Projects That Have Shaped Hourglass Media
⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛
As I stumble upon the 10-year anniversary of earning my Bachelor of Arts (WHAT), my reflections are geared toward favorite projects of my career thus far. I’ve been incredibly fortunate and have worked on life-changing projects throughout the various positions I’ve held in public relations and writing capacities.
I’ve written millions of words and more than 700 press releases to date. I have taken probably a million photos from old Polaroid snapshots to present-day photos with my Nikon D7500 (named Riker). My experiences have shaped my passions, and my failures have also given me perspective into what I want and don’t want.
Here are seven projects that are near and dear to my heart:
From Granny’s Kitchen
This project has been one of my most emotional projects to date. I started this book before my Granny passed away in July 2015 as I created the photo-montage video for her funeral. Looking through my photo archive sparked creativity through onslaughts of grief. This cookbook is a compilation of recipes, stories, and photographs directly from my Granny’s life to all of her loved ones. Since its release date in September 2016, this book has not only been loved by Granny’s family but others across the nation as well. In December 2019, From Granny’s Kitchen was featured in American Profile, a national newspaper insert. People as far as Washington State now have this cookbook and access to my Granny’s legacy and Appalachian cooking. (I still get cold chills when I think about it.)
Learn more about how you can create your own version of an heirloom cookbook.
Plastic Cupcakes
I love being an Auntie. Before my first niece by blood was born, I knew I wanted to write her a book. Thus, the now-award-winning Plastic Cupcakes was born. The idea came from a short story I wrote in 10th grade, detailing my relationship with my younger sister and how we used to have pretend picnics with plastic cupcakes. Now, my sister reads this to my niece before bed, and Aubree loves it. (Insert all the warm Auntie feels here.) Writing for kids is really fun and allows you to rediscover your inner child. I want to make a book for my new nephew and future family kiddos. So, stay tuned!
Mental Health Op-Ed
When I wrote this article, I honestly didn’t know how much of an impact it would have on me. Sure, I wanted to do something for Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2018. I wanted to show others that they, too, can find their own brand of success despite their mental health issues. I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember (seriously, since toddlerhood), and depression soon arose to match. It was 100 percent nauseating but surreal to see it in print and digital formats. Any type of growth comes with those growing pains and moments of panic, after all. What I didn’t imagine was that it was the most freeing way I could imagine to kick start my true mental health recovery. I felt like I didn’t have to cover up this “dirty little secret” underneath my carefully curated PR mask. I allowed it to crack underneath the weight of authenticity. And the perfectionist side of me didn’t care if people judged me in a negative way for it. That is a true victory.
Miscarriage Article
I wrote this article shortly after experiencing a miscarriage on June 4, 2019. This was my first pregnancy ever, and as someone who desperately wants to have a child, this was traumatic and shook me to my core. It was singlehandedly the largest, most devastatingly tragic loss I have ever experienced. I do not get into the details very often, but I am public about this miscarriage and stigmas attached to it. SO MANY PEOPLE have told me that they have experienced it, too. If anything, this article and my willingness to talk about my miscarriage has opened the door for more honest conversations with those around me. And I hope it continues to do so. No matter what happens, I will always keep my child’s legacy alive through my words and resilience.
My Work With Nonprofits
Throughout my career, a tenant of my professional being has always belonged to nonprofits. I’ve been involved with some foundation strategic planning in my community and have been at the helm of statewide and regional initiatives, from my United Way days to present day. I work with so many individuals and organizations who really make a difference behind the scenes and in the public eye for the greater good. I started my career in the nonprofit sector, and I will continue to spread the work of these organizations and their missions, especially in the realms of mental health, family and children, female + male empowerment, food security, building life and professional skills and more.
My True Crime Presentation
OK, so little known fact: When I was in college, I presented at the PCA-ACA Conference in St. Louis. I was a 21-year-old introvert who was incredibly mortified by presentations. I mean, they’re still not my favorite thing to do on the planet, but I was a rookie back then. I would be anxious about the presentation from the time I knew about it until the day of the aforementioned, dreaded presentation. So, it’s a bit shocking to look back at this point in time because I presented in a room of 100+ people about L.A. Times coverage of the Black Dahlia and Charles Manson murders. I was a criminal justice minor, so my true crime knowledge and roots run deep. And it’s definitely not from seeing every episode of 21 seasons of “Law and Order: SVU,” BUT that helps. ;)
Introverted Media Darling
This is my newest brainchild, and I haven’t fully unveiled it yet. Stay tuned for more information! Essentially, as a natural introvert with extroverted tendencies (more so professionally and less so personally), I wanted to create resources for other introverted communications professionals like me. Often, we are told that we can only be successful as PR pros if we are extroverted. Yes, we do have to reach outside of our comfort zones, but there are benefits to being an introverted communications professional. Plus -- our new branding in on point, if I do say so myself.
Grab your free copy of 10 Ways to Launch Introverted Communications Pros Past Your Comfort Zones Guidebook here!
I truly wasn’t lying when I said I live what I love despite fear. :)
Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with nearly 16 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, cat mom and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.