Ep. 049: Surviving the Boston Marathon Bombings | Trauma & Healing w/ Cari Kenzie
- colin2951
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
From Small-Town Iowa to Scaling Success: Lessons in Business, Trauma, and Growth with Cari Kenzie
What does it take to grow a small satellite office into a multi-million dollar marketing powerhouse in the heart of the Midwest? In a recent episode of the Rhymes With Odd podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sat down with entrepreneur, speaker, and "disruptor" Cari Kenzie to peel back the curtain on her incredible journey.
From the quiet streets of Northwest Iowa to the intensity of the Boston Marathon, Cari’s story isn’t just about business—it’s about the "blind courage" required to lead, the wisdom to delegate, and the strength to heal.
The Journey from Northwest Iowa to the Des Moines Business Scene
Cari Kenzie’s roots are firmly planted in Iowa soil. Growing up in Storm Lake, she witnessed firsthand how industry could transform a small town into a hub of diversity. This early exposure to change and shifting demographics likely planted the seeds for her future as a "disruptor."
After attending Iowa State University, Cari found herself in the Des Moines area, navigating the early stages of her career. Like many successful Des Moines business owners, her path wasn't linear. She started in exercise physiology and cell phone sales before a "naive" guess about an ad in the paper led her to Skyline, a trade show and marketing display company.
Stepping Into Leadership: The Power of "Blind Courage"
One of the most gripping parts of the interview with Ryan Snaadt is Cari’s recount of how she became an owner. The history of the office was marred by tragedy—a cold-case murder that left the previous ownership traumatized and eager to stay away from the Des Moines location.
At just 25 years old, Cari was offered a handshake deal: stay for five years, and the business is yours.
"There was never an ounce of fear," Cari told Ryan Snaadt. "I now call it blind courage. I just stepped into it with no expectation of what the outcome was going to be, which meant I had no fear of failure."
For marketers and aspiring entrepreneurs in Iowa, Cari’s story is a masterclass in seizing opportunity. She officially purchased the business at age 30, while eight months pregnant, proving that there is rarely a "perfect time" to take the leap into ownership.
Scaling a Marketing Agency: Lessons for Des Moines Entrepreneurs
At the height of her success, Cari managed 21 employees and tens of thousands of square feet of warehouse space. But the road to a multi-million dollar organization wasn’t without its hurdles. Cari shared several "nuggets" of wisdom that every Iowa business owner should hear:
1. Identify Your "Zone of Genius"
In 2008, Cari found herself drowning in emails during board meetings, trying to manage operations while simultaneously driving sales. Her board gave her a wake-up call: “You’re not an operations person. Get back in your own lane.”
2. The Power of the "Operations Person"
Cari emphasizes that hiring an operations lead was the single biggest catalyst for her agency's growth. By removing herself from the "energy-draining" tasks of QuickBooks, inventory, and shipping, she was freed up to do what she does best: solve client problems and get creative.
3. Build a Business, Not Just Revenue
Ryan Snaadt and Cari discussed the vital difference between having a job and having a business. Cari’s goal was to build a management team so capable that the "engine" could run without her. By 2018, she achieved the ultimate entrepreneurial dream: sitting in a meeting where her team handled everything, realizing, "You guys don't need me anymore."
The 45-Day Exit: Finding Divine Purpose
When a peer texted Cari in 2019 asking to buy her business, she was ready. While many business exits take years of legal gymnastics, Cari’s transition took only 45 days.
She attributes this speed to "alignment." She had reached a point where she knew her "Divine Purpose" was calling her elsewhere. This transition allowed her to shift her focus toward coaching, healing work, and her nonprofit, helping others navigate their own identities and traumas.
Resilience Through Trauma: The Boston Marathon
A significant portion of Cari’s identity is tied to her life as a marathoner. After qualifying for the Boston Marathon by accident in 2010 and surviving a broken hip in 2012, she finally found herself at the starting line in 2013—the year of the tragic bombings.
Cari describes the "carrot" she used to keep moving: the finisher jacket she had already purchased. Her story of grit on the pavement of Boston mirrors her grit in the boardroom. It is this intersection of physical endurance and mental fortitude that defines her current work as a coach and speaker.
Final Takeaways for Iowa Marketers and Leaders
The conversation between Cari Kenzie and Ryan Snaadt serves as a powerful reminder that our professional lives are inextricably linked to our personal growth. Whether you are a startup founder in the East Village or managing a legacy corporation in West Des Moines, these lessons remain universal:
Don't Fear the Pivot: Moving from a marketing agency owner to a trauma coach is a massive shift, but one fueled by authenticity.
Trust Your Team: You cannot scale if you are holding onto every fax machine and QuickBooks entry.
Invest in Healing: As Cari noted, the years following 2020 were "lost years" for many. Acknowledging trauma is the first step toward regaining your power.
Connect with the Podcast
If you enjoyed this overview, be sure to listen to the full episode of Rhymes With Odd with Ryan Snaadt. It’s a deep dive into what it means to be a "disruptor" in today's business climate and how to find the "home of yourself" amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship.
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