What Hourglass Media Will Look Like Going Forward

⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛

I took a brief hiatus from writing blog posts in July, and now, I’m back at the end of August. It’s no secret that I have been in a whirlwind of self-discovery in 2022, right smack dab in the midst of personal and professional hurricanes. 

Earlier this year, I told my therapist I could see where I wanted to be for the first time in my life. It’s like when Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2 are on the rock formation overlooking Mos Eisley. Luke just gave up everything he ever knew because he trusted the Force and an old hermit who lived beyond the Dune Sea. Through all of life’s ups and downs, one aspect has remained constant: my love of writing. 

Writing provides solace, clarity, and everything in between. This form of storytelling is the lifeblood of who I am as a communicator, and I want to get back to basics. I spent the first 13 years of my PR career seeking external validation. That’s what we do as PR practitioners. We love seeing our clients’ work go viral, raking in comments, likes, and other forms of engagement. We want to hear and see a job well done as we sometimes compartmentalize our own desires, sacrificing them at the altar of being “busy” and achieving others’ goals. 

I recently turned 34, and there is something about birthdays that invites moments of reflection – at least for me. I spent much of this year, and April onward in blog posts, mulling over what I want my career to look like. 

I’ve done a lot of work I have truly loved, with clients and partners that continue to do life-changing work in their spaces. However, you know when a change is afoot, and that change happened for me when my son was born. I fought the sometimes stereotypical collection of feelings telling me that I was “weird” or “unsuccessful” for wanting to step back from Hourglass Media work after Luke was born. The truth is, my company was founded on external validation. If there was internal validation, it was born from what others needed and wanted, as well as their opinions of me and my work. That led to internal battles that have given way to years-long wars on my heart, mind, and spirit. 

Honestly, I am running out of energy to keep going at the same pace as a solopreneur. After beginning my mental health journey (and one I will be on my entire life), I realized that happiness isn’t only derived from my work. It’s the quality time with my husband and son, traveling, working on my passion projects and hobbies, spending time other loved ones, writing, taking photos, drinking coffee in the mornings, and maybe finally releasing that novel I wrote in 2018.

I have loved having my own company. I have grown in so many ways in the nearly 7.5 years since I began this esteemed path as a business owner. I’ve improved my communication skills in both work and life, have contributed to larger conversations, moved the needle on important issues, and know what true flexibility is like. I’ve had successes and failures along the way, from lying on my bedroom floor telling my husband I can’t do this anymore to being nationally recognized for my work. I treasure every moment, on both sides of the fence and everywhere in between.

Plus, I have learned how to better keep my vocalized pauses at bay, which is a huge feat! 

So, why would I want to walk away from this seemingly well-oiled machine to focus on just writing and life outside of Hourglass Media?

I think there is more for me out there. The pandemic has taught each of us what we want and don’t want, and I am no exception. Having a business can be a rollercoaster, and I am just… tired. I miss consistent human interaction and collaboration, as well as financial security, a daily routine, and more. I just don’t want to work 60-80 hours per week and know that there are other options as I restructure Hourglass Media and pursue other opportunities. This hasn’t been an easy road to go down, and it has been a grieving process. But, at the end of the day, I need to have a company that works not only for me but also for my family. Gone are the days of being an unhealthy, single, only-career-focused workaholic. Life, just like communications, has become more integrated for me. 

And all of it is OK! Life is full of changes, and I don’t know about you, but I was never meant to be in only one place for my whole life.

So, I also have to announce that I have accepted a new communications role with Fielding Graduate University. I start in mid-September, and I feel like it will be a perfect fit for what I want to continue to do in the PR/communications field. It will blend PR/comms with psychology and other facets. Needless to say, I am excited for the future and to collaborate with new colleagues, students, and partners.

Hourglass Media as I – and you – once knew it is part of the past. I aspire to focus on writing projects, from content creation and curation to editing services. I want to continue to self-publish and help others tell their stories in a myriad of ways. I’ll provide resources, insights, and other relevant information along the way. The Wholeheartedly Podcast is part of that umbrella of internal and external offerings, with much of Hourglass Media’s focus remaining on mental health, wellness, and lifestyle work. PR work is still a core component of who I am as a professional, but that work will mostly exist outside of the Hourglass Media umbrella. I’ll take on work on a case-by-case basis and refer work to others as needed.

So, while it will be a different way of doing business and pursuing new work, I will continue to unveil the hearts of stories. I am excited for this new normal and the future of Hourglass and my career in general. Stay tuned! 

For everyone who has supported Hourglass Media thus far, THANK YOU. Your support means the world to me. It has kept me going during the highs and lows of business ownership since 2015. I am SO PROUD of Hourglass Media and the work we have done and will continue to do.

Take care and thank you. Sending you much love!

-Kaylin