When Karin Stevens became the fifth employee at Overhaul — and the first hire outside the founding team — the company was still in its earliest days. Today, it’s grown to more than 600 people around the world, and Stevens leads a marketing team that’s growing fast. In this edition of Leadership Lessons, she talks about navigating growth, her leadership style, and how a career path that started in the music industry led to the supply chain world.
What’s Related
Supply Chain 24/7: You’ve had a fascinating background — born in Scotland, school in Barcelona, now living in Texas. How did those early experiences shape you?
Karin Stevens: I think moving countries and having to adapt gave me a big comfort level with ambiguity and change. It taught me to be curious, to embrace learning. I went to an international school in Barcelona, so I was surrounded by different cultures and languages from a young age. I still try to bring that love of learning into my work every day.
SC247: What was your path into marketing?
KS: I actually started in the music industry. I was doing brand and licensing work, and that led me into broader marketing roles. I eventually moved into the B2B agency world and worked with a wide range of companies, from tech to logistics. That’s how I learned how important it is to understand your customer and the product you’re marketing.
SC247: What was your first job?
KS: I was a barista at the second Starbucks in Scotland. It was a wild experience because a lot of folks didn’t know what to expect — they’d come in wanting a small cup of tea and get this giant ceramic mug. The shock alone was worth the job.
Joining Overhaul
SC247: How did you first get connected with Overhaul?
KS: I was consulting after working in the B2B agency world for years. I met Barry Conlon, Overhaul’s CEO, through a personal contact. We had coffee, and he told me about the company’s vision. At the time, they were pre-revenue. I came on board to help with messaging, positioning, and investor materials and, from there, got involved in shaping the product strategy, too. Eventually, I moved into a full-time role and took on more leadership responsibilities.
SC247: How big was the company when you joined? And where is it today?
KS: I was employee No. 1, outside of the founding team, so technically number five. Today, we’re over 600 people across the globe, with offices in Austin, Dundalk, Prague, Mexico City, São Paulo, and other locations. My team is now about 24 people across brand, demand gen, partnerships, product marketing, and UX design — and we’re scaling up.
SC247: At one point you were both COO and CMO. Was that too much to juggle?
KS: Early on, you wear a lot of hats. But to scale, you have to “give away your LEGO bricks,” as we say. My passion is really in product strategy and marketing — connecting with customer problems and helping position our solutions. We brought in great operational leaders, allowing me to focus where I can have the most impact.
“Listening is huge for me. We do weekly check-ins where everyone shares one challenge and one win — it creates real conversations and helps unblock things quickly.”
SC247: How do you approach leadership with your team?
KS: Listening is huge for me. We do weekly check-ins where everyone shares one challenge and one win — it creates real conversations and helps unblock things quickly. I also really value autonomy. My direct reports have room to run, but they know I’m there when they need support. We also do employee engagement surveys, and I read every word. One of my favorite ideas came from a junior team member who suggested the “one win, one challenge” format — and it’s now something we use consistently.
SC247: How would your team describe your leadership style?
KS: Hopefully, as someone who brings energy, thinks ahead, and cares about them. We did a survey recently, and some of my top qualities were kindness, fairness, and love of learning. One funny thing — “funny” came up, and there was a debate over whether I’m funny! But seriously, I try to lead in a way that’s fair and supportive because at the end of the day, none of us can be successful without the team.
Developing the Next Generation
SC247: How do you foster learning and growth on your team?
KS: We encourage people to take ownership of their growth, not just formal training, but hands-on learning. I push my team to get close to our product and our customers. I learned that firsthand early in my career, when I was working with Domino’s Pizza and had to deliver pizzas and make them myself as part of onboarding. It made me a better marketer. We try to bring that same spirit to Overhaul.
SC247: Do you think mentorship plays a role?
KS: Absolutely. I’ve benefited so much from learning through osmosis, being in rooms where I could observe how strong leaders operate. Especially in hybrid environments now, you have to be intentional about creating those opportunities. I encourage my team to shadow, to join meetings they might not usually be in. And as a leader, I learn a ton from my team as well — I always want it to be a two-way street.
Looking Ahead
SC247: What lessons have you learned as Overhaul has grown?
KS: There’s a maturity curve as companies scale, knowing when to add processes and when to bring in new technology. Early on, we could’ve experimented more with tools instead of waiting. I’m a big believer in trying things out, even on a small scale. That mindset is something we’re cultivating more now.
SC247: How are you feeling about the market right now?
KS: There’s definitely uncertainty, but also opportunity. Inventory scarcity, cold chain challenges, geopolitical tensions — these are areas where we can support our customers. Our focus is on helping them protect their freight and giving them the intelligence they need to make decisions.
SC247: What do you do to recharge?
KS: Exercise is big for me — I’m a big F45 person. I recently went through a breast cancer journey, and staying physically and mentally strong was a huge part of that. The way Overhaul supported me through that was incredibly humbling. From leadership to our partners, I was given the space to recover and come back when I was ready.
I also love hiking with my family. My perfect day off would be spent in a national park with my husband and two boys. Zion is our favorite. We’re actually heading to Scotland this summer to explore the Highlands — full circle from where I started.
SC247: Finally, what advice would you give to others looking to build a leadership career?
KS: Be curious. Take risks earlier. And make sure you’re constantly learning—not just about your industry but about leadership itself. Attend conferences, block time for development, and encourage your team to do the same. Things move fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But staying sharp and open is what allows you to lead through change.
