From the origin story of their businesses to the ways they allowed themselves to grow as entrepreneurs, our Female Founders series gives a view into the lives of successful women from a variety of industries. Join us for today’s feature, Hillary Applegate, offering a behind the scenes look at some of what she has done to succeed so far, advice for those starting off, and plans for the future.
What’s your business and how did you get started?
I’m the CEO and Founder of Digital HQ, a modern solution for brands, agencies and contractors. We deliver quality marketing and communication campaigns to organizations across the US, and plug in a virtual digital team to get the job done, no matter what size or expertise is needed. When I started the company back in January 2020, I was burnt out, and frustrated, and felt there was a better way of working than being in an office 9am to 5pm, five days a week. At this time, working remotely was still very niche. Shortly after the agency launched, it became the overnight norm. I think we witnessed a transformation in how teams could connect and collaborate digitally, while still producing incredible results.
What is one thing you’re really proud of that you’ve created or accomplished?
We’ve been able to bring on a handful of contractors who were looking for more flexibility in their lives. Whether it’s because they are parents with competing priorities, or multi passionate travelers who lost their spark being tied to a desk for 40 hours a week, flexible work allows brands to tap into a wealth of talent without footing the huge bill of a full-time employee. We’ve been able to build a stream of business and workers who are aligned in this vision and belief that there’s a better way to work. It’s been an exciting ride, and we’re just getting started.
What is the boldest thing you’ve ever done in business?
I think the decision to actually start Digital HQ was bold and quite frankly a risk. I remember not having any clients, hustling to get new business and growing a marketing presence for the company all by myself. That bold entry into the market enabled the first surge of growth, followed by hiring key team members to do the jobs that needed to be done. Now we have our systems and operations in place to allow us to bring on new clients, while enabling our contract workforce to be successful with key tools and project management systems for them to access.
What’s one thing you’re currently excited about for the future of your business?
We’re expanding and bringing in new leadership to the team to take us to new heights. The future of Digital HQ as a modern solution for brands, agencies and contractors is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see where we are in a year!
What’s your best business advice you would give to other women?
Trust your gut. Use your voice. Know your core values. Find your unique traits, don’t worry about mimicking someone else. Read the room. Enjoy the ride. Follow this and you’ll never be led astray.
What’s your favorite thing about being a business owner?
When you’re a business owner, you are responsible for not just yourself, but the team around you and clients as well. That responsibility has empowered me to trust myself more. I’ve become much more in tune with both my intuition and knowledge, and make decisions that I can stand behind in a timely manner. Having strong core values and the genuine best interest of those around me makes it easier to make tough calls.
Connect with Hillary:
instagram.com/hillaryapplegate
Photo credit: Courtesy of Hillary Applegate
