What happens when you build a business during a financial crisis, ride the wave of unexpected growth, and then hit your first major downturn nearly a decade later?

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Kate Ahl, founder of Simple Pin Media, to talk about the very real highs and lows of business ownership. From launching her Pinterest marketing agency while on food stamps to leading a team through seasons of growth, grief, and everything in between — Kate shares what it’s looked like to keep showing up, even when the path ahead wasn’t clear.

We dive into the early days of scraping things together from the kitchen table, navigating motherhood as the primary breadwinner, and how a business panic attack in 2022 led to one of her most powerful growth seasons yet. If you’ve ever felt behind, doubted your direction, or wondered if it’s okay to admit when things get hard — this episode will feel like a deep breath. 

Inside the Episode:

• How Kate went from "Pinterest? That’s a stupid idea…" to running a successful agency
• Building a business while raising 3 kids under 4
• Learning to lead without a roadmap (and hiring her first team member at Target!)
• What really happened when her business hit a wall in 2022
• Why grief and burnout can sneak up on even the most organized among us
• How therapy helped her become a stronger leader
• What she’s doing differently now — and how she’s staying resilient
• Why community and honest conversations matter more than ever

CONNECT WITH KATE & SIMPLE PIN MEDIA:

-Website: simplepinmedia.com
-Instagram: @simplepinmedia
-LinkedIn: Kate Ahl
 

RELEVANT LINKS:

- Watch Episode On YouTube

- Learn More About Kari Poppleton

- Connect With Kari Poppleton on Instagram