Daily Inspiration: Meet Kateri Wozny

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kateri Wozny.

Hi Kateri, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Minneapolis, MN and was always fascinated with the media industry. I started volunteering for a kid’s community television program when I was 9-years-old and loved the aspects of television production. I received my Bachelor’s in Journalism from St. Cloud State University and won an Associated Press award for my coverage of the Senator Paul Wellstone memorial for KVSC-FM. After graduation, I worked in print news as a Freelance Reporter for various publications around Minneapolis and as a part-time Traffic Producer. I later landed a full-time job as an Assignment Desk Editor at KSTP-TV and I learned so much about what goes into making a newscast successful. Our newsroom won a National Emmy for our coverage of the I-35W Bridge Collapse in 2007!

I always wanted to relocate to the Los Angeles area and expand my media background, so in August of 2010, I did just that. I love being a resident! I have freelanced for various publications in Los Angeles (Malibu Coast Lifestyle Magazine, Malibu Surfside News, Pepperdine University, Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Topanga Messenger), Santa Barbara (Carpinteria Coastal View News, Santa Barbara Sentinel, UC – Santa Barbara) and Ventura (Acorn Newspapers, Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine, VC Reporter) and national publications such as the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Elite Daily, GateHouse Media, GoDaddy, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Newsmax, Snooth Media and U.S. News & World Report. I love reporting stories because the community always has something valuable to share with everyone. It brings everyone together and keeps them informed!

I also worked at CBS LA as a part-time Traffic Producer and at KEYT-3 Santa Barbara (now News Channel 3) as an Assignment Desk Manager and Web Producer. I later transitioned into public relations and marketing working in the private and public sectors. For anyone that is looking to get into print or broadcasting news, public relations and marketing, being proactive, energetic, and having a positive attitude is a must! It is all about making connections and expanding your talent and skill set to help an organization.

Something I am very proud of is my lifestyle blog, SoCal Shuffle. I started it in 2016 and it discusses industry tips, beauty, health, cooking and baking, events, traveling, survival tips, and hot spots mostly related to the Southern California lifestyle. I attended BlogHer in 2016 and I was able to learn so many tips on how to expand the blog on social media and other marketing tricks. To date, I have had about 46,000 views! I love the freedom it gives me to create the content I want for my audience. You can check it out at www.socalshuffle.net!

In my spare time, I love taking brisk walks/hikes around LA, trying new restaurants or wine (I am a wine enthusiast), traveling, writing, trying different exercise routines and volunteering when I have time. Right now, I am finishing up my Master’s degree in Communication from Arizona State University, so it has been keeping me busy!

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?
For the most part, my journey has been pretty smooth with a few hiccups. It can get frustrating if a story falls through due to not being able to get a hold of someone that I was supposed to have ready for the publication or if someone promises you something and then ghosts you. There have been times I have had to follow-up for my paycheck for freelance work due to it being late. With Assembly Bill 5 (AB-5) in place, some publications don’t have freelancers anymore and with COVID-19, many publications either folded or their budget was reduced dramatically.

Even with all of the hiccups, it’s best to keep a positive attitude and just continue moving forward! There are always lessons to be learned from all of my experiences on how to become a stronger communicator and reporter. Learning is the best way to enhance your skill set and mind!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have 19 years of experience working in print, radio and television news as well as event marketing and public relations. That is what sets me apart from others because I have a background in all different types of media. I did this so that I could be attractive to employers and also become well-rounded and diverse.

I am proud of the accolades that I have received and most importantly, I am honored to have met and reported about so many important people in the Southern California communities that are making a difference. I am also proud that I am going to be graduating with my Master’s degree and for launching my lifestyle blog, SoCal Shuffle, as another way to express my creativity.

What’s next?
I am looking forward to graduating with my Master’s degree in May and reporting for more regional publications. I haven’t written for many since I began my graduate school journey in August of 2020. Being in graduate school is a different routine and way of thinking! Full time, I also want to continue to work in the areas of public relations and marketing in the public sector either as a consultant or full time.

I also want to continue traveling to my bucket list destinations, hopefully buy a house and own a dog!

Contact Info:

• Email: kateriwozny@gmail.com
• Website: www.socalshuffle.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitkatwozny/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kitkatwozny

Image Credits:
Kateri Wozny for all photos