The Reality of Success: A Heartfelt Exchange with CEO Kristen Hitch

This episode features a heartfelt and empowering conversation with Kristen Hitt, the CEO of Organic, a performance brand agency. Kristen shares her journey through the metaphor of life as a tapestry, highlighting the beauty and mess of balancing a high-profile career, personal struggles, and family life. From her early career post-college to leading a major merger, Kristen opens up about the challenges behind her success, including dealing with imposter syndrome, personal life messiness, and finding resilience through tough professional seasons. The discussion also touches on the importance of choosing the right partner, the role of coaching, and the power of perspective in overcoming obstacles. Friends since college, the hosts and Kristen reminisce about shared experiences, illustrating the importance of supportive relationships in personal and professional growth.

Find Kristen Hitch on Linkedin or Instagram

00:00 Introduction: Life as a Tapestry

00:23 Behind the Scenes: The Messy Reality of Success

01:48 Guest Introduction: Meet Kristen Hitt

02:38 The Power of Friendship and Shared Experiences

05:54 The Journey to CEO: Embracing the Unknown

06:26 The Struggles Behind the Success: A Personal Perspective

07:02 The Importance of Self-Care in High-Stress Careers

07:38 The Reality of Growth: It's Not Always Pretty

07:58 The Early Career Days: Starting Out and Making Decisions

19:19 The Personal Journey: Balancing Family and Career

23:12 The Professional Journey: Leading a Merger and Overcoming Challenges

24:10 The Constant Struggle: Achieving and Failing Simultaneously

25:08 Balancing Health and Achievements

25:29 The Trade-Offs of Life

26:37 The Struggles of Prioritizing

27:17 Facing Financial Challenges

28:18 The Impact of Small Things

28:53 The Power of Perspective

30:54 Navigating Personal Challenges

34:08 The Importance of Coaching

Transcript

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 0:00

the metaphor once that our lives are often like a tapestry. so what you see on the front of a tapestry is this, this image that is, very much intentionally designed in, is very beautiful. Like the big picture, right. Of how things worked out in the end or what our lives look like. But if you flip the tapestry over a real one, at least, they're full of knots and tangles and, all of it's so messy and that's just the reality of our real lives. So yes, my career has been sort of three chapters beginning this third chapter now of, of leading the business that I have the privilege to lead. But What took place behind the scenes? What took place in my personal life alongside that journey was really messy, right? Like, really imperfect, really full of struggles

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 1:17

We're doing this right. Right, Colleen?

Colleen: 1:20

I don't know man.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 1:22

Oh, God. Colleen and I are a hot mess today, ladies and gentlemen, probably mostly ladies, except the three gentlemen,

Colleen: 1:29

We have a third gentleman. Did I tell you? I didn't tell you guys yet. We have a one of my friends from college, Jason, told me that he

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 1:36

out.

Colleen: 1:38

So yay for Jay. And now maybe Kristen, maybe your husband will listen.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 1:44

we'll get a 4th, 1 on board.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 1:46

Yeah, you guys. So we have a special guest, Kristen Hitt, and she is a CEO, mom and wife. Organic was founded 30 years ago As the first digital advertising agency today, it is a performance brand agency that delivers brand creative excellence with precision marketing solutions. She leads a kick ass team that works across the U S with offices in New York city, Cincinnati, and LA. Some things she's passionate about right now. I'm loving this silencing the inner critic outpacing imposter syndrome, taking care of herself through the most stressful professional season. And I just am so excited. I think she's passionate about Colleen and I think Colleen's passionate about her.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 2:30

So, so true. Nope.

Colleen: 2:35

so big and throwing my hands in the air. So the other bio that everyone needs to know is that Kristen and I have been friends since we were 18 years old. And we lived on the same dorm floor our freshman year of college, and then we became sorority sisters as well. So our lives are very intertwined for a very long time. And I can't wait for you guys to hear about Kristen's story because I have. Been sharing her. For years watching her just kick ass and succeed and blossom and grow as a woman. And it's incredible. So Kristen, Hi, Welcome. I'm so

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 3:16

Hi, not tear up as I think about all the seasons of our friendship and all the things that we've cheered each other on from afar, I've been a huge fan of your podcast. So long time listener, first time guest, very excited. I can't wait to be a part of the conversation and have just felt at home with you all. And Cheryl, I know I'm just meeting you for the first time here, but it feels like I know you too, based on so many of the stories that you share. And I just. Become a really huge fan. So thanks for the opportunity to be with you guys today.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 3:43

Oh, so sweet.

Colleen: 3:44

It's like a love fest. And other small fun fact, Kristen and I have actually run a half marathon together.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 3:50

Our, my first half marathon you ran before I did

Colleen: 3:54

Yeah.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 3:54

you ran a full marathon, I think before we ran a half marathon together, but yeah, that was super special.

