10 Years of Radiant: Lessons From Founder and CEO Karen Cummings

This November marks ten whole years of Radiant Marketing! We’re celebrating an entire decade of building, refining, learning, and glowing brighter every single day. 

To reflect on her journey of entrepreneurship, I sat down with Radiant founder and CEO, Karen Cummings. 

I asked Karen a simple question: If you could pass on the most important things you learned over the last ten years, what would they be?

What followed was honest, raw guidance that every business owner should hear and take to heart…

On staying financially grounded

Karen: One of my top lessons would be to always pay attention to your finances. If you bring someone else in to manage this, make sure you still have your finger on the pulse. Keep a profit-first mentality. Of course, people matter, but you cannot have people if you do not have profit.

On leading with values, not ego

Karen: Always stay true to your values. If you are experiencing friction or challenges, ask yourself whether it is because you are pushing yourself or because you are going against your values, and that will help inform your decisions.

On building a strong team

Karen: Hire for skill, but also hire for cultural fit and soft skills. You can train for hard skills. Do your due diligence in the hiring process, call references to see what it’s like to work with them, and get sample work projects done to better gauge true qualifications.

On embracing growth and grit

Karen: Stay curious. Even challenges can turn into opportunities. Stay positive and hopeful. There will always be lows, but there will also always be highs if you are working towards the right thing – and you stay consistent.

On craftsmanship and care

Karen: Care about what you do and do it well. Not everything we do is sexy or fun, but everything matters, and you want to bring 100 percent to everything you do.

On collaboration and feedback

Karen: Be collaborative. Sometimes it is hard to take criticism. Criticism and feedback often lead to a better outcome and solution, so always be open-minded. Work collaboratively with your team and customers.

On consistent leadership

Karen: Be consistent in everything you do. As a leader, in your marketing, and in your communication with your customers.

On knowing your worth

Karen: Charge what you (and your services/products) are worth. This is one I am still working on, but truly understand the value you bring to different situations and make sure you are pricing your offerings accordingly.

What’s Next for Radiant Marketing?

Ten years in, and it feels like we’re just getting warmed up!  

We’re continuing to grow our capabilities, invest in and expand our team, and lean harder into thoughtful, meaningful marketing that stands out. Our future feels less like a checklist and more like an impactful empire we are building one intentional step at a time.

The next 10 years are about dreaming bigger, staying curious, and creating things that make a positive impact. If you are looking for a partner who cares about creating a ripple effect of wellness while also driving results as much as you do, we would love to connect. Let’s build something great together. 

Schedule a Discovery Call with us today!