If you had asked five-year-old me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer would’ve been very clear: a pop star.
Like many kids growing up in the early 2000s, I was a Hannah Montana child. Living the double life — normal person by day, superstar by night — seemed like the perfect career path.
While the pop star part didn’t exactly pan out, the influencing part stuck with me.
My First Taste of Social Media
I got my first phone in middle school, and once I discovered Instagram, I was hooked. I grew up watching creators like Bethany Mota and MyLifeAsEva, and I loved the idea of sharing ideas and influencing people online.
Naturally, I started experimenting.
At one point I had multiple Instagram accounts:
• a personal one
• a babysitting tips account
• a beauty box review account
I even tried YouTube for a bit, but quickly realized that video editing was not my calling.
Looking back, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset — something I definitely inherited from my dad, who has owned several businesses throughout his life.
Discovering Marketing in College
When I started at Canisius University, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do.
I originally applied as a math major, then briefly considered environmental science, before ultimately landing in the communications program after taking a class called Architecture of Identity.
That class helped me realize something important: I loved learning about people, their stories, and what motivates them.
Communications ended up being the perfect fit.
While I explored journalism and media analysis, I quickly became most interested in marketing and social media.
During college, I helped manage social media for The Griffin, Canisius’ student newspaper, and eventually began running accounts for organizations like the Kenmore Business Association and Kenmore Porchfest.
That’s when I really fell in love with organic social media marketing.
Starting My Freelance Journey
After graduating, I knew the marketing job market in Buffalo was competitive. I even went through several interview rounds for a marketing internship at 43North, but ultimately they chose another candidate.
At the time it felt like a setback.
In hindsight, it pushed me in the direction I probably belonged in anyway: working for myself.
I started freelancing, and one of my first major clients was the Kenmore Village Improvement Society, where I now serve as Communications Director, handling marketing and public relations.
Around the same time, I heard a new coffee shop was opening in Kenmore: Red Otter Coffee.
I offered them three months of free social media marketing during their launch period. After those three months, they hired me.
That’s when I realized this could actually become something sustainable.
From Influencer Page to Marketing Agency
Originally, Kenmore Media started as an Instagram page where I shared local businesses and events around Kenmore. For about a year, I basically ran it as a community micro-influencer account.
Which was fun… but also unpaid.
Eventually I realized that the work I was doing — helping businesses grow their online presence — had real value.
So I made it official.
I filed a DBA and turned Kenmore Media into a social media marketing agency.
Today, I help businesses with:
• social media marketing
• branding
• blog writing
• press releases
• content creation
• digital strategy
While Kenmore will always be home base, I now work with clients across the country, including RustBuilt and DAWN in Michigan.
The Goal of Kenmore Media
At the end of the day, Kenmore Media exists to help businesses communicate clearly, build trust online, and attract loyal customers.
Because good marketing isn’t about going viral.
It’s about helping people understand what you do — and why they should choose you.
And while I may not be living the Hannah Montana pop star dream, I’d say helping businesses amplify their voices is a pretty good second act.
