We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Prejzner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is a matter of perspective. The term risk implies that there’s a guarantee of safety and control on the other side of risk, and for me, that is just not the case. I don’t view risk (or the world) in black-and-white and either/or options. My ability to look at risk differently has directly led to my success in life and career.

A lot of people look at starting your own business, traveling to a new country with a baby, or going solo hiking as risky. To me, none of the things are riskier than staying in one place and letting your future be decided by someone else. It’s the perception. The reality is that not following my heart, staying on a corporate career path, and not getting out to pursue my own path and purpose is way riskier to my well-being than had I followed a “traditional” path.

When it came to starting my own business and forging my own path, I’d rather risk building out a new business, failing, and doing it again any day over risking working for the perception of stability and having that career be dictated by moving offices, restructures, downsizing, etc. That latter is a far greater risk for me.

Starting a new business really wasn’t scary or risky for me. Not because I had a nest egg or financial support – I didn’t have either of those things when I was starting out – but it’s because I had a keen ability to evaluate risk differently than others and take a leap of faith that my version of risk would work in my favor. I really saw no other way.

And in my life, it’s always been that way. I was 8 years old telling people I was going to move away from where I grew up one day (I did), I was in high school and became the first person in my family to go to college without anyone even telling me that “that’s what I should do” (I just did it), and when my friends were working, I was pursuing every possible internship to help me build my career path – a far less financially-stable risk but one that’s worked out.

I love that I have an advantage by seeing risk differently. In fact, I don’t see the idea of risk as a risk at all but calculated decisions of when to go against the grain and bet on myself versus choosing to double down on a path not meant for me. And that has been all the difference in my success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am CEO and founder of a Branding, PR, and Social Media marketing agency, Hackett Brand Consulting. Hackett Brand Consulting is a people-first marketing agency that helps businesses on the verge of their next evolution unlock true growth and brand awareness. For us, it all comes down to people – we connect brands to their people and work hard to cultivate a team of great people who do incredible work.

I have also recently founded MegPrez.com, where I help teach people how find clarity and purpose, build an unshakeable mindset and turn their purpose and passions into profits. This concept came from the idea that I’ve met a lot of small businesses whose resources don’t allow for a full marketing agency but I still found myself wanting to help them scale their business and build a recognizable brand. So I started MegPrez to help individuals find their true purpose in life, become unshakeable with mindset tips and inspiration for success, and if their path happens to be entrepreneurship, I am launching a Brand Marketing Academy this fall that will give them all the tools & resources they need to grow their brand.

Honestly, I am most proud of building something from just an idea to a successful business that helps others and my goal is to continue to help more and more people as I grow. The boats all rise together, so to speak. I truly started a business from the ground up, building it piece by piece and that has been a journey in itself. And I am extremely proud to admit that I am so happy with the growth we’ve seen, and the possibility of where we cand go in the future.

From an external point of view, my path to where I am today might look pretty linear even though it really is anything but. Go to college (check), get a job in my major (check), worked at a leading PR firm (check), worked for a national brand (check), and climb the corporate ladder (check) – and I did all of that by the time I was 30.

The reality is a little more muddled – I needed to choose a major, and my school didn’t have advertising, so I flipped a coin between the next two closest things and it landed on public relations. I followed that to a PR firm and I was so stressed and miserable – I just knew this wasn’t for me. I started looking for something more.

On a whim, my husband (then boyfriend) booked a ticket to Denver and after just a weekend here, I knew it was where my soul needed to be. It was right around Halloween of 2013, and when I went back home, we started making plans to move to Colorado – when one of us got a job, we’d go. I applied for two jobs on Thanksgiving, and got one – it was really the universe aligning for my pathe.

I started that dream job working for a national brand, and I learned so much, yet at some point I realized that this wasn’t the exact place for me. That my purpose was calling me to help others, and that I needed a career that was a bit more focused on making a bigger, more positive impact on the world. After an office relocation, a new job leading and growing an entire marketing team, I went on a dream trip to New Zealand and my husband and I went bungee jumping. It was one of those profound, albeit cliche, moments where literally let go during that jump had me reeling for change and I knew in my heart that when I went back to Colorado, I was going to make a big change.