Colleen: 3:59

Yeah, that was amazing. Okay,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 4:01

I learned about Colleen today.

Colleen: 4:03

yeah, I have run a full marathon. I ran one in 2010 and then I have run, I think four or five half marathons.\

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 4:10

I think my favorite story from Colleen's, I think it was your first marathon. Wasn't it that David like jumped out of a moving vehicle and ran with you like in his clothes just to help you get through a hard spot. I think that's one of the, it's most indicative story of your relationship and his heart towards you. And I love it so much. Amazing.

Colleen: 4:29

on social, but it is an amazing story. I've actually written it out to tell it on social. And it starts out like how the time to be dropped his pants in the middle of Santa Monica to save me because he had on like cargo shorts because like chill out, it was 2010. And then he had basketball shorts underneath and I was, it was literally mile 22 and I had run 22 miles and then I hit the wall. And this giant man jumped over the barricades and came to save me and ran the last, you know, 4. 2 miles with me. It was, it's an incredible story, but not while we're here.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 5:06

old today to be hearing these kinds of things.

Colleen: 5:10

It's a lovely, amazing story. But okay. So Kristen. We went to college together and then you here's one thing that I thought was should have told me a lot. Well, I knew Kristen, but Kristen was one of the first women in our sorority to get like a really good job out of college right away. And at the time we thought a really good salary where you were

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 5:33

Oh my gosh. Yeah.

Colleen: 5:35

remember, you were like, I'm going to make like over 50, 000 and this was 2005.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 5:41

Five. Yeah,

Colleen: 5:42

So right

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 5:44

was a millionaire is

Colleen: 5:45

you were a

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 5:46

like. And then I real quick got married and had a baby and realized that was zero dollars. That was zero dollars to budget and build a family.

Colleen: 5:54

take us through kind of your, your now, are you officially now the CEO? Or is that still

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 6:00

I am.

Colleen: 6:01

okay.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 6:02

Yeah, no, I am. I don't even know where to start calling. I think, you know, my career has been, has taken a massive turn in the past. year and a half, has been a really exciting journey. I am CEO of an advertising agency. As Cheryl mentioned, it was the very first digital agency. We're credited with making some of the very first digital banner ads, which was just a cool, fun fact for like where we started. And I think is at the center of how we do work now. than the work that we do, though, is the story behind the scenes of where we are and how we got to where we are today. And so I, over the past year have led a merger. I've led through three staff reductions. I've acquired new business. I've lost business and, and all the while trying to maintain. Some my own sense of integrity to who I am and leadership in this in the face of so much chaos and crisis and change. And so it's been a really trying journey for me, which is why, you know, when Cheryl asked about what I was passionate about thinking about, like outpacing my inner critic and. Taking care of myself and those types of things, because I have truly been in what I can only characterize as the most difficult professional season of my entire career. It has demanded nearly all of me in a way that I never anticipated. And I've been so thrilled with like the new year was really symbolic for me. I feel a different sense of energy, a sense of buoyancy that I have not felt in a long time. And so I'm feeling a lot more hopeful. This is a really good time to have the conversation about life and how things really work versus if you would talk to me three months ago, you probably would have had a very different teary eyed, tired version of me in this conversation.

Colleen: 7:37

But that's part of the whole journey, right? Like, I feel like Cheryl and I today both somehow are in the teary eyed, sad version of growth, but that's part of growth, Right. and here you are like right. Like you even look great on camera and you know, like here you are on the other side of it. But I want you to take us back even further. So like your first job

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 8:00

don't

Colleen: 8:02

was in, was that P& G, right?

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 8:05

about that. I guess, uh, well I think you've mixed mine better than yours now but

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 8:25

place for

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 8:26

Um and so we decided, you know, to purchase something a noun since we were, uh, And uh, we're not, we're not a family business. And we, we're not, change anyshell, um, and so that, that's with upgraded monetization So we, so we're, we're not, uh, ah, oneshopped here. Um, so, uh, oh, it was great to see you, thanks, I appreciate that.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 8:53

accepting challenges that have pushed me

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 8:55

youtube note this good good good to good good buddy will kill come yes yes this will this use hoped that the public would take the effort to perhaps strengthen them in it. And that massive event to make note of as well as the idea that the turning of the B bekommen instead of vetoing the process And I phase out the B becomenants now, because not more ever has not made any movement,

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 9:46

and e commerce

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 9:47

it's attributed to a well Silent discs counts credit be answered and uh, open court to question yourself, didn't need to yeah, and I mean,

