Kimberly Blackwell has had the kind of success most entrepreneurs dream of.
As the founder of PMM Agency, she’s received personal and professional recognition, landing on Ebony’s 2015 Power 100 list alongside names like John Legend, Janet Jackson, Viola Davis and a host of other community and business leaders, and also earning her agency a nod on Inc.com.
Blackwell advocates for other women-owned businesses at the highest level, serving as a board member for the National Women’s Business Council.
“We serve as an independent council to the President of the United States, Congress and the SBA while really looking at ways and opportunities around women’s business ownership,” she says.
During the podcast, Blackwell shares how she turned her “side-hustle” into the successful business that has garnered such recognition – and all in a field she didn’t expect.
A Cincinnati native, Blackwell completed her undergrad at Syracuse before returning to the city for post-grad work at Xavier. She would move to Columbus to work in marketing for an apparel company, splitting time between Ohio and New York City.
“I got a bigger understanding of the industry, a bigger understanding of just how powerful marketing and its placement can be, and fell in love,” Blackwell says.
Others recognized her innate understanding of the industry, coming to her for questions outside of her job. She shares the story of a lunch that influenced her to take her talents from on-the side to full-time gig.
“Sometimes people see things in you before you see it in yourself,” Blackwell says. It wasn’t long before she realized, “Maybe there is something there.”
Today PMM offers full-service marketing, communications and advertising solutions to Fortune 100 companies, government entities, celebrities, influencers and more.
“We are all things brand,” Blackwell says.
PMM has carved itself a niche around multi-cultural and diverse market segments which has expanded into other general market opportunities.
Listen to the podcast as Blackwell discusses the sweat equity it took to grow her enterprise. She expresses the importance of building networks and doing your homework on available resources. Finally, find out what advice she has for budding entrepreneurs.
The Columbus Chamber and CD102.5 have partnered to bring the first business-themed podcast to Columbus. During cbuzz, host and local comedian Dan Swartwout will speak with local business owners and entrepreneurs and allow them to tell their story and highlight their organization, while further inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit that is buzzing in the city.
Want to hear more? Visit columbus.org/resources/podcasts for new podcasts every other week.
To subscribe to cbuzz on iTunes, click here.
To subscribe to cbuzz on Sound Cloud, click here.
