Kimberly Hogate, Faceted Media
Meet Kimberly Hogate, owner of Faceted Media, a global creative marketing agency based in Denver, Colorado. Read her featured startup story below and make sure to join the Be Helpful entrepreneurship community too!
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Entrepreneurial Stories: Kimberly Hogate's Journey from Pineapple Gift to Successful Business Owner
When it comes to inspiring entrepreneurial stories, the tale of Kimberly Hogate stands out. A powerhouse of determination and resilience, Kimberly is an entrepreneur who turned her life around following an incident involving a pineapple gift from her boss. As the founder of Faceted Media, she has carved a niche for herself in the highly competitive world of digital marketing.
The Genesis of Faceted Media
Kimberly Hogate, a Denver-based entrepreneur, started her company, Faceted Media, in 2014. However, her journey into entrepreneurship started long before that. She worked as a freelancer and photojournalist while juggling a full-time job, honing her skills and crafting her expertise.
She once presented a detailed report to her boss, asking for a raise. Despite having negotiated herself into a sales position and making a substantial revenue for the company, her request was denied. Instead, her boss offered her a pineapple from the Farmer's Market. This incident proved to be the catalyst that propelled Kimberly into the entrepreneurial space.
In Kimberly's words, "When I got the pineapple gift from my boss, I knew I was finally done." This was the moment that led to the birth of Faceted Media, a one-stop media shop offering marketing creation, tech solutions, and business coaching support under one roof.
Visit the Be Helpful Podcast Library to find Kim’s book recommendation along with suggestions from our community of entrepreneurs.
A Hustler At Heart
Looking back at her entrepreneurial journey, Kimberly states candidly, "I am a hustler to the core, even though that word is a bit out of fashion now." She describes herself as a scrappy kid who always ran the lemonade stand from childhood and dealt out the "paychecks" at the end of the day to her team.
Kimberly's enthusiasm and tenacity have been the driving force behind her success. She believes in working every single day, a habit she attributes to her productivity as an entrepreneur. "I call it watering my garden," she says. Her approach to work is like tending to a garden, nurturing it consistently to ensure growth and abundance.
Navigating the Challenges
Like many entrepreneurs, Kimberly faced numerous challenges and uncertainties when starting her business. The biggest risk, she admits, was having no income.
"It took me years to make an income. The year I made 19K was a big year for me," she recalls. To manage this risk, Kimberly supplemented her income with side jobs, gigs, and part-time jobs until she was finally confident to start charging more for her services.
Her resilience and determination to succeed are evident in her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. "Just keep swimming," she suggests. "Start your business while you already have a job. Don't give up when it gets hard - it's worth it!"
Lessons Learned
Kimberly's entrepreneurial journey, from starting Faceted Media to its current success, provides some valuable insights:
Consistency is key: Regularly updating websites, maintaining a social media presence, networking, and engaging with your audience can help keep your business's momentum going.
Invest in yourself: Hiring a coach or seeking expert assistance can yield significant returns.
Lifelong learning: Continually enhance your skills and knowledge. Consider taking classes, attending courses, or learning from experts in your field.
Kimberly's story highlights that determination, resilience, and consistent effort are crucial to overcoming challenges and achieving entrepreneurial success. It also reminds us that sometimes, unexpected events, like receiving a pineapple gift, can spark the journey towards entrepreneurship.
Next Steps
If you're interested in hearing more from Kimberly herself, see the Q&A transcript below. You'll find her insights on everything from her first steps in business to how she approached risks and uncertainties. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from her experiences. And if you are looking for marketing help and want to work with Kimberly, visit the Faceted Media website.
Entrepreneur Story: Q&A with Kimberly Hogate:
Faceted Media | Marketing Agency | Denver, Colorado
What inspired you to start your business, and how did you develop your initial idea into a viable business concept?
Kim: My inspiration came from years and years of hard, hard work in many different industries and never being able to break through from having to work constantly. When I got the pineapple gift from my boss, I knew I was finally done and started a law firm with a colleague actually. After a few years, the law practice was sold and I went full time with Faceted Media. It wasn't hard to create minimum viable products because I was making basic websites and basic marketing content for my colleagues I had developed as well as people finding me from word of mouth.
What were some of the biggest risks or uncertainties you faced when starting your business, and how did you manage them?
Kim: The biggest risk was having no income. It took me years to make an income. The year I made 19K was a big year for me. I supplemented with side jobs, gigs, and part-time jobs until I was finally confident to start charging more for my services. It took hiring a coach and investing in myself - to see the results back.
What was your first action? If you were starting all over again, would that still be your first action? If not, what would it be?
Kim: My first action - ahhh! I don't remember that well now. But, I made a free website. I started adding my work to it. I went to networking groups and started my own. Yep - I'd do it all the same. However, in my case, I had to use time to get where I am today, because I didn't have any money. So, it took a while. Other people can get there faster by investing in services and help, but for me, it was a blessing because I felt and experienced hardship all the way through. And, I learned a lot. It could have been a little easier with money to invest at the beginning. I had to grow everything I have from literally nothing. It was hard! I don't know if I'd have the stamina to do something like that again (but you never know!). I do have a few more business ideas in mind :)
How did you get your first customer or sale?
Kim: My first client was a colleague of mine that I met through a networking group that I started and was the leader of. I started the networking group when I was starting the law firm. When the firm sold, I kept the group - and indeed - it is still active to this day! When it comes to networking, I always think it's best to start your own group so that you can tailor it the way you want and have it be more memorable.
Tell us about a major business milestone or accomplishment that your proud to share.
Kim: Reaching a "normal" salary was huge for me. Getting to where I feel confident with my boundaries as far as time with clients, etc. was also important. And, being able to let some potential clients and opportunities go that wouldn't have been the right fit. Those were all growth and maturity levels that I am proud to have reached. And, of course, seeing my clients succeed and start businesses is amazing. Most of my clients have been with me for years and years and years and they are all doing really well.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Kim: Consistency. I hate the word spaghetti marketing, because yes, I get that when you find something that works, go all in on that. But - things change all the time. So, I think you do have to go out in person, leave business cards around (old school), write and update your website regularly, show up on social media, grow a group, send emails to your list, and circle around to all the tasks regularly, to keep the energy alive in your business.
What were some of the biggest mistakes or missteps you made early on in your entrepreneurial journey, and what did you learn from those experiences?
Kim: Well, one thing I like to say is no mistakes, only learning! One of those lessons was getting a portion of the monthly or project payment up front before starting work. Another was not taking one-off projects. They can tend to never end (but the payment does). I also have learned over time how to read different clients and present information in a way that is comfortable for them. I try to help my clients feel supported and well cared for.
Can you describe a particular challenge, obstacle, or failure you faced while building your business, and how you overcame it?
Kim: It's so human to "fail." I really don't see failure as failure. I see it as a direction changer, eye opener, and life lesson. I can't think of one because I don't let them get me down. But, as far as specifics, I've taken on clients that gave me red flags, I've hired the wrong people to work in my business (only shortly!) from time to time, I've miscalculated how much funds were in my bank account and have bounced in the past before I hired bookkeepers and when I was growing my team. I mean - it's embarrassing stuff right - but SO human! And as a business owner, we have a whole other dimension that we are dealing with on the soul level. It's deep. So, it's okay to make occasional mistakes as long as you learn from them.
Looking back on your entrepreneurial journey, what advice would you give to others who are just starting out in the business world, and why?
Kim: Just keep swimming. Start your business while you already have a job. Don't give up when it gets hard - it's worth
Which skills have you developed the most as an entrepreneur? How do you approach skill gaps and weaknesses?
Kim: Tech mainly as it's overwhelming and never ending. I take classes and courses constantly and learn from my mistakes. I follow a lot of people on Instagram and save their expert advice.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Kim: Early mornings and working every single day. It might not be a long day every day, but I work on my business every single day. I call it watering my garden. I also aim to live a slow lifestyle and act with thoughtful intention. I'm also a huge planner. And when I say that - I mean a huge realistic planner. I know that my energy levels will ebb and flow throughout the month. I schedule accordingly. I know that meetings drain me, so I schedule as few as possible and lean on my team for more if needed with clients.
What misconceptions did you have about entrepreneurship before becoming an entrepreneur?
Kim: Honestly none. I knew how hard it was going to be and was. I had started a law firm before my business and had worked in business development for a long time before starting my business. I am a hustler to the core, even though that word is a bit out of fashion now, I was a scrappy kid who always ran the lemonade stand from childhood and dealt out the "paychecks" at the end of the day to my team. It's in my bones! I am used to hard. I actually only recently in the past few years have been able to get into a place of more ease. It wasn't easy and it's still not. But, it is ease-y now. If you get the difference.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Kim: I used to say the E-Myth. But, I implemented all the steps over the course of about 5 years and when I got to the end, I realized it wasn't actually the gold standard of growing your business. So, now, I revert back to the classic life and business book - the Four Agreements. You cannot go wrong with that one one bit.