This interview is with Kristin Marquet, Founder & Creative Director at Marquet Media.

Kristin Marquet, Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media

Kristin, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an expert in social media, startups, analytics, and personal finance?

Absolutely! I'm Kristin Marquet, and my journey has evolved, learned, and embraced the challenges of entrepreneurship. I've always had a passion for helping others succeed, which led me to found Marquet Media, a PR and branding agency. Over the years, I built a reputation as an expert in the startup world, especially in digital marketing, health and wellness, and entrepreneurship. Along the way, I also developed a deep understanding of the power of data and analytics, shaping how I approach business strategy today. I've been fortunate to have a diverse career in consulting before I ventured into PR and branding. My corporate and entrepreneurial experiences have given me a unique perspective on what it takes to build a successful brand from scratch. This background is precious in today's digital landscape, where social media is a key driver of business growth and visibility. Regarding social media, I've always recognized its power to connect brands with their ideal audiences. Over time, I've honed my skills in leveraging social platforms to build personal brands and businesses. I've been fortunate enough to build a following of 1 million on Instagram and connect with a large audience through FemFounder and Marquet Media, where we focus on empowering female entrepreneurs. The ability to use social media not just for self-promotion but as a tool for fostering community and driving meaningful engagement has been one of the key components of my journey. In parallel, I became passionate about analytics and how data can drive better decision-making, whether in understanding customer behavior or tracking the ROI of marketing efforts. I took my interest in data further by pursuing continuous learning, including a background in AI and analytics from MIT, which gave me a more rigorous approach to solving business challenges and optimizing strategies. I've recently become interested in personal finance, particularly how entrepreneurs and small-business owners can achieve financial independence. Over the years, I've developed a framework for managing personal and business finances, which I've shared with other entrepreneurs who seek financial clarity and stability. As an advocate for financial literacy, I'm thrilled to launch a personal finance media company in Q1 2025, focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs to take control of their finances. This brand will serve as a resource hub for practical financial advice, smart investment strategies, and personal finance tips for people looking to improve their financial situations.

What pivotal moments in your career led you to focus on these areas, and what excites you most about them?

Each moment was a stepping-stone that aligned with my passions and ultimately fueled my desire to help others succeed in these fields.

The Shift to Entrepreneurship: The first major turning point came when I decided to transition from consulting to founding my own PR firm, Marquet Media. While working as a consultant, I saw firsthand how many businesses struggled to effectively market themselves and tell their stories. I wanted to help entrepreneurs, particularly women, amplify their voices and create compelling brands that resonate in a competitive market. This led me to focus on branding, PR, and digital marketing, particularly on leveraging social media as a way to reach wider audiences and build loyal communities.

I realized early on that social media wasn't just a tool for content sharing—it was a powerful way for businesses to connect with their audience on a personal level. This realization pushed me to dive deeper into digital strategies and leverage platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, which allowed me to build an engaged following and help clients grow their businesses through targeted, authentic marketing. It was this moment that cemented my passion for social media and digital branding as a core part of my business model.

Discovering the Power of Analytics: Another key moment that shaped my career was my decision to invest in learning analytics and data. Early in my career, I found that many businesses were creating content and executing marketing strategies without understanding the impact of their efforts. When I shifted my focus to data-driven strategies, I saw how analytics could transform a business—helping brands understand their audience, track ROI, and make smarter decisions. I knew that if I wanted to truly help businesses succeed, I had to embrace the power of data.

After diving into AI and analytics training at MIT, I was able to enhance my ability to interpret data not just as numbers but as insights that drive business success. This shift in mindset and approach was pivotal—it helped me move from a purely creative space into a more strategic, results-oriented mindset. I now focus on data-driven decision-making as part of my overall approach to PR, marketing, and branding.

You've successfully integrated data analytics into your work at FemFounder. Can you share a time when data revealed an unexpected customer behavior, and how you leveraged that insight for business growth?

At FemFounder, integrating data analytics has been a game-changer in understanding our audience’s behavior and optimizing our strategies. One unexpected insight came when we analyzed user engagement on our social media platforms and noticed that a significant portion of our audience interacted more with content focused on personal development and financial empowerment rather than traditional business-growth tips. This was a shift from what we initially thought our community wanted. Leveraging this data, we shifted our content strategy to focus more on branding, personal growth, and practical tools for entrepreneurship. This pivot not only resonated deeply with our audience but also led to an increase in engagement and a boost in new sign-ups for our upcoming personal-finance media brand. It was a perfect example of how data can reveal hidden opportunities and guide business decisions that drive growth.

Many founders struggle to balance their business finances with their personal finances. What strategies have you used to maintain this balance, especially in the early stages of your ventures?

In the early stages of my ventures, I focused on creating clear boundaries between my personal and business finances. I implemented a strategy of setting aside a fixed percentage of my income for taxes, investments, and savings, while also separating business expenses through dedicated accounts and credit cards. Additionally, I tracked both personal and business cash flow carefully to ensure that both were sustainable. This approach not only gave me financial clarity but also helped me avoid burnout by ensuring I wasn’t over-extending myself financially in either area.

Social media is constantly evolving. How do you stay ahead of the curve and adapt your strategies to new platforms and algorithms, particularly when targeting entrepreneurs?

Staying ahead of the curve in social media requires constant learning and adaptability. I keep up with trends by following industry thought leaders, attending webinars, and testing new features on emerging platforms. When targeting entrepreneurs, I focus on understanding how each platform’s algorithm prioritizes content and tailor my strategies accordingly — whether it’s optimizing for engagement on Instagram, leveraging LinkedIn for professional networking, or experimenting with short-form video on TikTok. I also use data analytics to track what resonates most with my audience and adjust content in real-time, ensuring that my approach remains relevant and effective as platforms and algorithms evolve.

You mentioned using AI for content creation and email marketing. What advice would you give to founders who are hesitant to embrace AI due to budget or technical limitations?

My advice is to start small and focus on tools that offer high ROI with minimal investment. There are many affordable AI tools available that can automate time-consuming tasks like content creation, social media scheduling, and email marketing. For example, using AI for generating blog ideas, crafting email subject lines, or optimizing social media content can save significant time without a steep learning curve. Many platforms offer free trials or low-cost tiers, allowing you to experiment before committing fully. Embrace AI incrementally—start with one tool that addresses a specific pain point in your workflow—and, over time, you’ll see how it can streamline operations and ultimately drive growth. The key is to view AI as an investment in efficiency, not just an expense.

Building a strong online presence is crucial for any founder. What are your top three actionable tips for leveraging social media to build brand awareness and attract investors?

To build brand awareness and attract investors, my top three tips for leveraging social media are: First, consistency is key—post regularly and stay active across platforms to keep your audience engaged and top-of-mind. Second, tell authentic, compelling stories about your brand’s mission, vision, and journey, as investors connect with the founder’s passion and purpose. And last, engage with your community by responding to comments, sharing user-generated content, and participating in conversations relevant to your industry—building genuine relationships will attract potential investors and build customer loyalty. These strategies help create a robust, authentic presence that resonates with your audience and investors.

Authenticity is highly valued in today's digital landscape. How can founders strike a balance between showcasing their brand's personality and maintaining a professional image on social media?

Founders can balance showcasing their brand's personality and maintaining a professional image by being transparent and authentic while aligning with their brand values. Share personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and insights that resonate with your audience, but ensure these are in line with your business's mission and the professional standards you want to uphold. It's important to engage with your audience in a way that feels genuine and thoughtful—offering value through expert tips, industry news, or inspirational content. By staying true to your brand's voice and purpose, you can build a relatable, trustworthy presence that feels personal and professional.

Looking ahead, what emerging trends in social media, analytics, or personal finance do you believe founders should pay close attention to, and why?

Looking ahead, founders should pay close attention to several emerging trends in social media, analytics, and personal finance. On the social-media front, live shopping and social platforms doubling as search engines are gaining traction, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok increasingly becoming vital for discovery and e-commerce. In analytics, the rise of social-listening tools and advanced data analytics will allow founders to stay ahead by offering real-time insights into customer behavior and market trends. As for personal finance, the integration of AI in financial services is making it easier to automate budgeting and gain personalized investment advice, while the growing influence of "finfluencers" is reshaping financial education. Embracing these trends will enable founders to enhance brand visibility, make informed business decisions, and manage their finances more effectively.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity.