The most successful people consider themselves lifelong learners. Katherine Thrower’s drive to keep learning and help others do the same inspired her earlier work as a logistics coordinator for Momentum Leaders. These days, she’s busy planning enriching personal and professional development workshops for her own business, aptly named Workshop.
Located in Homewood, Workshop hosts a variety of programs for both large organizations and individuals, ranging from candle-pouring and calligraphy to social media training and brand-building basics. And if you have an event you’d like to host there, Katherine can help with that, too. Get to know our newest FACE of Birmingham!
What learning opportunities can people expect to find at Workshop?
Pretty much any workshop I would want to bring to the table to add value to someone’s life that enhances a skill or interest. I want to offer time that is not rushed to enjoy that learning experience. I’m all about curating topics, activities, and well-rounded groups of attendees. So, we’ve done journaling, compassionate listening, and core values workshops. We’ve also done some creative and artistic topics like art, floral arranging, photography, decor, and personal style.
In 2024, I’m going to continue our Fresh Start workshops, which help people carve out time once a month to thoughtfully plan ahead in a pleasant environment. It’s a mainstay I want to continue and enhance.
One of Workshop’s mottos is “Investing in knowledge is investing in yourself.” Why do you think it’s important for people to invest in themselves this way?
I’ve seen the value of all these different components of learning and education in my life and how they all weave together to create who I am and who I want to be.
But another reason why people enjoy Workshop and keep showing up is a lot of times those learning opportunities allow you to be in the room with other neat people that you grow new relationships with.
How are you investing in yourself?
I want to plan things I can enjoy participating in with the customers. Even as I plan public workshops, I want to pre-plan well so I can sit, engage with customers, and even be a part of the workshop myself — not just the host.
What makes Workshop different from other event spaces?
I think it has to do with the preparation and care we put in before someone’s workshop, event, or experience. That might include things like props, food and beverage, decor, or AV. The second layer of preparation is the extra time we give to help someone who wants to come into the space. Whether someone is a participant in a workshop or renting the space for a board meeting, we help them think through what they need for a successful experience.
What is the key to a successful workshop or event?
Focus on the most important intention for that event. Keep the most important feature at the forefront of your mind so you don’t waste too much time on extra planning for things that don’t matter as much.
For a workshop or event, sometimes the look, feel, and decor are really important to people. Sometimes, it’s more about the skills or lessons learned. It can be easy to get sidetracked with other fluffy things when the event might be just as great by keeping some features simple and focusing on the content and the customer.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
My favorite thing is [having] coffee with a friend.
Do you have any favorite coffee shops?
General on Clairmont; that’s my favorite quiet morning spot. It also has a beautiful store that gives me a lot of inspiration. And Daily Edition is the most beautiful cup of coffee for a morning perk.
What do you love most about the Greater Birmingham area?
I love that we have great parks right in the middle of [everything] that are easy places to walk or play. My family and I frequent Railroad Park and Vulcan Park.
Also, I’m a café girl. I like to go to a café for breakfast or lunch, and we have beautiful cafés with great food. We can get in and enjoy them, and it’s not overwhelming, and you don’t need to wait two months for reservations.
What are some of your favorite breakfast or lunch spots?
I love the Valley Hotel’s breakfast. It’s a hidden gem to me. My favorite spot for a great meal is probably Bottega Café. It feels fun, social, and festive.
What do you like to do when spending time with your husband and children?
My daughter is 14, and my son is 12, and we love to feel like we’re on a little adventure. Even if it’s walking around Railroad Park and then going to get burgers at Paramount. We’re also trying to go to all 50 states before my daughter finishes high school. So far, we have been to 37 states. We’ve learned that everywhere has something interesting to do and interesting people. We don’t overly plan our trips; we just keep an eye on airfares. A few months ago, we hopped on a flight one weekend to Des Moines, Iowa, and went to the Tulip Festival, which was fabulous.
What books are on your bedside table?
More Than a Mom by Kari Kampakis, The Worry-Free Parent by Sissy Goff, and The Rocks. It’s a haunting fiction by Peter Nichols.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given or have to give?
Don’t be in a frenzy to stay on a specific career path or trajectory. Life promises to be filled with unexpected curveballs and surprises, and I’ve had to let fear of changing course go out the window. [Having a vision and goals] for the future is great, but so much is out of our control. I’ve had 46 years of life experiences to illustrate that every life and professional learning experience builds on another to prepare us for our next opportunity. Nothing is wasted. I’ve enjoyed a mix of periods — some learning and supporting others’ visions and some building my own. Most importantly, [taking] time “off” or “pausing” can be crucial to enjoying the present moment, healing from a difficult time, or preparing for the future.
Other than faith, family, and friends, name three things you can’t live without.
My bathtub, dark chocolate, and my rose lip gloss.
Learn more about Workshop at workshoplocal.com and follow on Instagram @workshop.local.Â
All photography by Graham Yelton.
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