Meet Kait Simek | Founder, SUN/SET Brand Activations

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kait Simek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kait, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
One of the biggest success factors behind SUN/SET Brand Activations (@yourlocalsunset) is seeking alignment over seeking financial security. In my opinion, building a true empire is 1% vision and 99% alignment. For a vision to really work, it needs to speak to you, to light a fire beneath you, to be something you’re psyched about. When you’re chasing alignment over money, the money comes naturally because that deep passion you have for your vision becomes your fire.

I’ve been able to build a brand that is heavily integrated with the wild and a lifestyle of wonder and exploration. I’ve worked with brands like Jeep, IDEO, New Balance, and tons of tourism boards around the world. Being able to infuse my love for nature and traveling into my work has allowed me to create something that actually isn’t “work” at all.

What should our readers know about your business?
Being successful doesn’t take hours and hours on end, sleepless nights, and the inability to do anything else but work. Being successful is about balance, delegation, and doing everything with 100% focus. I’ve found that working five hours a day is all I need, but the outcome of those five hours is largely due to the way I set them up for success.

First, I manage my energy. I’m only as productive as how well I optimize my energy. For me, hiking, weight training, quality sleep, and lots of water are required daily to maximize willpower, mood, and clear thinking.

Second, I put my phone in another room. Research shows is takes 20 minutes to regain true focus after an interruption. Checking my phone twice an hour loses me 66% of focused work.

Third, I delegate anything that someone else can do 75% as good as me. Many entrepreneurs don’t know how to delegate and it stops them from growing. But, the key is to delegate clearly by documenting the desired outcomes and systems.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t drink anymore, so you certainly won’t find me in a bar. I always lean towards nature. So, if you’re coming along with me for the best time ever, you’re going to be hiking and exploring the incredible Red Rock country of Sedona, Arizona… and expect a really good sweat because I’m not stopping until we get to the top of whatever mountain we’re climbing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m going to approach this question away from the norm. But, if there’s one “group” of people I truly want to say thank you to, it’s all of the people who treated me with disrespect and told me I couldn’t do it. These are the closed doors that propelled me to find the open ones. These are the people that made me realize I was worth more than that. And, these are the external words that made me realize that the only words that really matter are the words I say to myself.

Instagram: @kaitandbeyond