Meet Carissa Richardson, Owner of Kindred Strategy

My name is Carissa Richardson, I joined NAWBO last fall as a member.

Tell us about your business.

Kindred Strategy is a marketing consulting firm that assists businesses in the areas of social media marketing and paid advertising. Our 13 years of advertising agency experience sets us apart from other paid advertising and social media consultants because we have a deep background in all paid advertising channels. We are comfortable in the traditional media space, placing TV, radio, print, and outdoor advertisements on behalf of our clients, but we also are experts in digital media. From audio and video to display, social, and paid search - we have done it all. This background allows us to put our clients goals and objectives at the center of everything we do. We don’t “play favorites” with certain channels because we are more comfortable there. We are comfortable with it all, which allows us to provide holistic and strategic recommendations for our client’s that invest their advertising dollars efficiently and effectively to attract and engage their desired customer and get the results they are seeking.

What inspired you to get into your business?

I come from a family of entrepreneurs and have a soft spot in my heart for small businesses and women owned businesses. In the agency world, I noticed that small businesses often have no internal marketing team and are in need of outsourced marketing help. However, for most small businesses, working with an advertising or marketing agency is not accessible due to high costs and often being put at the bottom of the priority list. This leaves an under-served market of business owners in need of quality marketing help that feels accessible and affordable to them. Kindred Strategy aims to fill this void by providing agency level thinking and results but at a rate that is reasonable, and with a promise that we will care about their business and their success as much as they do.

What are your three best practices or best tips that every NAWBO member needs to hear?

Always have your audience/customer at the center of everything you do
Have a strategy before jumping into tactics
Find ways to automate or outsource the things that don’t energize you

What does your future look like?

My future is developing a network of advertising and marketing minds who value collaboration, balance, strategic thinking and client service in order to offer full-service, agency-quality marketing help to small and mid-size businesses at accessible prices.

What do you do in your free time?

I usually stay pretty entertained by my VERY active boys, Graham (7), Brooks (5) , and our dog Ozzie. My husband and I enjoy walking around Historic Dublin and trying out the new shops and restaurants at Bridge Park. When I (occasionally) have time alone I love to read, do yoga, and drink a good glass of red wine.

What is your company website?

www.kindred-strategy.com

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

Meditation and journalling have really helped me focus more on myself and self-care which is always a challenge as a mom and business owner.

What is the book (or books) you've given most as a gift, and why? Or what are books that have greatly influenced your life?

I love Business Boutique by Christy Wright. That is probably my most recommended book to women thinking about starting their own business. I also love “Girl Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis for women in general and have gifted it to many of my girlfriends. It is a great reminder to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself.