April 2, 2026
Power in the Uncomfortable
Every major decision I’ve made in my life has come out of something traumatic. I guess it’s why I tell people: Trauma may have built you, but it doesn’t define […]
March 26, 2026
What’s A Man Gotta Do
This is the much-requested, much-anticipated sequel to The Gray Wave: Why Women Are Leaving. Men, consider this your notice. Dear Men, If the amount of effort you’ve put into your […]
March 19, 2026
Flip the Script
If you’ve heard me speak or watched any of my clearly professionally produced videos, you’ve probably caught a reference to the story of David and Goliath. Maybe it’s my CRC […]
February 4, 2026
The Growth Paradox (It’s Like Really Hard)
I was recently quoted in an Inc. Magazine article about balancing growth and profitability, and I want to expand on what I said because there’s a lot more to it […]
January 24, 2026
I want you to own your weird.
People Do Business with People — Not Logos The leaders and brands standing out are not the most polished or predictable; what they are is authentic (and memorable). Let’s use […]
January 14, 2026
David & Goliath
Your “Disadvantages” Are Your Advantages The David and Goliath story we were all told in Sunday School…yeah, it wasn’t true. See, David knew exactly what he was doing and he […]
December 29, 2025
Bode’s Top 5 from 2025
2025 was a year of reckoning for me both personally and professionally. I got to experience the joy that is perimenopause, continue navigating my ADHD, and I got to witness […]
November 18, 2025
Amy Poehler Got Me Obsessed with the Enneagram and Now Everything Makes Sense
Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang makes me ridiculously happy. Go listen to every single episode. I’ll wait. In every episode, she talks about the Enneagram; there is always another reference […]
November 10, 2025
I Beg Your F*cking Pardon
The New York Times published a piece asking if women ruined the workplace. In a time when misogyny, sexism, racism, and discrimination are running rampant because men have been in […]
November 7, 2025
The Names Have Been Changed to Protect the Not So Innocent
8THIRTYFOUR is hosting the Community Capital Conversation on November 19th, because enough is enough. Bring your stories. This isn’t the story about the quarter of a million embezzlement that almost […]
October 16, 2025
The Trauma that Built Me
I have the phrase “find comfort in the uncomfortable” tattooed on my arm; it’s a reminder that growth happens in the uncomfortable, and while this is true, it’s also my […]
August 11, 2025
Own Your Quirks
I am the most unathletic person you will ever meet. If you don’t believe me, watch the video of me rollerblading—it’s on my Instagram. I’m not giving you the link, […]
July 21, 2025
The Gray Wave: Why Women Are Leaving
She purchased it off of Amazon, in hopes he would finally “get” it, see she was drowning and step up. The Fair Play Deck is sold as a game, but […]
July 2, 2025
The Price of Your Cowardice
“Bode, you seem angry. You should take a break.” I’m not angry, I’m f*cking nuclear. I’ve spent my career fighting for small businesses, standing up for vulnerable populations, and building […]
May 16, 2025
We Don’t Do Marketing
(If I hear this one more time, I’m gonna throat punch someone.) If I had a dollar for every time a technical or contracting company said, “We don’t do marketing*,” […]
May 4, 2025
I Can Do All Things Through Adderall & Shaken Espressos
“Can a person live on iced, shaken espressos only?” I texted my best friend, Sue. “Yes,” she responded. That, right there, is why Sue is my best friend. The past […]
April 22, 2025
You Are the Face of Your Business—Start Acting Like It
It was standing room only. Business owners packed into a room to talk about something most of us avoid like the plague: ourselves. Not our services.Not our logos.Not our team’s […]
March 24, 2025
Reality TV: The Bode Edition
Imposter syndrome won this past weekend. I think I spent most of Sunday staring at a wall, contemplating all of my failures. What a great time. Highly recommend spending your […]
March 3, 2025
The Sisterhood: show up, speak up, and lift up
For years, I saw my gender as a weakness. Working in manufacturing and medical devices industries dominated by men with egos the size of Texas—I did everything I could to […]
December 10, 2024
Airport Etiquette (Or Why I’m Considering a Career at the DOT)
Travel is stressful enough without dealing with complete and utter...people who apparently forgot how to act in public the second they stepped into an airport.
November 25, 2024
The No-BS Guide to Business Travel (From Women Who Actually Know)
Look, I travel a lot. Like, a LOT lot. And after years of trial and error (and some spectacularly bad packing decisions), I’ve got my travel game semi-down. Some of […]
August 19, 2024
The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders & Gratitude
“What on earth are you watching?” I ask Josh as I crawl onto the bed in our motorhome (in our driveway) and lie down next to Frank*, the office dog […]
March 6, 2024
Life is short – Dirty dogs and Cabin Life
You know how people say “life is short,” all the time? Well, it really hit me this week. A person I had a massive amount of respect for, passed this […]
March 3, 2024
The Great Resignation, The Great Exhaustion and Quiet Quitting
The Great Resignation, Great Exhaustion, and Quiet Quitting – what does it mean to small businesses?
December 22, 2023
Stop taking us for granted.
The holidays, am I right? What a shitshow. I like to give so much I have nothing left, then I’m resentful and bitter. Good times. I should point out it […]
July 24, 2023
Sharkie Poo: A Cautionary Tale
Perhaps by calling it Sharkie Poo, it was a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. All seven dogs have a nickname – Millie is Millie Vanilli, Noodle, Silly Millie…I’ll spare you […]
February 22, 2023
Bode’s Life Lessons (From 16 Years in Business)
I started writing this blog last year, and then Imposter Syndrome took over and I killed it. So now it’s more like 17 years but who the hell is counting […]
November 14, 2022
I’m Kind of a Big Deal: Thought Leadership
I am not a fan of the phrase “thought leadership,” but I have yet to come up with a better term, so here we are. It’s why I titled this […]
November 2, 2022
Too Much
If I had a dime for every time someone referred to me as “too much,” I’d have a pretty decent chunk of change. Like…what does that even mean? Often-used words […]
August 19, 2022
Hire Slow
If I asked you what your hiring process is would you say: 1. Post job to Indeed/LinkedIn or other job boards, 2. Filter through applicants, 3. Schedule interviews, 4. Interview, […]
August 4, 2022
Conclusion to 8 Dogs & A Motorhome
I had every intention of continuing this series, but several things have happened since I started it, which I will share at the end. The conclusion is a bit longer, […]
July 15, 2022
Part 2: 8 Dogs & a Motorhome
For those late to the party (where the heck have you been) here is part 1. With the pee still drying on my leg, Parker and I made our way […]
June 30, 2022
8 Dogs and A Motorhome
While our country was reverting back to the 1950s before women were considered equal to their male counterparts…I was on a road trip with 8 dogs and a very patient […]
May 10, 2022
Normalize Being Childfree
Guys, guess what? Women have worth outside of motherhood. Gasp! I know, who would have thought? It’s true! You’d think I was walking around with horns and a tail by […]
May 2, 2022
Back from Vacay Vibes
Coming back from vacation is so overwhelming that it’s tempting to just never take one. That’s basically been my approach for 2022. To state the obvious, that is not healthy. […]
April 15, 2022
Exhausted
I spoke to several female business owners/professionals in the past few weeks and they all have one thing in common, they’re exhausted. Just absolutely burned out. Their mental health is […]
March 4, 2022
Oh the places you’ll go and things you’ll learn.
Dear Little Bode, We’ve been watching you the past several months as you’ve dealt with loss, grief, growth, conflict and so much more. You’re gonna be alright kid, you’re tough, […]
February 8, 2022
Know Your Worth
Someone reached out to me last week needing marketing support for a new business and said the budget was $300 a month. I went back and forth on how to […]
January 31, 2022
Accept the Damn Help
Why the hell is it so hard for us to accept help? The only time we’re in it alone is when we’re too stubborn to rely on those around us. […]
December 3, 2021
It’s ok to use your voice
I’ve been quiet lately, laugh it up people that know me. I’ve been grieving privately over the loss of a family member and I have been struggling. The funny thing […]
September 7, 2021
What are you so afraid of?
I’m irrationally mad about the “return to office” discussion/debate/controversy. It’s probably because it is bringing back memories from early on in my career when a bunch of old guys were […]
June 1, 2021
Cut yourself some slack
Coming back from a holiday weekend is kind of a nightmare. I woke up this a.m. completely overwhelmed with all the things I needed to get done and a foreboding […]
May 24, 2021
Find comfort in the uncomfortable
Many of you reading this know I have this saying tattooed on my arm, it is my reminder that growth is never easy and requires all of us to push […]
May 18, 2021
It’s time to rethink the 4-year degree
This blog probably won’t earn me a lot of friends in academia or in the parenting world, but hell it needs to be said. No matter what profession you are […]
March 8, 2021
The brash, the bold, the unapologetic
Today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women and their achievements internationally. It’s nice we get a day, isn’t it? The 2021 theme is “Choose to challenge.” In […]
February 1, 2021
Goodbyes are never easy
My most hated phrase of all time is, “hey do you have a second to chat?” There is never ANY good news that comes with that question. If you ask […]
January 29, 2021
How to crush an interview
It was time to update this blog, the original was written in 2018 and was recently trolled by someone who pointed out several spelling and grammatical errors (oops)…so I figured […]
January 17, 2021
Code of Ethics: Trump Administration
Public relation professionals are required to abide by a code of ethics. You can read the entire code here, but for the purpose of this blog, I want to highlight […]
December 8, 2020
It’s all about the hustle
PR seems like a sexy field, am I right? If your older like me, then you think of Samantha from Sex in the City and her high rolling lifestyle. She […]
August 31, 2020
Keep your monkey
We have a saying at our office, “keep the monkey.” Yeah, it’s weird, but here is the point. You’ve heard people say, “I have a monkey on my back.” They’re […]
August 10, 2020
We’re doing the best we can.
So, 2020 has been a bit of a challenge. I believe the word tossed around frequently is “unprecedented.” I’ve been talking to my small biz friends and we are all […]
July 20, 2020
Rough around the edges
I was privy to an email the other day that referred to another female professional as “sweet and young,” and it wasn’t meant as a compliment. It irked me, like […]
June 4, 2020
Pivot Part 3: Planning and Action
I know we’re all sick of the word pivot, but I gotta finish the blog series so just hold on through this last part. If you’re new to this riveting […]
May 18, 2020
Pivot Part 2: Assess and Educate
Let’s get back to where we left off in Part 1: Pivot!, I wanted to go into more detail about the steps we took, the organizations that stepped up in […]
May 13, 2020
Pivot! What other choice do you have?
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, been a little busy ensuring we survive this damn pandemic. Priorities, I suppose. The first week, we lost over $15,000 in revenue a […]
March 28, 2020
Weathering this storm
If I hear the word “unprecedented” one more time, I’m going to scream. We are being bombarded by news by the time we wake up to the time we finally […]
March 12, 2020
Small Business Hazard Ahead
As if running a small business wasn’t hard enough, now we’re dealing with a pandemic. At this point, no one has any idea what that will mean for second-stage companies […]
February 8, 2020
Books and Booze
Is there a better title for a blog? I might get it as a tattoo, it’s kind of my life motto. I love books, I’ve had a love affair with […]
January 29, 2020
Be vulnerable
Today I cried in front of my staff. Me, Kim Bode…queen of abrasive, broke down. Be vulnerable. The reason why isn’t important, most of you will put the pieces together […]
December 26, 2019
Don’t mess with the bear: Stop with the sexism
I’ve been running a business for around 13 years, if there is one thing I hate above all else it is the questions women are asked that no one would […]
December 23, 2019
Christianity Today
I don’t talk about my faith. I shouldn’t be ashamed, but I am. I’m a progressive Christian, something that apparently goes against everything organized religion stands for and I openly […]
December 15, 2019
Christmas Memories
I get such a f**king kick out of the holidays, it is nauseating. I don’t know when this love of Christmas took over my life, as a little kid my […]
November 25, 2019
Tips for surviving the holidays
The holiday season is upon us and it comes with all the fun and stress. I’m not an expert on navigating the holidays, but I’ve survived so far and I’m […]
November 18, 2019
It’s time we all stand up to Karen
What is it about that name? If your name is Karen, my apologies. My sometimes partner-in-crime, Chris Andrus, wrote this great blog about standing up to customers in defense of […]
November 11, 2019
The Badass Women Who Served
Every Veterans Day, I reflect back on the men and women that have served, are serving and have given the ultimate sacrifice. I have read extensively on WWII, I truly […]
November 4, 2019
Millennials: The most challenging generation?
For a recent event I was involved in, I was asked to facilitate a roundtable on communicating across generations – Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z. For transparency […]
October 8, 2019
Interview WTFs: Observations & Tips
A growing business is a blessing and a challenge. Hiring is one of the hardest endeavors, regardless of business size. When you have an entry-level position you are hiring for, […]
September 17, 2019
The business owner support group
I had an interesting convo with my therapist the other day (more people should admit they see one, helps erase the stigma), we were chatting about the stress a business […]
September 9, 2019
I want to scream
“Do you ever just want to scream?” was the text message I sent to three of my friends last week. There are times, we drive ourselves to mental, emotional and […]
June 30, 2019
Sunday Scaries
Am I the only one, who had never heard this saying, until recently? According to the internet, that is always right in all these types of things, the Sunday Scaries […]
June 13, 2019
What’s that smell? A lesson in teamwork
I was reminded the other day of the power of teamwork and what can be accomplished when we work together. Around 3:00 a.m. this past weekend, Joey (one of 7 […]
May 29, 2019
Fork out the dough, do right by your interns
My lovely friend, Adrienne Wallace, spoke about paid interns at her acceptance speech for PR Pro of the Year or Badass Superwoman of the Year (I forget the category) and […]
May 3, 2019
Let’s get old together
I turned 40 last week, and no this is not some blog manifesto…so just calm down. I’m not sure when getting older became such an awful thing, I fricken love […]
April 12, 2019
Let it go! Let it go!
Now that the frozen song is stuck in your head, I will get to my point. There have been a few things bothering me, I just can’t seem to get […]
March 26, 2019
Ladies Listen Up: Friendship
Ladies Listen Up, is going to be an ongoing series because…I have so much to say! With 40, right around the corner, I’ve become really wise or maybe it’s really […]
March 18, 2019
Get it over with, stop procrastinating
Ever find yourself scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn…all the photos in your phone…the latest Ann Taylor sale…basically doing anything but tackling the looming project that is due? I’m convinced it […]
March 8, 2019
Listen up ladies
I just got back from a relaxing vacation with my girlfriends, we spent our days laying on the beach, sipping cocktails and reading. Instead of fully enjoying my vacation, I […]
February 18, 2019
Listen up
One of the most important skills a person can possess is the ability to listen. In a world where phones are beeping, watches are buzzing and emails are popping up…we […]
January 28, 2019
Things to do during Snowmageddeon
Dear Michiganders, We find ourselves, once again, in the midst of a blustery winter storm (Snowmageddeon) that has seemingly caught us by surprise…even though it is winter in Michigan. I […]
January 24, 2019
Be comfortable with change
Be comfortable with change is the best piece of advice I can offer you. Life is going to throw a lot of curve balls your way, so line up to […]
December 27, 2018
Leadership is…RBG
I have been thinking about leadership quite a bit this week, probably because I am in the middle of the woods with 6 dogs and a shitty wifi connection. I’ve […]
December 17, 2018
Self-care and the holidays
First off, I hate the word self-care, so I am annoyed I used it in the title to this blog. It is, however, the quickest way to say “take care […]
December 3, 2018
It’s the holiday season…for you
As we approach the holidays, I wanted to write this blog as a reminder that it can be a hard time for many. As we age, the holidays can lead […]
November 23, 2018
Supporting small business
My favorite subject is small business and through the 8THIRTYFOUR Happy Hour Hustle podcast, WGVU Your Biz Your Town radio show with Shelley Irwin or this blog, I am constantly […]
October 29, 2018
Failure to reinvent
Change is inevitable; we have all heard it before – but many of us seldom do anything about it. I had the opportunity to hear Josh Linkner speak last week […]
October 8, 2018
The benefits of team retreats
The 8THIRTYFOUR team, took time out to reconnect, strategize and explore a small town in Northern Michigan this past week. Since we began implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®), we […]
September 26, 2018
Diversity and inclusion: It’s just good business
If you live in Grand Rapids, chances are you have seen the controversy surrounding the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s decision to endorse Republican Gubernatorial candidate, Bill Schuette. 8THIRTYFOUR, along […]
August 26, 2018
Ramblings from a terrible traveler
I am not a terribly patient person, my anxiety at times is off the charts. I’m not really a ‘go with the flow’ individual and when it comes to travel […]
August 9, 2018
Leadership lessons from an accidental leader
Most entrepreneurs and business owners fail terribly a leading. No one tells you when you start your business, that you will someday have to manage an entire team. At the […]
July 31, 2018
See you on the other side
I have struggled with how to share this news, I have avoided it in part because I don’t want to admit to myself that he is gone. You see, Jimmy, […]
July 30, 2018
Blogging lessons (11 years and counting)
We are blogging maniacs at 8THIRTYFOUR, we blog twice a week or more depending on breaking industry news. That is a lot of content to create, which means we have […]
July 9, 2018
Be the leader you wish you had
The worst bosses I ever had…were women. I know I am not alone, many share the same experiences. These experiences have driven me to be a better leader and to […]
July 2, 2018
Pessimism and success
I was labeled a pessimist the other day and my first reaction was to be defensive. Let’s be honest, pessimism is not viewed favorably; we are considered the Eeyores of […]
June 25, 2018
Cultivating client relationships
The most important relationships in your business are the ones you already have. We spend so much time searching for the next big thing, new project, new client…we miss or […]
June 21, 2018
Are we all mean girls?
