We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer L Horspool and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer L, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was hired by a company called US Oncology to build brand equity by turning around their brand from unknown and unliked into a desirable brand their clients wanted to brag about being affiliated with. The first thing we did was tackle their messaging. They had strong internal messaging, just not external messaging, and it was hurting their ability to grow. Once we got their messaging right, we took them from zero media inclusions to 350 stories in the first year, followed by 500 and 600 stories every year since.

We caught the attention of a suitor and the company sold for billions. Everyone was happy. And as mergers and acquisitions go, there were multiple people filling the same roles, so as my colleagues started leaving and starting companies of their own, my phone rang, “Jennifer, can you do for us over here what you did for us over there?” And I had a ready-made business. What I didn’t know I didn’t have, were the business skills to properly run my business. So I delved into learning, and I continue learning, growing, and stretching my knowledge and my skills to this day.

What should our readers know about your business?
I run Engagement PR & Marketing, a public relations, marketing and brand experience agency that turns brands from the best kept secret into the Go-To Experts™ of their industry. Our vertical deep is healthcare, nearly every sector from medical practices and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to MedTech, biotech, pharmaceutical development, and CROs to back-office expertise like billing and claims solutions, healthcare information technology, and other cool companies that improve the world of healthcare and wellness. We have built Engagement PR & Marketing with altruistic companies focused on making their portion of the world better. We believe in altruism, so every client we work with we must first prove it is doing something to better the world. This gets us excited. We build their brand on that excitement to attract the right talent and clientele to grow their company and do more great things to improve the world further.

We’re excited about the opportunity to work with more private equity-backed management services organizations to elevate the quality of healthcare. Private equity has an opportunity right now to do what no one else has been able to do: fix the U.S. healthcare system.

By encouraging greater collaboration, engagement, shared best practices, and team bonding across every level of expertise in their various locations, they can start to solve problems, elevate standards of care, challenge status quo and improve not only the workday and the work environment, but also drive a higher quality of care, more efficiently and effectively. We at Engagement PR & Marketing have strategies to help them do that, and more.

Hiring, training, and retaining talent is one of the most challenging aspects of running most any business. Our strategy is designed to unite people in like roles with like concerns across multiple sites and allows for new leadership roles and skill-building opportunities, which equals career growth and a trajectory that makes them want to stay. When people know you care about them, their opinions, expertise, career paths, and growth, they tend to want to stay.

Running a business challenges every part of your being. Entrepreneurialism can take you to the heights of ecstasy and the depths of frustration and despair. It takes tenacity to get up after each fall. And it takes a team… even if you’re doing it yourself. You need another ear to share ideas, solve problems, iron out messaging, bounce ideas around. And you need people who can help you through your weak spots so you can focus more on your sweet spots. We are those people. We help companies at every stage from start-ups to Fortune 100, and we’ve had success growing brands from zero dollars (or vision), to multi-million dollars, and one that hit $1B in less than three years. Wouldn’t we all like growth like that!?!!

Still, the road to success hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had some tremendous help throughout the years, from coaches and mentors to clients, friends, and colleagues. I learned to lean on people with greater expertise than I have and to listen with open eyes and ears… meaning, pay attention! Don’t shut off ideas or perspectives because they differ from my own. I learned to seek first to understand, sit with it, then decide.

The things I want to be known for most are 1) being tenacious and never quitting, even when it seems easier; 2) being of service, being helpful. I love it when people say, “I’m so happy I met you.” That’s the best to me. I like knowing my knowledge, skills, and perspective can bring clarity and assistance to others. I like knowing my strategies have been effective. Clients come to us because they want their brand to be known. Our clients have something to say. They want to change the world. They want to grow a brand that has value for the people it serves. We tell their stories in creative ways that garner interest in their products, services, and brands, repeatedly. We make them seen, known, and revered for their expertise.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of the greatest and most unique aspects of Orange County and LA is our ability to go from the beach to the desert to the mountains all in one day and have plenty of time to enjoy the pleasures of each place.

Day 1, To wow them at the beach, we’d likely start with a beach-view hike along El Morro Bay, then enjoy breakfast at The Beachcomber in Newport Coast. Nothing beats a delicious breakfast on the sand with the waves crashing just feet in front of you. It’s a peaceful and serene way to enjoy your coffee or their meal-in-itself Bloody Mary. After breakfast, or before if there’s a long wait, which there often is, is a walk on the beach, kicking up the sand, feeling the cool water of the Pacific Ocean on our bare feet. The best. Afterwards, drive to Pacific City in Huntington Beach for shopping and afternoon drinks by the water. Then to Corona del Mar to rent some Pedigo electric bikes and tour around the boardwalk and various scenic parts of the city. Dinner would be at Splashes at Hotel Laguna, then walk around and shop, or call it a day. Since I have a week to host my guests, there’s no need to cram it all in in a day, but it is doable.

Day 2, we’re inland on our way to the desert, but not so fast. We’ve gotta see an Angel’s baseball game. Normally I’d say we could eat at the iconic Catch, but it’s gone, so I think we’ll have sushi or hotdogs at the stadium.

Day 3, Skydiving at Skydive Perris, my former drop zone when I was a regular in the sport. It’s great because you can out and watch the skydivers all day, plus they have a pool to cool off in and a bar and restaurant and sometimes bands at night. It’s fun whether you jump or not. But jump. And get the film of it. You’ll thank me later for both.

Day 4, Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. Fun on the lake or just hiking around, or skiing / snowboarding in the winter. Purely beautiful and serene. A great mountain getaway just an hour or two from wherever you are in SoCal.

Day 5, Palm Desert, Palm Springs on the way back from Big Bear, swing back to the desert and sit poolside with frozen drinks.

Day 6, Drive to Sender One for rock climbing early in the morning, then to Corona to relax at Glen Ivy Hot Springs.

Day 7, Last meal at Javiers and shopping at The Irvine Spectrum. If we have time for two meals, maybe lunch at Taco Rosa in Tustin Ranch and Paul Martins for dinner at The Spectrum. Either way, we’re all eating well, shopping well and my guests will have experienced just a few of my favorites!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would be remiss if I didn’t give this Shoutout to my mom Diane Horspool who has not only been my rock throughout my years as an entrepreneur but also from where I learned my work ethic, tenacity, and drive, not to mention how to approach everything in life from a curious mind. She taught us, my brothers and me and now my niece, to be resourceful, to inquire, to find out more information, and most importantly to question things that don’t make sense or seem off or simply make you say, “Hmmm????” She also taught me mental toughness. Plus, she’s brilliant and has a kind heart that keeps on giving, much like I see in myself. I lucked out in the family area. I feel blessed with each one of my family members as they have each played a role in shaping the person I am today.

Website: https://engagementpr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/engagementprmktg/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlhorspool/

Twitter: @engagementpr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EngagementPR

Image Credits
1. Ken Rochon 2. Mega Events

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