Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Quinn.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. I began my career as a corporate spokesmodel for a variety of very well-known international brands. Seeing an industry grossly mismanaged, I saw opportunity everywhere. Speaking on behalf of a brand for public engagements was a large responsibility. It was amazing how poorly talent was being chosen for this role, and how they were not positioned to bring the best results for the brands represented.
I started my agency to evolve the marketplace as a whole. Both sides of the industry needed to be fixed; How clients find talent, and how talent are presented to clients. By hand selecting, training, and acting as a guiding force and mentor, The Kat Agency, created an ideal environment to thrive.
Brands really didn’t know how to utilize spokesmodels correctly, and it’s a $350 Billion industry. At almost every event we work, brands would ask how to hire us. To date, we have grown strictly with word of mouth. When things really ramped up, we began creating our own technology to manage the many moving parts. Today, I now run a company with 4,000 national talent, with 14 regional managers, and an office with 9 employees.
I’ve changed hats in the last 6 months to focus more nationally and internationally. Having almost 1,500 talents working regularly in South Florida we are internally promoting team leads to managers, and managers to regional managers. I’ve also began a larger responsibility in business development and expanding the technology we’ve built. I’m attending women who tech events and grown into more of a mentor for young talent.
I still personally work major events and complete every talent on-boarding call. Our company slogan is “Lead by Example” and I ensure to set a very high bar. Going the extra mile to provide turnkey solutions I include items like wardrobe in every booking.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? Being a woman, running a woman dominated industry, with most decision makers being men has been a challenge. It has definitely not been a smooth road. Our agency is disrupting 4 major industries (recruiting, marketing, talent management, social credibility(LinkedIn)) and creating innovate technology to achieve our goals. Every day is a battle.
A few struggles: Getting past stereotypes. People hear “models in Miami” and instantly think they know you. If they only knew my average talent is college educated, speaks 3 languages, and represents brands like Ferrari and Cartier.
Growing a technology company. Miami is currently undergoing an infusion of tech, but it was not easy to find a CTO. We don’t have major tech industry or a pipeline of great talent. I had to travel back and forth to Los Angeles for almost 6 months, meeting some of the industry’s biggest players, to sort out how to build the technology we currently utilize.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Kat Agency – what should we know? The Kat Agency is a brand representation and event staffing talent agency. We assist with executing all the roles you see at events. From the recent college graduate who hands out flyers a baseball game, to the top model who MC’s Pfizer’s medical conventions, we have a tremendous roster of short term talent, available on-demand.
I currently act as CEO, organizing talent and acting as main point of contact for clients.
I am known as being the professional agency who always delivers. We are among the only agencies in the country to consistently maintain a 5-star rating. The more important your brand is, the more you value protecting it, and the better we work together.
I am most proud of creating a successful environment. Having started my agency to improve all aspects of the industry, most of my friends are models. To give everyone better paychecks, with quicker turn around, and overall improve the entire work experience warms my heart. There is nothing better than fundamentally changing a system that didn’t work and being recognized for it.
What sets me apart is The Kat Agency is women owned and run. Our slogan is Led by Example and I personally lead major events. For a brand to call me, review their needs, and then have me personally on-site is something I don’t think any other agency offers.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role? There are 2 people who really stand out as not getting the credit they deserve.
- Jordan Tomback: My business partner and husband. Jordan has worked tirelessly to assist my career and my dreams. He helps with business development and has created the structure which led The Kat Agency to become the agency we are today.
- Sean Cosentino: Sean is my CTO and had been critical in building the technology which has allowed us to grow. Like my little brother, Sean has an incredible work ethic, and has built a system in half the time some leading tech companies told me it would take.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekatagency.com/
- Phone: 786-505-1946
- Email: hello@thekatagency.com
- Instagram: @thekatagency
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKatAgency/
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