I originally wrote this article for Huffington Post over a year ago and I doubt it will ever lose its relevance. “There are two kinds of evil people in this […]
June 7, 2018
Get writing!
If you are not writing, do you even exist? Kidding…sort of. In the world of business ownership, you have to write – emails, blogs, notes, strategies, press releases, newsletters…the list […]
June 3, 2018
Small business: You’re all grown up now
At some point in the lifespan of your small business, you have to grow up. What do I mean by this? You stop living in a reactive, chaotic environment and […]
May 20, 2018
Stop worrying about being liked
Why, as women, do we feel the need to be liked by everyone? Why are our feelings hurt when we aren’t included? Is high school still haunting us? I won’t […]
May 3, 2018
What the hell is mindfulness
I have heard the word mindfulness at least 15 times this week (ok, maybe it was 3 times), so I started wondering what the hell it is. Here is the […]
April 24, 2018
Don’t forget the soft skills
It seems all you hear talk about these days is the need for skilled, STEM and high-tech candidates. A recent article by the Washington Post titled, Forget coding. It’s the soft […]
April 10, 2018
Becoming the best boss
I’ve made a lot of mistakes along this small business journey and leadership is at the top. No need to rehash for the purpose of this blog, don’t worry they […]
March 26, 2018
Make decisions in the present
Perhaps one of the most harmful things we can do as business owners is dwell on the past. It is hard to look forward and not backwards when we are […]
March 22, 2018
Consistency is annoying, but necessary
As entrepreneurs and business owners, our days are anything but consistent. It is a word we loathe, how can we possibly be consistent when everyday is full of surprises and […]
March 16, 2018
Prioritize that one thing that makes you happy
With it being Friday, I want to remind you to put yourself and your happiness first. We get lost in our responsibilities, to-do lists, worries and commitments; losing focus often […]
March 6, 2018
The art of procrastination
Don’t have a heart attack, but I currently have 1,215 emails in my inbox. Are you hyperventilating? Take a deep breath, here’s a paper bag – I hear you can […]
February 26, 2018
5 ways to amplify your personal brand
I had a great conversation this past week with good friend of mine, who is in an influential and important role in Grand Rapids. She was looking to amplify her […]
February 19, 2018
So…you want to be an entrepreneur
I would never discourage anyone from starting their own business and going out on their own, but I do think it is important to have all the facts before making […]
February 14, 2018
The balance myth
I’ve been having a conversation with several other business owners regarding balance and finding that within your life. Can I just say, I think it is utter bullshit? When did […]
February 9, 2018
Favorite news headlines – cookies, diamonds, illicit romances and more
It is part of all PR practitioners jobs to stay up-to-date with current events and we often stumble across interesting stories. This past week is no different, so I offer […]
February 5, 2018
Superbowl: A lesson in leadership
I couldn’t help rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles last night, Nick Foles’ story is just amazing and who doesn’t love a great underdog story? As everyone by now knows, Foles almost […]
January 22, 2018
Evolving business habits
When starting a business the only thing you can think of is….$$$. How will you pay bills? Hire employees? Feed your dog? Fast forward and you are now a relatively […]
January 19, 2018
Throwing a message (not just a party)
Yesterday, 8THIRTYFOUR officially celebrated 11 years with our community, clients and staff. While our anniversary gave us an excuse to throw a party, our intent was much more powerful than […]
January 17, 2018
Learning to celebrate
Apparently 11 years is a milestone for a small business, or so I’ve been told. This week we are throwing a party to celebrate 8THIRTYFOUR’s eleventh anniversary, while also highlighting […]
January 15, 2018
Leadership cannot exist without truth
“Leadership that is not deeply rooted in a foundation of truth is leadership destined to fail.” – Mike Myatt of Innovation Excellence. As a leader, you are only as good […]
January 9, 2018
Small Biz Musings Top Blogs of 2017
My top blogs of 2017 were incredibly personal and a bit painful to write. I narrowed last year’s blogs down to the top 5. In each of these my passion […]
January 4, 2018
Creating a marketing plan
Strategies are hard. Where the hell do you even start? Whether you are the one responsible for creating a marketing plan or you are working with an agency, you need […]
January 2, 2018
Reflect on the pros and cons (avoid the resolutions)
At the end of every year, people lose their minds and make a bunch of resolutions they are never going to keep. The definition of insanity is doing the same […]
December 20, 2017
2018 Planning
The holidays are a great time to sit back and strategize on your business for the coming year. The weeks leading up to Christmas are a great reprieve from email, […]
December 16, 2017
Forget the holiday cheer
The holidays, am I right? Just typing that I am exhausted. What is it about them that just mentally exhausts us and makes us ridiculously emotional? For a lot of […]
December 7, 2017
Employees & Social Media
The use of social media is a hot topic around our office lately. We have a social media policy at 8THIRTYFOUR, it is all of one paragraph and states that […]
December 4, 2017
Motivation in loss
How do you stay motivated when faced with overwhelming loss? Whether it is a death, personal failure, business failure or other; motivation can seem unattainable – especially when all you […]
December 1, 2017
Killing the silence
If you don’t understand what is happening in our country as it relates to the stories circulating around sexual harassment and assault, then you are not listening. Women have never […]
November 27, 2017
Being a female leader
Back in September the news out of D.C. was the reversal of the pay gap rule put in place by the Obama administration. After reading about it, I started thinking […]
November 22, 2017
Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday & Cyber Monday – You Can Compete
It’s that time of year where we are bombarded with ads, coupons, sales, doorbusters – you name it. If you are a small business you may struggle to stand out, […]
November 21, 2017
Screwing up and moving on
I failed today in setting an example, in leading, in following our core values. I let frustration and stress get the better of me. Want to know the great thing […]
November 9, 2017
Small Biz Saturday: Support Small Businesses!
Small Biz Saturday is coming in hot on November 25th. The ‘holiday’ was created by American Express and shines a much-needed light on small businesses. Michigan small businesses employed 1.8 million people, […]
November 7, 2017
It can’t be perfect
It is hard to fight perfection. We are taught that we should always pursue it, even if it isn’t attainable. Why is that? If it is a lesson in failure […]
November 3, 2017
Forget the iPhone X (save a grand)
I have a Mac, an iPhone, an Apple TV, an iPad and all the accessories; suffice to say I am an avid Apple product user…however I cannot possibly fathom paying […]
October 31, 2017
Booze & Politics
I had a friend send me the below the other day and I literally laughed out loud and then went and followed Smirnoff on all of their social channels. Whatever […]
October 25, 2017
Nitty Gritty PR
I am sitting here with perma-grin on my face after creating a presentation for the GVSU Public Relations Student Society of America. The group asked me to speak on the […]
October 18, 2017
Dear Sarah Sanders: Remember the code of ethics?
Dear Sarah Sanders: It’s time. No one is debating your talent, well some are, but we are all beginning to question your sanity. I mean, how much abuse can someone […]
October 16, 2017
Me Too: Utilizing Social Media for Advocacy
Me Too. A powerful two word phrase that has been spreading like wildfire on social media started up on Sunday night. With the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault allegations dominating headlines, […]
October 11, 2017
Millennials and brand loyalty
This article previously appeared in the Grand Rapids Business Journal on September 29, 2017. Peanut butter. Jam. Bread. Besides a craving for a sandwich, do you think of certain brands […]
October 5, 2017
Holiday marketing: Tis’ the season!
My favoritist (I know it isn’t a word), time of the year is Christmas. I love everything about the holiday season – the gift wrapping, decorations, parties, food, gift-giving and […]
October 3, 2017
Brand statements: Just say something already
Recently Anheuser-Busch released a statement on the NFL ‘kneeling’ controversy and in 110 or so words said absolutely nothing. At Anheuser-Busch we have a long heritage of supporting the institutions […]
September 25, 2017
It’s Getting Hot in Here – Brand Activism in Diverse Political Climates
Phew…this weather…am I right? I am beginning to think sweating is my new way of life. The weather certainly seems to be symbolic of where we are as a country […]
September 20, 2017
Embrace change or die
You’ve heard the saying “evolve or die”, well it couldn’t be more true. If you are a business you can’t continue to do things the same way year after year […]
September 18, 2017
The value of core values
The definition of core values according to dictionary.com is the below: Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organization. … Core values also help companies to determine if they are […]
September 15, 2017
The idea of a job tryout
Is it too easy to land a job? And I am not talking about those companies that do 6 hour interviews – that is ridiculous and I am not sure […]
September 7, 2017
Change is scary
I’m sure I have written on this before, but I don’t care. It’s my blog and I’ll write if I want to. My firm of 10 years just moved into […]
August 28, 2017
It’s ok to ask for help
I made the decision to go see a business coach/counselor/therapist – whatever you want to call it….and it was the best. Granted, I’ve gone once but I’m clearly already cured. […]
August 21, 2017
Is gratitude extinct?
Is gratitude lost in todays society, never to be found again? Am I jaded in thinking that younger professionals want things handed to them without first working for it? It […]
August 15, 2017
Behind closed doors
Behind closed doors and in private we are constantly thinking, worrying, fretting and planning. This is what business owners don’t tell you: The termination of an employee is not a […]
August 10, 2017
Let’s negotiate
Negotiation is a part of every aspect of our life. In your personal life it could be trying to get your spouse to do a chore or run an errand. […]
August 7, 2017
It’s on you to grow your network
Hello everyone seeking a job, connection, friend, mentor, advice – stop bugging everyone. Make it happen yourself. No one owes you anything. They certainly don’t owe you their time, an […]
August 3, 2017
Lets stop apologizing
As women we are programmed to be apologetic. “Sorry i’m late.” “Sorry this seat is taken.” “Sorry to bother you.” “Sorry to interrupt.” Can we just knock it off already? […]
July 31, 2017
Everyone wants to be a leader
Everyone wants to be a leader, until you are and then you most definitely don’t. There are a lot of misconceptions on leadership, like you will have minions to do […]
July 20, 2017
It’s cool to be a quitter
Quitters never prosper. Don’t be a quitter. We’ve all heard it before, but when is it time to throw in the towel? As a small business owner, when do you […]
July 17, 2017
Setting boundaries
When do you put the phone away for the night? When do you close your laptop? Boundaries is something a small business owner will never have. We don’t shut it […]
July 12, 2017
The value in speaking
To be clear, I mean public speaking not just talking out loud. Although I do excel at that regardless if I have an audience. This week, actually today, I am […]
July 10, 2017
Show me the money
Jerry Maguire, eat your heart out. As a business owner you need to constantly ask yourself, “is this a good investment?” or “what is the ROI?” Marketing is one of […]
June 30, 2017
No time off for you
Before starting a business, ask yourself the question “Do I value time away from the grind?” There is no wrong answer to this question. The fact is, we all need […]
June 26, 2017
The crazy that is small business
It will be 10 years for 834 Design & Marketing this fall. Some of those years I would like to forget, there was a lot of failure, frustration and drinking […]
June 21, 2017
Invest the time into your new employee
As 834 continues to grow (along with my anxiety), we naturally add more employees. Our culture is a unique one, or so I have heard, and integrating a new employee […]
June 15, 2017
What does your brand champion?
