ABOUT
Hi, I'm Katie.
I've spent my career being the person who steps into a mess and figures out how to make it run.
That started at Virginia Tech, where I studied Hospitality and Tourism Management, and then in the industry itself: hotels, restaurants, and events. Hospitality is essentially controlled chaos on a deadline. There's always a moving part you didn't plan for, and someone has to keep the whole thing on track without letting the guests see the seams. I got good at being that person.
I moved into agency project management and operations next, and found that the work translated almost directly. The pace, the pressure, and the number of things happening at once were all familiar. I worked my way up to Director of Traffic and Operations, where I was responsible for keeping every project on track and everyone clear on their part, while running my own client list alongside it. The creative directors were spinning the plates and I was the one making sure they didn't fall.
I started Paper Moon Consulting because small business owners need that kind of help without needing to hire someone full time. Most owners I talk to know something isn't working, they're just not always sure what to do about it, or they know exactly what to do and don't have the hours to do it. Either way, I step in, figure out what's actually needed, and make it happen.
WHY PAPER MOON
A few reasons, and they stacked up until the name felt obvious.
I wanted something bigger than my own name, because the work isn't really about me. It's about the projects, and some of them are big.
I also wanted a piece of my last name in there, because Mooney is just too good not to use.
Then there's the paper itself, which I love as an idea. Paper seems like one thing until you start working with it, and then it can become almost anything, with enough technique and patience. The more you fold it, the stronger it gets. That felt like a fair description of most of the work I do.
And Paper Moon, the 1973 film, is one of my favorites. It's about two people who shouldn't work as a team and absolutely do, held together by quick thinking and a lot of improvising. They're con artists and I'm not, for the record, but the resourcefulness and adaptability of it all felt right.
A FEW THINGS ABOUT ME
Based in Roanoke with my husband Riley and our cats Apollo and Neo.
Currently working my way through Agatha Christie, which is either a coincidence or exactly what you'd expect from someone whose job is figuring out how the pieces fit.
My house is full of color because life is too short for all-beige.
Best nights are a good movie, good food, and people I like.
Photography Credit: The Oberports
I write The Paper Trail, a letter from me to you every couple of weeks, real stories from my career, the thinking behind Paper Moon, and the stuff that doesn't fit neatly into a services page. Each letter comes paired with a short video, so you can read it, watch it, or both.
Think of it as an ongoing, open correspondence. I'd love for you to read along, and even better, write back.
Want More? I Write Letters.
Let’s Find Some Clarity
Tell me what's going on and we'll figure out if I can help.