Connections are everything. Whether it’s for meeting a friend of a friend, going on a blind date set up by a loved one, or chatting up a fellow conference attendee at a networking event. Connections make the world go round and develop our relationships to build camaraderie, families, and empires. We are our connections. Kate Terentieva understands that all too well, so she made a card game that brings the connections past surface level and into rich and meaningful territory.
Her creation is Off The Record, a solution to awkward small talk that has plagued modern society since “networking” (the verb, not the noun) entered our present-day lexicon. Off The Record (OTR) is a 45-card deck with a unique photograph on one side of the card and questions on the other side. Each card has two prompts, the top question being lighter in tone and the bottom question making the respondent ponder deeper.
I played OTR in various situations: over video calls with my partner, during a press dinner, and with friends at the airport. The questions like “What was your first job?“, “Do you think we can save the environment?”, and “Are you okay being the villain in someone else’s story?” spearheaded conversations about culture, society, politics, and life.
OTR was the most fun I’ve had in a hot minute, so I had to sit down with CEO, founder, and creator Kate.
What led you to pursue a creative path?
It fell into my lap. I’ve been working in communications for a decade. At first, I wanted to be an attorney and a friend believed in me as a creative person.
I was in university and about to complete my schooling when my friend needed help with an ad project for a competition. I came up with a campaign idea for the competition and when I was about to present, I realized my friends’ careers were on the line. So I stepped into the room and tapped into my inner power and it ended up working out! My friend sent me graduate programs and I ended up going.
My superpower: I take the time to understand people and take time to understand the company and team. I have a holistic approach to marketing and the story of the brand starts with the founder. So, I always start by asking them questions about who they are as people and what they would want to see change in society.
I wrote the OTR card ideas in my notes app and eventually, they became a brand. My clients started bringing me to personal events which is very rare in business spaces. During COVID I started feeling distant from my loved ones and I started asking them how well they knew people. I started doing research on the loneliness epidemic and prioritizing work over personal relationships.
What are the next up-and-coming creative fields in your opinion?
Long-form writing and long-form reading are going to be a big thing. I went to a bookstore recently and saw it was filled with people! People were on the floor reading books — young, old, children, moms, teenagers.
I am excited for Substack to grow and for the collective shift away from long-form listening and moving towards long-form reading. I think people undervalue written work so I’m excited to see that space grow in the next few years.
Advice for female creatives and businesswomen who are still beginning to get their names out there?
First, I keep hearing from women about this table. As someone who’s worked in a male-dominated industry… there is NO TABLE. To succeed, build your own table. There is nothing wrong with saying: that I understand my vision and I am the one to build this project. Belief in yourself will take you far in this industry.
Second, in the start, I resented how male-dominated my industry was but learned honestly there is so much for women in this male-dominated industry. Women can learn from male co-workers like for example men generally don’t have the idea of competition as their enemy but rather their friends. They connect with their fellow men to make themselves better and give an edge in sharpening ideas and plans for projects. So I would say: focus on your ideas, and goals, and ask for help from all types of folks – especially men. We need other people to create our success!
As a creative director, how did you blend together psychology, visual arts, and storytelling into your day job and OTR?
I have a consulting business so I work with startups and help them understand why creativity is important to their business. I took a neuro-marketing class to understand why our brain responds to certain narratives in advertisements. When I took the position as a marketer I learned the role is to utilize psychology and translate that through visuals and storytelling. Ultimately, creating a bridge between the consumer and the brand.
By implementing my psychology skills I had a strong foundation for OTR. I saw a hole in the market for connection. I asked myself “How do I meet customers where they are authentically versus being holier than thou and thinking I have all the answers?” I wanted to foster connection through conversation. In the early stages of business, you are doing everything by hand to get out to customers. From packaging, chatting on socials, and receiving feedback from customers. It takes a lot of multitasking and determination to get a business to succeed!
Kate, love that explanation. Okay, last deep convo that left you speechless?
My mom and I were talking about emotional intelligence. I asked her if she thought it was inherited or learned. I watched her try to find the words to describe what she was thinking. This person who I saw as having all the answers. You know, parents are seen as gods to their children and I realized she doesn’t have the answers. I was speechless because I didn’t expect that but I appreciated her honesty. I was raised in a household where my parents are humans just like me which I’m grateful for.
You seem to have a close relationship with your mom. Elaborate more about your parent-daughter dynamic.
I would go to the end of the earth for my mom. My life is like the Gilmore Girls and my mom is my #1 person. I believe in the existence of unconditional love because of my mom. She is a parent and lays down the law, but she is also my closest friend and I feel like no matter what I do I will be loved by her. I learned recently this isn’t an experience shared by everyone. Unconditional love is something that is a privilege and blessing to me.
So sweet! For our Beauty News NYC audience can you share your favorite beauty products of 2025?
I love the invisible sunscreen formula from Allies of Skin. The application is incredible under makeup, it isn’t oily, sticky, or has a silicone feeling. I recently got the Urban Decay 24/7 Glaze-On Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow. I recently gravitated towards minimal makeup so this is perfect for on-the-go shimmer.
The recent face product that is a win for me is the NU BARE LOOK TINT Hydrating Skin Tint from YSL. It’s easy to travel with, gives just enough coverage, and is just perfection. I don’t usually gravitate towards designer makeup but this is a keeper. Lastly, the Bloom Cream is divine on the skin and lasts all day long.
Getting personal here – what’s your big three?
Virgo sun, Leo rising, Cap moon. I was born on the same day Google was incorporated and Beyoncé is my birthday twin!
Final question: any last words for the people?
When I was doing research for OTR, I found a study by Harvard about human happiness. It’s been going on for 85 years and the goal of the researchers is what provides us the most enrichment. They have discovered it isn’t work, not material goods, not crazy amounts of money. It is the quality of relationships you have in your life! It is human beings and our connections. You can accomplish so much in the world but you can be deeply sad due to lack of human relationships. I really keep this fact in the back of my mind as I continue doing my work and living my life. I want to remember the happiness and joy there is to come with the people I love.
Check out Off the Record to experience your deep connections in relationships. What will you discover about yourself and others when you go off the record?
