Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Weidner.
Kate, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We launched SRW almost three years ago. That feels a little crazy to say. When we began, it was just S, R and me – W. As three business partners with deep backgrounds in video story-telling, we had a hunch that marketers would not be able to tolerate old agency models as the digital media world continued to evolve. We knew how to create brand stories and tell them efficiently. Maybe that doesn’t sound super sexy but wow, were we right. We started this company because we were tired of watching so many brands waste their time and money on inefficient models, and we wanted to create a new version of the ad world where we could do good work and have fun making awesome stuff. In that, we’ve certainly succeeded. What I didn’t know we’d get to do is work with so many fellow entrepreneurs, doing such cool, disruptive things in the world. That has been the icing on the cake for us.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can’t imagine an entrepreneur ever describing their journey as “smooth.” If they do, I’d argue they haven’t pushed themselves enough. So you can pick your metaphor: journey, roller coaster, rocket ship. All are true. There are days you’re absolutely sure you’re onto something and others when you think it’s all gonna come crashing down. They key to not losing your mind is truly understanding that nothing is permanent. When things are good, you’d better enjoy them. When things are rough, hunker down and know this too shall pass.
The greatest part of being an entrepreneur is the freedom. I’m not sure I could ever have a boss again. But on the flip-side of that freedom is great responsibility. Everyone is relying on you – every day, no matter what’s going on in your life. Your employees may get to take a day to hide under the covers or recover from a cold – but you’re always on. If you ever wake up and just don’t feel like doing life today, sorry about your luck – better get some coffee and get your mind right. I’m a working mom with a three-year-old at home, so, really, I’m always on.
The hardest part of my journey was definitely when I was pregnant with my second son, Everett. Just about a year ago, he was born at 33 weeks and died the day after his birth. That wasn’t just the hardest time of my career, it was the hardest time of my life. In addition to my wonderful husband and family, I was very lucky to have fantastic business partners, employees, and a community of clients who had become friends. They truly helped me get through the greatest loss a parent can imagine, and after a few months, I was back at work and felt truly glad to be there. I was so grateful to have established such open relationships with my partners, employees and clients, because when I lost Everett, they were truly invested in helping me recover. You could tell they really cared about me as a person, not just as a partner – just as I care about them.
Please tell us about SRW.
SRW is an independent, full-service marketing agency, primarily known for growing disruptive brands in the natural foods space. We work with brands in the earliest days to develop their voice, their name, their logo and packaging – and we also work with industry mainstays to help them shake things up with their look, content and overall strategies. Above all, we’re partners in every sense of the word.
I am most proud of our relationships and our reputation. All of our business has been from referral. People genuinely like working with us and we legitimately like all of our clients. I didn’t set out to create a natural foods agency, and we do more than that, but I love that it’s the core of our business. We help brands who are helping the world eat and feel better, and that feels really good.
What sets us apart from others is that, at our core, we are deeply devoid of bullshit. Can I say bullshit? We are very open with our clients. We don’t waste our time or their money. We are really just a bunch of smart, creative people who make cool stuff, without the layers of bureaucracy that ensnarls so many others.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My family took an amazing trip through the national parks when I was about 10 years old. My dad was the biggest fan of nature. He always imparted this awesome understanding on me and my brothers that we are but a tiny speck in this great big universe. I remember our trip to the west coast and Canada vividly. I can still feel the cold air whipping off of Lake Louise with my dad and I just looking out at the mountains saying “wow” over and over. That trip with my family was a memory that really shaped my understanding of nature and our place within it. As luck would have it, SRW now works with the National Parks Conservation Association to create video story-telling about their many parks. Whenever I have gotten to go on a shoot, in the Mojave dessert or Biscayne Park, I’ve felt my dad there with me.
Contact Info:
- Address: 220 N Green Street
- Website: SRW.agency
- Email: kate@srw.agency
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srw.agency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/srwteam/
Image Credit:
All images are from SRW
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