Kate Finley is the CEO of Belle Communications. She used media attention to launch her career as an entrepreneur. Hear why she says to treat your brand like a startup to grow a successful business.
Kate Finley is the Founder and CEO of Belle Communications, an integrated marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio specializing in PR, social media and content marketing for food, restaurant and CPG brands. Kate is a young entrepreneur who founded her agency at the age of 28 with the goal of equipping brands with the tools and exposure they need to THRIVE.
Kate and her team have secured more than 2500 media opportunities for clients, including coverage with TODAY, Oprah, Rachael Ray, and more. She has been featured on CNNMoney, Cision, PRDaily and Spin Sucks.
Think Like A Journalist Excerpt
The good news — and it is largely good news — is that everyone has a chance to stand out. Everyone has a chance to learn, improve, and build up their skills. Everyone has a chance to be a brand worthy of remark. Read the article by Tom Peters.
Success Quote
It doesn’t hurt to ask. This advice is straight from my mom and it’s GOLD. What separates a success from a failure? Fear of rejection and fear of embarrassment (so basically just fear.) What’s the worst that can happen? Someone can tell you no. OK. Move on and try again.
Career Highlight
Hear how Kate got major press attention when she was just launching her business. Find out what she did to get earned media and how it helped build her brand.
When It Didn’t Work
Kate had to learn when to turn things off. Find out how this impacted her business and what she did to find correction is direction.
Treat Your Brand Like A Startup
- Treat your brand as if it were a top client
- Make a great first impression (feel) on all fronts (in person, via email, on your website and in social media)
- Focus on results that matter (It’s not one size fits all)
- Network like your success depends on it (because it does)
- Think BIG, act small (process and communication)
- Don’t fall prey to Cobbler’s Syndrome — the old adage that the cobbler’s kids don’t have shoes doesn’t fly anymore.
Multimedia Resource
iPhone. Google Drive.
Book
Start With The Why by Simon Sinkek
Mentioned In This Episode
TBJA 129 Peter Shankman On Customer Service: Making Your Brand Better Than The Rest
Article that gave Kate great press. This appeared on the main page and on the small business page for 6 months after the feature went live!
Contact
How to Bootstrap Your PR (free e-book)
The Brand Journalism Advantage launched our very first #TBJAChat live streaming using Blab.
We answer questions and share tools and tips for how to “Think Like a Startup to Transform Your Business.”
Watch the replay with Phoebe Chongchua, Kate Finley, and Maria Duron and follow us to find out when we’re doing our next live Q&A chat on Blab.
Key Points From Our First #TBJAChat
- Know your why.
- Move fast. Be nimble.
- Be resourceful.
- Be resilient.
- Be adaptable.
