Joleen Hughes

Founder and CEO

Background

Joleen Winther Hughes is the founder, principal and fearless leader of HMLG. With experience that spans the technology, entertainment and digital media world, Joleen created HMLG specifically to support entrepreneurs, innovators and visionaries of all sizes who push the boundaries in business.

As a longtime entrepreneur herself, Joleen also understands the practicalities of starting and running a successful business. Over the years, Joleen has contributed her expertise and insight as a strategic advisor to companies navigating all aspects of their business from formation/structuring, operations, launch, fundraising, growth, strategic relationships and alliances, implementation of processes, and – her favorite – deal making.

Joleen has been an important team member on her clients’ executive staff for nearly 2 decades in businesses ranging from gaming, product development, technology, consumer products and services, motion pictures, e-commerce and everything in between.

Prior to owning and operating her firm, Joleen served as Senior Counsel to the media/technology company that invented streaming media and was one of the first lawyers who created the business and legal models which brought media to consumers in online and mobile platforms.

As an entrepreneur, Joleen owned a successful artist management and production company during the height of the 90’s Seattle music explosion. She sold a successful Irish pub business co-owned with her husband. She also is an acting CEO for a worldwide stationery company and a best-selling romance author under her pen name.

Joleen regularly speaks at events and conferences on entrepreneurship, media and business matters. You can hear her interview business badasses on her podcast The Lawyer Who Rocks.

Joleen’s also an avid supporter of the arts, serving as Vice President on the Seattle International Film Festival Board and as a Music Commissioner with the City of Seattle.