Mary Sahagun is the Founder of TargetLink, a PR consultancy that simplifies the path to media success for businesses and thought leaders. With a background as a former aircraft engineer at Singapore Airlines, Mary transitioned into PR and communications, leveraging her analytical precision and problem-solving skills to craft compelling narratives. She specializes in strategic media placements, authority-building campaigns, and PR roadmaps that make client outreach more effective and stress-free. Her expertise spans industries, from aviation and tech to business and personal branding, positioning her as a go-to strategist for those looking to amplify their impact.
Company: TargetLink Media
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Mary Sahagun: Thank you! I’m excited to be here and to share my journey with ValiantCEO’s audience.
I’m Mary Sahagun, the Founder of TargetLink, a PR consultancy dedicated to helping business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators secure high-impact media coverage and establish industry authority with a clear, strategic approach.
My path into PR wasn’t conventional. I started my career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Singapore Airlines, where I developed a sharp eye for precision, problem-solving, and strategy; qualities that now set my PR approach apart. Even before the pandemic, I was already working in PR as a side hustle, helping brands craft compelling narratives and secure media placements. But when the world shifted in 2020, I made the full transition, recognizing that businesses needed visibility, credibility, and a competitive edge more than ever.
At TargetLink, we simplify PR—transforming it from an overwhelming, mysterious process into a clear, actionable roadmap that helps businesses get featured in top-tier media without wasted time or effort. We don’t just pitch stories; we position our clients as trusted industry voices, ensuring their brand stands out in the crowded marketplace.
For business owners looking to cut through the noise, build credibility, and unlock new opportunities through PR, TargetLink is the strategic partner that makes it happen.
How has the significance of networking evolved over the past decades?
Mary Sahagun: Networking used to be a game of exclusivity—a room full of handshakes, business cards, and industry gatekeepers deciding who got a seat at the table. Opportunities were locked behind closed-door meetings and inner circles, and if you weren’t in the right room, you weren’t in the conversation. But today, that dynamic has shifted. The internet has torn down the walls, turning networking into something far more organic, personal, and limitless. Now, connections are made through authentic stories, shared values, and a digital presence that speaks for you before you even enter the room.
At TargetLink, we believe the most powerful form of networking isn’t just about who you know—it’s about how people feel when they come across you. Are you someone they trust? Do your insights make them think? Does your presence spark curiosity? This is why PR has become a game-changer, it’s no longer enough to just ‘show up’ in the right places; you have to make people feel something. The brands and leaders who master this don’t chase connections—they attract them.
Can you share a personal story where one networking interaction led to unexpected doors opening, and how it highlights the ripple effect of networking?
Mary Sahagun: A single conversation can change the trajectory of your career, and I learned this firsthand when I was still juggling two worlds; fixing aircraft by day and crafting brand stories by night. At the time, PR was just my side hustle, something I did because I loved storytelling and helping people get the recognition they deserved. One evening, I casually helped a tech founder refine his brand message, expecting nothing in return. No pitch. No ask. Just genuine value.
Months later, that same founder introduced me to an entrepreneur who was looking for a PR strategist to help scale his brand visibility. That introduction turned into my first major client, and from there, the momentum never stopped. One connection led to another, and before I knew it, my ‘side hustle’ became my full-time career. All because of one genuine conversation.
That experience changed how I see networking forever. It’s not about collecting contacts—it’s about creating moments of impact.
What are some common networking mistakes people make, and how can they pivot to turn potential missteps into learning experiences?
Mary Sahagun: One of the biggest mistakes people make in networking is the vanishing act. You meet someone, have a great conversation, and then… nothing. No follow-up. No reconnection. No bridge built. The truth is, opportunities don’t always happen in the first conversation—they happen in the quiet moments after, when someone remembers your name, your insight, or your energy. If you’ve ever let a connection slip away, it’s not too late. Send that follow-up, drop a thoughtful message, remind them of what made your conversation meaningful. Because in networking, as in life, the smallest gestures often lead to the biggest opportunities.
How do you see the future of networking evolving with the rise of AI, VR, and other technologies?
Mary Sahagun: I used to think networking was all about the right room, the right handshake, the right timing. But technology is changing that in ways we never imagined. AI, VR, and other innovations aren’t just making networking more efficient, they’re reshaping how we build trust, maintain relationships, and create real opportunities.
AI is already helping people connect smarter, not harder. Instead of sending cold messages that get ignored, we now have tools that suggest the right people to reach out to, draft more personalized introductions, and even remind us when it’s time to reconnect. It’s making networking feel less forced and more natural—like the kind of connection that would have happened over coffee, not just a calculated business move.
And then there’s VR. The idea that I could one day sit across from a potential client in another country; not through a screen, but in a fully immersive virtual space—blows my mind. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about breaking barriers that once held people back from making meaningful connections.
But what I believe more than anything is that technology will never replace authenticity. No AI can replicate the moment when a conversation just clicks, when someone truly sees your value, or when you connect beyond just business. The future of networking isn’t just about tech—it’s about how we use it to create deeper, more human connections. And that’s something I’ll always believe in.
