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In this episode, Wendy Colter and Hannah of Hummingbird Creative Group delve into the intriguing conversation with Kimberly Mitchell, owner of Home With Help. Kimberly shares her journey in buying a non-medical home care business, emphasizing that even without a love for marketing, success is possible through strategic delegation. The discussion spans her early challenges, significant marketing shifts, and the importance of innovation and community presence. Tune in for valuable insights into maintaining growth in the home health care industry and the importance of aligning business practices with core values.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Recap
02:36 Guest Introduction: Wendy Colter
04:12 Meet Kimberly Mitchell: Balancing Business and Family
06:48 The Importance of Community and Branding
08:11 Navigating the Home Care Industry
10:23 Marketing Strategies and Challenges
13:45 The Hummingbird Effect: Small Changes, Big Impact
24:17 Future Plans and Advice for Business Owners
42:31 Conclusion and Contact Information
00:00 Introduction and Episode Recap
02:36 Guest Introduction: Wendy Colter
04:12 Meet Kimberly Mitchell: Balancing Business and Family
06:48 The Importance of Community and Branding
08:11 Navigating the Home Care Industry
10:23 Marketing Strategies and Challenges
13:45 The Hummingbird Effect: Small Changes, Big Impact
24:17 Future Plans and Advice for Business Owners
42:31 Conclusion and Contact Information
Creators and Guests
Host
What is The Hummingbird Effect with Wendy Coulter?
Welcome to "The Hummingbird Effect," a podcast dedicated to uncovering the subtle yet powerful ways that small innovations can transform your business. Hosted by Wendy Coulter, CEO of Hummingbird Creative Group, this show delves into the stories and strategies behind successful brand building.
For over 25 years, Wendy has helped CEOs and business leaders redefine their brands through innovation and compelling narratives. In this podcast, she shares the insights and lessons learned from her extensive experience, exploring how a strong brand orientation can significantly increase the value of your business.
Each episode features engaging conversations with industry leaders, business advisors, and innovators who have harnessed the power of branding to make a substantial impact. Discover how focusing on core values, mission, and vision can drive your brand beyond mere marketing tactics, fostering a culture that resonates with your audience and enhances your business's reputation.
Inspired by the concept of the Hummingbird Effect—where small, adaptive changes lead to remarkable outcomes—this podcast aims to help you understand and implement the incremental innovations that can elevate your brand and business.
Join Wendy Coulter on "The Hummingbird Effect" and learn how to evolve your brand, attract more customers, and ultimately enhance the value of your business through strategic branding.
31 Hummingbird Effect - Kimberly Mitchell
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Wendy: [00:00:00] Well, that was an interesting episode. I agree. And I, I think it's so interesting to come back around and talk a little bit about what we just heard in the episode that the listeners are gonna hear today from someone who, um, just really is not in love with doing their own marketing at all, and, um.
Yet has an amazingly successful business. And I think that leads us to just have a conversation about how you don't have to love marketing as a business leader and you can still see amazing success.
Hanna: Yeah. I think that we oftentimes have guests on here, not even oftentimes, I think all the time. Our guests are really excited and pumped up about marketing and different tactics and the success and.
That's not really always the case, and that doesn't mean that you're not a good business leader. In fact, I think [00:01:00] you're a better business leader if you understand where your strengths aren't and where you need to delegate and how to best delegate, and also knowing that you need to do these things, not just assuming, oh, well I don't want to do social media because I don't like it, so my company doesn't need it.
Wendy: Our guest today, certainly. Um, she is all about delegating some marketing. Um, and she is, she has seen success with marketing tactics since she bought the business. Mm-hmm. Um, but she has a really hard time, um, expressing that she likes anything about it. Um, I'd actually say she.
Hanna: Doesn't like it.
Wendy: I had say she absolutely doesn't like it.
Um, but she delegates and we've gotta love that because we're, we do outsource marketing tactics and, and strategy with clients and I [00:02:00] think strategically, um, she is doing what she needs to do to be successful by outsourcing her marketing Yeah. Initiatives.
Wendy: Hi everyone. I'm Wendy Colter. I'm the CEO and president of a Hummingbird Creative Group, and I help CEOs and marketing leaders unlock the hidden power of their brands. the past 30 years, I've watched, uh, leaders focus on marketing tactics, what they're doing next.
Um, but I believe that what's really important is building [00:03:00] a strong brand through strategy. uh, we see the hummingbird effect happen from time to time. That's what we're here to talk about today. And that's like the co-evolution of the flower and the hummingbird and how small changes in your marketing or branding can make really big, uh, unexpected changes in other areas of your business.
So that's what we're gonna delve into. And I have Hannah with me today as usual. Hi Hannah. Hello, Wendy. Ann is our marketing strategist at Hummingbird and uh, she's joining us for the show today. How are you doing today? Doing pretty good. Yeah. How are you doing? Very good. It sounds like you've had some great meetings today.
I've been in a lot of meetings
Hanna: today and tomorrow and. The next day. Yes. I
Wendy: added one to your calendar. Thank you. While I was out today. So, um, it's been a busy time at Hummingbird. It's the fall and, uh, people are getting in budget seasons. Mm-hmm. So, [00:04:00] uh, we have a lot of really deep conversations this time of the year, so.
I am happy you're here with me today. I'm excited be because I excited you've been, you've been in it. Um, so I'm super excited about today's guest. So, um, Kimberly Mitchell with Home With Help is our guest today, and I met. Kimberly through Nabo, which is the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Um, and she is going to delve in with us today, um, into the world of branding in her world of home health. And we're gonna talk about how seemingly small innovations and her marketing have led to some big wins. Um. I did some research today and, um, I knew Kimberly had, some kids, and that's an understatement.
I bow down to her because she balances so much. Um, but did find that your daughter just started college at [00:05:00] Arizona State, right?
Kimberly Mitchell: She did,
Wendy: Congratulations on that. So my daughter, Callie, is applying right now. She's a senior and I need to learn from you. So what's it like for, uh, for you to know that she's about to be adulting in a big way away from home?
Kimberly Mitchell: Right.
Uh, from the, like the applications and that sort of process, I hired a college coach, which the emotional mom side is a whole nother conversation.
Wendy: Absolutely. Absolutely. I'm starting to feel that a little bit already, and we are a year out, so watched the students going onto campus here in my hometown and it just was like, oh, that's gonna be it next year. Wow.
Kimberly Mitchell: Well, I, once they start driving, it seems like the last couple
years I. I mean, obviously I saw her, but I didn't see her as much as you know, it had before that. So I think it's kind of their way of prepping us [00:06:00] before they actually leave the house.
Wendy: Well, that's true. That's so true. well I mentioned Nabo, so I've had so much fun traveling with you. We've been to Arizona, which I know is your home state, but all the way to DC and a few places in between. Um, Kimberly and I serve on a mastermind together called Nabo Circle, and we get to meet with these ladies once a month, uh, online and then get together face.
To face at different events and, um, it's just a wonderful way to learn from others, um, what they're going through that's similar as business owners and Kimberly have been such a great mentor to me, and I'm just excited to be having this conversation. So
thank you for being
Kimberly Mitchell: me.
Wendy: Yeah. So do you wanna share any fun facts about yourself before we delve into your story and your business?
What do I don't know about Kimberly? Do I
Kimberly Mitchell: was like, what does [00:07:00] linty not know already? Um, I think you already know that I was living in Mexico at the time that both of my girls were born.
Um, and my husband's Canadian, so they have all three citizenships, which is kind of a fun fact.
Wendy: that is a fun fact. Wow.
Kimberly Mitchell: Yeah. Um. I was born and raised here. I mean, I was gone for 14 years, so I was kind of cheating, but I am technically a native,
which is, you know, there's, there's a lot of transplants here.
So
there's, everybody seems to be surprised when there's actually a native around.