I came back and started Hackett Brand Consulting. And as it goes with entrepreneurship and running your own business, rarely do things come without challenges but I view that as the way of life. It’s all about perspective, managing your mindset, and how you approach those challenges along the way.

A few short months later, I started Hackett Brand Consulting.

At 30, I had already had a few twists and turns on a path and that led me to entrepreneurship. Where I was growing, I didn’t quite know just then but I had faith in myself that if I took that leap, I’d land somewhere great. And I did. Today, I run a marketing agency, a coaching & course business, and am starting a third business to give back to mental health… it is important for me to give back in all I do.

When it comes to starting and running a business, I hesitate to call something easy or not easy, because relative to life, running a business has been easy for me. It’s a matter of perspective.

Once I made the decision that I was going to help others through my business – either by giving back or working with brands that do – things started to align for me. Couple that with some truly, truly amazing people who have joined our team along the way, we’ve been able to grow to an incredible place.

The biggest challenge yet came just this past year when we made a business decision to let go of 50% of our revenue from clients who were not people-first and contributing to a workplace environment that I didn’t want for my company. It was a calculated decision that I made to really put our people first, work with only people that align with our values, and bet on myself to rebuild the business in a way that works for us!

That lesson for me was twofold 1.) always put people first and 2.) always have enough faith to bet on yourself. As a result, our team has never been happier and it’s really opened the door to doing more work we love! We’ve attracted truly wonderful clients and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.

As I expand my business both with the marketing agency and beyond, my sole goal is to help inspire and drive a better future through my work. I plan to help people overcome challenges through mindset, to create a brand that gives back to both non-profit organizations that support children and mental health.

For me, the biggest thing I’d love for the world to know about my story is that if you truly believe in yourself, bet on yourself, and follow your purpose, success will follow. It doesn’t matter where come from or what adversity and trauma you faced, you can overcome that and change your story. If I can do it, you can too!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When family and friends visit, I split my time between the mountains and Denver. I like a good balance of the amazing restaurants and breweries in the city and the beauty you can’t quite get anywhere else in the world from Colorado.

The ideal itinerary is starting in Denver, going to a rooftop area or shared food/drink space where you can get a feel for Denver’s vibe. We’d spend time in Lohi/Lodo/Ballpark/Rino area to see the art, the food, the drinks, etc. and really fall in love the with laidback meets city vibe. Then, of course, we’d head west.

First stop, Golden and the breweries there. I love a good stop at New Terrain, GCB or Barrels & Bottles and we’d grab some dinner and do the riverwalk or Lookout Mountain.

Then, keep on trucking west. I love, love, love to do anything outdoorsy in Colorado. Camping, snowboarding, hiking, etc., and depending on the time of year will always take people to experience that side of the state. Whether it’s Rocky Mountain National Park, the Sand Dunes, taking a drive up Mount Evans road, or snowboarding, you really can’t miss! I know a lot of these are “traditional” spots but they truly are amazing from people who are visiting and… you can’t give away all of your favorite spots, what’s the fun in that!

The short of it – I spend as much time in the mountains as humanly possible and I love to share that with anyone who visits and we’ll road trip to a few of those perfect gems throughout the state.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Undoubtedly and unwaveringly, my husband.

He has been the partner that believes in me, even in moments of self-doubt, and has never questioned my goals, dreams, and drive for a single second. And that is a beautiful thing. In fact, when I came home from my job and told him I was going to start my own business in two weeks, he not only jumped at the idea without a single shred of hesitation but excitedly told me I should do it, and that he always knew I would. When you have the right people in your corner, you can really do anything.

I’ve also had friends along the way that have encouraged and shared nothing but positive support along the way. One friend of mine has been along my side helping me to push into a new mindset and growth every step.

As far as books, the two I recommend to anyone time and time again are The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. These are the books I read over and over, and the ones that have shaped my mindset over time – if you believe it, you can achieve it.

Website: www.hackettbrandconsulting.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg.prez/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megprejzner/

Other: Tik Tok – @meg.prez MegPrez.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.