By: Kate Sarmiento
Most entrepreneurs don’t wake up thinking, “Today I’ll reinvent an industry.” Usually, it starts with frustration. For me, it was running startups while PR firms kept missing the mark. Same story every time: glossy reports, fluffy metrics, and nothing that actually moved the needle. I didn’t need another chart showing “impressions.” I needed leads, better investor conversations, and sustainable growth. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to build it.
Like a lot of founders, I had to learn things the hard way. When I went on Canada’s Dragons’ Den, I had the pitch, the product, and the passion. What I didn’t have was the media power to back it up. After scaling companies to more than 40 countries, experiencing setbacks, and navigating the ups and downs of venture capital, I realized something important: founders don’t need another PR firm. They need someone who understands what it’s like to fight for every bit of traction.
I kept seeing the same thing: startups paying big money for “exposure” and getting little to nothing in return. The truth is simple. People believe the stories others tell about you more than the ones you try to promote yourself. That’s what shaped Don’t Be A Little Pitch (DBALP)’s mantra: stop chasing attention and start owning the spotlight.
Why I Built an Un-Agency
The PR industry kept running the same outdated playbook: big retainers, little accountability, and endless fluff. So I scrapped the old model and built what I call an “un-agency.”
At DBALP, we tie PR directly to growth. Every story, every placement, every strategy is built to focus on achieving real outcomes: better SEO, stronger investor decks, and new customers walking through the door. We’re not here to count likes; we’re here to fuel meaningful bottom lines.
Because I knew the pain of sitting on the founder’s side of the table, I built PR software to make the process smarter, faster, and more transparent. That same scrappy, entrepreneurial mindset that once helped me bootstrap startups now drives how we reimagine PR for founders tired of wasting money on smoke and mirrors. And that’s why the message resonates: founders trust founders. When you’ve been through sleepless nights, product pivots, investor rejections, and the rare breakthrough win, you earn a kind of credibility that others may find hard to replicate.
That’s why DBALP works. We don’t just understand founders, we come from that world. And when you’re building a business, having someone in your corner who’s already lived the grind isn’t just helpful; it’s incredibly beneficial. I’ve learned that sharing the real stories of failure and resilience builds trust in ways polished pitches often can’t. That’s not theory, I’ve lived it. And it’s why storytelling sits at the heart of every campaign we run.
Ready to Reinvent Your Story?
Entrepreneurship isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about reinvention.
Reinventing how you tell your story.
Reinventing your product.
Reinventing your business model when the old one stops working.
That’s what I had to do when I left behind the traditional PR world to build Don’t Be A Little Pitch (DBALP). And it’s what I challenge every founder reading this to do: stop waiting for permission to own your spotlight.
If you’re a founder who’s tired of recycled press releases and “exposure” that doesn’t deliver, it’s time to try something different. Your story isn’t just background noise; it’s one of your most valuable assets. The question is: are you ready to tell it in a way that stands out, builds trust, and drives meaningful growth?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and reflects the views and practices of Don’t Be A Little Pitch. The strategies discussed are based on the company’s approach to PR and entrepreneurship. Results may vary depending on individual circumstances. Always consult with a PR professional to assess the most appropriate strategy for your specific needs.
