How Kimberly Eberl from The Motion Agency, Owns It
This week on Own It, we’re talking to Kimberly Eberl from The Motion Agency. Her firm is based in Chicago and helps clients like Ace Hardware, Whirlpool and more accelerate growth with results-driven creative. Their work and thinking is impressive, for sure.
We talked about her journey from growing up in Cincinnati, to working for Harley Davidson, to founding Motion 20 years ago. She came up through the PR ranks, working at Weber Shandwick and Ogilvy among other firms along the way.
We loved her thoughts on closing the gender gap in agency ownership and learned so much. You will too.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Loading...
Key Takeaways
EPISODE: Kimberly Eberl from The Motion Agency
1. Unexpected Entrepreneurship: The Firing that Ignited a Business | 00:09:34
Kimberly Eberl's journey to agency ownership wasn't a lifelong dream but rather an unexpected path ignited by being fired. This pivotal moment forced her into freelancing, where she quickly discovered she was happier and more fulfilled working independently. What she initially considered a temporary solution evolved into a thriving agency, driven by the realization that she could build something substantial and provide opportunities for others.
2. Strategic Growth Through Acquisition | 00:13:54
To scale her agency beyond its initial PR focus, Kimberly strategically pursued acquisitions. Recognizing the need for a 360-degree approach to client services, she sought firms that offered complementary capabilities like advertising and creative work. This allowed her to expand Motion's offerings and meet diverse client needs, transforming it from a specialized PR shop into a full-service agency.
3. The Confidence Gap in Female Agency Ownership | 00:21:25
A significant barrier to more women owning and scaling agencies is a lack of confidence. Kimberly and Christie discuss how women often feel the need to be 100% prepared or "hit every note right" before taking the leap, contrasting this with men who might be more inclined to "just go into that room, talk, see what happens." This self-doubt and fear of failure can prevent talented women from pursuing ownership or scaling their existing ventures.
4. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and the Importance of Self-Promotion | 00:33:41
Women, more than men, tend to exhibit imposter syndrome and reluctance to promote their achievements. Kimberly emphasizes that women need to overcome this by actively seeking press, sharing their successes on platforms like LinkedIn, and treating themselves and their agencies as important clients deserving of attention. This self-advocacy is crucial for raising visibility, inspiring other women, and growing the number of female-owned businesses in the industry.
5. The Value of Mentorship (and the Freedom of Not Having One) | 00:39:06
Kimberly reflects on the potential benefits of having a mentor earlier in her career, particularly for gaining confidence and guidance. However, she also acknowledges that the absence of a mentor allowed her to forge her own path, embracing an optimistic "I'll figure it out" attitude, which ultimately benefited her entrepreneurial journey. This suggests that while mentorship is valuable, a certain degree of independent problem-solving can also be a powerful driver for entrepreneurs.
View All Episodes
Recent Episodes
