We recently connected with Kirsten Graham and have shared our conversation below.

Kirsten, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Yes! I am a huge proponent of travel, adventure, and getting out of your bubble. I hustled solo for many years growing my business, and that included a good amount of travel. When you love what you do, jetting off to New York for work is fun, but you’re still working. I did take vacations those first 10 years, but I was never truly not working. I hired an assistant in 2013, and once Anne was fully integrated with our clients, I spent a week on the beach in Sayulita unplugged. It was life changing. It’s so important to rest and recharge, swim in the ocean, stare at the stars, and not look at a damn screen! I completely lucked out with Anne, she was thoughtful, talented, and the clients loved her. She also allowed me a work life balance that had been missing. I picked up a tennis racket in 12 years ago and have yet to put it down. Even after Anne moved on, I’ve been much more conscious of taking time for me every day and not being glued to my desk 24/7.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Kirsten Graham Public Relations (KGPR) is a boutique lifestyle PR firm in Seattle. I spent many years working in restaurants while pursuing acting and writing before diving into PR in 2003, and the hospitality sphere organically became my niche. My goal has always been to communicate, collaborate and connect with clients, media, and the public. I’ve been honored to work with many, many talented chefs, winemakers, brewers, authors, and entrepreneurs over the last 22 years. I’ve helped chefs grow from one to 17 restaurants, and everything in between, to become beloved and trusted brands in Seattle and beyond. I’ve landed clients on the cover of magazines, on national television shows, and applauded as they received accolades and awards. I truly believe that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” So whether it’s a journalist looking for a quote, a producer in need of a last-minute chef for a cooking demo, or help with a dinner reservation, I’m always willing to connect people. The thing that I’m most proud of is the connections and friendships I’ve cultivated over the years.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I do what I say I’m going to do and over communicate. I do things in a timely manner and my clients, and the media, know they can count on me. I also understand the restaurant industry and its quirks. I often joke that I only know how to cook because I’ve edited so many recipes and been on set for a million and one cooking demos. It’s kind of true. I’m also a good storyteller and send thoughtful pitches. I worked with a New York Times bestselling author, and she lived on Bainbridge Island in an amazing mid-century modern home on the Puget Sound. I created a pitch and sent it to an editor at Coastal Living, and he responded in about six minutes. I had no previous relationship with this man, and three months later, an entire crew showed up to interview my client and shoot her home. It was pretty amazing. Every prospective client has come to me as a referral from current and past clients, as well as the media. I think that speaks volumes about my reputation.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was on a flight to Seattle from Palm Springs when the world shut down in March of 2020. Three days in, I stopped going onto my office and I started working from my home office. Over the next few weeks, a couple of clients put me on pause, as we all stood by to see how things would shake out. By summer I was down to a small handful of clients but also took on some new projects and clients. I played a lot of tennis, took neighborhood walks along Lake Washington, and tried not to freak out. I also started a weekly writing workshop over Zoom in late August. I started writing in my early twenties after throwing in the towel on acting and moving from LA to Seattle. My mantra once I started KGPR was that I’d write again when I didn’t sit at a desk all day. Well, COVID gave me that opportunity. I’ve been in my LA based writing workshop, with mostly the same small group of writers, for four and a half years, give or take a few sessions. The joy I get from creating and sharing stories is exhilarating. Last year I began writing a work of fiction based loosely on my senior year of high school growing up in Hermosa Beach. I’m about a month away from having a first draft of my book completed. Writing early in the morning, before a go to Pilates, is now an integral part of my day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kirstengrahampr.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.graham.58
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/kirstengraham

Image Credits

Together Seattle team and headshot, photo credit goes to Ernie Sapiro.