World's 50 Most Influential Business Women Making a Difference in 2025

Katie Runnels

Company: KMR Productions, LLC

Designation: Company Owner

Country: United States

Success begins with radical honesty—first with ourselves and then with others. Until we truly acknowledge who we are and what we desire, we often chase unfulfilling goals, only to feel empty and eventually give up. A deep understanding of ourselves and what brings us joy is essential. Ideally, that joy comes from contributing to a better world. For Katie Runnels, being of service to others and using creativity as a means to do so has been her lifelong mission.

Katie’s journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and purpose. She worked three jobs while putting herself through graduate school, earning her certification as an English teacher in 2006. Her dedication to education led to a 20-year teaching career, primarily in Title I schools, where she made a lasting impact on students in high-need communities.

Beyond the classroom, Katie’s passion for creative expression led her to establish KMR Productions, LLC, in 2004 as an umbrella for her music production. She went on to write, produce, and publish her full-length album, Reality Cloud, in 2010. Her artistic endeavors didn’t stop there—she continued to channel her creativity into ventures that inspire and uplift others.

In 2024, she founded Educators Go Green, an innovative platform dedicated to helping educators reduce paper waste and contribute to environmental sustainability. Recognizing the challenges faced by students with ADHD, she also designed and published specialized notebooks to help them stay organized, take notes efficiently, and navigate learning with greater ease.

Her commitment to empowerment and self-acceptance gave rise to Imperfect Beauty, a brand focused on embracing imperfections and fostering radical self-acceptance. Through her thoughtfully designed products, she encourages individuals to find confidence in their uniqueness. Additionally, she manages 5-Star Tutoring, a platform dedicated to providing high-quality educational support to students.

Katie is currently working on the Imperfect Beauty PSA, a project aimed at helping young women embrace their bodies and redefine beauty through self-love. With an ever-evolving vision, she continues to work on a range of inspiring projects, including The Imperfect Beauty Daily Journal, a Young People Fantasy Fiction Project, a documentary on Sedona, Arizona, and a children’s yoga workbook.

Through her diverse contributions to education, creativity, and self-empowerment, Katie Runnels continues to make a profound impact, proving that true success is about authenticity, service, and the courage to embrace one's journey.

whatsapp