Wendy: Well, I also saw that you were recently on the morning show. I think that was recent. Was that recent? The morning
Kimberly Mitchell: Uh, yeah. Just two weeks ago, I think,
give or take.
Wendy: so I don't know if that'll play into your story about marketing, but, um, sounds like you're a local star now. You've been featured on the morning show. They're in your [00:08:00] hometown, so congratulations on that.
Kimberly Mitchell: thanks. I'm not, not, not quite, not quite sure where in Hollywood just yet, but you know, forget.
Wendy: Well, Kimberly, tell our listeners about you and, uh, your journey to business ownership and where you are today. See.
Kimberly Mitchell: Uh, well, like I said, I was born and raised here. Um, I moved when I was 23 and. That's, I mean, of course all of it's a really long story, but the shortest version is in all of the years of traveling back up here. And then once I had my girls and bringing them back up, we could see the, the decline of, I had a great grandmother, didn't pass till she was 103. Um, all four of my grandparents got into their eighties. Both my grandmothers got into their nineties, so there was a lot of. Planning and things that, you know, come with trying to age in [00:09:00] place and we got to sort of see the struggles and you know, that kind of stuff. And so we thought that we could, you know, potentially help and then hopefully do it better, which
Wendy: And what year did you start the business?
Kimberly Mitchell: Um, I actually bought it from, um, previous owners, so it originated in 2002.
the, the concept of the business is that it's non-medical home care services. So most of our clients are seniors and some are younger and it's daily non-medical needs, bathing, dressing. Pick him to the doctor, you know, meal prep, laundry, that kind of stuff. Um, we have 200 caregivers now around the valley, so we serve people, you know, pretty much and anywhere in our county for the most part, which is a pretty big county. Um, [00:10:00] and yeah, I mean, you know, I mean, I can't do it by myself. I mean, I have a fabulous admin staff in here that helps to do. All of the things that need to get done to take care of all of these people.
Wendy: Yeah, well, 200 caregivers, that is a, that is a big team to manage. Um.
Kimberly Mitchell: Mm,
Wendy: on doing that every day of your, of your life. Um, so let's jump into Hummingbird Effect a little bit and, um, just talk about your marketing and how you've seen maybe some small changes that you've made on the marketing side.
Impact other areas of the business in a big way. do you have a situation you can share with us?
Kimberly Mitchell: Um, I, yeah, I would say that the. Probably one of the simplest shifts was when we, I thankfully got to the point where I could afford to hire somebody else to do this [00:11:00] for me because I'm not a fan, which is why we p love people like you. Um, but once they were consistently posting on social media, it was interesting to. You know, be out in the community and networking and events and, and have people actually notice the brand
Wendy: Absolutely. So talk about innovation a little bit. Do you feel like you've implemented like a new, something that was innovative to you that's had an impact on the business?
Kimberly Mitchell: Uh, in the beginning, all of our referrals would've come from other. Home help type, you know, professionals in some senior care space, you know, hospices, assisted living, stuff like that. And I think we weren't showing up online as, you know, the way that we, you know, see ourselves as a, you know, family owned, community [00:12:00] driven company.
And then once we were consistent about highlighting those services and values and all of those things online. I think it, you know, the visibility obviously was important and made a difference.
Wendy: Well, how are you measuring the results and what kind of, um, what kind of measurement have you been able to express? What kind of results have you seen?
Kimberly Mitchell: I think that the, you know, the outcome or success wasn't. Like necessarily about, you know, the clicks or the likes, but more of the conversations that it would, I'd have when somebody would see a post and I'd, you know, be out at some networking event or, um, charity or something like that. And then recognizing the brand and kind of feeling connected, [00:13:00] you know, and over time that visibility I think helped to open. Doors to other referral partners or, you know, actual referrals. I mean, I'm sure as you know, marketing is, um, it's hard sometimes to keep track of exactly where everything comes from and you know where that referral actually came from. Orig, you know, originally it's hard to keep track sometimes.
