The Giggs Podcast: #30 Katie Everett | Work-Life Chaos: Dropping the Ball on Purpose

Welcome to The Giggs Podcast! Giggs is the career platform for live event professionals. We're starting this podcast because there's not nearly enough content out there about what it really takes to be on the road. Whether you're an aspiring tour manager, a seasoned backline tech, or just getting started in the business, this podcast is for you. We're taking you behind the scenes to explore the highs and the lows of life gigging on the Giggs Podcast. 

Katie Everett is the producer, creative director, and founder of Katalyst Productions. With over 20 years of experience in the live event industry, Katie has produced large-scale events and brand activations for clients like the Four Seasons, Central Park Conservancy, and FIFA 2026. Her agency is known for bold, high-touch, and message-driven experiences across entertainment, lifestyle, civic, and nonprofit sectors. She’s also a member of the Forbes Agency Council and a repeat honoree on the Eventex Top 100 list.

Listen to the whole episode now! Click here to listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube!

Starting with Chaos

Katie didn't come from a traditional production background. In fact, her first job managing trade shows for the U.S. Army involved more improvisation than you'd expect — and she quickly realized she didn't want to spend her career stuck behind a desk. Instead, she leaned into what she loved: working with people, building things, and creating experiences that hadn't been done before.

After nearly a decade, she took a huge leap of faith. She "retired" from her government job, gave herself one year to make her dream work, and founded Katalyst Productions — a full-service creative production agency.

Katalyst's Sweet Spot: Big, Wild Ideas

Katie's agency specializes in events where "the weirder, the better" is the motto. From building a suspension bridge over a luxury hotel pool for live entertainment (yes, really) to creating a seafood shack from scratch, Katalyst Productions is known for saying yes to the crazy ideas others won't touch.

"I would rather work 80 hours a week on my own terms than 40 hours doing something I don't love," Katie shared.

Today, she helps brands dream bigger — creating experiences that are immersive, daring, and completely unforgettable.

Relationships Over Revenue

For Katie, success isn't just about budgets and headcounts. It's about relationships.

"If you mess up but you're honest about it, I'll be your biggest cheerleader," she said. "But if you lie, it's over."

Her philosophy of prioritizing human connection over transactions has led to client relationships that have lasted a decade or more. It's also allowed her to build a strong internal team that shares her values — good humans, first and foremost.

Being a Mom, a Boss, and Everything in Between

Katie isn't just running a high-stakes production company; she's also a mom of four kids, ranging from preschool to college. Her secret? Knowing when to "drop the ball."

"There is no perfect balance," she said. "Every day, you decide which balls to keep in the air and which ones you’re going to let drop."

Whether it's pushing a Zoom call to comfort a child or missing a soccer game for an event launch, Katie embraces the messiness — and reminds us that it's possible to chase big dreams without pretending you have it all perfectly figured out.

Biggest Lesson Learned

Katie's advice to anyone wanting to start something new?

"There's never a perfect time. You're never going to have enough skills, money, or experience. You just have to start."

From baking cookies for union stewards at her first trade shows to producing multimillion-dollar brand activations, Katie Everett's story is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and fearlessness.

And if you ever doubt that the impossible can be done?

Just remember: sometimes all it takes is a suspension bridge over a swimming pool.

Listen to the full episode with Katie Everett now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!