Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Owens.
Hi Katrina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my entrepreneurial career after a decade of working in corporate marketing and PR, opening my agency Knockout Marketing Directive. We were a traditional agency model business — offering “done-for-you” services across branding, content, and PR. At the time, I thought being the behind-the-scenes expert was the smartest way to build a business. I was helping clients get visible, but my own brand was buried under client work and endless deliverables.
Then came a turning point, I realized that while I was building visibility for others, I had unintentionally made myself invisible. I was overworked, underpaid, and out of alignment. So I made a bold decision: to shift from service provider to personal brand. I let go of the agency structure, simplified my offers, and built programs that help entrepreneurs learn how to pitch themselves and build their own powerful brands without handing over thousands to a publicist or agency every single month.
Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of founders land media coverage, book speaking gigs, and become the face of their brands. My work now lives at the intersection of visibility, strategy, and confidence.
And the best part? I’ve built a business that actually feels like me, not just something that looks good on paper.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road, and honestly, I don’t think it’s supposed to be. There have been seasons where revenue dipped, visibility stalled, and I questioned everything. One of the biggest challenges was actually unlearning the idea that success had to look a certain way — the constant hustle, the stacked client roster, the polished “I have it all together” brand image. I had to let go of perfectionism and control in order to step into something more sustainable and ultimately, more powerful.
One of the toughest moments was actually walking away from the agency model I had spent years building. That decision meant letting go of recurring revenue, team structures, and familiarity, which was really scary for me. But it also opened the door to a business that finally felt aligned. What I’ve learned is that every struggle has shaped my strategy and my empathy. I’m better at what I do because I’ve been in the trenches, not in spite of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Knockout Marketing Directive?
I run coaching programs that help entrepreneurs become the face of their business and the go-to in their industry. I specialize in personal branding, media training, and PR strategy, and I’m best known for helping founders land high-profile press features without hiring a traditional agency.
My signature program, The Fame-Ready Entrepreneur Program, teaches business owners how to pitch themselves, position their brand, and build the kind of authority that attracts media, speaking gigs, and dream clients. I also offer 1:1 coaching for entrepreneurs who are ready to level up fast.
What sets my work apart is the way we combine strategy with self-trust. I don’t believe in putting people in a box or giving them a rigid formula to follow. Instead, I help them own their voice, refine their message, and build a PR engine that actually reflects who they are, and the kind of legacy they want to build.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how magnetic and real this work feels now. I’ve created something that doesn’t just look good; it works, it resonates, and it’s built to last
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The best networking I’ve ever done didn’t actually look like networking. It looked like investing in the rooms I actually wanted to be in and then showing up fully once I got there. For me, mentorship and connection have always come from aligned proximity. I’ve found the most powerful relationships in mastermind groups, coaching programs, and live events where everyone is committed to growth, because when you surround yourself with people who are playing at a high level, it naturally pulls you up and opens doors that a cold DM never could.
My biggest piece of advice: don’t chase relationships, build resonance. Lead with curiosity, contribute generously, and treat every interaction like a long game. The right people will see you. And when they do, they’ll remember how you made them feel (not just what you wanted from them).
Pricing:
- 1:1 Personal Branding & PR Coaching: Starts at $5K
- Group Personal Branding & PR Coaching: Starts at $2K
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.knockoutdirective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinaowenspr/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenskatrina/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@koyourbrand
- Other: https://koyourbrand.transistor.fm/
Image Credits
Marta Marta Photography, https://martamartaphotography.com/
