Kristin Marquet – CEO Interview

Kristin Marquet
Creative Director of Marquet Media
When did you know you wanted to start your own company?
I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur when I was 25 years old.
What was your original idea for this company, and are you still doing that (or did you pivot, if so, what is the new focus and why)?
My original idea was to start out as a freelance copywriter. Throughout the last 12 years, I’ve scaled the business to a full-service agency and started the media company, FemFounder.co.
How long did it take you to finally take the leap, and what was it that pushed you over the fence?
I had lost my corporate consulting job in 2009 during the Financial Crisis, so I went back to graduate school in hopes of being able to find another high paying job, only to be disappointed. I had student loan debt and was moving into Manhattan. So I started a business in 2009 and never looked back.
Who inspired you to pursue your dream, and why do you think they believed in you?
No one really inspired me to start my business. I started it out of necessity, although it had always been my dream.
Who is your favorite mentor and why?
I didn’t have a mentor; I learned how to run a successful business on my own.
What was the hardest thing about starting your company, and what did you do to make it through the first stage?
The hardest thing was trying to pick a niche to focus on the early days because I wanted to work across all industries. That was a problem though because it led me to take on any client that came my value and diluted the value I provided to my original clients.
What has been the hardest lesson to learn?
The hardest lesson I learned was that I had to delegate in order for the business to grow.
What has been the most amazing thing you have experience while running this company?
I’ve had the honor of working with some amazing entrepreneurs throughout the journey.
What is the weirdest thing you have experienced while running this company, and how did you react to it?
The weirdest thing was that I had a client ask me on a date (even though I am married). That made me feel a bit uneasy.
What is the best decision you’ve ever made while running this company?
The best decision I made was niching down and only focusing on two or three industries to scale.
What is the biggest mistake you made while running this company, and why do you think it happened?
Trusting clients to pay their bills on time.
How has the coronavirus pandemic affected your company?
We’ve been fortunate as our business is online.
What keeps you passionate about your company?
I love the creative aspect of public relations and digital marketing. It really keeps my interest.
What daily routine have you developed to help you take care of your mind, body, and soul?
I am endurance runner and hit the trails every week day morning for an hour.
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On the podcast, Sean talks with entrepreneurs about the reality of their struggle to succeed, as well as answering questions from the community, and sharing nuggets of wisdom from his own life.
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Sean Weisbrot
Sean is an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor based in SE Asia for over 12 years. He is passionate about Psychology and helping others improve themselves.