When, Where, and How to Dream Big and Celebrate Bigger in 2025

It’s been a while since I checked in with you last. EM Marketing has been my life’s work, so imagine what it’s like to have no more meetings and deadlines, and far less email and business responsibilities. I was a man with no home!

After a few months of struggling to find my next chapter, I’ve been working on three projects:

1. To write a book about my father
2. To pursue my passion for sports cards and
3. To form the Modern Midlife Group (more on that in a moment)

Back in 2003, when I first founded EM Marketing, I felt alone. Freelance consulting wasn’t widely accepted as a career path, and I didn’t have “co-workers” at a company to help me navigate the change. I struggled for a few years, until we created the EM Marketing Community, focused on helping people find True Work Life Balance. I found my tribe and my mission.

New Beginnings…

At the start of 2024, I found myself struggling with work-life balance once again. It didn’t take me long to recognize the same mix of feelings that I had over 20 years ago — uncertainty, confusion, and excitement.

This year, I started the Modern Midlife Group to help others in a similar stage in their lives manage career and personal life transitions. Once again, my circle of friends has been there to help me weather the change. Along with Kara Page, a former EM marketing consultant, we would like to continue empowering like-minded individuals to embrace a more fulfilling approach to midlife. If you or someone you know are interested in joining our next cohort in early 2025, please reach out to me or Kara directly to find out more.

An inspiring set of people, many in our current midlife group are embarking on wonderful new adventures. Here are just a few examples:

• One member transitioned out of the tech industry and has published her first children’s book, is giving readings at local schools, and is working on her second book
• Another member was an engineering leader in tech and is freelance consulting and becoming a master furniture maker
• A member transitioned from marketing consulting and is currently pursuing a Masters in Psychology

And On To The Next Generation of Marketers

As EM Marketing has grown over the years, the team has recognized that there’s a new generation of marketers rising up to meet the challenges of today’s complex marketing world. It’s simply called the Next Gen Marketers Program, where soon-to-be or recent college graduates learn the ins and outs of the marketing industry — straight from the minds of our extremely talented EM Community!

From Kathy: On A Personal Note

Our family experienced highs this year — our son graduated from high school and launched into college (Go Ducks!) and our daughter fulfilled her personal goal of making the high school varsity soccer team after years of hard work. Of course, there have been lows, including the division among Americans and the loss of connection that seems to pervade our society.

But let’s focus on the positive aspects of our lives!

What Is EM Marketing All About? You.

The people. Our team. The EM Community. Our friends. Every time EM throws an event, we see it and feel it. What is “it?” The energy that comes with connection. The spark in meeting a new friend. The joy when spending time together. And the hugs… Yes, the hugs have returned after the pandemic years!

Have you joined our EM Community yet? This year, the team has been building an online community called THE EM CIRCLE. A circle can represent a group or shared space and also unity, equality, and support. We post EM news and announcements, and anyone can engage in water cooler talk, new consultant introductions, knowledge sharing, and more. We are also excited to see the variety of offerings in our brand new EM Marketplace! It’s a surprise and delight to see listings such as:

• A free online course called, “Take Control of Unruly Meetings”
• Memoir Ghostwriting Services
• Bruise Cruise, the game where cruise ships totally fight each other
• Strengthen and Lengthen After a Long Day, a group fitness exercise class in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Gifts and Party Accessories for Jane Austen Lovers
• Heirloom-Quality Tableware from Around the Globe

When we look forward to 2025, we are hopeful! The EM Community is our secret sauce. Helping each other. Supporting each other. Teaching each other. Cheering for each other.

EM-ers, let’s kick off 2025 knowing that we are STRONGER TOGETHER!

Please save the date for our annual kickoff party at Open Canopy in Redwood City, CA. Hope to see you there!

All the best to you this holiday season,
Ken Chen & Kathy Jung