Episode 80

What a Catfished Intern Taught Us About Hiring

Glo Creative Co. w/ Kelly Ghom

Ever heard of a founder getting catfished by a job applicant? That’s just one of the unforgettable stories in this episode of An Agency Story. But more than a laugh, it’s a symbol of what co-founder Kelly Gohm has learned the hard way: hire slow, fire fast and build a business rooted in authenticity, values, and bold decisions. From pivoting her agency’s entire focus to walking away from high-paying clients, Kelly’s journey is a playbook on listening to your gut, leading with purpose, and building something that feels right, not just looks right.

What a Catfished Intern Taught Us About Hiring

Episode Summary

In this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree sits down with Kelly Gohm, co-founder of Glo Creative Co., a Charleston-based creative agency known for branding, web design, and content production with heart. Kelly shares her winding path from English major to sales professional to agency owner and how COVID became the surprising catalyst for launching her business.

More than just an origin story, this episode digs deep into what it takes to scale while staying in alignment, why walking away from money can be the smartest move, and how Glo Creative Co. is carving a unique niche in a saturated market.

Episode Highlights:

From English Degree to Marketing Maven – How Kelly turned her love of people and communication into a creative business.
Big Clients, Tough Calls – Why Kelly and her team fired a large retainer client to protect their energy and creative integrity.
The Internship Catfish – A hilarious (and painful) lesson on hiring the wrong person.
The Power of Sales and Storytelling – How authenticity drives Glo’s approach to both sales and delivery.

Agency Info

Company: Glo Creative Co.
Guest: Kelly Ghom
Year Started: 2022
Employees: 1-10

Authenticity isn’t a tactic…it’s the only way I know how to sell.

Kelly Ghom

Key Takeaways

Build a Business That Feels Right, Not Just Looks Good

Kelly and her partner intentionally downsized their service offering to focus on branding and storytelling. This clarity didn’t just reduce stress, it fueled growth.

Bold Decisions Create Room for Better Ones

Letting go of a major client that wasn’t aligned with their values was painful, but it freed the team to pursue the right opportunities. As Kelly puts it, “Trim the fat, and the right clients find you.”

Sales Isn’t a Dirty Word When You Lead With Authenticity

Kelly believes sales is about relationships, not transactions. By showing up with empathy and genuine curiosity, she’s able to connect deeply and close more deals.

Say No to Save Your Yes

One of the strongest strategies Kelly shares is being selective. From scoring leads in their CRM to turning down clients who just want a logo, Glo focuses energy where it matters most.

The FTE (F* This Event) That Sparked It All**

Kelly credits a breaking point…exhausted, overworked, and unfulfilled during COVID as her “FTE.” This moment of dissatisfaction forced her to reimagine her life and take the leap into entrepreneurship.

Show Notes

Instagram: @glocreativeco_

About the Host

Russel Dubree

Hi, I’m Russel. I’m a business coach for agencies. I founded, scaled, sold, and exited an 8 figure agency. Today, I serve digital marketing agency owners to create their most ideal business by helping them attract better clients, build scalable systems and processes, and autonomous teams.

More About Me

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