There's Something About Kim

There’s SomethingAbout Kim

An Examination of the Qualities That Define Success in Any Industry

Eddie Velazquez, Contributing Writer

Throughout her career, Boston-based Realtor and podcaster Kim Douglas has lived by resilience and adaptability. Most importantly, Douglas has always placed a high value on networking and helping local businesses, whether that is in her native Philadelphia or in the greater Boston area.

Such is the case with her podcast “Bold Like Her,” where Douglas introduces different Boston-area businesswomen to the world. In these episodes, Douglas highlights women’s stories about small-business entrepreneurship, as well what led them to become service providers, sellers of goods, job creators, and mainstays in their community. “Across the board, everyone has got a story to tell,” Douglas said in a recent interview. “It doesn’t matter where you came from, where you live, or how old you are. There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears behind every single one of those business stories.”

Douglas’ story in small business started in her native Philadelphia, when she opened a mobile DJ business, playing friends’ weddings while also working as a prolific radio host by day.

“[Maintaining balance] can be really challenging with radio because the show formats are changing all the time,” Douglas says, noting she has done it all, from shows with country music, top 40 hits, and even talk radio. “I was able to kind of keep a career going in Philadelphia for about 20 years. I am very proud of that.”

Douglas showcases her undeniable talent on her podcast, letting her radio vocal inflection and pitch shine when introducing her guests. Those same talents led to her discovering the importance of networking. Douglas started an hour-long networking show during her time in Philadelphia, opening a new door in her entrepreneurial path.

“The whole idea of helping people with this really amazing goal was just so fun and interesting and important to me,” she says. “I have just kept going since.”

By then, Douglas had already made the decision to become a realtor with Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Douglas’ willingness to try out a real estate class, mixed with her perseverance, led to a new-found passion. This new career path also brought an important business lesson for Douglas.

“[As a Realtor] I had to learn how to just market myself, prospect for business, and just keep doing that over and over,” Douglas says. “You have to do a good job because your reputation is on the line. You are never going to get repeat business if you don’t build relationships and do a good job for your clients.”

In providing a service as a realtor and helping people make life-altering real estate purchases, Douglas also found herself.

“When I was in radio, I felt as if I was young and I didn’t know much about finances or small business or anything like that,” she says. “I really feel that once I switched careers, I started to understand entrepreneurship more as I started helping people make one of the biggest purchases they will ever make.”

Her connections made throughout the years in radio eventually translated into clients in her career as a Realtor.

“Some of my first clients were people who listened to me on the radio because they already knew, liked, and trusted me,” Douglas says. “It is important that in any small business you understand who your audience is and why they feel the way they do about your business and about working with you.”

Eventually, in building her audience, Douglas came across podcasting, a medium that takes full advantage of her experience and ability as a radio host.

“The moment I sat in that studio with headphones on, in front of a microphone, it was like magic,” says Douglas, whose podcast has more than 100 episodes. “To have this part of me come alive again has helped me love everything else that I do even more.”

For entrepreneurs looking to build up their network, Douglas offers sturdy advice.

“You are never too old to try anything new. You really are not. Networking is amazing,” according to Douglas. “I love the fact that networking has become a little cooler these days and a little less about going to events wearing your name tag and giving your elevator pitch.”

Douglas added she has seen the networking game change.

“People are just coming up with great events and activities in order to get to know people,” she said, noting that networking is now more focused on getting to know other members of the business community by doing activities or participating in challenges. “I think we’re in a different world now.”

Another important piece of advice for Douglas is perseverance. From her time in radio, to now a successful career in real estate and the podcasting world, Douglas has been through it all.

“Keep going,” she says, noting that empowerment has been very important in her life. “I have been punched in the gut a few times in life, but I just keep going.”