In a world where entrepreneurship is both challenging and rewarding, Kristin Marquet, the founder of Marquet Media, has navigated the small business landscape with resilience and innovation. From overcoming the global financial crisis of 2008 to staying ahead of evolving technology and trends, Kristin’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to perseverance and adaptability.
Reflecting on her business history, Kristin shares how she successfully navigated the financial crisis by adapting her business model and focusing on delivering value to clients. She also discusses the ongoing challenges her business faces, such as staying ahead of market demands and scaling while maintaining personalized service.
Kristin’s commitment to empowering women in business is evident in her most unforgettable client story, where she helped a startup founder secure a significant investment, despite budget constraints. Looking ahead, Kristin plans to ensure the sustainability and legacy of her business by grooming the next generation of leadership and establishing systems for continued innovation.
As she prepares for retirement, Kristin reflects on the hurdles she’s encountered in areas like sales, marketing, and adapting to changing customer trends. Through it all, she emphasizes the importance of agility, customer-centricity, and staying true to the core values that drive her business. Stay tuned for more insights from Kristin Marquet on navigating the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship.
Interviewee Name: Kristin Marquet
Company: Marquet Media
Intervirew Host: Jesse Samberg
The Interview
Let’s get started. First, we’d like to know more about how you started your business journey
Kristin Marquet : Since 2008, I have led my business through more than fifteen years of growth, learning, and innovation. My desire to create a unique agency that provides exceptional PR, branding, and marketing services while advancing women in the business world inspired me to start this entrepreneurial journey.
The lack of support and resources for women entrepreneurs and small business owners to elevate their brands and stories catalyzed my vision. I seized the opportunity to establish a platform to fill this void and actively promote the empowerment and success of women across various industries.
As the landscape has transformed over the years, so has my business, evolving and expanding. This rewarding adventure began with a singular vision and has since touched numerous individuals’ lives, reshaping the industry sector I inhabit. Each growth stage is a testament to the power of perseverance, the drive for innovation, and the commitment to a mission that extends beyond oneself.
Reflecting on your business history, what stands out as the single greatest challenge you’ve successfully navigated, and how did you overcome it?
Kristin Marquet : The single greatest challenge I’ve navigated in my business was undoubtedly the global financial crisis 2008, which coincided with the infancy of my company. Launching a business when the economy was in turmoil presented a formidable trial, as potential clients were tightening their belts, and the competition was fierce.
To overcome this, I had to be nimble and innovative. I adapted my business model, focusing on the unique value we could offer, especially relevant during tough economic times. This meant providing cost-effective, high-impact branding and marketing solutions that helped clients maximize their budgets and achieve measurable results.
I also doubled down on networking and building relationships, knowing that trust and reliability would be critical differentiators when scrutinizing every penny of investment. By positioning our services as an investment in the client’s future success, we were able to become stronger and navigate economic turmoil.
The experience taught me that adaptability, a clear understanding of the market’s needs, and unwavering commitment to delivering value are crucial in navigating any business challenge. It’s a lesson that has informed my approach to entrepreneurship ever since.
Businesses often face ongoing challenges. What does your business consistently grapple with, and how do you tackle these challenges head-on?
Kristin Marquet : In the landscape of media and branding, one of the ongoing challenges we consistently face is staying ahead of the rapidly evolving technology and trends. The digital world is constantly changing, and so are the strategies and tools necessary for effective branding and marketing.
To tackle this, we invest heavily in continuous learning and development. Our team is encouraged to stay on top of industry trends, and we regularly attend workshops, webinars, and conferences. We also foster a culture of innovation within our company, where new ideas are welcomed and actively solicited and tested.
Another persistent challenge is the fluctuation in market demands. As consumer behavior and preferences shift, we need to anticipate and adapt our services to meet these changes. We conduct regular market research and gather client feedback to inform our strategies and ensure our services remain relevant and valuable.
