Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Catharine Montgomery. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Catharine, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Better Together is my passion project, founded with the purpose of making a positive impact in the world. I believe that each of us has a role to play, no matter how small, in creating a better world for everyone. Through Better Together, I aim to help organizations move beyond lip service and take concrete steps toward social responsibility.

My journey to starting Better Together was not without its challenges. I was in a position of privilege, which allowed me to take a step back from the job market and focus on my goals. However, leaving my previous job due to a situation with a colleague was not an easy decision.

Looking back, I believe that the timing of starting Better Together was just right. My experiences in corporate America helped me identify the areas where I needed to focus as a founder. I realized that many organizations did great work externally, but their internal operations were lacking. Employees stayed in the job because of the good work, but they dreaded going to work.

Today, I am committed to laying a strong foundation for Better Together’s success. I am taking the bad experiences from my career and turning them into productive ways to ensure that our clients and team members are happy and thriving.

As I continue to grow Better Together, I hope to make it a scalable solution for others to join me in making a positive impact on the world. While starting sooner or later might have changed my experience, I believe that the challenges and opportunities I faced along the way have helped me become a more effective founder.

Catharine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the founder of Better Together, a public relations agency that focuses on social impact. I have dedicated my career to supporting human and social rights across a wide range of industries, including gender equity, LGBTQIA+ rights, climate justice, disability inclusion, and cannabis and psychedelic decriminalization. With a strong background in media outreach, stakeholder engagement, events, legislative affairs, and community involvement, I have helped numerous under-resourced and marginalized communities effect change.

After earning my Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Marketing from Auburn University and my MBA from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, I joined several executive-level organizations, including CHIEF, The Upside, Dreamers & Doers, The 10th House, Public Relations Society of America, the National Black MBA Association, the National Press Club, Like Minded Collective, Ladies Get Paid, and ColorComm.

As a Black woman founder of a startup, I am committed to creating a more inclusive, equitable future by breaking down barriers. I founded Better Together to provide a space for organizations that are making a difference in the world. We offer a variety of services, such as brand strategy, media relations, content development, and stakeholder engagement. Our agency is dedicated to collaborating with clients who are committed to social impact and sustainability and are willing to act on their words.

At Better Together, we believe that real change happens when people work together to make a difference. We strive to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and raise awareness of the challenges they face. We understand the experiences and perspectives of these communities and accurately represent their stories through the power of storytelling. Our work with organizations and individuals advocating for these communities aims to drive real change, creating a more equitable and inclusive world where everyone has a voice and the opportunity to be heard.

I am most proud of the meaningful impact that Better Together has had on the communities we serve. By using our skills and expertise, we have been able to help amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and drive real change. Potential clients and followers should know that we are deeply committed to our work, and our agency stands out for our focus on social impact, collaboration, and a dedication to creating a more just world.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was to hire slow and fire fast. When I first started Better Together, I was eager to bring on my first employee and made the mistake of rushing the hiring process. I didn’t thoroughly consider the necessary qualities for the role and hired based on excitement rather than strategy. This led to a mismatch between the employee and the needs of the business.

After 30 days of working with the employee, it became clear that it wasn’t the right fit. I was hesitant to let them go, but I realized that prolonging the situation would only harm my business and team. Ultimately, I had to make the difficult decision to terminate their employment.

This experience taught me the importance of taking the hiring process seriously and thoroughly considering the needs of the business. It’s essential to hire slow and make sure the candidate has the necessary skills, experience, and values that align with the company’s culture. And, if it becomes clear that someone isn’t the right fit, it’s crucial to act quickly and let them go to prevent further damage.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Starting a public relations agency doesn’t require initial capital. The key is securing your first client, so I never considered venture capital funding. Initially, I wasn’t even considering starting my own agency, but one day while browsing the Ladies Get Paid Slack channel, I stumbled upon a recruiter’s post that a venture capital firm was looking to expand to the U.S. and only invests in public relations agencies. I was intrigued by this unique opportunity and decided to investigate further. After doing my research, I realized that it was a legitimate opportunity, and I seized it.

This experience taught me to keep an open mind and always be receptive to new possibilities, even if they come from unexpected places like a Slack post. I believe that this mindset has been instrumental in my success as an entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thebettertogether.agency
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebettertogetheragency
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnmontgomery