Episode 183: S2 | Kristen Graham Brown’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Challenges, Solutions, and Strategies for Success

Introduction

What does it take to build a thriving, seven-figure business in the competitive world of branding? Kristen Graham Brown, founder of Hoop Design Company, shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey on the Seven Figure Journey podcast. With over 14 years of experience and a unique approach to branding, Kristen’s story offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

Kristen’s Journey and Motivation

 

Kristen’s path to entrepreneurship began after a successful stint as an art director at an ad agency in Chicago. Driven by her love for visual communication, Kristen decided to venture into the world of retail paper goods with the creation of Hoop Design Company. For five years, she dedicated herself to creating custom artwork and paper products. However, the realization came that retail wasn’t where her passion truly lay.

In 2015, Kristen made a pivotal decision to pivot the business into an advertising agency, focusing on branding and visual identity. By 2018, the company became a culture-driven branding agency. Kristen’s philosophy that “brand is the being and marketing is the doing” has guided her through the challenges of building a company that emphasizes internal culture before external marketing. Her experience highlights the importance of evolving as both a business and an individual.

Kristen’s commitment to creating impactful branding strategies, along with her drive to build a supportive and joyful work environment, stems from her belief in nurturing both clients and employees. This inside-out approach has been a cornerstone of her company’s success.

Strategies and Tips for Entrepreneurs

1. Pivot When Necessary: One of the key lessons Kristen shared is the importance of recognizing when it’s time to change direction. Initially focused on retail, Kristen pivoted to advertising and later specialized in branding. The ability to adapt to market needs and your strengths is crucial for long-term success.

2. Culture-Driven Branding: Kristen’s company is built on the belief that a strong internal culture translates to effective external marketing. Her advice to entrepreneurs is to focus on building a company ethos that employees can fully support, as they are the first ambassadors of your brand. Prioritizing your team’s buy-in is key to achieving alignment between internal and external efforts.

3. Slow, Intentional Growth: Rather than rushing to scale, Kristen emphasizes the benefits of slow and intentional growth. For the first five years, she worked part-time, allowing the business to develop naturally without immense pressure. This allowed her to refine her processes and gain clarity on the company’s direction.

4. Embrace Flexibility with Staffing: Kristen shared how utilizing freelancers (1099s) allows her company to scale up or down based on workload. This flexible model provides a buffer during high-demand periods without overextending full-time employees, a valuable insight for businesses that want to remain agile.

 

Current Challenges and Solutions

Kristen’s company recently faced the challenge of managing multiple maternity leaves within a small team of 10 employees. While she remains committed to offering supportive maternity benefits, it has placed financial and productivity strain on the company. To address this, she uses freelance talent to fill gaps but recognizes that balancing the well-being of her core team while maintaining efficiency is an ongoing challenge.

During the podcast, Kristen explored possible solutions, such as cross-training team members and developing more overlapping roles to reduce the impact of individual absences. As her branding agency grows, Kristen is eager to refine these strategies further.

About Kristen Graham Brown

Kristen Graham Brown is the founder and CEO of Hoop Design Company, a culture-driven branding agency that focuses on building brands from the inside out. With over 14 years of experience, Kristen has led her team to become a trusted partner for founder-led businesses, specializing in creating deep, authentic brand identities.

 

 

You can connect with Kristen and her company via hootdesigncompany.com and LinkedIn 

 

Conclusion

Kristen’s journey from art director to branding expert is filled with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs. Her emphasis on culture, flexibility, and intentional growth offers a roadmap for those looking to scale their businesses while staying true to their core values. To learn more from Kristen or explore branding solutions, connect with her company and stay tuned for more insights on the Seven Figure Journey podcast.

 


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