We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hillary Applegate a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Hillary with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My parents. I grew up in Silicon Valley, raised by two entrepreneurs. I saw the sacrifices taken by my parents, the balancing act of raising a family while working for yourself, and the sheer amount of effort needed to make it all happen. Not to mention being surrounded by other people in the thick of working on and advancing with the biggest names in technology. While I’ve embraced a more evolved approach to that work/life balance in my adulthood, my work ethic stems from that early life influence.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the Founder and CEO of Digital HQ, a modern solution for brands, agencies and contractors that delivers quality marketing and communication campaigns to organizations across the U.S. No matter what size or expertise is needed, we plug in a virtual digital team to get the job done. When I started the company back in January 2020, working remotely was still very niche. Shortly after, it became the overnight norm. We witnessed and experienced a transformation in how teams could connect and collaborate digitally, while still producing incredible results. Since that inception, we’ve been able to bring on a handful of contractors who were looking for more flexibility in their lives. Whether it’s because they’re parents with competing priorities, or multi-passionate travelers who lost their spark being tied to a desk for 40 hours a week, flexible work allows brands to tap into a wealth of talent without footing the huge bill of a full-time employee. We’ve been able to build a stream of business and workers who are aligned in this vision and belief that there’s a better way to work. It’s been an exciting ride, and we’re just getting started.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Working in an industry that is ever-evolving to eventually taking a leadership role in this space has been incredibly rewarding, challenging at times humbling. The first quality or skill that has impacted my journey has been being a problem solver. Listening deeply to what the real problem is can unfold a lot of opportunities to be successful. The key is to be curious, let others talk, and ask questions. I have never been afraid to use my voice to ask questions, offer solutions, or debate. Even when I may have risked looking silly, 99 times out of 100, people appreciate the discussion, ideas, and knowledge that they have heard.
The second is body language. Your success rate is a lot higher when you match the energy in the room. If you’re in a room with a group of people who are relaxed and casual versus a room with serious, stoic faces, it’s in your best interest to key into the personalities and balance their energy. If people are yawning, jazz up the discussion. If people are bulldozing, take a curious and reserved approach. Each person is different, and knowing your audience can take you far.
The last quality, which may be the most important, is letting go of caring what people think. This was tricky for me as I ventured out on my own. Would I be judged? What negative things would people say about me? Working through this self-doubt was the greatest gift. Once I realized that other people’s opinions are really none of my business I was to get out of my own way, and open up to new opportunities and people in a way I hadn’t done in the past.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I am a big proponent of therapy. Throughout my life, I’ve been in therapy to help arm myself with information and tools that will help me be more effective, both personally and professionally. There’s still a lot of taboo around it, and I’ve heard more than once, “Why are you in therapy? You’re fine!” To me, it’s like going to the doctor for your annual physical. If you’re waiting for something to be wrong, you’ve waited too long. The process has been instrumental in helping me navigate through difficulties, overcome challenges, and improve on skills that allow me to show up as a better version of myself for my husband Erik, my family, friends, team and clients. Therapy has given me permission to change and grow, and always be looking for ways to show up better today than I did yesterday which I am forever grateful for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dgtlhq.com
- Instagram: Hillary Applegate (@hillaryapplegate) • Instagram photos and videos Digital HQ | Digital Marketing Agency (@dgtl.hq) • Instagram photos and videos
- Linkedin:Hillary Applegate – Digital HQ | LinkedInDigital HQ | LinkedIn
- Twitter: https://x.com/dgtlhq
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