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“No one can fund your business. No one can come to your store. No one can purchase your service. If they don't know you exist, if they don't know about it, if they don't know how it can help you, PR does all of those things.”
What if visibility isn’t about being louder—but being more relevant? In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Ingrid Zapata-Read and Carlyn Bushman sit down with PR powerhouse KJ Blattenbauer, founder of Hearsay PR, to break down what it really takes to go from “best-kept secret” to in-demand authority. With nearly 30 years in public relations, KJ shares why founders, especially women, stay hidden, how perfectionism blocks momentum, and why clarity always beats polish. From crafting pitch-worthy stories editors actually open to building visibility without burnout, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can use right now. Plus, KJ gives a sneak peek into her upcoming book Pitchworthy and the mindset shift every entrepreneur needs to stop waiting and start showing up.
What we talked about:
When Should You Think About PR [7:19]
How to Stay Ahead [10:51]
Your Golden Ticket to Publicity [15:07]
Share the Press! [19:42]
Public Relations is FREE [23:28]
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Connect with KJ:
@kjblattenbauer on Instagram
KJ Blattenbauer on LinkedIn
Grab your copy of Pitchworthy for less than $1!
Connect with Carlyn:
@carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn
Carlyn Bushman Consulting
Connect with Ingrid:
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
Grow With Community
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Guests
KJ Blattenbauer
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Grow With Community
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
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