In this episode of The Kee to Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with powerhouse husband and wife duo Karen and JC Hite. Both are recognized as leading mentors in the home services and marketing agency space, but their reach extends far beyond just marketing—think business education, stable scaling, mindset, and true relational growth. Jen shares how Karen and JC have influenced her own entrepreneurial journey and why she gravitates to mentorship as a foundation for growth, setting the stage for an authentic, value-packed conversation.

JC and Karen dive into the evolution of their business, explaining how their passions and needs shaped what they offer today. From starting as a white label digital marketing agency focused on scalable operations and client experience, they expanded into educational masterminds, industry events, and now business investment partnerships. At the core of everything? Helping service-based businesses and agencies grow with intentional boundaries, mental and emotional resilience, and a reliable community.

The conversation steers away from bro-marketing lingo and quick wins, instead highlighting the messy middle—where agency owners, trade business leaders, and entrepreneurs in every niche confront the real work of aligning business growth with personal healing and alignment. Karen shares how collaborative community and vulnerability have transformed their approach, while JC unpacks a simple but powerful framework: the synergy of motivation, education, and execution. Both stress the importance of depth over quantity, especially when it comes to networking and building authentic relationships.

Highlights include tactical advice for creating meaningful in-person events, leveraging community for brand visibility, and building foundational systems (from automating reviews to using CRMs like Go High Level). Whether you're running a roofing business, a plumbing company, or a digital marketing agency, this episode will inspire you to rethink what's possible when you focus on connection, purpose, and sustainable practices. You'll walk away with insights on how to host your first event in an approachable way, how to nurture relationships with intention, and why your current network already holds the keys to meaningful, aligned growth.

00:00 Home Services Marketing Podcast

04:11 Expanding Home Service Marketing Funnels

08:01 Improving Client Experience in Business

12:15 Value of In-Person Connections Rising

15:45 Building Brand Recognition for Success

16:56 Overcoming Social Anxiety at Events

22:06 Birdhouse Workshops as Recruitment Tool

23:49 Empowering Education Through Practical Skills

27:38 "Prioritize Relationships Over New Leads"

Connect with Guests: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hitedigital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hite-digital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hiteinternational/videos

Meet Your Host: Jen McKee Jen McKee is the founder of Kee Hart Marketing & Events, specializing in award-winning social media strategies for trade services. With expertise in content creation and personal branding, she helps businesses forge authentic connections with their audiences. As the host of the "Kee to Growth" podcast, Jen simplifies marketing strategies and empowers businesses to thrive. Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories to elevate your brand! Connect with Jen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hartman.73/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mckee-72114824/

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The Kee to Growth Podcast is Powered by: Kee Hart Marketing, the social media company for the trades. Learn more at www.keehartmarketing.com

This episode was produced and brought to you by the Skilled Trades Syndicate @ServiceBusinessMasteryPodcast https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com/