What do you support? Do you stay neutral? Stay out of any political discourse? Many companies choose to quietly support or not support certain organizations in their community or remain […]
June 6, 2017
Hearing your employees
I always think it is ironic I write these blogs about management, when I often struggle to find my way. I guess I figure, when I am researching, reading and […]
June 2, 2017
It sure is lonely
Being a business owner is incredibly lonely. I am reminded of this daily, when I have no one but myself to turn to when it comes to tough decisions. No […]
May 31, 2017
#MPC17 – Networking
Is it important to be seen? To network? The answer is quite simply, yes. 834’s Lansing partner, Vanguard Public Affairs, and I are taking in the Michigan Policy Conference on […]
May 22, 2017
Being the leader your team deserves
If your team is struggling, that is on you. Don’t look to place the blame on someone else, it is your team. Leadership starts at the top. I was reminded […]
May 17, 2017
KPI and other acronyms that frighten me
When I first heard of KPIs (thanks Sue), I immediately felt dumb. I mean, what the hell is a key performance indicator? Also, why are there acronyms for everything? Sarcasm […]
May 15, 2017
Getting back on track
I just got back from being gone for 15 days. It was the longest I have traveled away from 834, my team and my dogs. It was amazing, scary, frustrating […]
April 27, 2017
My birthday blog
This won’t be exciting for anyone reading it, but I’m going to write it anyways – because it is my birthday. This past year has been exciting, terrifying and adventurous […]
April 19, 2017
5 ways to stay positive
Mondays, am I right? Seems like I never escape one without feeling overwhelmed, stressed and pissy. I usually go home, drink a bottle of wine and reflect on all the […]
April 17, 2017
The future of social media
I had a friend pose a question to me this past week on the future of social media. Will it remain an important tool for marketers? Has fake news, spam […]
April 12, 2017
A day in the life of a business owner
I was reading a recent Inc Magazine article and they interviewed multiple entrepreneurs such as Reddit, IPSY, SLACK and Shark Tank about how they spend their day. I thought, what a […]
April 11, 2017
Conquering failure
This past weekend I got up in front of an auditorium of people and talked about failure. I talked about a time in my life when I thought everything was […]
April 6, 2017
Be happy
Entire sections of bookstores are dedicated to self-help and self-improvement. Many individuals dedicate hours and hours to the pursuit of happiness. They turn the focus inward and change their own […]
April 3, 2017
How to give a memorable interview
We are in the process of hiring our summer interns for 834 which means lots and lots of interviews. Every interview we give is treated as important as if we […]
March 31, 2017
Marketing love: Southwest Airlines
I have long been a fan of Southwest Airlines. Besides the fact that their boarding process is genius, prices are on point and the staff always seems pretty damn nice […]
March 27, 2017
The snowflake test
We have all heard the saying “special snowflakes”, most often this is referring to a certain age group or generation. The connotation is not meant to be positive, rather it […]
March 22, 2017
Pitching your client
It still astounds me that PR professionals send mass emails when sharing client news. I didn’t think this was the norm anymore, until I was on the phone with my […]
March 20, 2017
In the face of adversity
This past weekend, I attended the West Point gala, Founder’s Day. The event is a celebration of Michigan graduates of the academy, as well as those who have just been […]
March 15, 2017
Building a PR calendar
One of the best ways a company can gain awareness is visibility in the media. Public Relations and media coverage has changed over the years which is good and bad. […]
March 13, 2017
Dress to impress
We have gotten lazy. Gone are the days when many of us were expected to wear a suit to work; which is not a bad thing. I love being able […]
March 8, 2017
Why employee benefits are important
Employees wanted to feel valued, in today’s world they are no longer working for just a paycheck. As a small business, benefits can be a large cost to undertake and […]
March 6, 2017
Make your own opportunities
I met with a potential client this past week and we started talking about networking, being a connector and building valuable relationships. I know I have talked about this in […]
March 1, 2017
Building a killer team
A recent Inc. article stated that high value work is now done more by teams than individuals with “type A” characteristics. The article went on to say that to solve complex problems, […]
February 27, 2017
The importance of company culture
So often the importance of company culture is overlooked. In the past few months, I have put emphasis on mapping 834’s culture out, but not all companies see the need […]
February 22, 2017
Are you risk adverse?
There is a lot in the works at 834 right now, it is exciting, thrilling, unknown and scary. But so what. Everything in life is terrifying if you think about […]
February 20, 2017
How important is design?
We have a saying around our office, “Presentation is just as important as strategy.” What I mean by that is we could have an amazing marketing strategy that we put […]
February 15, 2017
For the love of small business
Oh small businesses how do I love thee. I remember the early days of running 834, when it was myself, Bentley the wonder dog, my computer and a can-do attitude. […]
February 13, 2017
Badass Bitches
If you’re like me, your motivation can wane at times. This past week has been especially hard as I experienced a loss that I am still reeling from. I needed […]
February 8, 2017
Stop trolling!
In the past few months I have been solicited multiple times through LinkedIn, email or phone. These individuals always have a great partnership opportunity for 834 and it is always […]
February 5, 2017
Grieve
Grief is a funny thing. They say time heals all things and perhaps that is true but at the time it is crushing, suffocating and unbearable. Loss leaves an empty, […]
February 1, 2017
Disagreement is part of teamwork
If everyone agreed, what would be the point of teamwork? Idea exchange is messy, loud and conflicting and that is how it should be. Too often, in this politically correct […]
January 30, 2017
Why you should quit your job
This past week I met with a young woman in her 20s that was considering starting her own business, primarily because she didn’t see another option. Her degree was not […]
January 25, 2017
The age of transparency
We live in an age where every tweet, post, gram and snap are available for the masses to see. Privacy is at a premium and those at the helm of […]
January 23, 2017
It is your choice
This past weekend was emotionally charged for a large portion of America and the world. There is no doubt that our nation is in a transition period and we have […]
January 18, 2017
Hosting a successful meeting
No lie, this is mapped out in our standard operating procedures. I absolutely hate meetings to have meetings, you can feel the productivity just sucked out of your day. Meetings […]
January 16, 2017
5 ways to improve your business now
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein As a business owner you need to constantly adapt, innovate and be willing to […]
January 11, 2017
PR can’t fix stupid
Public relations can only do so much. PR practitioners can build brand awareness, attract attention to new products, manage a crisis and so much more. What we can’t do, is […]
January 9, 2017
Sunday night prep
Mondays seem to hang over our heads mocking and taunting us as we enjoy football and relaxing on Sunday before heading back to work. As a business owner, prepping for […]
January 5, 2017
What goes into developing a brand?
