Katja was born in the Netherlands but moved to Curacao at age 16, where she studied Business Administration at the University of the Netherlands Antilles. After 2 years on the island, she temporarily moved back to the Netherlands to graduate in Tourism Management at the NHTV, University of Applied Sciences.

After graduation, she worked on major cruise lines in the Caribbean and Europe, first as a translator and front desk employee, and later in the Entertainment department, before permanently settling down in Florida. She now combines work as a bookkeeper and realtor.