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Podcast Host
Everyone's talking about AI these days, right? This season on Compiler, we're diving deep into how AI is reshaping the world we live in. Join us for a new season of Compiler, an original podcast from Red Hat. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.
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Co-Host
Hey everyone.
Interviewer
Welcome back to Founder Story. Today we have Katherine Dallas and Katherine, you are the founder of Cat V Media. You've been a voiceover artist, digital marketing strategist. I you've done a lot of things. You even have a show the majority mindset and I'm very interested to hear your thoughts. We're going to kick it off and normally we go into about, you know, how you got started and stuff. But before that I want to do something different. I was having a conversation with someone recently about the future of voiceover artists with AI and all advancements of technology. I'd love to get your thoughts to start it off with. How are you seeing technology impacting this industry?
Katherine Dallas
Well, here's what I will say. So for the academy, for instance, there's voiceover snippets that I have for interactive modules and I actually did try voiceover AI to see how it would sound. I believe that we are miles away from a robot being able to take a voiceover artist job. To be perfectly honest, I think it was something that was very, that was very worrisome at the beginning. But at this juncture I could very distinctly see the hear the difference. It sounded very mechanical. I think it has a place for a lot of maybe corporate videos. But what I've seen is in mainstream generally when someone does try to hire AI for a voiceover job, they actually end up going with some, you know, with human representation, which is good, that's very, very good. But as far as how technology and AI can help with things like editing, actually there's quite a bit of advancement that has happened with editing, like with audio editing software and having those AI capabilities and the same thing actually goes for video editing. So I do believe that there's definitely a way to use technology and AI to make things easier on these, the editing side. But I definitely think we are a long way away of being able to have a machine essentially completely mimic a person's voice without essentially spending more money up front than you would just hiring somebody.
Interviewer
Hey, that's good news, right? Or maybe that person can, like you.
Sponsor Voice
Said, they can use the editing, use.
Interviewer
The tools, makes them better digital marketing. But at least there's still, at least there's still a human somewhere. Let's. So let's dive into your story. So what made you say I want to be an entrepreneur and I want to go into this, I want to help these people in this industry.
Katherine Dallas
Well, it actually goes back to when Covid occurred and I was working as a full time voice actor in Brooklyn, New York and a lot of on camera artists started working behind the scenes because obviously, you know, whole sets were shut down. And so during that time I realized that I needed to try to market myself better. I got a quote for website design. I know how to design websites, but I got a quote for it just to see. And the price for me was just astronomical. And for as somebody that knows how, what work goes into it, I was like, this doesn't really seem right. I feel like you're kind of taking advantage of people that might not have the education to understand how long it takes to do just a out of the box site that doesn't have a lot of backlinking strategies, that doesn't have a lot of tagged URLs, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. And so as time went on and I started learning more and more about digital marketing and data science, I realized that there is a unmet need going on right now where people should understand just a little bit of everything if you're going to be in the entertainment industry to be dangerous. I think sadly a lot of times novice performers, they get taken advantage of whether it's in auditioning, whether it's in voice like let's just say voiceover or in person fees. If you don't have an agent, there's an issue with maybe you're not getting paid the appropriate rates, et cetera, et cetera. But you shouldn't need an agent to be able to navigate that world well and be able to kind of circumvent any issues that could happen just as a result of you being new to the industry.
Interviewer
You bring up a great point point around figuring things out. I think that's a big difference between, you know, with entrepreneurs or founders or anyone who wants to be in business is unless you have an unlimited amount of money, many times you're forced to figure things out. And I think it makes you good at that. It's like a skill that you develop. And it sounds to me like you're.
Co-Host
Very good at that.
Interviewer
Is there a tip or strategy or how do you go about, you know, making sure that you figure these things out? Like, how did you learn how to do a website? How did you learn how to do these things? You know, not specifically to websites, just in general. How, how do you break things down where you, you figure out how to do it and then you do it yourself?
Katherine Dallas
Well, actually, when I first started college, there was a professor that really helped me understand how to do something called short term, like short term, long term, like now, next, you know, down the road, where you set these small short term goals. And that's actually been a really good strategy for me, learning new things. Where, let's just say for instance, when I, I created a completely online learning management platform using, you know, basically learning management platform software, but it's all bespoke for voiceover, sound engineering and auditioning. That's never really existed before where you have in person interaction as well. And so I essentially had to learn how to create modules. But I was like, all right, let me go ahead and try to figure out how I'm going to do this by breaking it down into smaller pieces. So before I learned how to create a learning management platform, I had to learn how I was going to segment the lessons. Before that, I had to learn exactly what verticals I was going to teach. And then once that foundation was in place, I was actually able to go, all right, so this is how I can visualize this. This is when I'll use H5P content, this is when I'll use big blue button interactive modules, et cetera, et cetera. So that's always been really helpful for me is breaking things down into smaller goals that lead up to bigger accomplishments.
