Conversations with Kate Paradis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Paradis.

Hi Kate, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
My journey spans various countries—Canada, Indonesia, and now the US—across diverse industries. Fueled by resilience and a passion for art and community connection, I’ve navigated through different paths… and am now in Los Angeles working as a drummer, dancer, and acoustics professional. 

At age 5, music became my compass. From classical education to bar gigs at age 14, music has always brought me joy. I always said ‘yes’ to any opportunity to play, whether a jazz combo at a university competition, busking around local festivals, or for an audience of friends in my parent’s basement, lights turned off, rocking glow-in-the-dark drumsticks playing John Bonham-inspired drum solos… Despite entering the male-dominated music scene, I earned recognition for both my reliability and talent. However, after graduating from music school (Bachelor of Jazz Performance) a little disillusioned, I ventured into Alberta’s energy sector to pay the bills. Though performing has always brought me the most joy, it hasn’t always been my sole focus, and it’s this ebb and flow of creative endeavors in my life, combined with my drive for adventure and new experiences that have landed me in a fairly unique position today. 

I ended up in manufacturing planning, product management and eventually (my other passion), business development and technical sales. Along the way, I became process-obsessed – looking to make archaic workflows current and efficient. Many years later, this proved useful in developing software for clients in my business consulting side hustle. I attribute a lot of my early career success to first keeping my head down, working hard but eyes wide open, and learning everything I could as quickly as I could. I also realized that demonstrating integrity and the trust I built with people (colleagues and clients) was really the key to business success. 

I risked quite a bit to move to Jakarta, Indonesia, at age 27. Instead of lamenting what I had possibly given up (the first house I ever purchased, stability, and the comfort of a big paycheck), I channeled my energy into embracing the new cultural experiences, learning a new language, and leveling up my education, earning an Executive MBA. I eventually secured a job on a major construction project at the port of Jakarta. All the while, I continued to cultivate my love of travel and I explored Southeast Asia and played drums in as many bands in the local scene as possible. 

Upon relocating to Los Angeles, visa struggles led to diverse and interesting side hustles during lockdown (stories for another time!). Eventually, my unique background in music & audio, construction project management, and business development led me to an acoustics company. Now, as the head of an acoustics business specializing in speech privacy, I thrive in the dynamic intersections of commercial real estate, architecture & design, construction, and acoustics. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Living abroad and embracing frequent moves has been a privilege, one I’m deeply grateful for. Immersing myself in diverse cultures fuels my curiosity and nourishes my soul, yet it also brings its share of challenges. Starting afresh in new cities every few years entails not just interpersonal hurdles but also legal and financial complexities. While I didn’t always see it initially, these struggles bestowed upon me invaluable insights, teaching me to embrace the unknown with patience and absolute surrender. 

Navigating entirely male-dominated industries has presented many challenges as well. From the predominantly male energy sector and the music scene to new dynamics on job sites in Indonesia, I faced unique obstacles at every turn. I was told flatly to stop looking for a job in Jakarta because nobody would hire a woman for a management role. This perceived adversity only motivated me to secure a job, and soon enough, I was hired in a project management position overseeing a large general contractor on a construction project with a $45 million budget. I didn’t have much time to relish in the accomplishment, unfortunately. My first day on the job, I was given a job site access badge that was a different color than my male counterparts. When I asked about the significance, I was told that “women don’t go on the construction site.” Instead of getting infuriated and playing into the ill-informed gender dynamic at play, I smiled and said, “Well, I understand, and we are going to change that rule today.” I exercised my voice with authenticity and kindness, and from that day forward, I was on-site, fully contributing and working towards the successful completion of the project. Having a male boss that was an ally was also crucial here, I got lucky. The stories are endless… machete gangs that prevented me from riding my scooter to work, live goats for gifts, flying tents, a drone name Dolly flown through restricted airspace(oops), and lots and lots of business meetings that started with a prayer to Allah. Terima Kasih, Indonesia. Aku cinta kamu. 

The third significant challenge I faced is one that many artists can relate to: my own critical mind. In Los Angeles, I grappled with imposter syndrome, surrounded by a plethora of talented musicians and dancers. Constant comparison stifled my expression, hindering my ability to shine. However, I discovered immense strength and fulfillment in performing solo on my terms. Embracing my individuality allowed me to forge genuine connections with audiences despite familial apprehensions about my chosen dance style. Just me and the audience. The power of connecting with others fully. Sticking to what filled me most with joy, I stayed on my own path and am proud to be a role model for younger women who are coming into their own in terms of self-expression. Liberated, I found solace in a community of fearless and compassionate women who support each other in all facets of our lives. I am now just as comfortable asserting myself on the dance stage as in a business negotiation in a room full of men. Deep self-awareness and acceptance have given me the confidence to thrive in both arenas. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In the corporate environment I am known for being passionate, personable, and also quite technical. I’ve worked closely with engineers, geologists, physicists, architects, and tradespeople over 14 years. Learning technical concepts quickly and having the ability to cater communication style to diverse groups has been a cornerstone of my success. 

I’m in a city with some of the most talented performers in the world, and the skills I’ve developed in business have often set me apart from other artists. Pulling a rehearsal together can be a challenge, but when your day job requires you to deal with multimillion-dollar construction projects and navigate security clearances, you quickly become an invaluable bandmate from an organizational standpoint alone. 

I love nurturing the expression of others and am increasingly applying my project management skills to my creative projects. As I build my network of like-minded performers, I want to challenge myself to tackle new projects and develop and produce shows of my own. I’m always happy to gig as a drummer and dancer (yes, still says yes to almost everything after all these years), but I also have a strong desire to share my vision and am always looking for opportunities to collaborate with anyone that has a passion for something creative. I love collaborating with visual artists, other dancers, and musicians. It’s what makes our time on this planet extraordinary. 

I’m extremely proud to be a working artist. My career in acoustics certainly accounts for a lot of my time and energy, but I wouldn’t be whole without performance in my life. The skills earned in each area help strengthen the other. I’ll leave for a job site in the morning wearing my steel-toe boots, with my dance shoes or cymbals (or both) in hand so I can head straight to a rehearsal or performance when my meetings are done. I’ve found this to be far from a distraction and complimentary to my business development efforts. The fact I’m not one-dimensional is invaluable in each part of my career. 

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Above all, authenticity resonates deepest with me. My journey, peppered with experiences in both corporate and creative spheres, has underscored the vital importance of genuine interactions. Delving into discussions on business ethics during my MBA program offered me a new perspective, guiding my approach in both professional and creative environments. Integrity isn’t just a checkbox; it’s the bedrock of trust and respect. I’m unwilling to compromise on honesty and consistency, as they are non-negotiables in my professional and creative pursuits. I believe deeply in the power of art to connect souls and forge bonds, and I’m committed to sharing my time and talents with those who share these foundational values. By authentically engaging with others, I’ve found success as an acoustics professional and artist, and most importantly, I’ve found profound joy in living fully. True self-awareness and alignment with our values create bridges that strengthen connections within our communities. 

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-p-9488088b/