A Q&A with Katherine Suarez founder of Nomad Atelier

Katherine Suarez founder of Nomad Atelier

Katherine Suarez founded Nomad Atelier as a result of her deeply personal journey of redesigning her life after 20 years in the corporate world, working with brands like The North Face, Eastpak, Vans, and 7 For All Mankind. Losing her job forced her to pause and reflect—a moment that led her to reconnect with her passions, discover a superpower she never knew she had, and uncover her true purpose.

Through this transformation, Katherine developed the Personal Blueprint Method, a process that helps women connect the dots between their skills, passions, and experiences to uncover their unique signature. Nomad Atelier has since become a world where Katherine guides women entrepreneurs to find clarity, purpose, and alignment in what they do—helping them design meaningful, purpose-driven businesses with their unique essence at the core.

Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us in your words, about your inspiring story? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.

Nomad Atelier was born from a deeply personal journey of redesigning my life and stepping into a role I had never expected for myself, becoming an entrepreneur. I had no idea I would need to lose my job to discover who I was. That turning point pushed me to take a sabbatical year, exploring remote places and confronting my biggest fears: the fear of losing my economic security and having to redesign my life from the ground up.

During this time, I gave myself the space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with my passions. I began to uncover what I was truly good at and asked myself the most important questions: What is my real purpose? Who do I want to be? As I connected the dots between my skills, values, and the kind of life I wanted to create, it became clear that this wasn’t just about reinvention but creating a new blueprint—one that allowed me to explore sides of myself I hadn’t given space to before.

That blueprint became the foundation for Nomad Atelier: a space where creativity meets purpose, where women can deeply know themselves, recognize their unique gifts, and weave those into fulfilling, purpose-driven businesses with a unique signature.

One of the biggest challenges was learning how to trust myself as I navigated this uncharted territory. I had to embrace the unknown, trust my vision, and own this new version of myself. That experience taught me what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up, and it’s a journey I now guide other women through.

Photo by Beatrice della Volpe

Every entrepreneur has a goal and problem they’re trying to solve. What was the inspiration that started your journey?

My journey began with the realization that many women, like myself, feel lost or disconnected from their true passions and purpose. Many don’t even believe they could design a business they love, let alone monetize it. Often, they struggle to trust themselves because they don’t fully see or understand all the unique pieces that make them who they are.

It’s incredible to think that we’re not taught in school to recognize our natural traits or observe what we’re truly good at. We make life-altering choices at such a young age, influenced by so many other voices, and often end up separating our lives into disconnected areas.

For me, this all came into focus when I lost my job—a moment that forced me to pause and reflect, even though, at the time, I didn’t realize how much I needed it. I didn’t realize I didn’t know my purpose. I knew what I was good at, but I didn’t truly understand my zone of genius. I had also kept my passions and the things I loved in life completely separate from my work. And I definitely didn’t ever imagine creating the business I have today nor seeing myself as a real entrepreneur. What I discovered during this time of personal reinvention changed everything.

What helped you connect the dots between your passions and creating a distinctive business?

I must admit that Nomad Atelier took shape over time, as I allowed myself to show up more fully. Initially, I relied on the skills I had developed during my corporate career—marketing, branding, and business strategy—but over time, I uncovered my zone of genius. While mentoring clients, I realized I was going beyond traditional business advice. I began connecting the dots between who they truly were, their passions, and how to design businesses with a unique signature that helped them fully own their identity.

This transformation led me to create the Personal Blueprint Method, a framework I now use to guide other women in aligning their passions, purpose, and unique genius to design meaningful businesses.

My clients are drawn to me not just for the strategies I offer, but for the authenticity and lifestyle my business reflects. My business is an extension of who I am—deeply interconnected with my values and passions—and that alignment has become the foundation for everything I create and share.

How did you market your business when it was brand new?

I approached branding Nomad Atelier differently from the start—it wasn’t just a business; it was an idea, almost an extension of my personal brand, even before I realized that’s what I was doing. I wanted it to feel real, authentic, and deeply connected to who I am—not corporate or impersonal. In many ways, it felt like my passion project, something that had to resonate with me above all else.

Coming from a corporate background, I was skilled in marketing and branding, but what I had been missing was the soulful element. With Nomad Atelier, I leaned into everything that inspired me—travel, art, design, and rituals—tapping into parts of myself that I hadn’t fully given space to during my career. That authenticity made all the difference.

Funny enough, the way I marketed Nomad Atelier 10 years ago still holds true today. If you look at my Instagram or website, you’ll see a blend of art, travel, and soulful living. It might not immediately look like a business coach’s profile, but when you dive into the content, you realize there’s something deeper—an alignment between my lifestyle and my work. Even my friends often say, ‘This feels so Nomad!’ because it’s become a reflection of my essence. That’s the power of a personal brand—it connects on a level that feels real and resonates with others.

What advice would you give to a new business owner? Or to your younger self?

My advice to a new business owner—or my younger self—would be to start by truly knowing yourself. Your business will thrive when it’s aligned with your passions, strengths, and values. Don’t feel like you need to fit into someone else’s mold; embrace what makes you unique, even if it feels unconventional.

Allow your vision to evolve over time. You don’t need to have everything figured out right away—clarity comes through action and exploration. Focus on taking the next step rather than perfecting the entire plan.

I’d also tell my younger self to trust her instincts more. There’s so much noise telling you how things ‘should’ be done, but the most successful and fulfilling businesses are built when you lean into your own way of doing things. Give yourself permission to take risks, make mistakes, and grow.

And finally, prioritize authenticity in everything you do. People are drawn to businesses that reflect the heart and soul of the person behind them. When you align your work with who you truly are, not only will you feel more fulfilled, but you’ll also attract the right opportunities and clients.

What advice would you give to a woman who feels stuck but doesn’t know where to start?

My advice is to take a step back and create space to reconnect with yourself. Feeling stuck is often a sign that you need to pause and reflect. Start by asking yourself: What do I love? What am I naturally good at? What do others often come to me for? These questions can help you uncover answers that are already within you.

Give yourself permission to explore—journal, revisit old passions, or try something new. Focus on taking the next small step rather than trying to figure out the entire path. Let go of the need to follow a specific mold; your uniqueness is your greatest strength.

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek support—whether it’s a mentor, a community, or a friend. Sometimes having someone reflect your strengths back to you can make all the difference. Trust the process and give yourself the time and space to find clarity.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?

My biggest accomplishment has been trusting myself and believing in a vision, even before it was fully clear. It meant giving myself the space to discover who I wanted to be and having the courage to invest in making that vision a reality. This journey has been the biggest learning and growth of my life—realizing that I could create something meaningful by showing up fully for myself.

Along the way, I had to confront my fears—around self-worth and starting over. But I also learned that nothing can be more rewarding than being in your element every day, working in your superpower, and giving back in ways that resonate deeply with you. It’s not just about building a business; it’s about creating a life that feels true to who I am and what I’m here to do. For me, that’s the real accomplishment.

Want more inspiring interviews?

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All of these and more are part of our interview series spotlighting successful women in business.