We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Theisen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.

Kristen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

The most important lesson I learned in a job was when I worked for Feld Entertainment, the company that produces live shows like Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and Monster Jam. Part of the onboarding for my role as a Field Marketing & Sales Manager included media training. It was there that I first heard the key phrase: “I don’t have that answer right now, but I’ll find out and get back to you.”

Global brands have strict guidelines around public relations, so the media training prepared me to avoid automatically answering a question that might require a more strategic answer. In various roles throughout my career, this response has proven invaluable. Not only has it been helpful when speaking with reporters, but it’s also been helpful in conversations with donors, sponsors, or other important stakeholders. I’ve shared this phrase with executives, board members, and leadership staff when helping them navigate interviews or meetings. Taking the time to gather thoughts or confer with colleagues before speaking on behalf of a company or organization may seem like a small lesson, but the value has been huge.

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.

I’ve always gravitated towards projects that emphasized writing and storytelling, so it made sense that I attended a liberal arts college, graduating with a degree in Communication. My first job out of college was with a public relations firm in Chicago. I enjoyed pitching stories and finding relevant connections for media contacts, but I didn’t love the technology content I was supporting. When I had the opportunity to apply for a position with Feld Entertainment, I went for it and landed a job promoting Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Circus and Disney on Ice. I managed the marketing and sales for shows in five Midwest cities, gaining valuable skills, including negotiation, media relations, and special event management.

After a few years of regularly traveling for work, I was burnt out and relocated to Florida to be closer to family. I worked in sales & marketing for a media company, but wanted more purpose in my career. A contact referred me for a position as Development Director at a regional nonprofit organization, so I switched gears and entered the world of philanthropy. I worked to enhance marketing and fundraising at three organizations in the next 15 years, becoming a Certified Fundraising Executive in 2014. In addition to generating millions in revenue, I led award-winning projects that included impactful nonprofit campaign themes, videos, and print advertisements.

Despite my extensive time in fundraising, communication remained my passion. I reconnected with a former colleague who had started a business providing leadership development and communication effectiveness training. When I participated in one of the programs she offers, Insights Discovery, I was immediately impressed by its comprehensive, accurate evaluation of my strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Seeing the immense value in this tool, I became an Insights Discovery licensed practitioner and launched Amplify Communications Consulting in 2023 to offer the workshop along with marketing, public relations, and fundraising support. I also became a Certified Facilitator through the Association of Fundraising Professionals, to train others in the fundamentals of the profession.

My approach with clients combines the tactical sales and marketing skills I gained working at for-profit companies with the relationship-building finesse necessary in nonprofit organizations. Communication is a critical component of achieving goals in any industry, so it needs to be as effective as possible. My mission is to empower businesses and individuals to amplify their communications and achieve their goals.

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

The best source of new clients for me has been continuous networking. The benefits of social media platforms like Facebook and especially LinkedIn, are that you can stay connected to people you don’t often see in person. However, when you make an effort to attend community events or industry affairs, it is an opportune time to get in front of someone who may be a potential client/customer. It also helps to be strategic with your time and evaluate which events your ideal business prospect is most likely to attend. Finally, I recommend challenging yourself with a goal for each event, whether it’s speaking with a certain number of people, introducing yourself to someone new, or even giving a quick pitch in front of a group. In my experience, your business won’t sell itself and people typically like to do business with those they already know.

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

I think that a combination of intentional actions helped me build my reputation. One of the most important things is to be authentic. I’m honest about what I can or will do, I’m respectful of others’ experiences and opinions, and I do my best to listen. People are surprised when I remember their name or the last time I saw them, because it shows that I care about being an ally for colleagues, a resource for community members, or a partner for clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amplify-cc.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplifycc
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristentheisen21