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Meet Katie Bonneau of Bon Communications in Downtown

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Bonneau.

Born and raised in Colorado, Katie ventured to California for school at Claremont McKenna College. With an undecided major most of her college years, the only thing she knew was that she had a knack for people and storytelling. She began working in the communications industry while still in college, starting at the renowned Nederlander Concerts and then transitioning to work at AEG. Once she got a taste for public relations, she knew it would be her lifelong career.

With her first job in Los Angeles — working with chefs, bartenders and hospitality companies — she ended up moving to the media mecca of the country, New York City. Further cementing her passion for the industry, she worked at top agencies in the city and found a network of fellow communications professionals who continued to mentor and inspire her.

Finally making her way back to her home state of Colorado, Katie decided it was time to follow in her entrepreneurial father’s footsteps and branch out on her own with an arsenal of experience from coast to coast. She founded Bon Communications (a play-off of her French last name, Bon meaning “good”) in 2018 to bring dedicated senior level experience to clients she is passionate about. The name “Bon” was more intentional than just her last name…it represented the type of client and person she wanted to represent. “Good” people who bring value beyond a product. People who focus on sustainability, the empowerment of women and underrepresented groups, and who embody what it is to be “good” people.

Now in her second year, she has brought on a digital specialist to diversify her offerings making Bon Communications a truly full-service agency that is proud to support brands, impact ROI, and tell the stories of “good” people and “good” brands.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Life as an entrepreneur is never an easy road. Katie’s decision to branch out on her own was riddled with indecision and hesitance. Leaving a secure job, the comfort of an agency, and gambling on her own connections and skills was not something she took lightly. It was the nudge of some amazing prospective clients and fellow business owners that pushed her to make the leap.

Right as she was getting comfortable as a business owner and making goals and plans for 2020, COVID-19 hit and threw the entire globe into an unpredictable spiral. Bon Communications lost all monthly revenue in a matter of one week and Katie was forced to consider laying off a brand-new employee. Watching the clients, she cares about struggle and shutter lit a fire insider her to fight to help however she could. Luckily there were others out there who had the same goal. Sara Blakely of Spanx started a grant for female employees (the Red Backpack fund), the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) launched to help save restaurants, and the Paycheck Protection Program was implemented to keep employees on staff.

With COVID still a real concern, the Bon Communications team is offering pro bono PR support to their clients who need help and is proud to work with charitable organizations who are dedicated to helping those who are struggling right now: Fuel Denver Frontlines, Dine from Out There, Door Prize, and more.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bon Communications story. Tell us more about the business.
Bon Communications specializes in holistic communications plans for business in food & beverage, hospitality, tech, and more. With Public Relations as the foundation of what they do, they believe in the power of storytelling. Consumers are smarter than ever before; they understand when they are being served an ad versus when they are gathering information from a reliable source. It is Bon Communication’s job to articulate client stories in a way that begs to be told. It is their job to share what sets clients apart and uncover the journalists who will, in turn, share that with their audiences.

Offering a full spectrum of services, Bon Communications believes that a successful communications plan also includes a digital and ad strategy that complements needle moving press.

Bon Communications never uses a cookie cutter approach. They know that one size does not fit all. Unlike a big agency where clients get lost in the shuffle, they take the time to really listen and reach personalized goals.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Katie Bonneau has had a long list of role models who have made Bon Communications possible. From a grandfather and father who were entrepreneurs to mentors who helped her along the way, there is no success without a foundation of support. From day one of her career in communications she has also found other strong women to lean on and learn from.

Katie did not intend to go into communications. It was a series of luck and fate that led her down the path to PR.

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