Hidden Gems: Meet Katya Volpi of Casket Revelations

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katya Volpi.

Hi Katya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am one to think outside of the box and am a non-conformist, so it was natural for me to connect with my entrepreneurial side and start a business that defies categorization.

I used to run a small business in the wedding industry providing on-location makeup and hair styling for many years, but after that ended, I sort of just drifted career-wise; I didn’t know what direction to take. I don’t have a college degree, so career choices have always been limited, which I never understood and view as tragic because incredible talent is overlooked simply because of the outdated, rigid mentality people have adopted – that in order to have any worth in a workplace, you have to have a degree. My options were either to continue to work in a job I hated, where I was constantly under-appreciated and my ideas were neither respected nor understood, or do what I do best: become an entrepreneur and do things my way, knowing that I would contribute something meaningful, that I would do something that mattered.

One day, a friend and I were discussing her dying relative and the ensuing family drama and discord, which got us on the discussion of what we would want to have happen at our own funerals. I stated that the thought of my estranged family member saying anything untrue about me or our relationship at my own funeral, or perhaps trying to steal the show, really ruffled my feathers. You have no control of what people say about you after you die, and that’s a hard truth for many of us to swallow, so how do you make sure your words and your truth are spoken? I believe people want someone to stand up for them after they die, to intercept anyone attempting to say anything other than the truth.

Then I heard about a man who crashed a friend’s funeral to read the man’s confession letter to his family and friends and it completely struck a chord in me. That was it, that was my sign, I knew I had found my calling! I started my business, Casket Revelations where I reveal my client’s truth at their own funeral and give them the final word. It could mean revealing a confession, a long-held secret, betrayals or lies from a family member, or a declaration of love for someone – whatever the client wants me to say on behalf of them, that’s what I say. The first client who hired me had me read something he knew would make some family members very upset, but it was his truth and I assisted him in retaining his dignity.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am coming into an emotionally charged environment delivering news that people have no idea about or that some people do not want revealed, so it can be nerve-wracking, but I stay focused on the fact that it is an honor to be of service to them once they’ve passed on, and that I can be their voice when they no longer have one, and that propels me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The dying hire me to crash their funerals and reveal their final wishes or words, which could be a confession, an admission, a secret, or a betrayal; whatever the client wants me to reveal to their family and friends. I also take special requests by clients: perhaps they need me to clear their residence of something they do not want family members to find, or maybe they want to be buried with a specific item, I make it happen.

My tagline is:

“Don’t Take Your Secrets to the Grave.”

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m a huge networker so attending networking and social events is a great resource to find mentors. Also just immersing yourself in industries that align with what you do and letting the universe work its magic! But don’t waste your time or energy on people or events that don’t feel right. This is the time you must tap into your gut instincts to weed out the negative and steer clear of flakes or people who want to take advantage of you.

My advice is that when you first start out, keep your expectations low; don’t expect people to fall in love with you and your business right off the bat and give you advice. You need to build trust and relationships. What’s worked best for me in that capacity, is to show up and be consistent. Joining a group or organization that aligns with your business and participating regularly can be instrumental in building relationships. It doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time.

Networking takes a lot of time and energy. As an introvert, I need to use my energy wisely. Here are some strategies that have worked really well for me and can really apply to anyone:

I make sure I’m prepared to be social ahead of time. That means being well-rested, having a pre-set time of how long I’ll spend at the event, and taking small breaks between conversations so I don’t get drained.

Some people can be overbearing talking about themselves or their business so I don’t allow myself to be trapped. If I’m not feeling a good connection or vibe with the person or people with whom I’m interacting, I politely excuse myself and move on.

I RSVP for an event the absolute closest to the deadline as possible. That way, I stick to my commitment of showing up, which is really important. People like when you commit to them; be a flake, and you’ll ruin your reputation quickly.

I go with the attitude that I intend to have fun, be social, and meet new people rather than with an agenda. This is very attractive to people – they’ll come to you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://CasketRevelations.com
• Instagram: @casketrevelations