Wendy: Well, we're in like. A more complicated space now, right? So we talk about lift in marketing and how important it is to be doing different tactics. 'cause they lift other tactics or they lift your results and you don't necessarily always have a straight line for that. Um, and you know, Hannah. We, we talk to clients about this all the time and how, how hard it can be, especially in, um, service businesses and places where like, you're not selling a thing, so you're not putting something on [00:14:00] sale where you can go, okay, 2000 people came and bought this at 50% off or whatever.
It's very different when you're in a, in a service based business like you are to know, um, other than through what you hear through the grapevine. Right. Yeah. So,
but it sounds like you are feeling that there are results of what you're doing. Um,
Kimberly Mitchell: Oh yeah, definitely. It's just hard to
measure them. Exactly. You know, it's
one thing if they phone and we ask, you know, how'd you get our information? Oh, well your brochure was sitting at the rehab place as I was, you know, being discharged. It was like, oh. Great. And of course I know exactly where that came from and other times it's like, I don't know, and I got your number somehow.
Some way. I'm like, okay, so it's where should I spend that marketing money?
Wendy: Right. Right. So how are you making those decisions right now on how you spend that budget? We're going into 2026, so we're having a lot of budget conversations in the office. Huh Hannah? We are a lot of [00:15:00] them. And Hannah just wrote a blog about like thinking through. What the best spend is and the best way to, uh, work on your marketing budget and figure out like which tactics you should be focused on.
So are you in that head space right now where you're working on the budgets for next year?
Kimberly Mitchell: I, I think we're. I mean, I think my head is always in that space.
Wendy: That's good.
Kimberly Mitchell: Um, but just, you know, generally speaking of where, where money should go. Yes. Overall, uh, I think that, I don't know, sometimes it feels kind of like you throw a lot up against the wall and just sort of see what sticks and it. Is I, I loathe most of any of like the social media and all that kind of stuff, but I'm very well aware that it is insanely important so that, you know, the branding is [00:16:00] consistent and the marketing is consistent. Um, I think some of the things that we're already doing we'll probably just keep doing the same because we've, you know, grown, um, each year. So I, I don't know that I'll change a huge amount. But, you know, being, I think being out in the, out in the community on top of the, you know, online things is the combination I think is, you know, work smarter, not harder kind of thing.
Wendy: When you and I talked not that long ago about getting out in the community and, um, let's talk about the morning show opportunity. Um, how did that come about? How did you find that and how do you feel about, uh, getting that message out about home health, uh, to your local community? And what kind of impact do you think that'll have?
Kimberly Mitchell: There's a, another [00:17:00] women's group here called Women 360, and Heather that is the owner of that group, had been on the show. Uh, some weeks back and in, in that conversation. Then there was, you know, I think wondering if other women business owners that were in her group, if they would also like to attend. So that's how that came about. And. You know, I am sure you tell your clients the same. Like the more you know, the more visibility, the more places you can stick your logo on, the more you know, articles, all, all the things, um, and, you know, getting your face out there is important, which most of that stuff I hate doing, but it's important.
Wendy: Have you, have you heard through the community and and through people that you've interacted with since that they saw you on the show, and [00:18:00] do you feel like your message was well received?
Kimberly Mitchell: I, the people that have reached out, I think is mostly, probably because they saw it on online. Like I, the, you know, it's been. Put onto Facebook and LinkedIn and, and all the, all the socials. So I think for the most part, the people that I, I know that that's where that's come from. Now, if we get calls as actual referrals and that's where they happen to see us, then that would be great.
I just don't, haven't, haven't had that happen yet, or if they have called, they haven't said that. That's where they saw in our information.
Wendy: Kimberly, can you share with, um, my listeners what your message was on the morning show about your company? So I think that's really impactful from what I was seeing online.
Kimberly Mitchell: The [00:19:00] state of Arizona is not the greatest about. Enforcing, like there's, there's not really, there's not a lot of oversight when it comes to home care here. Like we, we obviously have a business license, but we don't have a, like, medical type license or something like that. 'cause we provide non-medical services. So we, the, the oversight for us comes because we're contracted with the state with our access, which is our state Medicaid version. So I say all that to say that if somebody, and if you just. Got a business card and a brochure and was just doing private pay clients there, there is no one checking any of the things.
And obviously there's a lot of agencies that are still are gonna adopt the I's and cross the T's and do the right thing, but there's no, there's nobody checking for the ones that don't. So I [00:20:00] say all that because if, whether they use our agency or not, I want them to pick an agency that is contracted with the state as well as having private pay clients because at least then they know that someone is being.
Making sure that the background checks are done and the trainings and all of the things that we, you know, need to make sure that they are certified and kept up on. And, um, all the, all the stuff.
Wendy: I think that's so important in general for, um, for anyone in any state to understand what their state is doing to protect them, if their state is doing what they need to, to protect them, um, beyond the state contractors. Right. Which, um. You know, I just, I just think, you know. We gotta take care of, of that community and make sure that we're doing them right and you hear the horror stories.
So I applaud you for standing out in that and making [00:21:00] sure that people understand the difference and that you're doing the right thing. Um, I've seen two grandmothers in different situations and other family members and you know, you want to, you want to think that your loved one is in the right. Place with the right people.
And so thank you for your care and attention to that. And I think that is a big differentiator for your company from what I've seen, um, that you actually, like, you're dedicated to doing the right thing for the people that you serve.
Kimberly Mitchell: Yeah. I mean, and it matters 'cause if there. Like our association here locally or the national part of being in that association is all of your employees have to be proper W2 employees. And that matters because if they're 10 90 nines, well I would make a lot more money for one. But, um, [00:22:00] if they're 10 90 nines and they. Fell in a client's home and something were to happen, they would go after the homeowner's insurance because they wouldn't have workers' comp as an option. And that's part of the reason why that's of course, super important, is so that we can protect the, the clients, um, because things happen.
Wendy: Are there statistics around how much longer, um, a person can stay in their home? the type of help that your organization provides as opposed to going into some sort of facility. Um, I'm assuming that even just being a friend or a confidant, somebody to talk to as well as help with all of the non-medical things, super important to maybe keeping someone at home longer.
Is that true?
Kimberly Mitchell: Um, I don't know if there's statistics around that particularly, like [00:23:00] there definitely are statistics out there. I don't know them all off the top of my head, but about the. Lack of reentry into hospitalizations, which is of course huge. And the hospitals appreciate that because if somebody reentries within like a month for the same thing, I, I don't think they can bill the same, which is, you know, obviously something they don't want to happen.
And we want the outcome of keeping them out of the hospital as you know, as much as possible. So those statistics are, are big in the. The majority of that population wants to stay at home, but there are some that really want that assisted living community kind of atmosphere where there's, you know, there's. there's. bingo and there's, you know, their, their chair yoga and you know, all of the things that they offer and the community of, you know, eating together, any of that kind of stuff. And so some, some choose [00:24:00] to move into a place like that when they start to need more assistance. So it's not necessarily that they have to, um, so I'm not sure how those kind of stats would be kept track of, if that makes sense.
Wendy: Gotcha. Yeah. Yeah. So what's next for you with marketing? Um, do you have any new ideas or is your social media person encouraging you to do anything that you're just.
Kimberly Mitchell: Uh.
Wendy: of bouncing around in your head right now.
Kimberly Mitchell: Well, she's been bothering me, which I'm pretty sure you and I talked about like a year and a half ago about, um, being like doing more TV sort of things. So the, you know, morning show is kind of the, you know, first under my belt I didn't throw up or die, so I figure, you know, I'll
probably survive another one.
Wendy: Well, at least I, you know, you're not, you're not going crazy because tiktoks, uh, hit your world just [00:25:00] yet. Huh, Hannah? I,
Hanna: I thought that that's what she was gonna say, and I was like, I don't think that they're gonna be on TikTok, but I could be wrong. And you went further. You went to tv, so. Right. I'm not asking you to do that.
Wendy: I mean, I'm, I'm giving her some props here for going that, going that far.
Hanna: That is awesome.
Wendy: Um, so what do you think about her story? I mean,
Hanna: yeah, I actually wanna go back to one of the first things that you said, um, and talk about purchasing the business. Can you talk about why you purchased this one where you considering multiple businesses and, um, well, I guess we can start there and then I can elaborate a little bit more.
Kimberly Mitchell: Okay, so a couple years before, uh, moving back here, we knew that we, that was. S we were going in that general direction. So I had started to do a whole bunch of research on what was happening, you know, in the [00:26:00] States. And we actually went through a franchise process, which we are not a franchise, but in that process it was. His job essentially was to take our, you know, strengths and weaknesses and past, you know, work history and whatnot, and match us with franchises that were for sale at the time. And in all of that process I took out of it that I wanted nothing to do with the franchise for one. Um, and that, um, this industry was something that we saw, um, a need and. Since it's not medical, you know, we didn't have to have any nursing or, you know, that kind of medical background. So it made it easier, if you will. Um, and then there was kind of a, I don't know, a little bit of luck, a little bit of things just sort of aligning and, uh, somebody had suggested seeing a, a business broker, [00:27:00] so when we went to him, they. Back then, it was a massive binder and explained that, you know, our two year, our now 14-year-old was two at the time. And, um, you know, no restaurants, no, you know, no bars, no gloves, no bakeries, you know, things that would be up late, up early, kind of sort of stuff. And so he pretty much took half of that binder and flipped it over. So I thought, wow, how many restaurants are things there for sale? Um, and then we just kind of started looking to see what was out there and home with help was. Like had one of, one of the ones that had come up and then we had met with another one and it came up again and I was like, okay. I was like, maybe this is a sign that we should pay, you know, a little bit more attention. So we got it when there was seven, 11 clients and 15 carry orders at the time.
Hanna: And what about it? Other than the fact that it popped up a few times, what was already set in place that was [00:28:00] important or beneficial and or attracted you to purchase it?
Kimberly Mitchell: The, well, the industry in and of itself had become very attractive after going through the franchise process to figure out, because we wanted something that. I mean, obviously we want to make money. Um, but that there was, there's a give back component and helping people as opposed to, you know, there was, I don't know, there was a transportation kind of business and there was, you know, various other things, of course, for sale. Uh, but the, the franchise process kind of brought this industry to the. The front of mind and then going through all of the things that I was going through with all the grandparents and whatnot at
the same time, and it just seemed to kind of all align.
Hanna: [00:29:00] What is something that you maintained after the purchase that you continued to do, and what is one of the first things that you changed or redid whenever you got everything settled?
Kimberly Mitchell: Um, after the initial shock of
what have I gotten myself into? Um, I think they, well, there was some processes and procedures that the previous. Um, owners were, were doing in, in like in taxes and [00:30:00] payroll and things
like that, that, and we doubled in the first year. So I had, I, I really had no choice but to, like, I was doing all of the taxes and all the payroll and all of the things, and so then after um, a year I had to, you know,
start to outsource lots of of things.
So that was definitely different, but that was, you know, just came with the growth
and then it was. Sometimes it was just kind of figuring it out as you go.
Hanna: Do you know what led to that growth? Or was it more just attentiveness to the business?
Kimberly Mitchell: Um, the, the gentleman that had it before were very, very nice guys. I don't think that they were, I don't think they were kind of getting out there. I don't think they were getting
out in the community. I'm not sure that they were. You know, didn't wanna spend money to make money, you know, so like there, from what I could [00:31:00] gather, you know, we had to redo the entire website.
I mean, there was stuff that just was not, it was outdated.
And so there was, you know, a lot of that, that was, they should, they should have kept up. And I think that. that that kind of stunted the growth for
them. 'cause from what I could tell, when we had looked at numbers, which of course has been almost 11 years now, but uh, that had been, you know, they were making money, but it was kind of leveled and sort of stagnant for a little while.
