Kim Beechner

Kim Beechner is the founder and CEO of Embark Marketing, a San Antonio-based digital marketing agency specializing in the restaurant and bar industry. Beechner's early experience in the hospitality sector, working in various roles from front-of-house to management, provided her with a comprehensive understanding of restaurant operations and marketing needs.

Beechner established Embark Marketing while completing her studies in international business, marketing, and communications at the University of the Incarnate Word. She identified a gap in how restaurants and bars utilized digital platforms to engage with guests. Under her leadership, Embark Marketing has grown from a solo venture to a nationally recognized agency, serving clients across Texas, California, Louisiana, Florida, and New York. The agency's team, composed of former restaurant professionals, offers services including SEO, web development, public relations, social media, and content creation, with a focus on hospitality marketing and digital strategy.

Beechner has been recognized by Forbes on the "Next 1000" list and by San Antonio Business Journal with a C-Suite Award, a Women's Leadership Award, and inclusion in its "40 Under 40" list. She received the PR Professional of the Year Award from the Public Relations Society of America San Antonio Chapter. Embark Marketing has earned more than 30 industry awards and has been featured in Forbes, Nation's Restaurant News, and QSR Magazine.

In addition to agency work, Beechner is a frequent speaker at restaurant conferences, podcasts, and educational panels, where she shares expertise on hospitality branding, authentic storytelling, and digital marketing for food and beverage businesses. She has led initiatives through the San Antonio Food Bank's hospitality committee, supporting restaurant sales and local hunger relief programs.