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 10:12

Amelia at the time. he was trying to convince me that I should come to his agency to start strategic planning. And I'm not kidding. I left his agency and I, or his

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 10:21

I just

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 10:33

go do that. Right. And then,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 10:38

Um,

Colleen: 10:51

I want to just highlight that you are talking about and have said, and we've mentioned before, and I kind of characterize this as I hate this idea of fearlessness, but in you're using this the same more, you know, like similar idea of like being uncomfortable or being afraid. But doing it regardless, right? Like those are some of the, when we talk to people who are successful like you, or we talk to, or we see people who are achieving or high achievers, it's not that they're not afraid. It's not that they don't doubt themselves. It's not that they are worried, aren't worried, you know, sometimes they're not, but, but it's that they're willing to experience that uncomfortableness

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 11:33

Mm hmm. The other build I would add to that too is it's not that they know the answer all the time either. Like there's a lot of stuff that you're figuring out and you're using your gut, you're taking in new data, you're reading things at night, that kind of stuff. Like I didn't know to lead a merger

Colleen: 11:46

Yeah.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 11:47

at all. Right? Like we were going to school, my operations team and like going to school at night and reading. You know, McKinsey and Deloitte articles about how not to F up a company in five easy steps like that was sort of the level of which we were like, how do we quickly study and pivot and learn and grow? And so it's not even, it's so easy when we look at people in social media or in LinkedIn or in their thought leadership pieces, you get in your head and you're like, gosh, I don't, I don't say it that way. I don't say it with that much polish or. I don't have the answer. I don't know exactly. I don't have an infographic that tells my philosophy in four easy steps. Like, I don't have any of those things figured out. It's so easy to get in our own heads and think, well, other people must know something or must have something must possess something that I don't. And it's just not true. And people don't talk about it enough. there is a book that, was really Someone used it as like in a coaching session with me and sharing it. It's a book called Flying Without a Net, and it's written by a Harvard business school professor, Tom DeLonge, who's a delightful human. I've had the opportunity to meet him a couple of

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 12:46

So what we're going to do now is, sort of crowding up. The process, uh, follows, uh, What are trademarks. Before um, a transcript is laid out, you article is delivered, and then you get else kind

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 13:16

The, the right, you did a lot of the right things, you did them really poorly.

Colleen: 13:22

Yeah.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 13:22

So you got on the bike, you put your hands on the, the handlebars, you got your butt on the seat, you put your

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 13:27

So I was with my good friend Stuart at research At your college and we and we tried to explain something like this. and, well, to impotent and fool of a kid. This acceptance of me would never happen in the whole school world. But in this class I was given an indication that I am the Queen of the World because I'm wondering guys, I think you see the thing that is happening at this moment

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 13:55

and there's not enough,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 13:57

I don't get it. I don't get it. I don't get it. First of all, how am I going to do this? I'm going to print the, every time?

Colleen: 14:44

Yeah. I'm bahaing out loud as you're saying this because it. is like so painfully close to me right now. Right? Where you're like, yeah, I feel like I'm doing everything right. Like why isn't it just turning over or, but then like I look back And I'm like, bitch chill. you just did a lot like, And there's a lot positive going on. Yeah,

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 15:12

period.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 15:13

that book, The Gap and the Gain, where if you are always looking at like where you want to go and what's left to do, you're always going to feel defeated and bummed out. Or if you turn around and you see.

Colleen: 15:28

yeah,

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 15:30

When we always, we're so critical of ourselves. Whereas I would look at Colleen and I would say, okay, well, how long have you been a realtor and a social influencer and all the things like not very long. You're definitely in that season, right. Of like figuring it out. And I would look at you for, as an outsider. And say like, Oh my gosh, you're killing it. Your social media videos are so good and everything. You're everything you're posting and all your guides and all this stuff. Like I want to move to Indianapolis. I don't even live nearby. I don't have a job there. Like it just, you're like, you're, you're doing it. Right. But I can see that so clearly as your friend, but you don't see it. And so your point, Cheryl, such a good one that we don't look backwards enough and say, like, I used to be there. Or imagine if I had done this five years ago, I wouldn't have been ready or whatever it is, we don't give ourselves enough credit.

Colleen: 16:13

yeah, we don't. And I think, you know, for me starting this business at the of 40, right? Like, I, I started this real estate journey, if you will, at 39. And here I am 41, like, It's a lot harder and easier for me, right? Because I've also run businesses before or I have life experience and I can relate with people where if I was doing this at 25,

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 16:39

Silence. Mm. Hello.

Colleen: 17:00

know, 40. You're almost there, Cheryl. You've got it. You've got it.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 17:05

I'm just a young little, little

Colleen: 17:07

you are.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 17:08

when you guys were, when you were getting your first job, I was barely getting into college.

Colleen: 17:12

Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 17:16

that nice?

Colleen: 17:17

But Kristen,

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 17:17

recommendations. You can start using in a couple years.

Colleen: 17:20

we've got some skincare for you. Uh, I'm

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 17:23

washing my face

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 17:23

the way for you.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 17:24

with shampoo is what I'm hearing. That's the most advice that I keep getting. Stop washing my face with shampoo. I'm

Colleen: 17:31

Um,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 17:34

happy for that.

Colleen: 17:35

so I want to talk about, um, and we all have this right where I think three of us and Kristen, you very much. So are like, people will look at us just like you're talking about from the outside. And wow, look at just this exponential, really beautiful career. and it is right. But, you know, we talked about before the show, like, that doesn't mean that Everything is always going fabulously. And I think this is where we need to open the door, open the gate, right. To sharing our stories about like the hardship that's happening behind the scenes, like, you know, I would, I know pretty intimately your story, but I, whatever you're willing to share with us as a larger. Group, we would love to have you kind of tell your story from, from behind the scenes of this amazingly achieving, beautiful, uh, CEO, like there's a lot that you

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 18:35

Yeah, there's a lot that happens behind the scenes. Right. I had heard, the metaphor once that our lives are often like a tapestry. so what you see on the front of a tapestry is this, like, Photo or, you know, this image that is, very much intentionally designed in, in is very beautiful. Like the big picture, right. Of how things worked out in the end or what our lives look like. But if you flip the tapestry over a real one, at least, they're full of knots and tangles and, all of it's so messy and that's just the reality of our real lives. So yes, my career has been sort of three chapters beginning this third chapter now of, of leading the business that I have the privilege to lead. But What took place behind the scenes? What took place in my personal life alongside that journey was really messy, right? Like, really imperfect, really full of struggles from if I think back to like early on, I had my first kid when I was 24. And so I felt like this constant stress and pressure. Lack of decision making and clear vision for myself on like, do I really want to go hard after my career or I have this baby, this sweet, sweet girl who

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 19:41

I know that this is interesting, but Is it really on your side if you think about it? Nabilities comes with the security I think it's well planned I think it's well planned I think it's well planned

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 20:11

was traveling a ton. And so

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 20:12

I hope you enjoyed today's discussion and that this day we have come to a close. for joining us.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 20:39

it was hard, right? the next

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 20:42

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to teach there. Probably not, but I'm going to try to get some grades. But I think it's just a good time to talk about it. It's not always fun and happy. It's always fun. It's always, it's always fun. But it's not always fun. It's hard to deal with. I think I'm really good at it. I think I'm capable of talking about it. I know, I know. I know I'm really good at it. I'm really good. Um, Um So, you guys do want to follow up with as much before we go, there's another question in the chat but um, I think they still need to get some with that.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 21:32

seasons of my life, hardest seasons of my

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 21:34

we love doing these types of projects so that people understand who we are. Seeing our plans for these kinds of projects and not just topics. And this is online, because this is just an online project right now. And, unlike the other projects that we did, our Q3 was moving to things like community networks that are are frustrated with the abuse of technology that we've been telling people about. Okay.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 22:31

believing clinging to each other that like we could make something that could be. Special not a replacement for either of their initial original families, but something that is unique and special and differentiated and precious on its own. But we had to work really hard in that season. And it was, you know, my focus during that time period got like Very, singular. Like I was focused on our family. Like that was a season where I was not as focused on my job and my career, because it was like, we have to build these relationships. We have to build bridges. We have to build trust and all that takes so much time. We need healing. Like, gosh, all that emotional work requires so much of you. And now, like, where we are now is just so different. It's so different and so precious. And thank God right in time, because then I got catapulted into the hardest professional season of my career with leading this merger and all of the decisions associated with that. And I would not have had the bandwidth to do any of those other things at the same time. Right. And so, so much of me has been required in this season. And my challenge in this season is like pulling back and balancing a little bit, figuring out like, how do I Exercise. How do I stop eating ice cream every day of the week? How do I like, how do I take care of myself? I call it the merger 15 that I've picked up recently. Like, it's just like,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 23:44

We wouldn't mind if they were any different in relative interest now, because we're doing this with native interpreters all the time, half nativeer. But, um, they would want to say differently, probably translating

Colleen: 23:58

It's So, interesting to me that like, no matter what, no matter what the three of, us, we all live in different places, do different jobs, different, well, Cheryl and I do the same job, but differently, different places. And when we talk to across the country all the time, the, the issues that we face are the same, right? Anybody who is high achieving anybody who is striving for more, anybody, any woman who is a mom, you always feel like You're you're kicking ass and failing at the same time, right? And we all use this word balance, which I think we all really know is bullshit, doesn't really exist, but we try to keep a blend, there's A blend, like, my good friend, Melissa Beck, who I don't know, maybe you met her, Kristen, she's, she was my sister's best friend since she was two, anyway, she said To me one time Very high level CEO as well. there is no balance and we've talked about this on the show. There is no balance, you know, And I think about this and this is the perfect example, right? You were kicking ass

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 25:00

is the

Colleen: 25:00

doing this merger. Yeah. Maybe you weren't, you know, knocking out the worst 5am CrossFit workout every morning. And maybe you weren't making the shakes. Maybe you weren't doing all, but you were achieving. And so sometimes when we have to do that, we got to let, I mean, something's got to give, right. And ideally we don't want it to be our health, but listen, 15 pounds, I mean, who cares? Chill out.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 25:26

Could be, could be worse.

Colleen: 25:27

It could be worse.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 25:29

That Super Bowl commercial, the Uber Eats commercial with Jennifer Aniston and, uh, Ross. Sorry, David Schwimmer. I can't remember your name. Where it's like, if you learn something new, you have to forget something.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 25:42

Mm

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 25:42

you remember something, you have to forget something. It's kind of, I mean, it's that. Like, we're trading this for that.

Colleen: 25:48

There's only so

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 25:49

true. Whenever you add something, you lose something.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 25:52

Mm hmm.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 25:52

Like there we have, we have finite capability, finite time, right? So if we're not shooting, it's up to us what we lose, right? It could be something like in my case, like where it was just a bit of sorts, feel like just not even, um, I wasn't. conscious of it. It was unintentional. It wasn't purposeful loss of something. But then there are other moments where it's like, I'm going to stop going on social media at night because I want to gain this other thing, right? Like we can be conscious of it or passive in it, I guess is maybe the point. And I don't want, I want to have less of the things that I'm just like passively losing. That's like, that would be my only goal, right? Is like, if I'm losing something that let it be my choice, not something that I'm just like ignoring or because I'm just don't have the energy to fix it.

Colleen: 26:37

Yeah. I've been talking a lot about, especially, Devita and I have been talking about like prioritizing. Like it's never we can't do this or we don't have time for this or X, Y, and Z. It's just, what are we, What are we prioritizing at this moment? And I've been really trying to prioritize. Everything all at once, and it's impossible, don't do it.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 26:59

Yeah. Mm-Hmm.

Colleen: 27:00

It's been, it's been really hard, and then you have the days where you're crying and FaceTiming Cheryl, and there's been a, you know, like, we were talking about earlier today, all the things that happen in people's lives, and like, they're really hard, and you still have to keep going as far as your work goes, Right, And like, today, I got this email that, you know, we, my, we send our kids to a private school, it's very expensive, we get financial aid, and they didn't give it to us. This year, and I was like, oh, shit, like, I can't afford this. So now what? And it was really dramatic and it felt really dramatic at the time. and I called Cheryl crying and she's crying cause like, got other shit going on at her. Anyway, it was a glitch. They just forgot. It was a system glitch, right? But it was that moment where you were just like, everything is going wrong.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 27:57

Or like, why isn't it easier than this? Or why does it need to be hard or,

Colleen: 28:01

I say

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 28:01

Why is there so much chin? Why can't I just have exactly what I want and it'd be easy? But I'll tell you why, because if those things were easy, everybody would have them, and they wouldn't be special, and they wouldn't be worth what they're worth. But fuck

Colleen: 28:17

Yeah. But it was that thing where it was like, I've been pushing, I've been pushing, I've been pushing, I've been pushing. And you work so hard. And I know you both know this, right. Where one slight thing derails you.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 28:31

Yes. And It's usually the smallest things, I lost my mind over one meeting that I had last week, one half hour. I lost like four days of just feeling a little anxious, not sleeping super well. Why the meeting went great. awesome. Totally fine in the scheme of things, but there's some things that I've built up in my head and what I've realized and what is probably true for everybody is we make things. There's a phrase that a coach had introduced it to me a long time ago, which is there's something that happened and then there's what I made it mean.