Hanna: So there was definitely some, some marketing items that you focused on, like the website and building your community, and it was just those simple actions that you, it sounded like you, you said doubled in the first year.
Kimberly Mitchell: Uh, yeah, in the first year.
Hanna: Wonderful. That's, that's awesome.
Wendy: Kimberly, how are you tracking now in the sense of, um, you know, now that you are kind of delving [00:32:00] into both digital marketing in a bigger way as well as the television and the media side of things?
How are sales tracking and what are you hopeful for? Um, maybe for this year and the upcoming year?
Kimberly Mitchell: Well, I don't, you know, it's hard to, if we ask them, like on their, literally on the client's profile, I have a spot to put on there of where the referral came from. So when I know where it came from, then of course I can keep track of all those things. But it's hard to know when it kind of goes through the grapevine of multiple different, um. People or scenarios or whatnot, it's, you know, it's kind of hard to keep track. Like, I know we started, I can't think of the name of it, but it's a way basically to like track the calls from Google Ads to see, you know, [00:33:00] how many, obviously phone calls that came, how long they lasted, you know, it's like that kind of sort of stuff.
And that's, that's relatively new. Um, I don't know. Like I, I mean, I just kind of started tracking that maybe a month ago, so might have to answer that part of that question another
time.
Wendy: that's, but that's great that you're starting to track. Um, do you feel like your, um, your sales growth has, obviously you're up to 200 people now. Um, has sales growth continued to I improve? Do you feel like it's improving this year, with getting out into the community even more than you did when you first bought the business?
Kimberly Mitchell: Yeah, I mean, every, every year there's been growth. Um, up in this, this year I think we're gonna do a little bit less, actually than we did last year, which will be the first year. And there's probably nothing to do with [00:34:00] marketing, but
there is a lot of, a lot of stuff that happened here in Arizona with Medicaid things. And so some of that, you know, business, there's issues. And on the private pay side, um, anytime there's an election, doesn't really matter what side you're on. It seems like everything's a little kinda, people are a little weird about spending money and, you know, holding onto it and that kind of stuff. So there was a, a little bit of a dip in that, but I don't think that that any of that really has anything to do with the, with the marketing and I'm. I mean, I hear it from my gal all the time. You know, it was like branding, branding, branding, marketing, marketing, branding, you know? So it's just like being all the places all the time. Posting, you know, socials, the blogs, the newsletters, you know, like on and on and on. And thank you, Jesus, for people like you guys, because I don't want to do [00:35:00] any of that anymore.
Wendy: So I know, and I kind of hear it in your voice. I mean, there's so much to navigate
Kimberly Mitchell: Oh, seriously.
Wendy: Right. There's, there's just so many things and, um, you wouldn't have survived and, and been in a position of growth for as long as you have been without being nimble and without adapting. So do you have any advice for other business owners as they're just kind of their head spinning as well how to manage some of what, what you've been through?
Kimberly Mitchell: My advice would be simple. I think that not, you know, don't underestimate the power of showing up and being consistent if it start small. Um, obviously letting your values be shown [00:36:00] and not doing it alone because. Obviously we can't do all of the things and we're usually not good at all of the things anyway. Uh, putting, putting myself in rooms or putting themselves in rooms with people that are smarter than they are, you know, leaning on the community and it's by not about selling so much as about. The relationships and, you know, building the trust within those relationships and focus on the, on the connections, and then the growth, the growth will follow and come sooner or later.
Wendy: We love to hear the word values come up in a marketing conversation like this. And I think, Hannah, to your point, there were special values from the beginning when they chose to go into this type of Yeah. Industry, right? And so. [00:37:00] It sounds like Kimberly, you're living your core values every day. Um, you may not realize how well that is trickling down to your team, but I think that has a lot to do with why you can see consistent growth on a regular basis.
Um, the humble business owner, I think is in front of us, right, Hannah? Very. so what, um. What else do you feel like you do on a regular basis to just stay nimble in your space? And it doesn't have to be marketing Kimberly, just in general. I mean, I think, I think with all the change we've seen in the world, um, what do you feel like you have to do every day as a business owner to just stay nimble and adapt?
Kimberly Mitchell: I am a huge proponent for self care and whatever that looks like for each person, of course is, is very different. But I get up very early every day. [00:38:00] I meditate and I have my tea. I work out, um, twice on weekends. Um. And I, you know, if you, if you don't have, you know, the mental that then also makes you not be like, you know, emotionally, I think I'd be all over the place if I didn't like keep myself in check in the, you know, the mental and spiritual part of it, which this is, can be a very emotional business.
And then of course the more employees you have, the more drama you have. So kinda trying to keep. Yourself together so that you know you don't lose it on everybody else around you.
Wendy: Sure. Sure. Hannah, any final thoughts or questions from you?
Hanna: Yeah, of course. I always have final thoughts. Um, I just kind of wanted to recap what I was hearing your hummingbird effect be. And [00:39:00] sorry if I'm looking down, I am reading my notes back. Uh, but your small change that you had was focusing on the community and that started with your reason for purchase.
It started for why you were moving back. To Arizona. Um, and then after you realize that this. Business is going to thrive when people connect with you and people connect with your employees and people connect with the business and what, what it is that you guys do. Um, and despite your resistance to social media and other tactics, these did have an impact.
The post lead to people recognizing you and feeling connected to you when you walk into a room. Whereas before, they just kind of knew. Who you were and why you were there. Um, and so it uh, allowed for more conversation for you to be a part of. Um, and that leads into sales and people being attracted to the company.
In terms of being your employee. You [00:40:00] have over 200 people that work there because you care about the community and because you care about the people that you're helping, and I'm assuming it's 'cause you care about them as well. Um, and then the community also means informing and improving. So that leads to the morning show and how you allowed yourself to inform the community about what they might not know and position yourself as a thought leader to other people in the industry, but also as a trustworthy person to, to reach out to when you're in that, what's the word?
Sensitive. When you're in that sensitive situation where you're considering have things, having someone come in for your parents or your grandparents or whoever they may be, or it might be them themselves that need your help. Um, so you just being open and honest and having these communication, having the communication with the, with [00:41:00] your community, focusing on your community, has really improved the outcome of the business.
Kimberly Mitchell: Yeah, you're right. She recaps well.
Wendy: Hannah's such a great storyteller and really like pulls down everything that we hear in these conversations, um, in such a, such a great way. So, I thank you for that. Think for
Hanna: it to give it a little bit of perspective. You guys both own businesses. I've learned from you. So I'm just, through all of these interviews, I hear things that you guys might not, you're like, oh, I did that forever ago, or, that was a small thing to me.
It's like, oh, I've never done that. Let me, let me try. So that's kind of where, yeah, I love that perspective.
Wendy: I love how you give us that perspective. That's so amazing. Um, well, any closing thoughts from you, Kimberly? Um. [00:42:00] I, applaud you for continuing to be agile in your marketing space and learn and get out there into your community.
Is there anything else you'd like to share as we wind down?
Kimberly Mitchell: No, I think, you know, it was, we just consistent actions showing up, whether it's social or otherwise. And then, you know, the ripple, the ripple effects will come sooner or later.
Wendy: Love it. Well, thank you so much. Um, it's been a great episode. We've got some takeaways here that Anna recapped. We really appreciate your time today. And to my listeners, I'll say we. Really appreciate your time tuning in and listening to this amazing business owner's story. Um, would you like to share your contact information with our listeners, Kimberly?
Kimberly Mitchell: Sure the website is. Home with help. So it's [00:43:00] H-O-M-E-W-I-T-H-H-E-O p.net. And then on that site you can find obviously the links to all of the social links. Um, and our emails, phone numbers, you know, everything is, is all on the website.
Wendy: Awesome. Well, thank you so much and have a wonderful day. And everyone take what you learned from Kimberly today and go out and find your hummingbird effect.