Meet Kadi Carroll | Connection Coach & Consumer Tech Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kadi Carroll and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kadi, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
The most crucial decision I made, though I didn’t fully comprehend at the time, was find and form a circle of like-minded entrepreneurial women. Within the first few months of building Wou, I already felt lonely and wondering if I was crazy. I wanted support from others who understood the emotional extremes of reaching beyond anything I’ve ever done before.

After wrapping a 10-week Selfmade course, I sent out a message to the community inquiring if any others would like to form an ongoing accountability group for both problem solving and personal support. After gathering interest, we had a few planning meetings to understand everyone’s needs/wants and built a format we could commit to.

At this point, we’ve been meeting regularly for over a year. These amazing women have helped me forge ahead on days when I’ve wanted to exit, returned me to my “why” when I’ve tilted toward reactionary, and constantly unearth new ideas. Now, anytime I meet a new solo founder, the first question I ask is, “do you have a support or accountability group?”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The first 12 years of my career, I worked in marketing and communications. Like many, I started in the agency world and had a growing desire for more client-facing opportunities and eventually to have deeper impact for a single brand. I was certainly impatient with the pace of access to more responsibilities and promotion. “A racehorse in a stall” my counselor would say. To combat my restlessness, I would find women and men further ahead of me on the road I desired to help me steady and see the larger picture at play. I’m so glad my college professor once reminded our class “Everyone likes to talk about themselves. You’ll be surprised at who you can get access to simply from wanting to learn about them.” I now tell this to any teenager who will listen haha.

I moved around to a few different companies and spent the last 8 years with North Point Ministries. The depth of purpose in my work combined with the autonomy to bring more of my own ideas and programs to life made it much easier to root for a longer period of time. Eventually, my visions and ideas were bleeding beyond where I currently worked. Not just professionally, but for our family and future. How our time would be spent, what our investments and influence in the world could be. Kids have a way holding you accountable to all the ways you want them to show up in life. Not just in how to treat others or work ethic – but in lived out values like bravery, confidence and faith.

Right before I took the leap in 2021 to start what would become Wou, I was noticing an influx of business ideas. I would jot them down in a Google doc, do some market research, and ask a mentor or peers to review a one-page overview. I didn’t feel like much then, but looking back now I can see how each idea was a necessary progression of learning to trust the inspiration given to me. For the first time in my life, I was taking action rather than just turning ideas into a fun “what if” game over happy hour. In action my confidence, knowledge, and trust expanded.

Has it been easy? Lol. I’ve heard people say only crazy people would want to build their own business. I’m not disagreeing. As soon as a moment of ease or momentum is felt, so is a new load of responsibility anxiety or a lost opportunity elsewhere. I’m only 1 year in, so I am far from an expert, but I am hoping to continue to grow deeper emotional resilience as a business owner. That would certainly make the journey easier. . . or at least less jarring.

But, where it lacks ease it overflows with fulfillment and growth. I’ll take that exchange any and every day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
VISIT Allen Avery Art Gallery – If you’re lucky, you can catch Allen, himself, for fascinating stories of the New York art scene in the 70’s and the up and coming artists to follow. You’ll never leave uninspired.

Chattahoochee river – My husband loves to fish, so we’ve found ways for the whole family to enjoy his hobby. . . the kids and I love late afternoon boat rides on the river and playing on the sandbars.

BeltLine Eastside Trail – We love to take the whole family for a bike ride and end the day with dinner at New Realm Brewing

Limerick Junction – Tuesday nights for comedy nights. Ok, honestly, I haven’t done this since before I had kids. But it was great in the yester-years.

EAT
El Cielo (Sandy Springs) – Go for brunch and leave your watch at home. You’ll want to graze and drink for hours. And, they’re gracious the let you.

Monkey 68 (Roswell) – This is always top of mind for our family for special occasions. Incredible food and ambiance.

Lily Sushi (Alpharetta) – The crunchy spicy tuna and lychee martini will be the highlight of your month.

DRINK
Bantam Pub – This has been one of my favorite spots since I moved to Atlanta. The perfect casual spot for afternoon or after-dinner drinks.

Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Room – My favorite spot for catching up with friends on a whim.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jennifer Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway once shared in a meeting that a supportive partner was a crucial ingredient to success as a business builder. Say it again, Jenn! My husband, Matt, has fully supported my dream from day one. Not just in financially supporting our family and my start-up (which is a huge undertaking all alone), but also in building my confidence, giving me a place to “vent without feedback,” and asking tough questions that needed to be asked. It takes an immense amount of faith to take a blind risk, and he continues to show how much faith he has in me. I can’t imagine not having him by my side.

One of the first pieces of advice I was given before I even had a complete business plan was “rely on others.” There are so many fingerprints on every piece of Wou — people who gave me their time, insights, experiences, and connections. I actually have a “Wall of Contributors” on our website (yourwou.com/contributors) in hopes of inspiring people to constantly rely on others and build together. Honestly admitting what you don’t know can unleash an insane amount of wisdom and generosity around you. Time spent sharing the journey with others really is where true abundance is found.

Website: yourwou.com

Instagram: @KadiCarroll @wou.app

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadi-carroll/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadi.carroll3/

Youtube: youtube.com/@wou.kadicarroll

Image Credits
Sally Williams