Stop Underselling Your Story & How To Strengthen Your Visibility Online with Chanel Cathey

Chanel Cathey is the founder and CEO of CJC Insights, a strategic communications and public relations agency headquartered in New York City. Since launching the firm in 2018 with her savings and a bold mission, Chanel has built a powerhouse agency that partners with global companies, high-growth startups, mission-driven nonprofits, and private equity teams to craft narratives that resonate, build trust, and drive real impact.Looking for a specific gem?00:00 Introducing Chanel01:47 Editing newspapers at age 403:42 How growing up in a house of educators shaped her04:54 Creating a goal list with her mom and grandma05:22 Goal lists > checklists05:56 Learning to read and phonetics changed her life trajectory (she went from not reading to reading in just one summer)07:40 Why she switched from business to communications08:20 Her first networking event and homemade sunflower business card09:24 The bold ask that got her an internship at ABC News13:41 What it was really like interning at a political news show11:37 Discovering PR was her calling16:05 Starting CJC Insights without a master plan17:55 Why she was naïve about starting her business —and grateful for it24:33 The realities of entrepreneurship that no one talks about19:22 How she built her first client base without even realizing it19:44 Defining her zone of genius (hint: it’s not social media)21:54 Why most people undervalue their own stories24:14 How she uncovers a founder’s “IT” factor26:30 What confidence has to do with your brand strategy27:44 I tell people and brands the same thing: Write it down.28:48 Not everything is newsworthy. Take time to invest in messaging and strategy29:10 When brands start to lose their way…30:00 Reputation and trust are really hard to restore33:52 Getting more funding into the hands of founders 40:46 How therapy helped her rebuild confidence42:20 Why she hired a financial consultant for sanity and scale43:35 Her advice for founders who feel overwhelmed46:00 Final thoughts + where to connect with Chanel onlineConnect with ChanelLinkedIn: Chanel CatheyWebsite: cjcinsights.comCJC Instagram: @cjcinsightsBoard Member: Wellness in the SchoolsConnect with NaomiWebsite: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaileYouTube: Naomi Haile