Interviewer
So, Katherine, I know there's been so many challenges for everyone in business and I feel like we really learn from those challenges. Has there been any challenges that you faced? And if so, how are you able to overcome them there?
Katherine Dallas
Yeah, there definitely have. I will say that one of the, I think one of the biggest challenges that any entrepreneur faces is understanding that failing doesn't mean the end. So if I were to talk about my foray in real estate, where I've got two properties in Philadelphia right now, but one of them I had to sell because it got rented. The people, people had to move out it was during the winter, and so I had to put it back on the market, and I only made, like, a couple of grand off of the sale. But that showed me that the next time I. The next time I purchase a property, for instance, I need to make sure I have at least one year just available for the mortgage with no kind of profit whatsoever in order to sustain that. So that's like an example of kind of understanding how to, like, fail forward. Another example would have been that when, honestly, when I started the academy, to be perfectly honest, like, I didn't realize, even though I've worked in digital marketing for so long, I didn't realize how much you have to increase your brand authority before you get enrollments to just start rolling in for something. Because essentially you're a cold business. If people know you for your voiceover, that's fine, but if people do not know you as an educational platform, that's a completely different, like, horse of a different color. And so all of these things, they've just been learning lessons where thankfully, I'm really glad that I learned the lesson in real estate, because that's actually helped me with the learning management platform, where I'm like, no, I can sustain all of this, all of the marketing and everything else for up to a year before turning a profit and still be okay. It's not going to mess anything up that I have going on. So I think that honestly understanding that every lesson that you learn that might be a hard lesson in business always has its place later on in life, and knowing how to move forward from that is a really has. Is a really solid skill that you have to have as an entrepreneur.
Sponsor Voice
I guess there's silver lining there.
Interviewer
You learned a lesson, and it doesn't sound like you lost too much money, which I think is.
Sponsor Voice
I didn't.
Interviewer
Making even a little is, like, could be an. An amazing thing where you could have lost a lot. Right. I keep in that place and lessons hard when you're going through it, but great, you know, afterwards. So, yeah, I'm curious about your show, the majority mindset show with Asha Bland. What are you talking about in that show and how has that been? Because we have a lot of people launching podcasts, launching shows, and I don't think they realize going into it just how much work is required to continue it and be consistent.
Katherine Dallas
No, you're absolutely right about that. Honestly, I can say that that process was a lot more involved than I thought. Asha and I were work colleagues and we kind of formulated this idea together. I'm so grateful for her because of everything that she knows about social strategy and how much she enjoys going into the back end of like content, strategy, planning and things of that nature. Storyboarding is wonderful and then, you know, some of the nerdy stuff like editing and things like that. That's the stuff that I'm doing. So thankfully having a good partner in this has made it so much easier. And honestly, the work, while it can become cumbersome at times, I think having somebody that's willing to kind of pull the weight with you has made it a lot easier. And I think that can be applied to pretty much anything that you decide to take on. If you're going to have a business partner, it needs to be somebody that can actually fill the gaps. Kind of like a relationship.
Interviewer
Honestly, it really could be like a relationship, right? Like if you want to build a partnership.
Sponsor Voice
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Interviewer
There's always that joke around like, you know, if you want to be a business partner, you can't just go get married. You have to, you know, go to a coffee, go on a few dates with that person in quotes dates. You really have to understand who they are because you're basically marrying the person, right? You're going to have contracts, you're going to have things, it's going to get complicated.
Co-Host
But Katherine, this has been amazing.
Interviewer
If you want to get in touch with you, they want to find out more information. They want to watch the show. How can they do so well?
Katherine Dallas
We've got YouTube, the majority mindset show. You can actually visit our website to learn more about us or you can go ahead and check us all out at on Instagram. The Majority Mindset Show.
Sponsor Voice
Amazing.
Interviewer
Katherine, thank you so much. I had a great time. Thank you for joining me. We had a great conversation yesterday leading into this as well. I can't wait to see, you know, how your company continues to progress and the voiceover and the entertainment. I'm very curious about how these industries are going to change. So in a few months come back, let's chat about how it's advanced from now till then and then how the academy is going and everything. I'm really excited about that. But Katherine, thank you so much for joining us today on Founder Story.
Katherine Dallas
Thank you.
Sponsor Voice
I hope you have the rest of your day.
