Welcome to Operation Agency Freedom! In today’s episode, OAF 166, we have a fascinating conversation with Kristina Witmer, the president of Witmer Group, a marketing agency focused on lead generation in the tech space. I’m your host, Chris Martinez, and I’m excited to dive into the various topics we discussed with Kristina.
Throughout the episode, Kristina shares her insights on the challenges of running a business and the importance of empowering others. We delve into the need for leaders to be comfortable with a hint of paranoia when it comes to potential business issues and the crucial role of data and numbers in tracking business performance. Kristina openly discusses her own struggles with sharing results and building trust, while I reassure her that everyone is continually learning and improving in the world of business.
Witmer Group’s Current Projects and the Impact of AI
Kristina takes us through some of the current projects at Witmer Group, including event-based marketing and experiments with LinkedIn live streams and HubSpot partnerships. We also tackle the hot topic of AI’s impact on marketing agencies. Kristina expresses her view that AI serves as a valuable research assistant and resource for gathering information, but still requires human oversight to be truly effective.
Kristina’s Entrepreneurial Journey and COVID’s Influence
With 14 years of experience in the business, Kristina shares her passion for doing work she loves and collaborating with people she enjoys working with. We learn about how her agency saw an uptick in business during the COVID pandemic as clients sought digital solutions, prompting her to reassess the direction of her agency. Kristina emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s business with their lifestyle, goals, and dreams.
The Pressure to Hustle and the Power of Delegation
Kristina and I discuss the pressure to hustle and work long hours, but we both agree on the significance of focusing on what one does well and delegating or automating other tasks. Kristina highlights the value of confidence and trust in client relationships, acknowledging that marketing involves trial and error and the ability to pivot quickly. She shares a key principle: having tasks done 80% by someone else is better than doing them 100% oneself.
From Print to Digital: Kristina’s Professional Development
We also delve into Kristina’s background, learning about her graduation from UT Arlington and her passion for technology, particularly the shift from print to digital. She shares her experience working at an agency during this transition, gaining valuable insights into client understanding and monetization. Kristina’s journey also includes a partnership that dissolved due to financial and operational differences, leading her to pivot and establish Whitmer Group, previously set up as a DBA, to secure clients and sustain herself financially.
The Importance of Technology and Collaboration
Throughout the episode, Kristina emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to be faster, smarter, and better in business. She also invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn or via email, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
In conclusion, this episode of Operation Agency Freedom offers a wealth of insights and experiences from Kristina Witmer, a seasoned professional in the marketing agency world. From navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship to embracing technology and collaboration, Kristina’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and continuous growth. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, share it with your network, and connect with us on social media to stay up-to-date on upcoming episodes and live trainings related to agency operations and scaling.
Discussion Points
00:00:00 – Intro
00:00:56 – Living in Mexico
00:05:21 – How you started with the Witmer Group
00:06:51 – Why partnership failed
00:10:31 – Starting a new business with witmer
00:12:20 – How the business evolved
00:16:44 – The frst processes.
00:24:26 – Marketing industry, humans and AI
00:27:26 – Outro
Resources
• Connect with Bloom on the following social channels
• Facebook / Bloompartners.io
• Instagram / bloompartners.io/
• Visit our YouTube channel / @bloompartners
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