Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/508485
The PR Guru KATHLEEN HENSON When she had the first two of her five children, Kathleen Henson struggled as she juggled being a mom and working for a PR firm. So in January 2001, she decided to start her own firm, Henson Consulting, in the basement of her Wheaton home—right next to the sump pump. "It was not glamorous at all," says Henson, who turns 44 on June 21. After September 11, Henson says, companies reduced their marketing budgets, which gave an edge to Henson Consulting, a small firm with a big talent. Since then, Henson not only has snagged high-profile clients such as Kraft Foods and LYFE Kitchen, but she's also racked up prestigious honors such as PR News' Top Women in PR and Best Small Firm recognition and was recently named Public Relations Society of America's PR Professional of the Year for Chicago. CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY: "The emergence of social media has really made our profession evolve, but what's stayed the same is that our clients are seeking great ideas that help get their brand or causes known." FORMING HC3, THE COMPANY'S PHILANTHROPIC ARM: "I leave my children to work, so I wanted to make sure that when I came home, I had some- thing good to tell them and teach them." THE THING I LOO OR IN EMPLOYEES: "Kindness. It's sort of unusual in this business. I actually got fired by a prominent restaura- teur years ago because he said I was too nice." ADVICE TO SOME- ONE STARTING OUT: "Never burn a bridge. You never know where your next client or connection is going to come from." GREATEST CAREER GIFT: "Being able to mentor women. I want them to be happy, to feel fulfillment, and to love their lives outside of work." A STRONG LEADER IS: "Always changing, always open-minded, always learning." 110 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM