Meet Carolyn Oros

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolyn Oros and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolyn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, I realized I’m just not wired to be an employee — let me explain.

Early on, my father instilled in me a strong work ethic: “Work hard, go above and beyond, and make your employer look good.” He believed that if I focused on those things, success would follow, and for a long time, that made perfect sense to me.

Throughout my career — whether as a Senior Sculptor at Mattel Toys, a Technical Director at Sony Imageworks, or now as a Principal Software Engineer — I’ve always had a vision for how things could run more smoothly. I naturally gravitate toward building efficient, streamlined workflows. In many cases, those improvements saved my employers hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in Mattel’s case, millions.

But over time, an unhealthy pattern started to emerge. I was working 50–60 hour weeks, pushing through weekends and holidays. I kept raising the bar, always trying to do more, give more, fix more. The problem is, when you’re a driven overachiever, your best work becomes the new baseline. And once that happens, more is always expected.

In 2020, I had a realization: Why am I working this hard to build someone else’s business, when I could put that same energy into building my own?

That question shifted everything.

I stopped chasing approval from the top and started focusing on the people I could truly serve — my clients. I found joy in the work again: sitting down for discovery calls, digging into technical challenges, and collaborating on smart, effective solutions.

Today, that focus is the foundation of everything I do. I get to partner with clients to solve real problems that move their business forward. It’s deeply rewarding work, and I’m proud to be part of the team that helps make it happen.

What should our readers know about your business?
After two decades in the entertainment industry, I reached a point where I needed a change. I took a year off to reset and explore what might come next. I’d always been curious about web development, so I decided to give it a try. What started as simple curiosity quickly turned into something deeper. The more I learned, the more it clicked. Software development gave me a space to use both sides of my brain — the logical and the creative. I realized I wasn’t just picking up a new skill; I was stepping into a field that truly fit how I’m wired.

The following year, I began taking on contract work under my company, Insomniac Digital. The early days were slow and often overwhelming. It was the classic “you don’t know what you don’t know” struggle; every step forward revealed a dozen new things to figure out. But I was committed to keeping a learner’s mindset, and things began to get easier.

Fast forward 12 years to 2025, and I’ve had the opportunity to positively impact many clients. From basic web development to full AI-powered integrations, my journey has been beyond rewarding. Over time, I’ve learned how to balance building great software with nurturing strong client relationships. That balance is still a work in progress, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

There are plenty of development agencies out there, but what sets Insomniac Digital apart is our primary focus on relationships. Software is just the tool that brings us together. It’s the collaboration, the trust, and the shared problem-solving that truly matter. Helping clients tackle real challenges and knowing my work has a direct impact — that’s what this journey is really about.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I know this is not in the city, but my favorite spot is 100% Twisted Griffin Irish Pub & Restaurant in Estes Park – I love that place!

Last winter, my friend Erica and I drove up there for a long weekend and we stumbled across this pub by accident. The food and drinks were excellent, but it’s the staff and manager that really stood out.

The place is cozy and friendly, and the staff makes it a point to remember there customers. Every subsequent night we stopped by, we were greeted like family.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Although I’ve had many friends and mentors encourage me along the way, I want to give a special shoutout to my good friend Erica Akiyama. Erica has been a steady source of support throughout my journey; we share a love for photography, the outdoors, and the freedom to forge our own path in life.

Over the past year, she’s launched two businesses of her own. One focused on outdoor adventures, and another dedicated to sports and adventure photography. We both know what it means to follow your passions, even in uncertain times, and we’ve traded plenty of war stories from the trenches of small business life. I’m proud to call her a friend and fellow entrepreneur.

Website: www.insomniac.digital – new website will be up next week

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/6653063/admin/dashboard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insomniacdigital

Image Credits
Headshot – Natalie Hamilton (nataliehphotographystudio@gmail.com)
Insomniac Digital is a registered trademark