Every Wednesday we check in on a former “stranger” to see what they’ve been up to since they had Coffee With a Stranger. Today, let’s catch up with:
Cup 29: Kristin Sheppard – Pop culture connoisseur, shark fanatic and blogger rock star
What was the biggest surprise or aha that came from being a part of the Coffee With A Stranger project?
It’s been a little over a year since my Coffee with a Stranger interview. The biggest surprise was just how quickly a stranger can become a friend. It turns out that I had no reason to be nervous about that fateful meeting with Melissa Lombard, as it was such a great experience and we’ve been good friends ever since. I can barely remember my life without her!
Is it dorky to refer to that old saying, “a stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet?” I know that’s not always the case, but on this day, and for these two strangers, it was very true. And I am so grateful.
What’s the biggest change in your life since we had our coffee?
The biggest change in my life is the direction my career has taken. I’ve thrown myself into refining my skills and really thinking about what I want to do. It took a while to work up the courage (and the money) to start my own business, but the timing was right and that’s what I’m doing now.
Call it a resolution, call it a goal, call it mindfulness…is there something you are either trying to start doing, stop doing or are going to do differently this year?
I have many goals, but the one I’ll share here is something I’ve been working towards for awhile: To find a little more peace in my life. Even if it’s just for a 30 minutes a day, I’m attempting to find a little downtime to decompress, read a book purely for enjoyment, or just relax with my thoughts. I don’t mean to sound like I don’t get to have fun in my life; I’m extraordinarily social and am out and about almost every night of the week. It’s just those quiet moments to myself that I’m craving.
What are you most looking forward to over the next 12 months?
The thing I’m looking forward to the most over the next year is the official launch of my digital marketing business, Giant Squid Media, LLC, and the subsequent hard-earned joys it’ll bring me. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and work with new clients to help them see the results. I genuinely love branding, messaging, and all that goes into creating a successful platform. We take so much pride in Austin in our local businesses and I’m excited to be a part of that network, both in helping other businesses and running my own.
To learn more about Kristin Sheppard, check out our original coffee, then visit her new website and her sensational blog, Mad Betty.
If you enjoyed this catch-up conversation with a stranger, “Like” the Coffee With A Stranger Project Facebook page and you’ll never miss a cup! And you’ll make me smile.