Kelly Burgess had been working in the marketing industry for five years when, at 26, an opportunity to start her own business presented itself. My husband and I were closing on our first home, and two weeks before our closing, I had a God-given moment where it was made absolutely clear that forging my own path was the next step, she said.
Under Burgess leadership, the business grew rapidly and quickly found its niche in healthcare marketing. I wanted to work with clients who believe in really helping people, both physically and mentally, she said. There is no such thing as neutrality in marketing, so if we are going to promote an organization, we want to make sure we are promoting something that is worth sending people to.
Burg + Co Marketing is a healthcare marketing agency with a goal to help individuals live better, happier lives by making information accessible and understandable so people can have their basic needs met. The firm works with like-minded healthcare organizations, specifically in the mental health space, to help patients find solutions to their healthcare needs, and aligns SEO strategies with user behavior and psychology to meet people where they are and help them find the health solution they need.
The firm has been featured in Fortune, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Entrepreneur magazines in addition to speaking engagements, including the Mental Health Marketing Conference.
I think the accomplishment Im most proud of is the team weve built. Ive never been part of a team that is so trusting and hardworking, and that takes so much care to bring their best to the table, but also to keep a work-life balance and not burn out, said Burgess. Its a hard line to walk, but we walk it well, and Im incredibly proud of what weve built and who we have at the table with us.
Mentoring is a key part of Burgess leadership style. The firm has developed an internship program with college juniors and seniors. Many are often hired upon graduation, she said. We love it when people stay within our organization, but its our goal that if people are going to leave us, they should be more experienced and better equipped for their next job because of the skills and training they learned with us, said Burgess. We focus on nurturing the individual.
Collaboration is also important to Burgess. I believe the best leaders are the ones who have humble confidence confidence to know that they can solve whatever is set in front of them, and humility to know that they are not the only ones who have the answers, she said.