Is your logo outdated and no longer relevant to your customers? Do you even know how your brand is perceived? A brand’s mark can be very subjective as individuals see […]
January 3, 2017
Marketing in the new year
This time of year, a lot of companies will reach out to us in an effort to incorporate marketing into their strategy for the new year. Prior to forming a […]
December 29, 2016
Make marketing your focus in 2017
Repeat after me: 2017 is going to be a great year for you, a phenomenal year, the best year ever. As a business owner, you set lofty goals for your […]
December 27, 2016
Take a deep breath. You got this.
The first day back after the holidays can be overwhelming. If you are like me, I tried to avoid even thinking about work while I was off, which proved to […]
December 22, 2016
Why guilt?
Why is it that guilt is an accepted and normal part of a small business owner’s life? I was taking time this past week to reflect on what I would […]
December 20, 2016
Should you diversify in the new year?
Don’t worry this isn’t another blog about resolutions that we all know you will never keep. Save yourself the trip to the gym and instead let’s focus on business diversification. […]
December 15, 2016
Planning for 2017
It’s the most hectic time of the year, so how can you even think about 2017? Since most business owners can be procrastinators it is a pretty safe bet to assume […]
December 1, 2016
Successful small business owners are coachable. And scrappy.
Guest post by: Sue Tellier, JetCo Solutions Seriously. We fail all the time, and our job is to learn from the failures and find smart people to guide us along […]
November 29, 2016
Want media coverage? Get creative.
There is no such thing as traditional PR anymore, I mean sure I can write up a press release and send to the masses and wait for my phone to […]
November 24, 2016
Support small by shopping small
As a small business I am a big supporter of shopping local, that being said I also hate shopping so if I can’t buy it online, I won’t buy it. […]
November 22, 2016
5 reasons to start a blog
I think everyone should have a blog, whether it is personal or company focused. I started Small Biz Musings, so I could talk about my journey as a business owner […]
November 17, 2016
Facing a difficult decision
In a previous post I wrote about adapting to change and surviving it. This morning I stumbled upon an article in Inc. that talked about the questions you should ask […]
November 15, 2016
Embracing change
I suck at change, which is rather ironic when you are a small business owner. Change is the norm. Over the years, I have adapted several ‘coping’ mechanisms to offset […]
November 7, 2016
Get the most out of your agency
834 was set up to be an integrated communications agency, which means we can manage all your needs under one roof. We build a strategy, we implement the strategy and […]
November 4, 2016
Jimmy goes to the bar
This past week, Jimmy Lab, 834’s chief happiness officer decided to wander off and leave his humans completely panicked. Thanks to the power of social media, he was returned safe […]
October 25, 2016
Project management tips
We hear people say it all the time, how busy they are and how they can barely keep their head above water. Trust me, I get it. 834 is in […]
October 18, 2016
How to crush an interview
With growth comes hiring, with new hires comes lots and lots of interviews. How do you stand out from the crowd? How do you leave a good impression? As a […]
October 12, 2016
Why we need to be loud women
I’m a feminist. This is a surprise to no one. I am very loud about it and I am very proud of it. I was raised to be independent, challenge […]
October 11, 2016
Michigan small business resources
In my blog last week I talked about the power of small businesses. It is no secret running a business is hard, most of us are not qualified to manage […]
October 6, 2016
Small businesses are driving Michigan’s economy
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms. Since 1995, small businesses have generated 64 percent of new jobs, and paid […]
October 4, 2016
5 tips for implementing that communication strategy
When we recommend communication activities for our clients and outline tools, tactics and timeline; one of the most common responses we hear: “We don’t have time for that, we are […]
September 29, 2016
Part 2: 7 Lessons learned from my cruise
Cruising is pretty cool, I learned a lot. For example, you can get sick of sitting by a pool 7 days in a row for hours at a time sipping […]
September 27, 2016
Part 1: 7 lessons learned from my cruise
This past week I went on my first ever cruise with Royal Caribbean on the Allure of the Seas. As with all things in my life, I take in details […]
September 20, 2016
Basics of media preparation
As we gear up for another week of media announcements, press conferences, media training and pitching, I wanted to share some tips on media preparation. Reporters use interviews to gather […]
September 13, 2016
Do employees ask for too much?
My first job was working in the facilities planning department at a university, I was a glorified assistant/secretary and it was definitely not what I went to school for. I […]
September 8, 2016
Stop saying this to PR pros
So you hired us…because we know stuff. We clearly have a track record of success in public relations or you never would have come to us in the first place. […]
September 6, 2016
Worst Content Advice Ever Given
Content rules the world, you know this, your mom knows this, hell…even your dog knows it. Content done well, can drive sales, build brand awareness and has countless other benefits. […]
August 30, 2016
10 Signs You Should Invest In Communication Strategy
A communication strategy really does serve a purpose, it isn’t just something you read once and set on a shelf. It should be your roadmap to meeting your business goals, […]
August 25, 2016
I do it for wine.
As I got ready to attend my 3rd or 4th event this week, I thought – what the hell keeps me motivated to attend all of these business events? Wine. […]
August 23, 2016
Building an integrated campaign
Team 834 is working with our local community theatre on the promotion of an unknown play that deals with some very real but difficult issues. In an effort to bring […]
August 18, 2016
Why the heck should I tweet?
Does Twitter really have a place in business? Are you really going to suggest it as part of a marketing strategy? Short answer: Yes. Here is the deal, just a […]
August 16, 2016
Lessons from the Big Apple
It dawned on me after just returning from meetings in the Big Apple, that I am incredibly fucking blessed. 834 is the little engine that could, here’s why: Several years […]
August 9, 2016
The power of visual content
Designing is not a skill I possess. I do, however, understand the importance of integrating visual content into every aspect of your communication tools. A recent article by HubSpot states: […]
August 2, 2016
Take Control of Your Schedule
Every week, I have a Sunday night freak out. I start worrying about the coming week, the stuff I didn’t get done on the weekend, the meetings I have to attend, […]
July 28, 2016
Taking emotion out of the equation
Making difficult decisions is part of being a business owner, whether it is parting ways with a client, admitting you screwed up or having unpleasant conversations with an employee. Running […]
July 21, 2016
Making the Best Impression
We have all gotten a little lazy with our style. Gone are the days where a suit, nylons and pencil skirt were the norm. With an influx of millennials into […]
July 19, 2016
How is your brand perceived?
