We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly Sundsvold a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kelly, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
In the early days of starting GoldBear Media, imposter syndrome was very real. I launched this company out of necessity – during one of the hardest seasons of my life – while my husband was recovering from major health challenges, and I was trying to keep everything afloat for our family.
What helped me overcome that internal voice of doubt wasn’t a single moment of clarity – it was the consistent reminder that showing up with purpose matters more than showing up perfectly.
I began focusing on the impact our work was having. Clients were growing. Campaigns were working. Results were real. And slowly, confidence replaced the second-guessing. I stopped asking, “Do I belong here?” and started asking, “How can I serve better?”
I also built systems that helped me get out of the weeds and focus on leadership. That shift – from reactive to strategic – was key. I realized that imposter syndrome often shows up when we’re stretched too thin. Creating space to lead with clarity made room for confidence to grow.
At GoldBear Media, we often tell clients: your story is your strength. I had to learn to believe that about my own. And now, it’s the foundation of how we help others grow – by leading with what makes them real, not just polished.
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?
At GoldBear Media, we help small businesses go from overlooked to overbooked.
We specialize in organic digital marketing strategies – social media, SEO, email marketing, and web design – that are built to drive visibility, trust, and measurable growth. What makes us different is that we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every business has a unique story, and our job is to help them tell it in a way that attracts the right audience and turns attention into action.
What’s most exciting about what we do? Watching our clients step into confidence. We’ve seen businesses grow their online reach by over 100% – without paid ads. We’ve helped entrepreneurs finally feel seen in a crowded digital space. For us, marketing isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about building something sustainable that supports real business goals.
What we want folks to know is this: marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or confusing. You don’t need to be everywhere – you just need to show up with clarity and consistency in the right places. That’s where we come in.
What’s New
We recently launched our Roots to Revenue™ framework, which is designed to help businesses create strong digital foundations that scale. It combines strategic content planning, email systems, SEO, and social engagement into a done-for-you approach that grows with you.
Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, our mission is simple: to make marketing feel manageable, measurable, and aligned with your values.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are:
1. Resilience in Uncertainty
Starting GoldBear Media during a season of personal crisis taught me that you don’t need perfect conditions to begin – you need determination. Resilience isn’t about being fearless; it’s about showing up when things are hard and choosing to build anyway.
Advice: Start where you are, with what you have. You’ll never feel 100% ready, but momentum creates clarity. The more you keep going, the stronger your confidence becomes.
2. Willingness to Learn (and Unlearn)
Digital marketing is constantly evolving. I had to commit to staying curious – not just about tools and trends, but about people. What are they feeling? What do they need? That mindset shift helped me create strategies that connect, not just convert.
Advice: Invest time in learning the “why” behind what works. Read, test, ask questions, and never assume you’ve mastered it all. Growth comes from staying humble and hungry.
3. Clear, Values-Driven Communication
Whether it’s for my team or my clients, communication is everything. I learned early on that clarity builds trust. Being direct, kind, and consistent helped us grow – because people knew what we stood for and what to expect from us.
Advice: Practice saying things simply. Learn to listen more than you speak. And don’t underestimate the power of consistent messaging – your voice is one of your greatest assets.
Final Thought:
No matter where you are in your journey, remember: every expert was once a beginner. Focus on serving well, staying aligned with your purpose, and growing one intentional step at a time.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Without a doubt, my biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been learning to delegate – and more importantly, learning to trust the process.
When you start a business from the ground up, it’s natural to want to be involved in every detail. But as we’ve grown, I realized that holding onto everything was actually holding us back. Delegating has allowed me to step into a true leadership role – where I can focus on vision, strategy, and the long-term direction of GoldBear Media.
It hasn’t always been easy. Delegation requires clarity, communication, and a lot of trust. But once I leaned into it, I saw how capable our team truly is. Projects started flowing smoother, client results improved, and I had the space to show up where I’m needed most.
Advice for others? Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to start building systems and sharing responsibility. Growth doesn’t just come from doing more – it comes from doing less of the wrong things and empowering others to do what they do best.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldbear.media/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldbear.media/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellysundsvold/
Image Credits
Photo by Jacki Jackson Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
