Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Hart.
Krystal, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My love for mass communications as a career began before I started primary school. As a 4-year-old, I would watch the evening news with my grandfather and dream of being a broadcast journalist. I remember waiting for my grandmother to finish the newspaper so I could pretend to read it. In middle school, my English teacher gave the class an assignment to research our future careers to see if it was a match for our personalities and wants. I was devastated when I saw the salary and demands of a TV news reporter because it was no longer appealing and I didn’t have a backup plan. However, the assignment was a blessing because I learned about Public Relations and began preparing myself for a career in PR as soon as I got to high school. I didn’t waste time or money figuring out things in college because I had a plan. I graduated from Florida State University where I earned a B.A. in Communication, emphasis in Public Relations. I knew that government would be my niche, so I began working in local government, which lead to me earning a Masters of Public Administration degree from Savannah State University in 2013.
Then, the unexpected happened. Six weeks after graduating with my MPA degree and two weeks after my daughter was born, she was diagnosed with M.S.P.I, a food intolerance to dairy and soy. This experience gave me perspective on what was most important in life — more quality time with my family to be a better wife and mother. I desired flexibility for home but didn’t want to give up my passion for helping people solve problems using communication. I silently battled with this thought of giving it all up and starting over because this was not part of my original plan. God made a way because business owners and other professionals began asking for my help with copywriting and social media strategy. I spent two years side hustling as a copywriter and consultant while working as a public relations manager for a local municipality.
Since 2016, I’ve been fully committed to giving people peace of mind knowing that their business needs will be handled professionally using the systems and services I provide. My goal is to level the playing field for local government and nonprofits. I give them access to my experience, creativity, and innovative thinking so they can connect with people who need their services. Everything I do is about people first.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it has been easy. I learned a long time ago that if I get a NO, then that means a YES is coming that is better than what I planned. I also learned to look at every disappointment or setback as a lesson I needed to learn to prepare me for greater. So every time something happened that I didn’t anticipate, I paused and analyzed the situation to identify takeaways before coming up with a plan of action on how to proceed.
One of the most significant struggles was changing my mindset. Believe it or not, I felt guilty that I had a flexible lifestyle and got to make my own hours, choose my projects, etc. I overcompensated by giving away a lot of time and services. It was also difficult for me to set my own value. When you work for someone, they tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and how much they are going to pay you for the work. As an entrepreneur, I had to wrap my mind around the fact that I get to do it my way. Getting comfortable with following the path God gave me has been a beautiful struggle.
Currently, I’m working on getting used to the inconsistent paycheck. There are some months I’m getting a payment every other day and some months where I have to make phone calls to remind people that they owe me. I’ve been using the Profit First system to correct that, and I’m already seeing the benefits. Thankfully, my husband gets a consistent check, which gives me a little more cushion to take risks and more time to adjust to the entrepreneur lifestyle.
Sparrow Communications – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Sparrow Communications is a public relations agency offering copywriting and consulting services to nonprofits and government organizations. We also work with service-based businesses. Services range from setting up communication systems to streamlining operations to building brand components. I’m known for educating my clients and empowering them to do the work themselves. Too many people take the approach that they are the expert and the only one capable of doing the work for the client. I like to work alongside my clients and submerge myself in their organizations to help them help themselves.
I’m proud to say that as a business owner, I have always used the “community over competition” approach to bring people together. I’m often called a “brand matchmaker” because I get joy out of connecting people to do good work. In fact, my business model relies on a network of creatives to provide services to my clients that they typically can’t afford.
What sets me apart is that my focus is always serving people in excellence; I don’t worry about recognition or validation or money. I know that if I do the work, my gifts will make room for me to enter spaces that need my help and that I will attract the wealth required to sustain it all.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My definition for success is being a healthy person spiritually, physically, and financially. Out of my fitness flows the ability to give my family the love and attention it needs to thrive as well as giving my clients the guidance and attention they need to grow. At the end of the day, when I have adequately cared for myself, my family, and my clients, I am successful. That doesn’t always mean checking off everything on a task list, but it does mean that I have prioritized and accomplished what was needed for that day. The older I get, the more I learn how to flow instead of hustle.
Contact Info:
- Address: 108 S. Commerce Street
Hinesville, GA 31313 - Website: www.mysparrowcommunications.com
- Phone: 9123769342
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/krystalbhart
- Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/sparrowcommunications/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalbhart/
Image Credit:
Shelly Carpenter, Joanna Ng, Leah Hayes
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