EB: What was your education and professional experience? Were they helpful to starting your businesses?
Kristin Marquet
Kristin: My passion is writing, thus I majored in English/Literature in college. While in college, my hobby was writing on dating and relationships. My hobby evolved into a blog and e-newsletter that flourished into an interactive community where women discuss problems, ask questions, or get advice. This was the birth of Marquet Publishing.
Then after college, I could not find a writing job that paid enough, so I changed my plan and researched jobs that would enable me to write while making decent money. It took some time, but I eventually landed the role of the head of marketing for a law firm. After the firm gained media attention from the website, articles, and press releases, other non-competing firms noticed and hired me to freelance for them. After a year, I left the firm and worked as a consultant while I created my pr company.
EB: When did you establish your businesses?
Kristin: I established Marquet Publishing in 2005 and Marquet Communications in 2007.
EB: How did you decide to start your business?
Kristin: Prior to starting my fulltime business, I worked in the legal and consulting industries but between the politics, 8 to 5 routine, and travel the corporate world was not for me. I wanted to be in control of my own destiny.
EB: You have an interesting niche, why did you choose to serve the beauty industry?
Kristin: I’ve always loved skincare, hair care, and cosmetics. I’ve always been fascinated with organic anti-aging creams, mascara and eye liner products. I love how make up and hair care products can enhance our natural beauty or can reinvent us completely.
Before pursuing the beauty niche, I scouted my competition and discovered that most beauty based pr firms specialized in the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle industries, not only the beauty industry. Since most firms don’t specialize in just the beauty market, I am building my brand in that niche.
EB: How did any outside advisors make a difference in your company?
Kristin: My father always said, study the most successful people in your industry and model your business after what they have done. That is what I did exactly. I studied similar companies, took the best of what they have done and adjusted it to fit my company mission.
EB: Tell us about your business and the products and services you provide.
Kristin: Marquet Communications, www.marquet-communications.com offers public relations, branding, interactive media, and copywriting services to beauty businesses. It doesn’t matter whether it is an email campaign or a print advertisement, we do it. We work with clients one on one and give them all the tools they need to be successful in marketing. We also put together a blog http://businessmarketingsolutions.wordpress.com for entrepreneurs.
I am in the process of developing an e-book Crush Your Competition by Squashing Your Competitors, Rising Above and Becoming the Number Choice to Consumers (available late June). It is a blueprint to marketing a successful business. We also offer strategic, tactical marketing and general business plan templates to help new and established business owners through every step of the planning process.
Later this summer, I am publishing the book Why is He into Her and Not Me: the Smart, Sexy, Sassy Bitch’s Guide to getting what She Wants from Men and Relationships followed by the re-releases of Her an inspirational coffee table book, 600 Things Women Do that Annoy Men and 618 Things Men do that Annoy Women.
EB: What do you find most rewarding as an entrepreneur?
Kristin: The flexibility, financial freedom, and challenges are most rewarding. Don’t get me wrong though, things were not always easy. I’ve been pushed down and discouraged, but have learned that the most successful people are determined. I would read inspirational books such as Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill or The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck or anything else that would lift my spirit.
EB: What would you consider essential for a business owner to keep in mind, when hiring a communications company?
Kristin: For any business owner in the market for a communications company, ask these questions:
Does the firm have expertise in your field? Does the firm have media contacts in the areas in which you specialize (i.e. if a financial services company is going to hire a communications company to position the owner as an expert, does the firm have contacts at The Wall Street Journal, Forbes or other trade publications)? How big is the firm? How many people will manage the account? Will the firm work tirelessly to get you adequate exposure? Will your account manager be accessible and responsive?
EB: What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?
Kristin: Research your niche. Make sure a viable market exists for your product or service. Be patient because the business development process is slow. Planning is a must for success. Find a mentor. Take courses and study successful people in your niche.
EB: This issue of WomenandBiz.com’s theme is “Wow Your Stakeholders.” Would you have any advice on how women in business can exceed their clients’ expectations?
Kristin: I believe in under promising and over delivering results. Being accessible and responsive to your clients is a must. Showing client appreciation and thanking them for conducting business with you make them feel valued. Going the extra mile and increasing their bottom line are all ways to exceed client expectations.
EB: What are your plans for the future?
Kristin: I see Marquet Communications evolving into an interactive branding firm over the next few years with a full resource center; one stop shop for small business.
EB: Are there any other questions you wished I had asked, from which you feel WomenandBiz.com’s readers could learn valuable lessons?
Kristin: A final thought: Even the most successful business owners encounter obstacles. Develop a strong support structure, keep inspirational resources handy, and keep your eye on the prize – whatever your final goal is. For each milestone you hit, reward yourself.
Since this interview, Kristin Marquet has changed her business to Marquet Media, LLC. For more information about Kristin Marquet and her businesses, please visit http://www.marquet-media.com/