DreamChaser Katy Kahn
General Information
Name: Katy Kahn
Pronouns: She; Her
Age: 45
Job Title/Company: Side Hustle: Content Creator; Main Hustle: HS English Teacher
Education Background: Master of Science in Education; Bachelor of Science in Literature
In-depth Questions (6-7 min read)
Can you share a bit about your background and what has shaped you into who you are today?
I grew up in the typical 90s, suburban, German Catholic way. Big family & extended family. Because of this, my primary focus was always to find a partner & have a couple of children. I was determined to create a community around me; so many of the decisions I make have come with that in mind.
What inspired you to start your business(es), and how did you know it was the right time to take the leap?
I have always created. From directing plays, to writing posts in the early social media years, it is just a part of how I emote. When TikTok “became a thing” in 2020, it was only natural for me to be like: “Oh, here I go!” (lol) A few viral videos later, & I had created an online community of like-minded people.
Who has influenced your journey the most—whether personally, professionally, or creatively—and how?
I think my husband, honestly. My niche online is “sports things” from the perspective of a non-sports person. I had been teasing him for a decade about his “obsession” and when I took it online, it was he who laughed, encouraged, and prompted me to continue.
What dreams did you have as a kid, and how do they connect to what you’re doing now?
I hate to admit that I wanted to be an actress when I was little. I was an extra in movies, and did plays in high school, college and afterward. But the desire to have a family (and my belief that I wasn’t attractive enough to be successful in Hollywood) put me on a different path. It’s partially why I find it so funny I’m creating for an audience right now. It was always (a secret) dream of mine, so the fact that I’m doing it feels surreal.“I always give myself Friday and Saturday off. I think it is important to give yourself “hard limits” when it comes to your time.”
What role does self-care play in your ability to pursue your goals?
Creating is my side hustle. While I would love to make it full-time, I wouldn’t even know what that would look like for me. So at the moment, I am juggling my full-time career as a teacher and content creation. I don’t always find the balance. But I do try. I exercise, I’m a big reader. I must do these things to maintain my sanity. I make sure that each night, I spend time reading whatever romantic fantasy I’m caught up in at the moment. I often only make videos on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and (often) Wednesday nights. If it’s been a good week, maybe a Thursday night too. I always give myself Friday and Saturday off. I think it is important to give yourself “hard limits” when it comes to your time.What goals did you set for yourself at the start of your journey, and how have they changed as you’ve grown?
At the beginning of each year, I set goals like how many new followers I want to gain, a balance I want to strike, or innovating I want to do. I set modest goals so I know I can achieve them. This year, my goal is to get to 200k on Tiktok, grow my YouTube (by creating DIFFERENT content for that page), and hit 10k on IG (I’m almost there, so this is a bit silly, but I like to say I’ve hit my goals). I do believe in writing things down and manifesting your future.
"“The right people will notice your work, so keep it up. Quality will always be quality, and the right people will notice.” This has become a sort of mantra for me.”What challenges have tested your resilience, and how did you overcome them to stay on course?
If we are talking about content creation specifically, I would say that there have been (many) times when videos I’ve worked so hard on just didn’t gain the traction I had hoped to get. When that happens for weeks in a row, it is easy to feel frustrated- because your time is money. But in those moments I kept telling myself: “The right people will notice your work, so keep it up. Quality will always be quality, and the right people will notice.” This has become a sort of mantra for me.
What drives you to keep going on the hard days?
Hate to say this, but money. When I am tired I remind myself that today could be the video that pays for that gift I want to get my daughter, son, etc.What role does your identity (e.g., gender, race, culture) play in your work and vision?
As a woman, having donned a “non-sports persona” in a time when Women's Sports Are Having A Moment, could have gone sideways. But my content isn’t about degrading sports (because they’re great). It’s also not about educating a populace about sports (because that is not who I am). Instead, I find humor in this unfamiliar world. I say aloud truths that many of us non-sports girlies are thinking.
What advice has been the most impactful for you, and how do you apply it in your work and life?
Everyone always says this but: Be Authentic. Literally be unapologetically yourself.
How do you ensure your work aligns with your personal values?
I keep things upbeat and positive. I believe in karma, so I try not to put anything out there that will hurt anyone deeply (even if I know that person is wrong). If I DO want to make a statement about someone’s poor behavior, I do it with humor and irony. There is SO much negativity online; when I set out to really do this- around 2021- I decided I would *only* be a “net positive” on my page. I have a lot of strong political opinions (I’m a progressive), and I advocate for equality in my real life; as an educator in Philly, I contribute to real life, important changes. But people need an escape from the everyday chaos, and online media can be that escape. So, I've designed my personal page with escape from reality in mind.
‘Find your people & make plans.’
If your journey could inspire one change or belief in others, what would you hope it to be?
I don’t know if this has anything to do with my journey, but we are about to head into what could be a very tumultuous time, people need community right now. Find your people & make plans.
Anything we missed that you would like to share?
This is sort of random, but I didn’t talk much about my goals as a parent. I am a big believer in keeping kids off social media until they’re 16. I think parents should keep the phones and ipads of their children in their rooms at night. I also think *and this one is super important* that when kids see us on our phones, they learn that behavior. I have a big online presence, but when I’m with my family, our phones are away. If I’m on my phone, and my child calls my name, I put it down immediately to hear what they’re asking or telling me. Our children shouldn’t have to fight for our attention. I hope that as time progresses, that becomes a priority for future generations. Katy also has three brothers who are Eagle Scouts.
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TL;DR
Katy Kahn (she/her) is a high school English teacher by day and a content creator by night, blending her love for storytelling with humor and community building. With a background in literature and education, she naturally gravitated toward creative expression, finding an audience on TikTok by playfully navigating the world of sports as a self-proclaimed “non-sports girlie.” Balancing teaching, content creation, and family life, Katy prioritizes authenticity, positivity, and building connections. Her journey is a testament to staying true to oneself, embracing unexpected paths, and using humor to bridge gaps and foster understanding. 💫