Colleen: 29:02

Mhm.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 29:02

And, and often when we, that what I made it mean space is so informed by like, I don't know, my childhood trauma, my insecurities. What did I eat last night? Did I exercise? I had enough water. Am I tired? Like other meetings that I've had the feedback that I've been getting lately, or the lack of feedback I've been getting lately or whatever it we map all of that stuff to what I make it mean. And we make things somehow, somehow much bigger, more negative, more. explosive in our lives than they need to be. and reigning that in is like incredibly difficult, right? It's a practice. It's like yoga. Like it's, you don't just, you don't just have it or not. It's a thing you have to cultivate and build over time that like resiliency and looking at something and saying, what is this? And I have the power in this moment to look at it as something that's happening to me or something that's happening for me. Right. And so even that, like what happened with the, yeah. Tuition this morning. It's like in that moment, right? Like, but how do you arrest that moment and, and stop yourself long enough to say, like, there's like this, the, the thing that's happening and here's how I can choose. And that's the thing that I've gotten so passionate about in the past, like, 6 months, because so many things that. Had been popping up like a whack a mole game at a carnival and it's like, how do I react to each one of those things is really important, particularly when there's like 18 people watching you at the time your family whatever. Right. Or even just for our own sense of peace and wellbeing, it's like, how I react to this. Am I going to give away all of my confidence because of this one interaction? Am I going to lose all of my peace of mind because of this one that practicing getting out of that has been really, really difficult, but incredibly life giving. Like what little wins I've been able to achieve in the past couple of months as a result of that. Mm.

Colleen: 30:53

it's it's a mean,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 30:54

am having a particularly challenging time because I just lost my childcare. We've always had au pairs and our first one ever has asked, asked to rematch and moved away. And now I had to quickly pivot and my very short compared to what I'm used to and trying to fit a lot in and then be a peaceful CEO level mom when my kids are home. But I'm probably more of a janitor. Let's be honest. I was talking to some coaches the other day. And they were like, number one, grace, you need to give yourself the grace for the situation and then pivot to, I get to, instead of looking back. So like, I still get to work five hours a day. I get in the afternoon with my kids, you know, just like pivoting it to the, I get, so it's happening for me, not to me. Also remembering that it is a season and it's not.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 31:53

much power in that when we can like recognize what season we're in and sometimes it's like you have to really pull out like open up the aperture right to say like what's really going on here and the question I'm constantly asking myself is like is this how it's going to be forever? Because you already know the answer to that question. Like, you will find another au pair. You've had many that have been successful for you in the past. Like, you're a good match. You know, like, you know how to do it well. Like, you know, those, all those things are true. And so you really are solving for something that's quite temporary as opposed to a forever thing. But so often we attach our happiness to like, the assumption that this is how it is right now is how it's going to feel forever. Instead of doing that sort of, Perspective building of saying like, this actually is a season and season is a great word. I, the other word I use a lot is chapter. This is a chapter in my story. Like last year was a chapter in my story. It required a different energy for me. It took things for me that I didn't even know I needed to give it. Like it was, it was a lot. This next chapter is different and it's going to require different things for me. And it's going to have different, you know, Different things that I'm going to put into it because I it's a different chapter and it has a it's got it's a finite It has a finite thing. It has a starting point in an ending point.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 33:08

that perspective is hard in the moment and the importance of stepping back and looking. So August, my oldest was colic and I thought I was going to die. I thought this was going to be forever and I was going to die. Like, give me the meds. I'm fucked. June, my third baby was colic. It sucked. And I knew it didn't last forever because August is in the room playing and laughing and like to the bathroom on the toilet. And it's so hard in those moments to not think, Oh, this is forever. This is happening forever. And I

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 33:43

It's

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 33:43

regularly. Their moms and telling them when they're like, my kid won't stop sleeping in my bed or my kid's doing this stupid, annoying habit, or this is happening. I'm like, well, your kid won't do that when they're in college. So it's not forever as it as forever. If it feels right now, it is not forever. And that is, that's a hard perspective, but please put that in your toolkit, ladies and four gentlemen.

Colleen: 34:07

fortunate. Well, the other thing I wanted to bring up because Kristen, you've mentioned now a couple of times you have had coaches or coaches and I know that Cheryl's had some coaches and now I have, I have two coaches now and I think that's something. You know, Cheryl and I are moving into this, realm ourselves and we'll be doing some coaching soon later this year. Um, and I just, I think that this is something that is a newer thing, maybe, maybe not new. I think a lot of, um, high level executives typically have had coaches in the past, but I think this is a newer thing for the regular old. coming into, into play, but talk, talk to me about like how that has improved your, your either life or your business or like, why did you seek one out? Like, what did that, like how did that come to play?

