Katy Mann, the visionary behind Indy With Kids, embarked on a transformative journey in 2009 when she bid farewell to the corporate cubicle and embraced the realm of non-profit endeavors. A year later, Katy and her intrepid husband, Jacob, embarked on a new chapter as they transitioned from carefree winery visitors to devoted, albeit exhausted, parents. With a background in working with teenagers and elementary-aged kids, they had always sought out ways to engage and entertain other people’s children. Little did they know that they would now have the added responsibility of entertaining their own!
For Katy, the industry she is part of presents exciting opportunities for introspection and creativity, offering a precious chance to hit the reset button and extend a helping hand to others. She finds joy in the potential to think outside the box, infuse innovation into her work, and make a positive impact in the lives of families. Katy is fueled by the thrill of discovering new ways to create meaningful experiences and provide valuable resources to her community.
Katy can be reached on Twitter @indywithkids or via LinkedIn.
Recent Shows with Katy Mann
Digital Marketing News Roundup with Katy MannNewsKeeping up with the latest digital marketing headlines is easy when you tune in to the EDGE. Our latest news segment featured host Erin Sparks and Creative Studio Producer Jacob Mann along with special guest Katy Mann, Founder of Indy with Kids. Here’s the bonus news roundup from Episode 355 of the award-winning EDGE of the Web podcast:
00:00:50
Facebook Publishes New Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses
From Andrew Hutchinson on Social Media Today we learn that Facebook Publishes New Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses. This week, Facebook has published a new report to shed some more light on this, incorporating responses from over 86,000 people who own, manage or work for a small to medium-sized business. The data also includes 9,000 operators of “personal” businesses (i.e., people who reported that they were “self-employed providing goods or services”).
Erin Sparks: Unsurprisingly, the percentage of SMBs negatively impacted by pandemic shutdowns (31% overall, and 52% of personal businesses) varies by sector, such as 43% for hotels, cafes, and restaurants, and 41% for professional services like fitness, grooming, and so on. It’s like a forced hibernation for these businesses.
Katy Mann: I wonder where the actual data came from. Was it businesses who had applied for some form of relief? But the data certainly aligns with what I’ve in terms of services my family uses. And of course it leaves us all hoping these businesses will be able to come out of this in some way.
Erin Sparks: The data was generated from internal Facebook surveys, so I don’t think it was tied directly to those who were seeking relief. The big thing now is the uncertainty around the timing of when things can open back up. Which ones will be able to survive long enough to open back up and which ones will just close permanently. Obviously, the share of retail that is ecommerce (16% in 2019) is going to go up.
Katy Mann: Yes. What else can you do if you’re trying to stay at home and not go out? It feels wrong to not buy local in this case, but thank goodness there are many local businesses trying to do curbside pickup, which is great. And I hope those stick around even afterwards because it’s a silver lining when you don’t have to drag the kids into a place.
00:07:14
Restaurants, salons institute coronavirus surcharges, causing social media backlash
According to Brie Stimson on Fox News, Restaurants, salons institute coronavirus surcharges, causing social media backlash. And it’s not just restaurants. A dentist’s office in Jacksonville, Florida, reportedly started charging a $10 per appointment fee for personal protective equipment, and in Texas some hair salons have started adding a $3 sanitation charge, according to KTRK-TV in Houston.
Erin Sparks: As limited reopening begins, some businesses are adding surcharges. Is that a good idea given how hard it’s been for everyone already?
Katy Mann: This is a tough one. There was a local pottery place asking people to support their business by purchasing and picking up take-home kits, and there was an extra charge of some type. I thought this was odd since we’re not going into their facility, so it’s not like they have to clean up after us. But then I do think people have the freedom to run their business however they see fit, but I do think it would be better if they were up-front about any such charges. It would be very frustrating to get a restaurant meal and only find out at the end you’re paying an extra fee. Businesses can raise prices in hard situations, but they need to let the consumer know ahead of time in an open and transparent manner to let them make the decision if they’re okay with it.
Erin Sparks: I’m not feeling so great about this scenario. Everyone wants to get back out there, and everyone wants things to open back up, everyone wants to get the economy going again, but then we’re going to basically be taxed on the stuff we need and want? Doesn’t seem quite right to me.
00:11:52
Zoom users suffer problems as they report video-conferencing app going down across the UK
On Daily Mail, Bhvishya Patel reports Zoom users suffer problems as they report video-conferencing app going down across the UK. Users of the video conferencing service Zoom were left experiencing audio and visual problems earlier today after the platform went down.
Erin Sparks: People got pretty worked up over this. Zoom resolved it as quickly as they could. Patience, people! These platforms weren’t built for the kind of incredible spike in users that they’ve had to handle.
Katy Mann: Yes, we’ve experienced problems with it as well, oddly enough during church time on Sundays, which wouldn’t normally be big Zoom days, but a lot of churches are using it for services. We all just have to learn to adjust.
Erin Sparks: A little forgiveness goes a long way. Should have bought Zoom stock, too.
Connect with Katy Mann and Indy with Kids
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katmann
Twitter: @indywithkids (https://twitter.com/indywithkids)
Facebook: @indywithkids (https://www.facebook.com/indywithkids)
Instagram: @indywithkids (https://www.instagram.com/indywithkids)
Website: https://indywithkids.com
NEW site: https://diysummercamps.com
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May 18, 2020- EP 355: Shift Your Business When the World Changes with Katy MannpodcastCoronavirus has been affecting a lot of businesses over the past few months. Adjusting the way you operate your business during a global pandemic isn’t easy but this week’s featured guest is here to help! Katy Mann, Founder of Indy with Kids, is our special guest this week on the award-winning EDGE of the Web podcast. Her business is events-based, and when a global pandemic comes along and cancels everything, then no events = no business. What to do? It’s about shifting and adapting and still finding ways to build your local brand. Tune in to episode 355 of EDGE of the Web to learn some strategies on how to keep business flowing!
Key topics discussed during the show:
Learn About Indy With Kids Website
Website Updates and Adjustments Over the Past 10 Years
Change in Content
Business Pivots
Consumers Social Media Perspectives
Community/Business Changes Post COVID [...]
May 18, 2020
