We Help Brands Shine - Shine Talent Group

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in branding and marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jess Hunichen, co-founder of Shine Talent Group, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Shine Talent Group is a talent management agency for social superstars. We represent digital content creators who have built incredible communities across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up and went to school in Melbourne, majoring in Marketing and jumping straight into PR when I finished school. I launched a boutique PR agency, Honey PR. I ran that for ~3 years, learning a TON from some amazing female PR freelancers with who I had connected. Though I was having the time of my life, I wanted to be part of a larger team, so I made a move into entrainment and worked in television for two of Australia's largest networks before moving to Toronto in 2014.

When I moved to Toronto, I really struggled to find a job and must have applied to 50+ PR jobs before essentially giving up. Thinking I would try my luck with wedding planning (it had always been of interest), I reached out to a planner with who I aligned stylistically. While she didn't have a role for me, she connected me with Emily Ward, my now business partner, and the rest is history! We launched Shine PR in January 2015 and Shine Influencers (now Shine Talent Group) in November of that same year. We are both completely aligned when it comes to how we want to run a business, the things we want to achieve, the kind of team we want to build. And most importantly, we have a ton of fun doing it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

This is a tricky one. We've done so many things that I am incredibly proud of, big and small. But when it really comes down to it, I am proud that we have always led with kindness, even when things have been hard.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

It is both the most challenging and the most rewarding, but the people. We care about our team and our talent in a way that is not typical of most companies I've personally been a part of. When they struggle with something, personally or professionally, it's difficult to watch. They can be so hard on themselves when all we see is potential. When they can see that and unlock it, it's pretty magical.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Don't feel like you have to start a business to flex an entrepreneurial muscle. If you see an opportunity within your current role, take it to your manager, ask to own that project, push for a profit or equity share. You need to know how to ask for and get what you want.
2. An obvious one, but just do it. What's the worst that can happen? If it all goes to shit, try something else.
3. Move towards the things that come with ease. This does not mean that starting, running, or growing a business will be easy or that you won't work harder than you've ever worked, but if you're going to be working around the clock, it may as well be on something that brings you joy.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://shinetalentgroup.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesshunichen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-hunichen-2a5b8315/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.