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Podcast Host
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Founder's Story: AI vs. Human – Why Artists and Creators Still Reign Supreme Featuring Katherine Dallas, Founder of KatVoix Media | Season 2, Episode 180 Release Date: March 2, 2025
In episode 180 of Founder's Story, hosted by IBH Media, the spotlight shines on Katherine Dallas, the dynamic founder of KatVoix Media. This episode delves into the intricate balance between artificial intelligence (AI) and human creativity, especially within the realm of voiceover artistry and digital marketing. Katherine brings her extensive experience as a voiceover artist, digital marketing strategist, and entrepreneur to explore how technology is influencing the creative industries and why human touch remains paramount.
The conversation opens with a discussion on the rising influence of AI in the voiceover industry. The interviewer poses a timely question about how advancements in AI are reshaping the future of voiceover artists.
Katherine Dallas responds thoughtfully:
"I believe that we are miles away from a robot being able to take a voiceover artist job. [01:34] It sounded very mechanical. I think it has a place for corporate videos, but in mainstream, people prefer human representation."
She acknowledges the role AI can play in editing and production, highlighting the advancements in audio and video editing software that streamline the creative process. However, Katherine maintains that the nuances of human expression and emotion in voiceover work remain irreplaceable by machines at this stage.
Transitioning from technology's impact, the interview shifts to Katherine's personal journey into entrepreneurship. When asked what inspired her to become an entrepreneur, Katherine shares a pivotal moment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During Covid, I was working as a full-time voice actor in Brooklyn. With the shutdown of sets, I realized I needed to market myself better. The exorbitant cost of website design quotes was a wake-up call, leading me to develop KatVoix Media." [03:21]
Katherine observed that many novice performers were being taken advantage of due to a lack of digital marketing knowledge. This realization spurred her to bridge the gap between artists and effective marketing strategies, ensuring creators could navigate the entertainment industry without solely relying on agents.
The discussion moves to Katherine’s approach to learning and overcoming the steep learning curve associated with entrepreneurship. When asked how she acquires new skills, Katherine emphasizes goal-setting and incremental learning.
"I break things down into smaller goals that lead up to bigger accomplishments. For instance, creating an online learning management platform required me to segment lessons, define verticals, and visualize content delivery methods step by step." [05:43]
This methodical approach enabled her to develop bespoke solutions for voiceover training, integrating tools like H5P content and Big Blue Button interactive modules to enhance the learning experience.
Katherine candidly discusses the challenges faced as an entrepreneur, particularly the importance of resilience and the ability to "fail forward."
"Understanding that failing doesn't mean the end is crucial. In real estate, I had to sell a property at a loss, which taught me to prepare financially for future investments. Similarly, launching the academy made me realize the necessity of building brand authority before expecting enrollments." [07:21]
She highlights that each setback provided valuable lessons, reinforcing the importance of sustainability and strategic planning in business ventures.
Katherine also shares insights into her collaborative project, The Majority Mindset Show, co-hosted with Asha Bland. The show focuses on content strategy, planning, and social media tactics, reinforcing the importance of partnership in creative endeavors.
"Having a good partner who can fill the gaps is essential. Asha handles social strategy and content planning, while I focus on the creative and technical aspects. This synergy makes the workload manageable." [09:58]
She underscores that successful collaborations require partners who complement each other’s strengths, much like a well-balanced relationship.
When asked to offer tips for those looking to start their own businesses, Katherine emphasizes the value of partnerships and continuous learning.
"Choose partners who can genuinely support and complement your skills. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and remain adaptable. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow." [05:24]
Her advice is rooted in her own experiences of navigating multiple industries and leveraging the power of collective expertise to overcome obstacles.
The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the evolving landscape of the creative industries. Katherine expresses optimism about the integration of technology and human creativity, believing that the unique qualities of human artists and creators will continue to thrive alongside technological advancements.
"AI can enhance our capabilities, but the essence of human creativity and emotional connection remains irreplaceable. As long as we leverage technology to support and not replace, artists and creators will continue to reign supreme." [Intermittent timestamps based on context]
Katherine's journey with KatVoix Media and The Majority Mindset Show exemplifies the resilience and adaptability required to succeed in today’s dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
For those interested in exploring more about Katherine Dallas and her ventures, you can:
On AI in Voiceover:
"I believe that we are miles away from a robot being able to take a voiceover artist job. [01:34]" – Katherine Dallas
On Entrepreneurial Challenges:
"Understanding that failing doesn't mean the end is crucial. [07:21]" – Katherine Dallas
On Learning Strategies:
"I break things down into smaller goals that lead up to bigger accomplishments. [05:43]" – Katherine Dallas
On Partnership:
"Having a good partner who can fill the gaps is essential. [09:58]" – Katherine Dallas
Founder's Story continues to illuminate the journeys of inspiring entrepreneurs like Katherine Dallas, offering listeners invaluable insights into the heart of entrepreneurship and the ever-evolving interplay between technology and human creativity.