Show notes
In this episode of "Good Ideas + Bad Decisions," Kat hosts solo with Christina Hunt, founder of Haus von Albe and a brand/community strategist who also teaches yoga and human design. Christina shares her winding path from Germany, where she left a long-term relationship and pursued yoga training, to Texas, and eventually into a Meta role that built her paid media skills before she launched her own business. She discusses her evolution from Meta ads into broader marketing strategy and fractional CMO work, the exhaustion of chasing algorithms and inconsistent startup budgets, and her advice for founders: prioritize self-knowledge, set boundaries, and take time to recognize your own accomplishments.With 15 years of experience at the intersection of brand strategy and community building, Christina Hunt believes the best marketing doesn't feel like marketing, it feels like belonging. She has built brand communities at Kit and Ace in London, grown boutique fitness brands in one of the world's most competitive markets, directed strategy for global festivals across four continents, and consulted for founders across the US and UK. She now brings her expertise in marketing strategy to brands through Haus von Albe.Kat is the Founder of kat&co, a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Benchwork Fabrication. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, The kat&co Download.Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of Ellen Hockley Consulting and SAGE Women. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter, The Quiet Wins.00:00 Podcast Intro00:47 Guest Intro01:28 Local Banter Catch Up03:07 Mercury Direct Updates04:27 Back To Full Time05:00 How We Met07:47 Origin Story Germany10:38 Meta Job And Strategy15:18 Business Evolution Burnout20:29 Community Over Algorithms23:57 Choosing Stability Now25:41 Evolving Past Identity26:43 Autonomy Over Micromanaging28:59 Commute Reality Check31:54 Office Life After COVID33:50 Rethinking Career Loyalty36:22 What’s Next Careerwise38:42 Know Yourself First40:54 Slow Down and Reflect42:53 Where to Find Christina44:15 Duchess Era Goodbye45:30 Episode Wrap and Outro