We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carol Fite Lynn & Sara Jo Houghland Walker Bright Hour Strategies a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carol Fite Lynn & Sara Jo Houghland Walker, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. We’d love to hear about the best advice you’ve ever given to a client?

At Bright Hour Strategies, we focus on helping businesses of all sizes assess their near-term goals and match that with strategic marketing and communications recommendations that fit their budget and deliver measurable success. The best advice we can give our clients is to not focus on executing all tactics simultaneously, but instead to focus on planning and executing in phases with a uniquely tailored strategy that meets the business where they currently are in terms of priorities and growth..

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Here is some background information / bios on Sara Jo and Carol.

Sara Jo Houghland Walker
President, Founding Partner
Sara Jo Walker is a Nashville native and communications executive with nearly two decades of experience in crafting and implementing successful public relations and communications strategies for both public and private sectors. Having worked for publicly traded and Fortune 50 companies, she has experience in corporate communications, media relations, campaign and project management, social media strategies, relationship building, crisis communications, reputation management and executive event planning.

Walker offers a strategic approach to managing clients’ public image and reputation. She develops and implements comprehensive PR plans, working closely with clients to build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including the media, influencers, and the public. By crafting compelling messages and leveraging various media channels, she helps to enhance brand visibility and credibility.

Overall, Sara Jo’s goal is to help clients build and maintain a positive public image, increase brand awareness, and drive business growth.

Carol Fite Lynn
Partner
Carol Fite Lynn brings more than 15 years of experience in communications, branding, marketing and government relations experience, particularly within the health care industry, to Bright Hour Strategies. Lynn is an expert in driving collaboration with executive leaders, subject matter experts and local leaders to build and execute communications and marketing plans that align with overall business and advocacy goals.

Previously she built the brands and led internal and external communications and marketing for three multi-site healthcare organizations with locations throughout the country, driving the organizations’ strategic marketing, earned media and community relations, with an emphasis on digital and social media tactics.

Lynn has also held communications positions with Charter Healthcare, CleanSlate Centers, HCA Tri-Star – Centennial Medical Center and the State of Tennessee, including the Governor’s Communications Office and the Bureau of TennCare.

At Bright Hour Strategies, we believe in doing the work that *matters most* — helping organizations amplify their impact and create real change in the communities they serve.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

SJW – The best source of new clients for us has been the incredible people in our community. Relationships are everything in this industry, and while what you know is essential, who you know can be just as important. We’ve been fortunate to have a strong network of colleagues, friends, and industry leaders who believe in our work and have been incredibly supportive. Many of our clients come through referrals from people who have seen firsthand the impact we make. There’s no better endorsement than someone who trusts us enough to recommend Bright Hour Strategies to others.

Carol- The best source of new clients for us comes from the relationships we’ve built over nearly two decades in the industry and the referrals we receive from existing clients who have experienced significant marketing and communications success with us. Our track record of delivering results has led to strong word-of-mouth recommendations, which continue to be a driving force behind our growth.

Additionally, we take great pride in the reputation we’ve cultivated with other PR and government relations agencies. The way we’ve operated over the years has earned us trust and respect in the field, allowing us to collaborate with other service providers to deliver exceptional client support. These partnerships not only expand our reach but also reinforce the high standards of service and strategy that define our work.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

SJW – One of the biggest pivots in my career came during COVID when everything changed overnight. In a field like public relations and strategic communications—where relationships and in-person connections are so important—I had to quickly adapt to a virtual world. I learned how to establish and maintain strong relationships remotely, leveraging technology to collaborate effectively and keep clients engaged. It was a challenge, but it also proved that success isn’t just about being in the same room—it’s about being resourceful, adaptable, and finding new ways to add value. That experience reinforced my confidence that I can help clients thrive, no matter the circumstances.

Carol – One of the most significant pivots in my work has been adapting internal communications strategies to engage a rapidly changing workforce, particularly as Gen Z employees enter the professional world in greater numbers. Traditional methods of culture-building, engagement, and retention simply don’t resonate the same way with this new generation, requiring a shift in how organizations communicate and foster connection.

Recognizing this shift, I’ve focused on helping organizations rethink their internal communications strategies to be more transparent, values-driven, and interactive. This has meant moving away from static emails and top-down messaging toward more dynamic, two-way communication platforms, short-form content, and purpose-driven engagement strategies. By embracing digital-first communication tools, integrating authentic storytelling, and ensuring leadership is accessible in meaningful ways, I’ve helped businesses cultivate workplace cultures that align with the expectations and motivations of a new generation.

This pivot has not only allowed me to help clients navigate these generational shifts but has also reinforced the importance of adaptability in marketing and communications. What worked in the past doesn’t always work today, and staying ahead means continuously evolving strategies to meet people where they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brighthourstrategies.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bright-hour-strategies