We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Huften and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always knew I wanted to have something of my own, professionally. However, I never knew what that would look like and I was willing to let the road lead me there. When I exited my last job as a marketing and PR leader, I decided to not start handing out my resume right away. Instead, the next day, I decided this was the time to create a company (keep in mind, this was May 2020 and probably the most uncertain time to start something new, but why not take a risk!).

My background is in media. I started my career as a broadcast journalist, working as an on-camera reporter for a local ABC affiliate TV station in Virginia. I was in a mid-sized market with amazing mentors who taught me to hone my craft of communications and journalism. I left working as a reporter to make my way back to Houston, my hometown. There I started working for a magazine and led their video department. Splitting my time between editorial and marketing projects, I began to understand what it was like working with media on the other side of the table. This gave me a unique view of Public Relations and marketing, unlike anything I had done. After several years there and many opportunities, I was scooped up by an amazing and emerging technology company. Here I created and led their PR department. When working at a startup, you wear many hats. Mine also included various marketing ones. I learned so much at this company and helped put them on the map, from a media perspective. In fact, my proudest accomplishment there was hearing various coworkers say ‘I used to have to explain my company to my friends, now everyone knows who we are because we are in every media outlet.’

That’s what brought me to my own business, The Branded Firm. In the first few days of inception, I came up with a name and developed it into a brand. I taught myself how to custom-build a website in a week and I was off to the races, as they say. Meanwhile, I wanted to grow in my craft. As I started Branded, I also applied for, studied for, and received my Accreditation in Public Relations.

I had my first client within 10 days of starting the business. I was extremely fortunate to have the immediate success and financial support that comes with it to keep the momentum going and growing.

Today, I have amazing partners and clients. The companies I have had the pleasure of working with have varied from startups to 100-year-old businesses. While they may vary in industry, size, and needs, one thing is the same: I have never had an unhappy client and that makes me extremely proud and honored.

This success wasn’t completely on my own. I am forever thankful for the support personally and professionally that brought me to where I am today.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Branded Firm is a full-service boutique marketing and public relations agency. I pull over a decade of experience to serve my clients in digital communications. What sets us apart is incorporating a company’s full brand to ensure its business is more than a name.

Hard work is never easy. Developing a company is never easy. Balancing family and work is never easy. But we aren’t here for easy. It’s about a daily push with a focus on your company’s long-term roadmap.

I would want people to know Branded as a company that is here to help. Whether you are looking to grow or develop your brand, increase your brand’s awareness, protect your company’s reputation from a crisis, develop your team as subject matter experts, market your brand to the masses, or simply pinpoint your story to increase your bottom line, we are your partner. In today’s world, good marketing is not an option but a necessity. Each company’s marketing plan should be different and that’s where we come in.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I consider everyone I work with as a mentor. I like to always give and take something from every relationship. So, to each of my colleagues, clients, network, and friends, thank you for your support and knowledge.

Most importantly, thank you to my amazing family, including my husband and kids. They are the reason I do everything.

Website: thebrandedfirm.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebrandedfirm

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