I had a conversation with a friend, and someone I respect immensely professionally, about a company’s brand and how it is interpreted across all channels. She shared with me a […]
July 12, 2016
Perking up your office and you
Sometimes, a girl just needs office supplies. When you spend the majority of time at work or in meetings, you tend to splurge on the super boring items you use […]
July 7, 2016
The community factor
I wanted to start this blog out with “The problem with young-ins nowadays is…” but then I thought better of it. When I was just beginning my career I had no […]
July 5, 2016
Ensuring success: employee onboarding
We currently have a position open at our company and I started thinking about our employee onboarding process and integrating a new person into the 834 culture. Just this year, I […]
June 30, 2016
Get yourself some perspective
As I sit here writing this, I am staring out across a large body of water from my campsite in the Manistee National Forest. Seriously…look at this view! Holy shit […]
June 28, 2016
Why you can’t afford to ignore personal branding
It still amazes me how bad individuals are at promoting themselves, the fact is everything you do shapes your personal brand. The benefits of personal branding are numerous, the only […]
June 21, 2016
Growth is F**king hard.
You often hear how hard the startup stage is for a new business but not a lot of people address the headaches of growth. Personally, I think the growth stage […]
June 16, 2016
The problem with social media
In the last week, our country has experienced a lot of tragedy. From the mass shooting in Orlando to the 2 year old being attacked by an alligator to who […]
June 14, 2016
Vacation Reads: Kim’s Top Picks
I love reading. It is my favorite thing to do, besides work. I love delving into historical nonfiction by authors such as Stephen Ambrose, Erik Larson and Nathaniel Philbrick. Reading books […]
June 9, 2016
Time management tips from 834
When you are managing over 30 clients, overseeing 20+ social channels and communicating with 100 or more media outlets on a monthly basis…you need to have your organizational shit down. […]
June 6, 2016
Leadership Lessons – Culture
One of the biggest issues I have struggled with as 834 continues to grow is culture. How do we maintain our existing culture when adding new employees into the mix? […]
May 31, 2016
Can you keep your clients happy while on vacation?
Heading back to work after a long holiday weekend is tough, especially if you can’t truly unplug from your job. Part of agency life, is understanding that the work we […]
May 26, 2016
Lipstick is not the solution
I have been waiting for 10 YEARS for an article that accurately depicts integrated communications (thank Brian) and why it is the ONLY way agencies should function. This past week, […]
May 24, 2016
Moving sucks and other brilliant insights
This past week I moved an entire house, 4 dogs and a husband. I came to several realizations while packing, unpacking and drinking multiple bottles of wine. Life is short. […]
May 17, 2016
Leadership: Someone is always watching
Most of us crave leadership, we want to be looked upon as an expert and someone that others look up to. But what does it take? You don’t wake up one […]
May 12, 2016
So…if you get hit by a bus
A bit morbid of a subject but something, as a business owner, you absolutely have to think about. This is especially relevant if you are the sole proprietor. After owning […]
May 10, 2016
Dear Graduate: By the numbers
Dear Graduate, What an exciting time for you! This past weekend you graduated, celebrated with friends and family and toasted the accomplishment of receiving a degree. After a 4.5 hour […]
May 5, 2016
Social Media Gurus Are BS
My sister-in-law contacted me the other day to ask me about an individual, marketing themselves as a social media guru that promised her for $247 she could increase her Instagram […]
May 3, 2016
Just relax, will ya?
This past weekend, I felt immense guilt for sitting around and chillaxing (as I like to call it), which may or may not have involved watching Hallmark movies…but probably not. […]
April 28, 2016
Girl Boss – Valerie Martinelli
Last week, I announced a new blog series called #GirlBoss. This series is meant to educate and offer hope to women bosses, entrepreneurs, business owners and general badasses. The hardest […]
April 26, 2016
Staying Relevant: 5 Tips
As professional, career-driven individuals we work hard and often, which doesn’t leave a lot of time for self-learning. We all understand the importance of it, but in a 12 to […]
April 21, 2016
#GirlBoss – Who Inspires You?
In an effort to further support women in business and share their stories of success, failures and triumphs; I am excited to announce a new blog series called #GirlBoss. This […]
April 19, 2016
Becoming the salesperson of ‘you’
In the last week it occurred to me what a terrible job professionals do marketing themselves. Developing your personal brand and communicating your value proposition is key to success. Everything […]
April 14, 2016
The Power of a Tribe – 5 Ways to Build One
You are only as smart as the people you surround yourself with, this refers to staff, friends, mentors, colleagues and more. We may not be able to choose our family, but […]
April 12, 2016
7 Ways to Avoid Networking Disaster
Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, networking is a necessary evil, unless of course you work in a cave and are required to stay in said cave and […]
April 10, 2016
Tax Time…Hell Time…Why?
This same time every year, I question my decision to run my own business. Why? Because…taxes. When you are paying out an unGodly amount at the end of the year, […]
January 4, 2016
Simplify your strategy and have more time for wine.
Every January I sit down and write up our growth strategy for the coming year – it keeps us on track with milestones and goals to reach. I take a few […]
November 11, 2015
The power of small business…and unicorns.
~The unicorn is part of the world of nature and part of the world of dreams–and completely of the heart. In many ways, it is a symbol of our longing […]
October 19, 2015
What traveling internationally taught me about customer experience.
For the first time in my 36 years (I know…it took me that long), I traveled overseas to spend 2 weeks in a foreign country. The country of choice? Spain. […]
October 10, 2015
Small business is hard.
I remember thinking, just last week, I wish someone had a small business handbook that gave you step by step instructions on running your company. When I started 834 back […]
