Jen Rogers and Lori Jung, Founders of Hudson West
Names: Jen Rogers and Lori Jung
Founders: Hudson West
What's your elevator pitch? (Ie. In one sentence, what do you do?)
Hudson West is a bicoastal, full-service public relations firm specializing in consumer products, nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, and entertainment, and has been operating on reputation-based referrals for the past 12 years.
What's your story? Share how you got to where you are and WHY it is you do what you do.
We’re two driven publicists who built something extraordinary from a simple conversation during our daughters' swim lessons. As new moms navigating a new city (NYC transplants to Scottsdale, Arizona), we recognized the power of shared experience and saw an opportunity to create something on our own terms. What started as a "what if" moment quickly became Hudson West—a PR agency fueled by ambition, deep industry expertise, and a belief that women can do it all—just not always at the same time.
We didn’t wait for opportunity to knock; we built the door ourselves. Flexibility wasn’t just a "nice-to-have"—it was a non-negotiable. We wanted fulfilling careers while being present for our families, and that meant creating a business that worked for us and our values. Over the past 12 years, we’ve grown every year—often beyond our wildest expectations. Our growth hasn’t come from splashy ad campaigns or massive marketing spends—it’s been fueled by relationships, results, and the simple but powerful truth that when you do great work, people talk.
We do what we do because we believe in the power of storytelling to elevate brands and the people behind them. We champion businesses with heart, purpose, and grit — especially those led by women. As female founders ourselves, we know the challenges, the late nights, and the quiet victories that come with building something from scratch. Helping another woman succeed in her business is more than our mission—it’s our passion. Every campaign we launch and every win we celebrate reminds us that women supporting women is a force like no other.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
For us, being FoundHers means owning our power, trusting our instincts, and having the courage to bet on ourselves. It’s about taking everything we’ve learned—the wins, the setbacks, and the growth in between—and using it to build something that’s ours. To us, being a FoundHer is more than starting a business; it’s about creating opportunity, claiming our seat at the table, and inviting other women to do the same. Did you know that less than 1% of creative agencies are female-owned and operated, according to Ad Age? We’re incredibly proud that Hudson West stands among that elite 1%. For 12 years, we’ve defied the odds, grown through grit and reputation, and built an agency where women lead, thrive, and support one another.
Our partnership is the foundation of it all. Together, we’re the heart and soul of Hudson West—a relationship that has outlasted many marriages. Our success comes from embracing our differences. Lori thrives in creative flow, generating bold, big-picture ideas, while Jen is the master of order, systems, and strategy. Jen’s meticulous spreadsheets turn Lori’s brainstorms into actionable, effective results. This yin-and-yang dynamic—combined with our powerhouse team of female communications professionals—is what fuels Hudson West’s ability to deliver exceptional results for our clients.
For us, being FoundHers isn’t just a title, it’s a reminder that women can lead, build, and succeed on their own terms. Every time we help a woman entrepreneur grow her business, we’re reminded of why we started Hudson West in the first place.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
We believe in the power of women lifting each other up, and that starts within our own walls. Our team is 100% female, and we’re intentional about fostering the next generation of talent. Through our rigorous internship program, we provide hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world experience. Our interns don’t just "assist"—they learn, lead, and leave with the skills and confidence to step into junior publicist roles upon graduation.
This program has been a resounding success. We’re proud to have helped place our interns at top PR firms in Los Angeles, New York City, and Arizona. For us, it’s about more than filling roles—it’s about creating a pipeline of talented, driven women who are ready to shape the future of this industry. We know how powerful it is when women support women, and we’re committed to being part of that force for change.
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
One book we highly recommend is The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. The book emphasizes the power of supporting other female business owners, empowering women entrepreneurs, and the importance of non-traditional roles in girls’ education. At Hudson West, we live these principles daily. Our all-female team, made up of women from diverse backgrounds, actively mentors young women entering the workforce through our internship program, as well as supporting working moms by offering a flexible, work-from-home model that has been in place long before COVID.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
1. Built a Strong Foundation: We established Hudson West by forming an LLC and creating a partnership agreement that clearly defined our roles, responsibilities, and revenue split. This wasn't a "set it and forget it" approach—as our business has grown, we’ve revisited and updated the agreement to reflect our evolving goals and shared vision. Laying a solid legal and operational foundation gave us the clarity and confidence to move forward as true partners.
2. Combined Forces: Before launching Hudson West, we were both successfully freelancing on our own. Instead of competing, we combined our client rosters under one unified brand. This move allowed us to create a streamlined onboarding process, define our roles in each campaign, and play to our individual strengths. By embracing collaboration over competition, we built a business that was greater than the sum of its parts.
3. Built a Brand with Purpose: We knew that if we wanted to stand out, we needed to build a brand that reflected our expertise and ambition. We leaned into our marketing skills to create a professional website that showcased our growing portfolio, designed business cards to power our networking efforts, and launched social media accounts to highlight our wins.
4. Made Noise and Stayed Loud: From day one, we understood that visibility is power. We tapped into our network, letting them know what we were building and how we could help. Over time, that proactive communication became one of our key strategies. To this day, we continue this practice with our annual "Year in Review" newsletter, where we share major wins, client successes, and milestones. It's not just about staying top of mind—it’s about showcasing the impact of our work.
5. Built a Team with Heart: Once Hudson West grew to the point where we could hire, we knew we wanted to do it with intention. We sought out team members who shared our core values, were eager to learn, and believed in our vision. Beyond our internal team, we also prioritized working with sister agencies, vendors, and creatives whose energy and ethics aligned with ours. Loyalty, integrity, and shared purpose drive every relationship we build.
Empowerment in Action: Every one of these steps was fueled by a belief that women don’t have to wait for permission to lead. We built Hudson West on our own terms, with the goal of empowering other women—both inside and outside our business—to do the same. From redefining our roles to developing young talent, our journey has been about more than just building a company. It’s about building a legacy where women help other women rise.
How did you land your first client?
Our first client was Space Racers, an educational children’s TV show that aired on public television networks across the United States. Jen’s background in the entertainment industry opened the door, but it was our combined experience and strategic approach that made the partnership a success. We worked directly with the show’s producers, animators, and even voiceover artists; bringing the show to life in new ways in various markets. Our efforts included organizing theater and museum screenings across the country, engaging families with interactive experiences like coloring pages, and driving visibility that opened the door to licensing opportunities. These efforts ultimately helped Space Racers get picked up by Sprout, expanding its reach and impact.
The project was a perfect blend of our skills in PR, brand development, and event execution. It also set the tone for how we approach every client relationship—with creativity, determination, and a commitment to delivering tangible results. And yes, seeing our own young kids light up with joy watching the show was a bonus we’ll never forget!
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
At Hudson West, we pride ourselves on doing things differently—and intentionally so. In an industry where clients are often passed down to entry-level staff after the contract is signed, we take a hands-on approach with every single client, from start to finish.
Every project we take on is a collaborative effort, led by a team of veteran publicists who work alongside interns and junior team members. This ensures a mix of seasoned expertise and fresh ideas at every stage. It’s not about hierarchy here—it’s about teamwork, accountability, and delivering exceptional results. Our clients trust us because they know that when they choose Hudson West, they’re getting the full attention of a dedicated team that’s invested in their success. For us, it’s personal. We don’t just meet industry standards; we set our own, and we hold ourselves to them every day.
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