We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Megumi Reagan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Megumi, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Ouf. Okay, as much as I’d like to consider myself risk-averse at this stage of life, it might be because I packed in a lot of risk over the past decade. One thing you should know about me: I’m terrified of complacency. I strive to always be learning and growing.

I tried the typical 9-5 job in an industry perfectly suited to my background and credentials, but it fell flat. I quickly realized that I thrive on constant challenges and prefer fast-paced environments. I don’t mind wearing various hats. You’re probably thinking, “Sounds like you’d be perfect for the startup world!” You couldn’t be more right, and the risks associated with that world have significantly shaped my career.

I’ve worked for startups in SaaS, food tech, HR tech, fintech, and more. With startups, a certain amount of risk is inherent. You can fully believe in the venture you’re working with, but that doesn’t guarantee funding or longevity. You’re diving in, eyes wide open, into a project that might not exist a year or two from now. For almost 10 years, I learned as much as I could from these startup ventures and diversified my portfolio of clients to ensure I could pay my bills. Balancing cash, equity, and deferred compensation became a carefully orchestrated improvisation. A hard truth: there were times when I wasn’t just living paycheck-to-paycheck—I was in the red. Of course, there were also times of feast rather than famine.

I turned the learning and growth from multiple startups into a two-pronged career. I’m now a Fractional Marketing Officer and the Co-founder of a digital marketing company, Human Focus Digital.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Megumi Reagan, and I’m a Fractional Marketing Officer and Co-founder of a digital marketing company called Human Focus Digital. My educational background is in International Policy, with an MA in International Trade Policy Studies. As a Fractional Marketing Officer, I lead marketing strategies for multiple companies, many of them in highly regulated spaces.

Currently, I serve as the Fractional Marketing Officer for a suite of companies in the fundraising sector under the Fox family of brands. This suite includes Fox Grants, which specializes in prospect research, grant writing, and grant management; Fox Advancement, which focuses on feasibility studies and capital campaign management; and Fox Fractional, which provides fractional staffing for nonprofits and higher education.

Additionally, I work fractionally for a large masonry company in the Midwest, and an American steel company, focusing on marketing and compliance.

The foundation of my career path is built on adding value, problem-solving, and driving marketing initiatives through data analytics and a deep understanding of the markets in which I operate.

Fractional work is incredibly fulfilling. It allows me to continuously learn and work across various industries, applying my expertise in diverse ways. Looking ahead, I’m also involved in a new venture with a group of amazing fractional executives. Together we’re assembling an A-team of fractional leadership to revolutionize the sales, marketing, and customer experience space.

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

This was a belief that deeply resonated with me when I was younger. I grew up with the mindset that if you’re going to do something, you must be the best at it. I carried this belief into my early career, striving for perfection in every task and fearing any form of failure. Oh, how I wish that present-me could go back and talk to past-me.

Over time, I’ve come to realize that failure isn’t finite. It’s not the end of the road but rather a crucial part of the journey. This zero-sum game mindset, where success means everything and failure means nothing, can be incredibly self-detrimental. It limits growth and stifles innovation. Failure offers a plethora of opportunities.

The backstory? A series of startup ventures that had incredible financial and lifestyle repercussions. After a few misses, I became hyper-analytical, even though I was already a data-driven person. From companies that ceased to exist, I learned valuable lessons about what to watch out for and what to seek in future endeavors. I realized how interconnected everything is and understood that success and failure are never solely on one person’s shoulders. Failures have taught me more than successes ever could. They have been catalysts for innovation and resilience.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met my co-founder, Nicole Spracale, when we both worked for an HR tech startup. Initially, I served on the founding advisory board and later returned to lead project management and product management. Nicole was the VP of People and Subscriber Success. Though we eventually pursued other projects, we often found ourselves collaborating on new ventures and projects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, after numerous successful projects and helping other visionaries, we asked ourselves, “Why don’t we create something together?” We created a digital marketing company, Human Focus Digital. Our mission is to empower businesses and individuals to thrive in the digital landscape.​ Through our company, we help new and budding businesses establish a solid digital footprint. Additionally, we enjoy assisting established companies in transitioning into the digital age. I am incredibly grateful for Nicole. She isn’t just my co-founder; she is a mentor, coach, and most importantly, a great friend.

Contact Info:

• Website: humanfocus.digital
• Instagram: @live.deliciously
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megumireagan/
• Other: https://www.foxadvancement.com