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 35:05

Yeah. It's a really good question. And I think it's, you know, to use Cheryl's language, like a tool in your toolkit, I think no matter who you are, you probably can benefit in some way, shape or form from some form of coaching, whether that's like super informal, like a friend who's just a little bit further along on the journey than you, like parents of an older kid, perhaps, or, you know, works out really regularly and eats healthy. And so you just want to like, kind of come alongside them and be like, Tell me what you're tell me how you do that. You know, right? Like, like getting some perspective. for me, I've had, I've had a, a couple of different like coaching or coaching like objects, whether that was like small group sessions or trainings or things that I've gotten to be a part of with part of my, um, Company and some of the things that are provided. Like we have a program with Harvard business school where we have the opportunity to go, um, and be taught. That's how I know Tom DeLonge, who I mentioned earlier, like there's just some really incredible gifts that I've experienced, um, from that standpoint. But I've also hired coaches on my own or asked for my company to pay for them, that sort of thing. And, um, have found coaching to be an incredible tool, I think for a couple of reasons, but the, the thing that's most resonates with me the most right now, um, I have a coach who is a former CEO of, uh, another company in my, um, holding company. And so she's got like direct understanding of what it's like to do my job. Um, and we have sort of a. connection. Like we just are from an ethos standpoint. We're just like similar, right? The way we would talk, the way we would tell stories, like the energy that we bring to things is similar. And that's really important because I think it's, it's sometimes

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 36:45

So here's the problem with this medical practice. It is true that there's a lot of things to talk about. And there's a lot to talk about. And, um, it's good, but it's not good enough. And there's a lot of people who are concerned about how they can take care of themselves and treat patients at home. And we know that, uh, more and more patients are being diagnosed now with Parkinson's disease. So, what's the difference between treating patients and treating patients? That's true.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 37:14

the person that's saying like, this

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 37:16

who has wanted to uh, do this work and hopefully they can do this work. um, It's probably the best possible thing to do, which is to get it up and running again in IT, without having to rely on Whitney, but the one thing that I learned from The TIE does change a lot of these things when IT is So TWILA key message is to, the reason I say TWILA key is that it is required that those Trumpet people SUW Richardson, ultimately, will be the ones that know that as far as human error, human error is going to be dealt with by the human part of this.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 38:14

a concept that I wouldn't have otherwise

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 38:16

So one thing we've done is we've taken some graham corn and we've cracked apples into little, um, having little cylinder sized pieces of the, uh, whoopies, a very different kind

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 38:44

massive homework assignments,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 38:46

até é a ligue mais ouvinte do que é a tradução que eu vou

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 39:03

whatever. Like just giving you like, I'll stop.

Colleen: 39:06

then sometimes the, like the definition of a coach, sometimes they want you to figure it out and sometimes you need your coach to just tell you what the fuck to

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 39:14

Give you the fucking easy button. Give me the easy button.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 39:17

true.

Colleen: 39:18

You know, like coach, the definition is like.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 39:20

Here's the answer.

Colleen: 39:21

Do this play, Right. They write up the play for you. And I sometimes Like and that's the coach that I'm having now. Like that one, when we talked about, when we met, I was like, I need the easy button. You're doing a lot of what I want to do. And you're, you know, 10 years older and years ahead. Like, and so she said to me, she's like, I can do half coaching, half consulting for you. And I was like, great. that's what I need. That's what I'm being clear

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 39:48

Like someone that's like, here's the next step. Here's the next step. Because we get so overwhelmed. And particularly when you're like, high functioning, you know, that's not the right way to say that. That's rude. When you are. Very capable and smart. You know all the things that you should do. The issue is not like knowing what you should do. The issue is the order in which to do them, the energy that that will require, the mechanics of like figuring out the day to day and how to fit it all in. It's, it's that. And so if you need, that's where that outside perspective is so invaluable that someone's like, okay, well, what if you did it at the same time that you did this? Or what if you actually didn't do these three other things? You just started with this one or whatever it is. And that sometimes even having a coach gives you permission. To like do it slower or differently than you even imagined, um, which actually just provide some focus. And if that half the battle is just feeling okay about it,

Colleen: 40:43

Yeah. I feel like we have a billion things to talk to you about and we're gonna, have you on again. But I know we want to be mindful of your time because you're a busy lady and you have a lot going on and we're so thankful that you know, found a time to chat with us because I think what you have to offer everybody is so invaluable. You're just like such an awesome, awesome person.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 41:07

I have to cut in real quick because this is going to be the part of the podcast where Rachel Metzger, my business partner and excellent friend, will be like, why don't you guys just go longer? She keeps telling me that our podcast needs to be longer. Rachel, I'm sorry, but Kristen has another meeting and

Colleen: 41:23

She's a CEO. She's got a meeting.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 41:26

my fault. I'm so sorry. But I did. You know, there was 1 concept that we didn't get to talk about. That's been on my mind so much. So if I can just say 1 more thing before we, like, wrap up, My husband, who, as I mentioned, is a darling, wonderful human. He had sort of a revelation last week about me and my career, because he's been in this, we've been in this space of like, it's feels so hard. I can't tell you how many kitchen breakdowns I've had over the past year, where I've said things like, I don't know what it is I need, but I don't have it. Like, and if you asked me to jump, the answer's not even how high it's like, I can't like, there's nothing. I was just adrenal fatigue, stress, all this stuff. but if I think about where I want to go, And if I think about where I want to be, you know, five years from now, three years from now, whatever it might be, when I think about how I'll feel when I get on the other side of this mountain and our company is like thriving and growing and winning awards and being amazing. And everyone loves working there and all that stuff. I will be so grateful for this season

