Katie Smith, founder of Be Your Own Boss. Courtesy photo
Not everyone needs to be an entrepreneur to thrive.
Social media often glamorizes quitting your corporate job, pushing the “be your own boss” narrative as the ultimate path to freedom. In a culture where entrepreneurship is trending, Katie Smith offers a counterpoint.
Smith doesn’t dismiss the appeal — especially among Gen Z. “Everyone wants to be their own boss,” she says. “It’s this dream of making more money.” But she’s quick to highlight the trade-offs. “Corporate salaries are stable. You know where your income is coming from. As an entrepreneur, you have to chase the sales.”
LEANING INTO THE CORPORATE WORLD
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Smith began her career as a civil engineer before pivoting back to her economics background. Her curiosity about how products move from concept to shelf led her to a coordinator role at a major retail company.
Her first two years in corporate were something of a rude awakening. College hadn’t prepared her for office politics, time management, or stakeholder communication. “I was in the office for 40 hours a week,” she recalls. “I learned how to engage with stakeholders and make effective use of my time. I really leaned into the corporate world.” She began upskilling, pursuing promotions, and exploring new companies to build financial stability.
When her younger sister entered the corporate world in her late twenties, Smith—now nearly a decade into her own career — mentored her through the transition. That experience sparked something bigger. She launched Get a Corporate Job, a platform offering career guidance and workplace strategies.
With more than 86,000 Instagram followers and a newsletter reaching 5,000 subscribers, Smith has built a thriving community. She still works full-time in corporate, bringing real-time insights to her audience. “It feels very authentic this way,” she says.
CORPORATE IS ALSO FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Those who learn from Smith are taught her strategies for thriving in corporate. Her philosophy is simple: if you understand how corporations operate, advocate for yourself, build relationships, and deliver results, you can earn a substantial salary and build a fulfilling career.
She also challenges the idea that corporate jobs lack creativity. “C-suite executives are still entrepreneurial,” she says. “They make big decisions that impact employees and customers. That in itself is entrepreneurial.”
For those feeling stuck in their roles, Smith encourages resilience — within reason. “Make it through a year if you can,” she advises. “You learn more from your bad bosses than your good ones. That experience is what employers value.”
Her platform helps others see the path she once couldn’t. “There are benefits to being in corporate,” she says. “But if you’re not seeing them online, then how would you know?” That’s why she shares her insights on social media — to help young professionals make informed decisions about their careers.
“Not everyone can be an entrepreneur at the end of the day,” she says. Those who value a strong work-life balance — and want to fully disconnect after hours — can thrive in a corporate setting. “A corporate job is a nice way to be able to get into a job, then leave it at the end of the day.”
DON’T MISS THE REAL DRAMA BEHIND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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