate. With offices all around the world and more than 7,000 podcasts with hundreds of millions of listens each month, Acast is a truly global organization that’s helping to define the podcasting industry.
All of Acast at last year’s Acamp. ❤
It’s been a wild ride, to say the least, and beyond the above, I have gotten to do so many amazing things from launching David Tennant’s podcast and the EARIOS Network to helping debut bleeding-edge podcast tech like Acast Access and creating audience growth tools for podcasters like Acast Recommends.
Even though it is time for me to say Goodbye to Acast, I am so proud of the work I got to do there and the team I helped build and have every emotion available to feel about leaving the company.
Back in mid-June Acast reorganized and that presented me with the chance to strike out on my own. I’ve been faced with this decision before and have always chosen to join teams rather than starting my own company. The last time this came up I landed at Small Girls PR where I spent 4 amazing years and had some of my most defining professional moments. But now, the timing finally feels right.
Various and…
So, what’s next? Good question. Turns out, it’s gonna be Various Things and that’s the inspiration for me new work home Various & Co.
Think this logo is cool? It’s thanks to Ryan Welch
Various & Co. is the marriage of all my experiences and a blending of my favorite things. One part creative consultancy with a focus on PR/marketing and one part clearinghouse for strange and curious ideas.
I want to work with organizations and people that are doing things differently. Those who reject the status quo, who have a story to tell and a mountain-moving mission.
My first clients include Adelaide, an ad tech company that is upending the way we think about and measure digital ads; Acast, my former employer and the world’s largest podcast company as they champion underserved voices; Matt Wallaert, author of Start At The End and Chief Behavioral Officer of Clover Health whose book is a literal blueprint for building products differently; and Small Girls PR, another former employer and company that continues to shift the paradigm for the PR industry.
I am eternally grateful for everything and everyone that has gotten me to this point and to all the initial clients who have helped me get Various & Co. off the ground. If you’re interested in working together I’d love to chat, so please send me a note to kara@variousand.com
My side hustle now is writing custom out of office haikus. If you want one, LMK. :)
Yours, Kara
P.S. I’m on the lookout for a great accountant. If there’s someone you love working with or you’ve heard about, I’d appreciate a referral!