Episode Summary
In this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree sits down with Hayden Van Hulzen, founder of HVH Media & Marketing, a full-service agency rooted in social media strategy and brand building. From her early days in a rigid, high-pressure household to leading billion-dollar influencer campaigns, Hayden shares how she turned adversity into agency gold.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How personal loss and career disruption sparked Hayden’s leap into entrepreneurship.
- Why emotional intelligence and brand authenticity drive stronger client relationships.
- The importance of internal morale—and why she’ll fire a client to protect it.
Agency Info
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Company: HVH Media & Marketing
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Guest: Hayden Van Hulzen
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Year Started: 2013
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Employees: 1-10
Flawed doesn’t have to mean broken, flawed can mean real. And real is what builds loyalty.
Hayden Van Hulzen
Key Takeaways
Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Path
Hayden went from pre-med student to marketing maven by following an unexpected passion she discovered in a PR elective. The lesson? Sometimes purpose finds you in your electives—not your major.
“Success really is the best revenge. I wasn’t following a path because my worth was being defined by it. I chose something I love.”
Tragedy Can Be a Catalyst
Losing her boss and a colleague in a plane crash was devastating, but it became a turning point. Hayden used that grief to rebuild—and eventually launch HVH Media.
“I reached a point of despair, but then I said—‘No. I can do this.’ I bet on myself.”
Be Relentlessly Resourceful
During COVID, Hayden pivoted clients to e-commerce and created a second agency to handle overflow. Her hustle kept her team employed and her company growing.
Bold move: “When things got hard, I built a new service line instead of cutting back.”
Protect Your People
Employee well-being comes first. If a client disrupts team morale, Hayden isn’t afraid to walk away.
“My team is more important than any paycheck. It’s a privilege to work with us.”
Be Flawed, Be Real
Authenticity isn’t a buzzword—it’s a brand strategy. Hayden’s unfiltered content earned her over 250K TikTok followers and loyal clients.
“Flawed doesn’t mean broken. It means real—and real wins loyalty.”
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