Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Beechner.
Kim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story really began in the restaurant industry. Long before I founded Embark Marketing, I was working in restaurants and bars while trying to survive some very difficult personal circumstances. I lost my mother when I was 17 years old and suddenly found myself balancing high school, multiple jobs, bills, and a mortgage on my own. The hospitality industry became more than just a job for me during that time. It became a community that helped shape who I am.
While attending the University of the Incarnate Word for International Business and Marketing, I continued working in restaurants and bars and started realizing how many small businesses in the industry struggled with marketing. At the time, social media was still emerging, and very few agencies understood how restaurants and bars could use digital marketing to grow their businesses and build loyal communities.
In 2010, during my senior year of college, I launched Embark Marketing as a one-woman operation. I originally worked with businesses across several industries, but quickly realized my passion and expertise were rooted in hospitality. I decided to niche down exclusively into restaurant and bar marketing, which at the time was still a very underserved market.
Over the last 16 years, Embark Marketing has grown into a full-service agency serving restaurants, bars, hospitality groups, and franchises across Texas and the United States. What makes us unique is that our team comes from the service industry itself. We understand the day-to-day realities our clients face because we’ve lived them ourselves.
Along the way, I earned my Master’s Degree in Communications, built an incredible team, mentored dozens of students and young marketers, and had the opportunity to receive recognition from organizations like Forbes, the San Antonio Business Journal, and PRSA. But more than any award, I’m proud that we’ve built a company rooted in resilience, creativity, and genuine passion for helping hospitality businesses succeed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been challenges throughout my journey, both personally and professionally. Losing my mother at such a young age forced me to grow up very quickly. I had to figure out how to survive while still chasing my education and long-term goals. There were many years where I worked multiple jobs while building Embark Marketing during the day and bartending at night to make ends meet.
Starting a business during the rise of social media also came with a lot of uncertainty. Digital marketing looked very different back then, especially for restaurants and bars. Many businesses didn’t fully understand the value of investing in online marketing, so a huge part of my early career was educating clients and proving that these strategies could directly impact their growth.
One of the biggest professional challenges came during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospitality industry was devastated overnight, and many of our clients were suddenly fighting just to survive. We had to pivot quickly, helping restaurants navigate shutdowns, delivery systems, curbside strategies, changing regulations, and crisis communication. It was one of the most stressful periods of my career, but it also reinforced why I care so deeply about this industry.
More recently, I faced another major challenge when I was diagnosed with Stage II Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. After fighting cancer twice, it completely changed my perspective on life and business. It reminded me how important resilience, community, and purpose truly are. Even during treatment, I continued leading my team and supporting our clients because Embark has always been bigger than just a business to me.
I think every obstacle I’ve faced has ultimately shaped me into a stronger leader. Challenges force you to adapt, stay creative, and appreciate the people around you. That mindset has been one of the biggest driving forces behind both my personal journey and the growth of Embark Marketing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Embark Marketing?
Embark Marketing is a full-service hospitality marketing agency specializing in restaurants, bars, hospitality groups, and franchises across Texas and the United States. We’re built on firsthand experience in the hospitality industry and a passion for helping service-based businesses grow through strategic marketing, branding, social media, public relations, and digital advertising. Our tagline, “For the Service Industry, By the Service Industry,” reflects the heart of who we are – a team made up of hospitality professionals who truly understand the unique challenges and fast-paced nature of the businesses we serve.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One thing that’s especially important to me is giving back to the hospitality and marketing communities that helped shape my career. Throughout the years, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor students, young professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs, and that’s something I’m incredibly passionate about. I believe strongly in creating opportunities for others, especially women and young leaders entering the industry.
I’m also a huge advocate for mental health awareness, work-life balance, and resilience, particularly within hospitality, which can often be an incredibly demanding industry. My personal experiences have taught me the importance of community, perseverance, and leading with empathy, and those values continue to guide both my life and the culture we’ve built at Embark Marketing.
At the end of the day, I’m simply grateful to do work that I genuinely love alongside an amazing team and incredible clients. Hospitality businesses are the heartbeat of so many communities, and it’s an honor to help tell their stories every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.embark-marketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embarkmarketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmbarkMarketing
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/embark-marketing
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@embarkmarketing
