Katrina Purcell has held many titles in her career, but none as important as her current ones: founder, host of the Managed Chaos podcast, and workshop presenter. A graduate of Columbia Business School, she has consistently demonstrated her business acumen while rising through the ranks across various roles. While her expertise was in high demand in the corporate world, Katrina felt a deeper calling to serve. She realized her skill set could be better used to support minority-led organizations, nonprofits, and startups that might not otherwise have access to affordable operational support.
She founded Katrina Purcell, LLC—a fractional COO and consulting firm that empowers seed to Series C tech startups and nonprofits to optimize their operations and achieve ambitious growth through strategic guidance and tailored solutions. Her mission is to deliver outcomes that drive measurable results and unlock each client’s full potential. Based in Brooklyn, Katrina lives her values daily—whether through volunteering or embracing life’s experiences to the fullest.
If your business could have a mascot, what would it be and why?
An owl, which symbolizes wisdom, insight, and keen observation. This aligns perfectly with my strategic guidance and deep business acumen. An owl “navigates” the night with precision, much like Katrina Purcell LLC helps startups navigate the complexities of growth and chaos. Keen eyesight while able to see the big picture.
What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance while running your own business?
I manage work-life balance by prioritizing mental health through routines like morning walks and meditation, recognizing that self-care is crucial for sustained success. I embrace imperfection, delegate tasks, and set clear boundaries to avoid burnout, understanding that a marathon approach to my career requires saying “no” when necessary. All of that sounds great and some days I do it well, others I don’t—but overall I try to maintain a positive, adaptable mindset while navigating the demands of entrepreneurship.
When faced with unexpected detours on your business path, how do you pivot with grace and resilience, showing fellow women entrepreneurs the way forward?
When an unexpected twist hits my path, I don’t just react; I lean on my deep-seated belief that every challenge is actually a chance to grow. My years of experience, including leading big companies through fast growth, have taught me to really dig in and figure out how to make things work, even when plans change. Because I’m so passionate about helping businesses not just survive but truly thrive, I’m able to take a new vision and make it real, no matter how bumpy the road gets. This realistic, hands-on way of doing things isn’t just how I handle my own detours; it’s also how I light the way for other women entrepreneurs who are looking to build something strong and lasting.
How do you measure the success of your business beyond financial metrics, such as customer satisfaction or community engagement?
I measure the success of my business beyond financial metrics by focusing on the ripples across the ecosystem created by the people I impact. I prioritize building strong, lasting relationships by fostering open communication, transparency, and collaboration to ensure solutions are aligned with unique client needs and goals, which is a key differentiator for my business. Success for me is not about money but about impact—creating more opportunities for underrepresented founders to receive funding or grow successful businesses.
Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed significant growth or transformation in your business, illustrating the impact of your services/products?
Coming up on the two-year anniversary of my business, I’ve realized the need to transform my service offerings to better align with what the market needs. I’m also launching individual coaching to better allow access to people who could benefit from my knowledge even if their company is not in a place to bring me in.
What role do you believe mentorship plays in the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial journey?
Mentorship and community are HUGE aspects to the success of any business because they provide you a sounding board, cheerleading, or expert advice from someone who has been there, done that. We all succeed because of those we have around us. Mentors help you to go further faster—cutting down on your learning curve. They connect you to pivotal people who can invest or help you in other ways. I launched my business because of encouragement from mentors, and I continue to make shifts based on their guidance and feedback even today.
What’s your work all about, and how does it make a difference in the world?
I empower underrepresented and mission-driven founders, equipping them with the resources and knowledge to grow and scale. My goal is to foster a lasting positive impact by enabling each individual to create meaningful change within their sphere.
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