After 25 years working as a marketing and communications executive, I started Winzig Consulting.

Why?

That’s a great question. Have a seat. Oh, you’re already sitting. Cool. Can I get you something to drink? No? Just get on with it? Right, let’s get on with it…

I’ve spent a career working at cool places – theaters, comedy clubs, airports, nonprofits, economic development organizations, I even led the external affairs for an aquarium. No matter where I was, be it penguins or plays, jets or jokes, the foundational strategy behind solid marketing and communications is the same.

It turns out, I have deeply loved all the amazing industries I’ve gotten to learn from. I like to think I’ve left my mark of innovation, leadership and analytical systems every place I have worked. With so much change in the last few years, I have watched many organizations struggle with adaptability and flexibility. I wanted to help. I wanted to make a difference. Sometimes I could, but for the most part, I was tethered to my responsibilities and my teams.

It felt limiting and frustrating. I wanted to do more. Help more people. Do more cool things. Take all my experience and use them to make the things I love better: Airports, Theaters, Attractions, Small Business, Nonprofits.

And so, Winzig Consulting was born and a flying squirrel took flight.

But why the flying squirrel?

I had to write a bio of myself for a college project. Trying to be clever, I opened the bio with, “If Kari Goetz could be any animal, she would be a flying squirrel…”

My professor called it out to the class as “memorable.” Always one to drive a compliment and a joke into the ground, I have continued to start all of my professional bios this way.

Over the years, it has become a nickname, a mascot, an animal of deep significance, and a perfect description of my energy, whimsy and high-flying approach to life, the universe and everything.

Let’s fly!