Company: Faceted Media
Guests: Kimberly Hogate
Year Started: 2000
Employees: 25-50
What if your most humiliating professional moment turned out to be your greatest opportunity? That’s exactly what happened to Kimberly Hogate, founder of Faceted Media. In this episode of An Agency Story, Kimberly shares how being fired from the law firm she co-founded gave her the push to create something bigger and more aligned with who she truly is.
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Episode Summary
In this powerful conversation, Russel Dubree sits down with Kimberly Hogate, founder of Faceted Media, to talk about entrepreneurship, burnout, boundaries, and building a business with staying power. With a background in journalism and law, Kimberly brings a deeply human and strategic lens to her marketing work, and in this episode, she shares the hard-earned lessons that led to her 10+ years of success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How a pineapple became the defining symbol of Kimberly’s brand
- Why setting strong client boundaries was a game-changer
- The emotional (and strategic) origins of her unique Business Therapy offering
Key Takeaways & Lessons
Being Fired Was Her Pivot Point
When Kimberly was fired from the very law firm she helped build, it was devastating—but ultimately freeing. That moment forced her to reconnect with the entrepreneurial instincts she had since childhood, from fourth-grade gossip columns to lemonade stands with payroll.
“Getting fired was one of the best things that ever happened.”
– Kimberly Hogate
The Pineapple Story: Making Meaning from a Tone-Deaf Moment
After being denied a raise, Kimberly’s former boss handed her a pineapple as a gift. What felt like an insult became a turning point. She turned the pineapple into a symbol of empowerment and now uses it as a recurring brand story that resonates with audiences and students alike.
Client Boundaries Aren’t Optional—They’re Survival
Kimberly learned the hard way how important it is to train clients how to work with her. She now includes a “golden rules” pre-sign document with every contract that lays out expectations for communication, timelines, and respect. It’s drastically improved her peace of mind and professional outcomes.
“If I don’t stop and I’m always serving others, my purpose of serving others is also going to stop.”
Business Therapy: Where Empathy Meets Strategy
Out of her own experience with burnout and confusion, Kimberly developed Business Therapy—a 75-minute hybrid session for agency owners and small business entrepreneurs. It’s part strategy, part validation, and part technical problem-solving, designed to help overwhelmed business owners move forward with confidence.
Show Notes & Resources
Resources mentioned:
- Give and Take by Adam Grant
- Kimberly’s Newly Released Book – Business Therapy: The Anxious Entrepreneur’s Quick Guide to Success
- Business Therapy: getbusinesstherapy.com
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