Colleen: 42:23

Hmm.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 42:24

and. So he had this pivot where he kind of came into my office and was like, what if we were just, what if we stopped wishing it for it to go away? What if we wish, what if we were just thankful? What if it was like, gosh, I just need a break. I just need a minute. I just need something off my plate. I just need like this onslaught of things like to, to die down for a second. What if instead of it was like this hard pivot towards like, bring it because I'm going to be so. Thank. I'm so grateful. This is serving a purpose for me and my growth in my life and my potential and all my dreams. Like if I don't go through this season, I don't get to the next one. And that has been so, and I mentioned to you, if you talked to me three months ago, you would, we wouldn't have been smiling so much. It would have been a very different conversation where I am now though. It's so different because of that pivot of like, No, I am so grateful for this time. And I think that applies to so much of all of our daily lives. It's like whatever the stuff is what we're in in this moment, we have within our gift, within our control, within our power to say, is not happening to me. I am not a victim of these circumstances. I am engaging in this. I'm leaning into some of this stuff that is hard and complex and dirty because I believe that what's on the other side of it is something that is stronger, better, better,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 43:38

and worth it.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 43:39

Thinner, whatever, whatever, the goal is, it's worth it.

Colleen: 43:45

Well, first of all,

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 43:46

are so powerful.

Colleen: 43:47

yeah, first of all, So rude for him to come in here with that and just drop knowledge on us. Like, what is he even thinking? And also he's amazing. And what, uh, you know, like, We, we talked about this in our, one of our last episodes, but like choosing the right partner is really, really important in, in your, in someone's own entrepreneurial journey or, or business journey or whatever, like you didn't do that by accident. Like you were very intentional about who you chose and how that worked. And the hard work and you talked about it, like the hard work that it took to get to Where you guys are. And I think Cheryl's talked about that, about her husband and the work that they've put in and same with David and I like, and I think that is. Something that we all want to be strong women and do it all by ourselves. And we do a shit ton by ourselves. Right. But we've also very intentionally chosen partners to help lift us up in those moments or give us those perspectives. Or even just listen to me when I cry in the middle of his work day. He's like, I am so sorry. There is someone here in my office now, but, um, Yeah.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 44:57

But you're gonna be great and I love you, go get em babe!

Colleen: 45:00

Just call and see if it was a mistake. That's fine. Um, but I just like, I think that that is a conversation that we just need to continue to have because we don't have to do it on our own and having a really great, strong, awesome partner doesn't make us less of bad ass ladies. And I think sometimes people,

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 45:19

it's, iron, sharpening iron, right? Like it's how you do, how you both thrive and when you have careers and you want to be successful and you want to Support your family. Well, together, you have to do it together, which that could be, like you said, a whole other conversation. It's not just like, oh, I need you to do the laundry. It's like, we've got to share the load. Right. And and that requires so much communication and honesty and feedback and all uncomfortable things too. Right. And that's Huge part of the story.

Colleen: 45:52

okay, well, you'll come back, right? What

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 45:55

will. Happy to.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 45:58

you if they want more of you? Are you anywhere? What do you do? Do you want to talk

Colleen: 46:02

to share with us? What do you want to tell us? What do you want to give the people?

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 46:05

I'm a happy follow on Instagram, but private, but, would accept people to follow me. but more than that, I'm on, I'm on LinkedIn, although not a lot there either. Actually, I think what you're helping me understand is the next phase for my life and career is like, what am I putting out there? It's a good question, Cheryl. So stay tuned, I guess I'll get back to you, but, would love to connect with more people and like minded people. So I'm on, I'm a happy follow on Instagram for sure.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 46:30

I think we have our next Inspire Her Collective starting wherever Kristen lives.

Colleen: 46:34

Yeah.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 46:34

connect with like minded people.

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 46:36

Yeah, that'd be amazing.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 46:38

Okay,

Colleen: 46:39

Okay. We will. We love you

kristen-hitch_1_02-16-2024_131152: 46:41

you. And thank you for what you're doing. It's such a gift that you're giving to women and men, whoever, such an important, like so many important conversations that you're leading. So thanks for letting me be a part of it. And thanks for what you're putting out into the world.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 46:54

Thank you.

Colleen: 46:55

God, I love you. guys so much.

cheryl_1_02-16-2024_101152: 46:58

Bye.