Lastly, scaling the business while maintaining a high standard of service is an ongoing balancing act. As we grow, it’s crucial that we preserve the personalized attention and customized approach that our clients have come to expect. We manage this by being selective with our client portfolio and building a team that shares our core values and commitment to excellence.
By facing these challenges head-on with a proactive and strategic approach, we overcome them and use them as opportunities to strengthen and refine our business.
Can you share with us the most unforgettable story involving a customer or client? What made it memorable, and what lessons did you draw from the experience?
Kristin Marquet : One of the most memorable stories involving a client was during the early days of my business. We were working with a startup founder, a woman with a powerful vision but limited resources. Several other agencies had turned her away due to her budget constraints, but we saw the potential in her idea and decided to take on the project.
Despite the financial challenges, we poured our expertise and passion into her branding and marketing strategy. The turning point came when, through our collaborative efforts, she secured a significant investment, which allowed her business to scale rapidly.
What made this story unforgettable was the triumph against the odds and the reminder of why I started my business in the first place: to empower entrepreneurs, especially women, to bring their visions to life. The lesson I drew was that the project size or the budget sometimes measures success but by your impact. This experience solidified my commitment to supporting passionate entrepreneurs, regardless of their starting point, and reinforced the importance of believing in your clients and their dreams.
Looking ahead, what are your current plans for your business when you retire?
Kristin Marquet : As I look toward the future and eventual retirement (in 30+ years), my plans for the business are centered around sustainability and legacy. It’s essential for me that the company continues to thrive and uphold the values and mission that it was built upon—empowering women in business and disrupting the status quo in the media and branding industries.
To ensure this, I am working on a succession plan that involves identifying and mentoring the next generation of leadership within the company. This includes grooming someone who can carry on the vision and drive of the business but also building a robust and autonomous team that embodies the company’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Additionally, I am exploring the possibility of establishing an advisory board to provide strategic guidance and ensure that the company adheres to its core principles while continuing to innovate.
Part of my retirement plan also involves setting up systems allowing the business to operate independently of any individual, including myself. This means investing in robust processes, a strong company culture, and continued innovation.
Ultimately, when I retire, I want to leave behind a business that is not only successful in a traditional sense but also continues to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Navigating the small business landscape can be both challenging and rewarding. Can you share a bit about the specific hurdles you’ve encountered in areas like sales, marketing, and adapting to changing customer trends?
Kristin Marquet : Navigating the small business landscape has been a journey with unique challenges, particularly in areas such as sales, marketing, and keeping pace with changing customer trends.
The most significant hurdle in sales has often been the balance between growth and personalization. As a small business, we’ve prided ourselves on offering tailored solutions to our clients. However, as the business grows, maintaining this level of personal service while expanding our client base requires a thoughtful approach to scaling.
To address this, we’ve had to be meticulous in hiring the right talent and implementing sales processes that maintain the quality of our customer service.
Marketing, too, presents its challenges. In a world saturated with content and messages, making it through the noise to reach and connect with your target audience can be overwhelming. We’ve had to stay creative and agile, continually testing new marketing strategies and tools to see what resonates best with our audience. Leveraging data analytics has been crucial here, enabling us to refine our marketing efforts based on customer behavior and feedback.
Adapting to changing customer trends has been the most dynamic challenge. The digital era has accelerated the rate at which consumer behaviors change. To keep up, we’ve had to remain at the forefront of industry trends, invest in ongoing education for our team, and stay close to our customers to anticipate their evolving needs. It’s a constant learning curve that is deeply rewarding as it pushes us to innovate and grow.
Each of these hurdles has underscored the importance of agility and customer-centricity in the small business landscape. They’ve taught us that success lies in adapting quickly, staying connected to your customers, and always maintaining the core values that drive your business.
Leaders Perception magazine would like to thank Kristin Marquet and “Marquet Media” for the time dedicated to completing this interview and sharing their valuable insights with our readers!
Interested in connecting with the host of this interview series? Feel free to reach out to Jesse Samberg on LinkedIn: Jesse Samberg’s LinkedIn Profile