Speaker 1 (00:02):
This podcast is for PR pros who are looking to discover the best strategies for landing their dream retainer clients and scoring them top tier media coverage. I'm your host, Jen Berson. And I want you to have a fulfilling career in PR that totally lights you up without sacrificing your personal or family time or your sanity. Welcome to the pitching powerhouse podcast. Hey there. And welcome back to another episode of the pitching powerhouse podcast. I'm your host, Jen Berson. And today we are talking to a member of our profitable PR pros community and our agency accelerator and pitch lab program. Um, actually I think she has all the programs. Um, and so she is just jumped in head first, but we are going to chat with Kelly Bloomquist and I'm so excited for her to share her story with you because I feel this really deep connection with Kelly because, um, she has seven kids.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I only have two, but we both have children with special needs. She has three children with, um, learning differences, speck autism, spectrum disorder, and some, um, pretty significant health issues. And she is obviously a very busy mom, but has been able to, uh, harness her expertise, um, in journalism and storytelling and walk away from a career, uh, working for someone else, something that really drained her, uh, kind of zapped her energy and pivoted to create her own business on her terms in the middle of the pandemic and while supporting her seven kids who were also home being homeschooled. And her story is absolutely incredible because of what she's been able to accomplish in a really short period of time. And every time I hear her tell her story, I learned more about what she has overcome and what she has accomplished, and I'm really, really inspired and so grateful that she found us and we've been able to support her on this journey.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Um, we talk to her about how she's been able to, um, grow her confidence and overcome imposter syndrome, how she was able to use a really simple trick to build her confidence so that she could cold pitch a client and land herself eight, six month, six figure contract yes. From a cold pitch. So listen in as Kelly shares, how she was able to do that and let us know what you think, uh, you know, share, um, what you learned about the potty or learned about Kelly, um, and the podcast, your share with us on social. And please, if you are enjoying our interviews and our show, rate us and leave a review and subscribe. So you don't miss an episode. And now onto our interview with the wonderful Kelly Bloomquist oh my gosh, Kelly Bloomquist thank you so much for coming on the pitching powerhouse podcast. How are you?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
I'm good. Thank you so much. I'm honored and so excited to be here with you today.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
I am so excited to chat with you because we are honestly continually blown away by your story and what you have been able to accomplish in a short amount of time with a lot of other obligations pulling at you and at the beginning of the pandemic. So tell us a little bit about yourself, your PR business, what you specialize in and a bit about your personal life.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yeah, so there's, there's so much in there. Yeah, so, um, my, my husband and I, we live in rural Iowa, um, rural central Iowa, um, on the family farm that, uh, that his great grandfather built when he came over from Sweden a hundred plus years ago. Um, and, uh, so we have a menagerie of animals on the farm and, uh, we also have seven kids. So, um, yeah, it's always, it's always interesting. There's always something going on. Um, but our oldest is 15, um, and our youngest is one, so we are, you know, we are in it all from teenage stuff to, um, we're about to hit those terrible twos. Um, so yeah, I mean, it's always busy, but the, the, the thing for me, um, was, um, so, so I, um, I started in, uh, in communications, um, I guess I'll circle around, but I started in communications, um, 20 gosh, it's almost three decades ago.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
So that really makes me feel old. I did the math this morning. Um, so I actually, um, got my first job in radio when I was 15 years old. Um, yeah, I, I was just enamored with the news. Um, we had where I grew up in Northwest Iowa, we had this amazing, um, uh, radio station that always had an award-winning new staff, and I love to listen and, um, kind of, um, study it and you know, how, how they put it together and everything. And my dad happened to know the news director and he came home one night after work and he said, Hey, Kelly, if you go to the radio station, um, you have an internship, they're going to teach you everything you want to know. And I thought there is no way this, this award-winning radio station is going to let a 15 year old in and they did.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
And, um, and so I worked at this radio station, um, doing, um, news. I filled in on the weekends. Um, I remember actually at one point going to, um, I finished school and as I, as the bell rang for school and I was out of high school, I got a phone call from the news director that said, Hey, Kelly, there's a fire nearby, a house fire nearby the high school. So you just go and we'll bring you the equipment because we didn't have cell phones back in those days. And we're going to have you do a live cast from the house fire and talk to the fire chief and everything. And I was like, I literally just walked out of school two minutes ago. Um, so I did radio, um, it got me, you know, college scholarships. Wow. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
You're the original disaster girl, you know, that's you?
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, that's so funny. I love it. Well, and I, you know, I did so much radio and I think this is true, uh, of so much of our communications field for those of us who have been in it for a really long time, is that it changes so much. So I, you know, I graduated from college and had, had done the radio thing and all of a sudden the radio stations in the area where I was hoping to live really weren't doing local news anymore because everyone was switching over to national syndicates. And so I thought, gosh, there's no way that I can, you know, make a living doing this. So I pivoted and I went to newspaper, um, and right away I thought, oh gosh, this is amazing. I get to write all the time. I get to take these cool photos. Um, and so I was a newspaper editor, um, and sports editor, um, for a good chunk of time there. Um, and then met my husband, we had three kids and I realized that working 10 to 12 hours a day, not having holidays, not having weekends was not what I wanted. Um, and having, you know,
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Uh, from having kids, the perspective shift
Speaker 2 (08:23):
With him was that you want to know, and, and the kids were little and it was, you know, even just simple little things like we're, it's fall right now in Iowa. And the leaves are changing. Everybody's, you know, wanting to go to the apple orchards, you know, and stuff like that. And I couldn't go, I'd have to tell the kids, you know, like mommy has to work. I'm really sorry. And it broke my heart. And I realized, gosh, I don't want this for the rest of my life to, to work constantly, you know, and not be able to, to be around my kids. So I pivoted again and went to, um, so my husband's a music professor. And so he, you know, kind of asked around where he works and, you know, asked, is there any chance that, um, you guys would be interested in a journalism and PR professor and, you know, digital technology, because this was around the time that, um, social media was really, um, kicking things up, especially in terms of marketing.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
And they said, sure. So I went into academia and was teaching what I had done for so long and, um, realized during that time period, we adopted three kids. Um, so we were at six kids at that point. And, um, I loved being able to teach students w you know, the theory of it and, you know, things like that. But at the same time, it came back down to, um, I was the person who was in the weeds all the time. And the people at 30,000 feet who had no understanding of journalism or PR or marketing were the ones who were making the decisions. And I thought, this is crazy. This is, you know, I've, I've been in this field for decades. I know what I'm talking about, you know? And so I, I told my husband, I'm like, I can't, I can't do this anymore.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
We have to figure something else out. And so I left with six kids and, um, and we were essentially relying on his income and I started to do freelancing. Um, yeah, well, um, a lot of, uh, social media, um, freelancing content creation, social media management. Um, I was writing a lot of news releases and bios for people, you know, little things like that. Um, but just, um, it made me happy to be able to do it, you know, for somebody to call me up and say, Hey, Kelly, I need this bio for somebody. Sure, absolutely. It was, it was fun. Um, and so I just kept doing those, those little things, and I realized, this is what makes me happy. Um, and I was able to have enough flexibility to do, you know, to work when I wanted to work. And, um, at right before about that time when I was really starting to do a lot of freelancing, um, we, we found out we were having baby number seven or number seven.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
And so we're thinking, oh my goodness, we have to figure, I mean, like, I, I need to figure something out freelancing. Um, isn't just, you know, gonna help financially. Um, and so about that time, I started pitching to local to say, Hey, I think I can help you with a little bit more of what you're doing, but there really was no structure, I guess I could say to what, um, to my proposals or, you know, things like that. But, um, I thankfully was able to, to sign a client and then the pandemic hit, oh boy. And so here we were with seven kids, um, as, you know, some of them, yeah. Some of them have special needs. Um, yeah. So it was just, it was crazy. But that one client that I signed just happened to be a health department. And so it was one of those where, um, they needed me and they had absolutely no problem with me bringing, um, the two month old with me to work.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
So I, baby. Yeah. So I'd baby where James, um, and would go into the office and, um, help them with, you know, communications and all that kind of stuff. But as we kind of got through the thick of the pandemic, I realized, I love this so much. I need to be able to do this as a business. And I had no idea how to do that. I had, no, I don't have an MBA. I've never run a business before. Um, I mean, my brain is all over the place with seven kids and they're popped up your ad one day on Facebook. And I thought, this sounds really cool. And you know, it, I re I remember the ad, um, and it talked about, you know, being a mom and you can have it all, and you can do stuff that you love. And I clicked on it and I had to put in my email address and I remember thinking, what do I have to lose?
Speaker 2 (13:53):
I have nothing to lose. And, um, and it was, it was the best decision that I ever made because you broke down how to have your own business. And I was able to look at you and be like, oh my gosh, Jen can jump, can do this. Why can't I do this? Because, um, I mean, everything is in there from proposals to mindset to, I mean, you name it. So when I had someone call me up and say, Hey, Kelly, can you do this for me? Um, I was able to say, well, do you also need these things? How can I help you with these things? And all of a sudden, um, I went from being a freelancer to being a business owner and being able to help support the family. Um, and we, um, I actually, as part of, um, the income that I made was able to take the family on a little vacation during the pandemic, um, which for us, we're, we're big introverts and stuff like that. So we aren't, you know, big around people, types of people. So we found a cabin in the middle of nowhere and had a blast. So, and I wouldn't have been able to do that otherwise. Um,
Speaker 1 (15:10):
I love that you guys can't see me, but I have this like huge dopey grin on my face, smiling ear to ear. Um, because I'm just so glad that we were able to connect in that way and listen, I guess Facebook's not all bad if it's helping to bring together in this way. And I mean, you're so inspiring to me because, you know, you have seven children and your focus is them and to be present, and I know you're homeschooling some of your children and then you have their three children have special needs. And, you know, it's really important. I know for you to have this career that provides flexibility, but also it's really scary to, you said you had no training or whatever to become a business owner. Um, and it sounds like to me, you're talking about our agency accelerator programs specifically. So agency accelerator.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Yeah. Did that, um, you know, how did that unlock this opportunity for you that kind of showed you that you could have this flexibility and be there for your kids and you and I connect on that as well. Cause my son is also on the spectrum and I know it's just something you can't explain unless you're in it. But somehow I too have been able to be there for my kid and advocate for him and, you know, make sure that his needs are being met. And that to me has been the absolute biggest why or how important this career is for me and why I want to teach it. So your story resonates specifically with me because of what you have been able to do in a very short period of time. And so how has that flexibility, um, kind of helped in your life and, you know, beyond just a cabin in the woods in a,
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Yeah, I wish that more moms who were in our positions as special needs parents and, and I think people who, um, don't have kids who are on the spectrum or have any type of special need, they it's it's, we live in a completely different world. I tell people because people, um, bless their hearts, they try, but they don't understand what it's like for us. So I wish that moms and dads who were in our situation had other people to look at and say, Hey, I can do this. And I can have the flexibility to take my kid to therapy, to doctor's appointments, to specialists and things like that. I mean, I remember right before my last pivot. Um, so one of my daughters is a brittle, um, she's a brittle type one diabetics. So, um, we will she'll, you know, be doing okay and all of a sudden she's low and it's dangerously scary, you know, and things like that.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
And I happen to be, um, teaching that day and I got a phone call from the school and they said, okay, what do we do? Do we call an ambulance? What do we do? And I, I told them on the phone, what they needed to do. And I said, I will be right there. And I found my boss and I said, I have to leave. My kid is going to be put into an ambulance. This is what's going on. And I got in trouble for leaving and taking care of my child. And that really for me, yeah, that really, for me was kind of the last straw because I'm a mom and my husband. I mean, our kids come first. Um, and people just don't understand when you have a special needs kid. Um, what all goes into that, how exhausting as a parent it is to do gosh, you know, deal with the insurance companies and, you know, with the therapists.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
I mean, it just there. Yeah. And, and I wish that more people had the opportunity to find the flexibility of careers that, that you and I have been able to, to create with this because, um, this morning I took my kids to band lessons and I drove in and got Starbucks. And while I was there, I was on the phone with a client at the same time. Um, you know, and I wouldn't be able to do that otherwise. And, um, yesterday I fought on insurance for, um, you know, some, some stuff for four hours and we still don't have it fixed.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
Yeah. Yeah. You can be on the phone for four hours in a corporate job trying to get reimbursement for your expenses. Yeah. Yeah. It's incredible. You know, be able to have that flexibility. Like that's, for me, when my definition of success shifted and I realized how powerful and valuable that flexibility in my time, my schedule, who I worked with, where I physically was like, I can relate to you saying I dropped my kid off. I grabbed Starbucks. I could be there on the phone with a client. You're getting things done. It doesn't matter. Um, and so, you know, and I know your kids are home being homeschooled and you're productive and working, and your kids are your cheerleaders and they love what you're doing. And you're setting this incredible example for seven children of mom pursuing her dreams, getting to have it all. Cause it sounds like my vision of having it all is very similar to yours. It's like, you know, being, being the mom and being there for my kids and husband and especially the special needs that need to be attended to and advocating plus doing something you freaking love that lights you up and making great money. Okay. So tell me about this. I still remember getting this email and my whole family bounced around and celebrated for you, this email that you sent me. So tell me about this huge win that you got in your business and if you can share numbers even better. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
So, um, so all of my clients thus far had been, um, I've either I've, um, you know, I've signed a couple retainer clients who are small, um, they're, they're wonderful clients, but their retainer is pretty small and I still have one hourly client too. And one of the things I remember in agency accelerator that you talk about in one of the first, um, units, is you need to know, um, any successful entrepreneur. If you ask them would be able to tell you how much money you need to make monthly not, oh, I want to make a million dollars, but no, we're going to break it down monthly. And so I did that and I said, okay, this, I really need to have retainers of, you know, this much money. And so I started looking around, um, at, you know, things that were trending and things that were different.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
And I wanted to find a client that was, was totally different than any of the clients that I had taken on. I wanted something that was fun and really just going to be super exciting. And, um, I found one and I thought my imposter syndrome kicked in. I'll just say that. I mean, I thought there is no way that these people are even going to like read my email, let alone be like, yeah, we totally should hire her. Um, but one of the movies that we love in my house is, um, we bought a zoo, um, and it has Matt Damon in it. Yeah. We love, we bought a zoo and we tell, because your house
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Basically a zoo,
Speaker 2 (22:49):
It is, and we kind of bought a zoo too, because we had chickens and horses and, you know, and, and um, but one of the lines that he says in there really stuck with me and stuck with my husband, um, and Matt Damon says, um, so his son says, how did you get the courage to go up and talk to mom? Um, when you first saw her in this diner. And he said, you know what, all it takes is 20 seconds of courage. And so like that stuck in my head and I thought, you know what, I'm going to put this proposal together. And I end this discovery, you know, like email and I did. And the whole time I'm thinking, this is just going to go in the trash, you know, whatever. But I thought, you know what, I'm going to do it. And I hovered over the send button for probably five minutes. And I told myself, you know, what, all it takes is 20 seconds of courage. And I hit send and within probably 48 hours, I got a message back and said, Hey, Kelly, call, let's talk about this. And it was a completely cold email. Um, and I ended up within a week's time signing a six month retainer. That was six figures. Oh my gosh, amazing.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
I was completely floored. I thought there is no way. And, and, um, as soon as everything was signed, I told my kids, I told my husband and we danced around the house. And then I said, oh my gosh, I have to send Jen an email.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
And then we all danced around the house. Yes I did. And I told you to share it in the community so that everybody could celebrate your win as well. And we are just like blown away. I mean, it's incredible. And now you're serving them so well. And you're also using the community to support in ways, you know? So, um, I see you really utilizing the expertise of other members and, you know, realizing that you can think outside the box and get help from other people who maybe have a little bit more kind of experience in a local market or some other thoughts, ideas, and whatnot, bouncing pitches off of. So, um, tell me what you know is your maybe favorite part of being a member of the agency accelerator plus community, the profitable PR pros community.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
I love, love, love, love, being able to interact with the other, um, with the other members, because we all have the same dream. We're all at different levels and different timelines and different spaces, but everybody cheers, everybody else on, which is amazing to me. Um, and I know, um, recently we've had some, some new folks join, um, which is fantastic, you know, and they've asked questions and some of us, you know, I've been in it for a year. I know there's folks who've been in it longer, um, will chime in and say, well, what if you did this? Or you should contact this person or let me help you with your pitch just a little bit. There's no, um, there's no like people aren't trying to keep everything close to the vest. Right. Like I remember working in, uh, you know, when I worked in radio and newspaper, I would interact with PR people. Um, and I look at it now and I just think it's so ironic and funny, and I'd be like, tell me a little bit about what you do. And they'd be like, no, this is my thing. You know,
Speaker 1 (26:22):
There's so much practical around. There's like we just make each other better. And that was my vision for this community. It was like, this didn't exist. What, there's gotta be people out there like me who just want to share what they love and help each other out and, you know, have resources that will make them better and more profitable. So I created it and it's like, build it. And they will come. I mean, a little harder than that, you know, tens of thousands of dollars of ads on Facebook, but we attracted the right people into our world that are so collaborative and so helpful and willing to share resources. And honestly, it's been incredible for us because we've been able to take what they're doing that works. And with their permission, we adapt it and create templates and checklists and, you know, email, um, strategies for client, you know, dealing with clients and tricky situations.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
And it's real life battle tested stuff from members of our community, like asking for a more higher retainer fee from existing clients or whatever. And it's only made our program better. And, you know, it's just comes from this collaborative, open sharing, caring community of like mostly women, um, who just are like, these are my people. And so I love that you are accessing that to make you better and your business better. And I know you reciprocate and that's just the nature of the kind of people we have and that's the beauty of our community. Um, and I'm so glad that you are a part of it. Um,
Speaker 2 (28:01):
It really is. It's, it's amazing to me. Um, uh, for example, there there's one market that I'm, I've really kind of struggled to get through. And I emailed a couple of, um, women who were in the group and, um, and they said, well, Hey, let me give you the phone number for this person at all. My client would love to do something with your client. Let's put it all together and it's, it's so collaborative and everybody wants the best for everybody else. And you provide so many, um, templates and answers to questions and, and things within agency accelerator that I know that if during the day I come across something that I have a question about, I can go back in and it's in there because you already thought of it, or I'm sorry, but I have a question
Speaker 1 (28:56):
That Miranda's my integrator. And she is like the, in the know, she knows all the things and where everything is, but in the program, we have a w a Q and a vault with like over 200 questions with video answers and a supplemental, you know, resource if it's needed and it's all searchable. So we're coding these things so that you have a way to quickly search and get an answer to your question, because, you know, you need it in the moment and you can't wait for a coaching call or whatever, so, or you can ask in the community, but, um, I'm glad that you're diving in and finding that support that you need. Um, so I guess, so you, you know, you were kind of facing a bit of imposter syndrome at the point where you were kind of starting the business and then also reaching out cold pitching, which is like really scary and look at for anyone who's listening.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
I do have a module called pitching. Doesn't have to suck is what it's called, I think, um, and Kelly did it and it resulted in a six month, six figure contract. So if that doesn't sit in the back of your mind and give you that 20 seconds of courage to hit send, but, um, how has joining the program, um, transformed you into, you know, kind of the business owner you are now, or, um, has helped you overcome that imposter syndrome? I know it's sometimes still there and it pops up, but maybe now you have a better, you have more tools to address it and to deal with it. Um, so like, what are the positive experiences that you've had since joining our program?
Speaker 2 (30:36):
Yeah. I honestly have lived with imposter syndrome, like my entire life, so I can go back, you know, and look at different points in life where imposter syndrome really took over my life. Um, which is, which is really hard. But the one thing is, um, I remember any time, honestly, that imposter syndrome, um, is really starting to creep in for me. I remember, um, that first unit that you have an agency accelerator where you talk about, you know, this is, this is a totally common thing, and this is what we're going to do to make it, you know, to help you to get through it. And, um, for me, when, when I started, um, you know, reaching out to clients and things like that, imposter syndrome was, you know, it was, it was definitely there, but the more that I've learned and the more that I've interacted with, uh, with other women within the community and the more that I've been able to, um, successfully see my clients in, in print and on TV and, you know, get some of these, um, clients that I never imagined would even talk to me.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Um, it's, it's made me more confident it's made me, um, it's made me realize that, you know, I, I know just as much as everybody else, and I'm just as capable of doing this as everybody else. And that dream that I have of what I want for my family and my kids and my career is totally doable as a mom, to seven kids in rural Iowa, where, I mean, we live on a farm and my closest neighbors is like, um, I joke about this, but it's completely true. My closest neighbors is a den of coyotes. Um, and, um, I mean, so clients, for me, it, when, when I first started, I honestly thought there's no way I'm going to find people around here. Um, because we, you know, it's, it's rural Iowa. I love, rely reliable lot, but, you know, um, and I now have the confidence to reach out to national folks and say, I think I can do something and help you with this. Um, and it's, it's worked, it's been profitable and I'll be honest, the template for the templates that you have in agency accelerator. There are times where I use them almost verbatim. Um,
Speaker 2 (33:07):
Yeah. And it works, it works. So I've created something that's, that's so amazing. And it's so worth the time and the investment and everything else, because you'll see, like I saw myself change. I saw the circumstances that my family was in change. Um, and now I'm able to provide for my clients the change that they need. So it's, it's like climbing this little staircase and all of a sudden, like you get to the top and you're like, Hey, everything is here that I wanted. Um, and, and it's just been so, so fantastic.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Oh my gosh. I love hearing that. If you can expand a little bit on how you have changed, you said I have changed. Are those changes emotional? You said confidence. Like what specifically? Cause, and also you, you, I know you're an introvert and you are not obviously in a major city and you are working with brands in major markets and they don't care where you're sitting. They just want you to be effective. And so, you know, share a bit more about that personal transformation and with, you know, how you've helped your family to, you know,
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Yeah. When I was in, um, you know, working, uh, especially, you know, newspaper and academia and things like that, um, I was so overwhelmed and was so used to, um, if my employer said jump, I said, how high? So if they said Kelly, we'd meet, you've already worked 10 hours a day, but we really need this to get done. It's going to take like four more hours. I would be like, okay, fine. And I don't do that anymore. Nope. Um, this is the one thing that I have really learned from the community and from agency accelerator and being able to work with my clients is I've been able to say, I'm going to be available during these times for you. Um, and you know, if the world is on fire and you need something else, let me know. But for the most part, um, it has been extremely, extremely rare.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Um, and they were all pandemic things, um, where I've needed to break out of that timeline, um, for my kids. So I, now every single night we're having separate together again, which the kids absolutely love. Um, we are spending weekends together and we had never been able to do that before, because I was pulling, you know, 10 to 12 hours. Um, and so we now have family time and it's wonderful. The kids love it. I love it. Um, and also, yeah, I, I am a huge introvert. Um, so those, those funny memes that you see on social media where they're like, Hey, I went out tonight now I need two days to recoup and like refill my bucket. That's totally me. But the cool thing is, is, um, being able to work remotely. I don't have that pull of energy that I do in person with people.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
So I am able just to, you know, I can keep the phone calls going. I can keep the zooms going and working with clients and things like that. So I don't have that huge energy draw that just leaves me exhausted for days and days and days. Um, and um, also one of the things that I have struggled with, and this is totally common for women and introverts is to really focus on your trolls and your haters, your people who say you totally can't do that. Are you totally, you know, just even working in the pandemic, um, for a health department, um, the health department that I have worked with the people are, oh my gosh, I cannot sing their praises enough. And they have had some of the worst things said to them, and I've been managing their social media for them, as well as, you know, helping with messaging, you know, and things like that.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
The things that people say to health department workers, holy smokes, and early on in the pandemic, um, before I really dove into the mindset and, you know, really gaining that confidence, I took a lot of that to heart. So I was crying all the time. I was mad at people. Um, and now I'm just like, you know what that says way more about you than it does about my clients and the content they're providing and the public good that they're providing. And for me before joining agency accelerator, I totally had almost three decades worth of experience and communications, but I still felt like that stem of a flower, you know, like I was just, I was hanging out in life, not really, you know, I was, I had kids ha you know, like life was good, but I wasn't super confident. I wasn't super happy in life.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
And then I joined, this sounds really like trying to everything, but I joined agency accelerator. I worked through the modules. I was able to find these clients find something that I was like, you say, lit me up that I'm passionate about. And I feel like finally, I went from just being that like stem of a flower to being in bloom. And I just, I wake up every morning and I get up early and I sit down at my laptop and answer emails before the kids are up. Um, and it's not, oh, man, I really don't want to go to work today. You know, that I had for decades before it's okay. I said that today on my list, I was going to reach out to all these markets today for this client. Yes. I get to do this. And I've never had that before. And so it's, it's so amazing. And just, it fills my bucket
Speaker 1 (39:19):
And the bucket to hear you saying, oh my God, that's the best. That's how I feel too. And I've been doing this for 16, almost 17 years. And I have my list right here of all my things I get to do today. And you're on my list, which I love. Oh my gosh, that just makes me so, so, so happy for you to take your experience and the things that you're great at and your gifts, and to find a path that's truly your own using those gifts to do something you love, bringing an income with your, for your family, setting, healthy boundaries with clients and having them respect those. That's how I am to my clients do not bother me nights and weekends, unless there's an emergency, but for me, it hasn't really happened. And you know, that we say family time in my house too. Like we have to scream at the kids and get them off devices and be like, it's my time. So you're like, my family loves it. I'm like, I don't know if my family loves it, but they know it's good for them. Um,
Speaker 2 (40:18):
Yeah, that's the way it is in our house to put your phones away
Speaker 1 (40:22):
Right. Minutes. And you're like, no, it's always five more minutes, but I just, your, what you have experienced is exactly why I put all of this together. And it's like, you are living my life purpose, like allowing you to have something of your, like a framework to feel confident to have something of your own mean. The secret here is you did all of the work, you know, and you are head down and it's because this is your dream. And you know that if you put in the work, you already made the investment and it's really just an investment in yourself. Right. So you just have to do the work. Yeah. And you're doing it. I love it. Um, okay. So final kind of wrap up. What advice would you give to other aspiring PR pros, maybe even, you know, moms like us, um, what would you kinda summarize and wrap up for them?
Speaker 2 (41:19):
Yeah. Whatever your dream is, find a way to make it happen because it, it absolutely is possible, you know, pre pandemic. Um, I never would have said that. I would said, I am destined to live this way for the rest of my life. And here I am living my dream. So whatever that dream is, it is absolutely possible. And you have to put in the work, put in the work, do the learning agency, accelerator, um, pitch lab, all the different options, um, lead to landed. It's all worth it, but you have to put in the time and the work, we, we say that to our kids too. You want all the glory, you want all the fun, but you have to put in the work in order to do it. And I think one of the things, um, for moms that's really scary is we look at it and we say, well, how am I going to, you know, put in eight hours of work a day, how am I going to sit and learn, you know, for eight hours a day and be able to do this when I have kids and I need to do all of these things well, make small goals.
Speaker 2 (42:29):
Um, for me, um, you know, during the pandemic, all of our kids, because we have kids with special needs, um, we truly did not leave the farm for probably about 14 months, um, except for me going into, um, the, the public health department. And so I would take little chunks of time that I knew I had available. So, you know, maybe it's Monday, I have one hour here and maybe that one hour is just while I'm walking on the treadmill, but I have one hour and I can, you know, spend one hour and it's an investment in yourself. So put in the work and pretty soon that one hour is going to turn into, oh, I had an idea, add 20 seconds of courage later, you're going to have a six month retainer for six figures and we'll be completely mind blown, but it's worth it. But it's an investment in yourself. And as moms we find that, I don't know, I find that I think most moms that I know, find it hard to, to put that investment into ourselves, but you're worth it. Do it, your kitchen.
Speaker 1 (43:37):
Yeah. Cause they're watching. Yeah. Yeah. Oh my God, Kelly, I know how busy you are with your business and your kids. And I really appreciate you coming on to the podcast and sharing your story. I have heard your story many times and I'm always blown away and I always learn more. Um, you are, she's so funny, you guys, for anyone listening when we first got on, but prereq, prerecord, she said, I, I was sure you meant to reach out to somebody else. And I'm like, there's that imposter syndrome again, like she is, um, you know, very humble, which you know sure, great. But you're amazing. You are absolutely amazing. You continue to blow me away and I'm so proud of you. And I'm so honored that you're a part of our community and I know your story and your, and the transformation that you have had will inspire so many people and show them what's possible for them. So thank you so much for coming onto the show and where can our audience find you connect with you, share their ahas and takeaways from your interview. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:48):
Well, thank you, Jen. Seriously, thank you so much for all that you do for us. Um, so, um, on, uh, I, my businesses on Facebook and on Instagram, it's Kelly, Bloomquist media and it's Kelly with an eye. Um, so Kelly with an eye Bloomquist media. Um, and, uh, the, the other funny thing is I'm just in the process of having my website built and finished because up until, um, the pandemic, I didn't need it. I was freelancing with word of mouth and all of a sudden, now I need a website. So, um, I will soon [email protected].
Speaker 1 (45:28):
Well, awesome. You'll have to let us know when that launches so we can check it out and celebrate you, putting up a, website's a huge deal. It's like having your storefront, hanging your shingle, you have a place to send people. Um, and we talk a lot in the program about leveraging your wins and using that to attract bigger clients, bigger retainers, um, more clients squarely in your niche. And, uh, that is going to be a great place for you to showcase all of your, your wins and your client testimonials your case studies. So I can't wait to check it out. And again, Kelly, thank you so much for being here. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (46:04):
Thank you so much, Jen.
