Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedy Smith.
Hi Kennedy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always had an interest in the digital industry ever since I was in high school. In my first year at college, I started to realize how much I had a passion for social media, business building, marketing, and branding. It all started with a blog I started in my college dorm room that led me to the two businesses I run today.
After embarking on my own personal wellness journey in 2019, I started blogging about all the amazing things I was learning about holistic wellness and health. For me, the passion was more than just blogging. It was the process of setting up that blog, building the website for it, creating social media posts for the blog, creating an email list, and networking with other individuals in the space.
The blog is an extension of me as a person, and that’s why I believe it is still around today. As I evolve as a person, so does the blog. The most recent evolution has been shifting the blog to a digital + print magazine. It was a big step for the business model.
After extending my knowledge of the digital marketing and media industry through a University program, I decided to put all my knowledge toward my clients.
In 2022 I took my passion for creativity, marketing, and branding and fuse it all together in my own personal service-based business. I had been helping brands grow their social media, marketing their products/services, and helping them with their brand identities since 2019 but never took it seriously. I never fathomed that I could make it my full-time career.
2022 was the year I took my business seriously and started marketing my services. Instead of just working with clients via word of mouth, I started putting myself and my business out there.
Since the beginning of 2022, I have worked with five clients in growing their brands creatively through digital marketing. It brings me so much joy to know that my experience and knowledge can be applied to help someone else’s dream come true.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the major challenges I faced was building the business in my early twenties. I always had a lot on my plate like handling school and other jobs and trying to work to fund my businesses. The majority of admin work is always done super late at night after all my other obligations.
Another challenge is just figuring out what strategies work best for each business. There are lots of learning experiences that come with building a business. Lots of failures and lots of successes.
We’ve been impressed with Kennedy Shay Creative, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Kennedy Shay Creative is a creative digital marketing agency that provides digital marketing services for brands in the wellness and beauty industries. The core of my agency focuses on taking an extremely organic and authentic approach to marketing. Connecting to consumers in a personable way is extremely important as the digital age continues to evolve and that is what I aim to capture in my work with clients.
I am most proud of the fact that I am able to connect with my clients in a very personable way because of the industry I am in. As I have grown my own luxury wellness brand (Well Versed Magazine), it has allowed me to implement the things I have learned when I work with clients in the same industry.
I love creating lasting relationships with my clients so I can continue to support them and watch their businesses thrive.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Being extremely interested in wellness, I believe that it is an essential aspect of running my business. One of my favorite podcasts is called Feminine As F*ck by Monic Yates. I love this podcast because I think Monica does a great job of covering all things a conscious business owner would like to hear about. She covers everything from business advice, relationship advice, taking care of your well-being, and so much more.
Another one of my favorite podcasts is Everyday Endorphins by Stella Stephanopoulos. I think she does a great job of inspiring others to feel empowered to take hold of their own well-being by focusing on what brings them joy and happiness. One of my favorite episodes talks about Wellness in Web 3.0. Since I am always looking to learn more info in the digital world, I love that she combines wellness with the evolution of the digital age.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kennedyshaysmith.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedyshaysmith/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedy.smith.581525
