MENTOR SPOTLIGHT: KIT HUFFMAN
Tell us about your venture/work.
I’m the founder of SENECA, a marketing agency that creates bespoke strategies and content to help executives and companies build and leverage their brands to positively impact the world. Our clients turn to us to strategically stand out online, speak to audiences on stage, and show up smart in the press. We serve as business, thought, and writing partners, crafting attention-grabbing content and connecting that attention to greater business goals that strengthen relationships with one another and our communities.
How did you decide to tackle this particular issue?
Business media historically has amplified male thought leaders. Marketing agencies have a reputation for delivering promises without results. While we serve people of a diversity of genders, our all-female team ensures that a woman has a seat at the table when we unite with our clients, strategize and collaborate to create results-driven conversations on- and offline.
How did you find out you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path? What was the first fundamental shift that happened to you as an early impact entrepreneur?
I started my career as a ghostwriter, collaborating with Fortune 500 C-level executives, prominent startups, and billion-dollar brands. Over the years, it became clear: ghostwriting is a heavily male-dominated industry. So, when I made the transition from freelancer to founder, I wanted to create a team with diverse viewpoints, including top ghostwriters, copywriters, strategists, PR professionals, and designers with an eye toward creating a world with respect and care.
What do you enjoy most about being an impact entrepreneur? What are the main challenges?
I’m proud we are able to build and find success in this space while doing it our way. The most impactful moments for me are engaging in deep conversations with our underrepresented clients about their experiences and earned expertise throughout their careers. We pride ourselves in creating a safe space for our clients to candidly explore their thoughts and ideas, and it’s special when these conversations lead to clarity and confidence in the work we co-create.
How do you navigate the space of being a founder and also being a POC/woman/non-binary person?
I am thankful to have been supported and sponsored by mentors across the gender spectrum. Early in my career, I primarily sought out female mentors and communities in the marketing space. While I am grateful and learn a lot from these women, it wasn’t until the last few years that I expanded my circles to include men and non-binary people outside of the marketing space. Learning from and growing with a diverse group of individuals has immensely helped my career and agency.
What advice do you have for early-stage impact entrepreneurs about using their time and relationships to prepare for this kind of career? What would you tell to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to be clear on what you are doing and why. When you aren’t clear, you can easily be blown off course, changing directions every few months. When you constantly change directions, you spend more energy on changing directions than you could have driving toward your desired impact. When you are clear on what you are doing, you can drive that energy into aligned projects, clients, and relationships.