ECPR Texas was founded 30 years ago, in 1995. I joined the firm four years later, fresh out of college and new to the professional world. Walking into our high-rise office in downtown Austin, I felt like a fish out of water. I admired the women leading the company and knew I had so much to learn if I wanted to build a career like theirs.
After a few months, I noticed something all the senior team members had in common: they had built meaningful relationships—both professionally and personally. These connections were a cornerstone of their success in public relations. At the time, I didn’t have any business connections to offer, but I did have friends and a genuine interest in getting to know people in my new community.
Over the decades, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects that have helped shape Austin, both literally and figuratively. Through those experiences, I’ve met incredible people—talented, smart, dedicated, and so much fun to work with. They are superstars in their fields, and I’m grateful to count so many as both collaborators and friends.
At ECPR Texas, connections are central to everything we do. Being connectors isn’t just part of our work; it’s one of our core values. We believe it’s one of the greatest ways we bring value to our clients, our colleagues and our community.
What I’ve learned since those early days is that these connections are bigger than business. The relationships I’ve built over the years bring joy and meaning to my work and my life. There’s no separate “work me” or “personal me”—it’s all connected, because relationships are at the core of who I am, whether it’s Monday or Saturday.
Connections are what build businesses, communities and lives worth celebrating. At ECPR, it’s a value we live every day.
Insights article written by Kristin Marcum, owner and CEO of ECPR Texas
