8/24/24 Featuring Kristen Marlowe with Hoopla Studios

8/24/24 Featuring Kristen Marlowe with Hoopla Studios

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to the Chimber Connection on Talk Radio ten eighty,
a program designed for small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and
community members who are eager to learn more about the
intricacies of running a successful business, hosted each week by
the dedicated staff of the Chamber of Saint Matthews. Now
here's your host for this week, Josh Suitter, CEO.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Good afternoon, and welcome to the Chamber Connection on Talk
Radio ten eighty.

Speaker 3 (00:30):
My name is Josh Souder.

Speaker 2 (00:31):
I'm the CEO of the Chamber of Saint Matthews and
I'll be your host today. Joining me today is Kristin Marlow.

Speaker 3 (00:36):
With Hoopla Studios. Kristin, welcome, Happy you're here.

Speaker 4 (00:40):
Yes, thank you for having me. I'm very excited.

Speaker 3 (00:43):
Awesome.

Speaker 2 (00:44):
Well, we're going to spend a little time talking for
a little bit and we're going to start with talking
a little bit about your background and what inspired you
to start a business.

Speaker 4 (00:54):
That's that's a tricky question. I love that question. Excuse me.
My background is is I've always been a creative, sort
of outside the box thinker. My mom would even say
she knew that when I was six, when I came
home with this very large piece of paper and smack
in the middle of it was a scribble, and I
was very mad that she did not share my creative

(01:17):
outside the box thinking and did not know that it
was an X ray of a hiccup because it's six
everyone's drawing x rays of hiccups, right.

Speaker 3 (01:26):
Absolutely, I can tell.

Speaker 4 (01:28):
You that that is like the moment that my mom
was like, Okay, she's a different one. So I've just
embraced that over the years. And if you can't tell,
I have a passion for storytelling. So my background is
in graphic design, and using visual storytelling has always been,
you know, my strong suit ways to communicate that can

(01:50):
reach your audience in different ways. And when I realized
that you could make money doing that, that's when I
was like, I'm going to be a graphic designer because
I don't have to dress up. I can wear flip
flops and I can communicate to my audience in an
authentic way. And then you know, not to date myself.
But that was way before the digital landscape. Quote digital

(02:12):
landscape as we know it was a thing before Instagram
was around and Facebook you had to have the college
email to actually join and so as that evolved. I
kind of fell in love with how you could connect
with people, you know, across the quote world wide Web
and in now all the various ways that you could

(02:34):
do that. So kind of led me into various creative
roles from being a creative director, from an art director
to graphic design and then eventually more into marketing and
really what that could do for a business, whether that's
small or large. And then, excuse me, when COVID happened,

(02:55):
they kind of threw me through a loop where they
let my entire team kind of go trimming the fat,
they said. So I was like, I have all the
tools to do this myself. Why am I not doing
this for myself? Why am I working for someone? So
that led me to where I am today with Hoopla Studios.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
So, while we're on the topic of who blah, tell
me a little bit about the products and services you
offer and what sets you apart from all of your competitors,
because we know there's a bunch of them out there.

Speaker 4 (03:25):
Yes, that is a good question. I love that because
that's the question I always ask my clients. I lead
with that one too. So the services that we offer
is everything from branding and marketing coaching to a full
service sort of turn key solution that can really help
any small business who can't afford that agency budget. A
lot of the clients that end up with us are

(03:48):
the ones that have had that budget that they can't
afford or they don't have the resources to actually do
everything that they're needing to do or think that they
need to do to grow their business. And so we
kind of take a step back and really look at
everything from a holistic perspective and how you can be
authentic with your with your clients or your the end consumer,

(04:13):
and how you can connect with them, you know, authentically
rather than than screaming and kind of yelling. Here's my promotion,
bye bye bye. It's where you're sitting across the table
and having a conversation.

Speaker 2 (04:25):
Now see you said the words bye bye bye, and
we talked about music before we got started. Now that
song is in my head. So that's going to play
all morning long, and you're welcome for that.

Speaker 3 (04:34):
It's gonna be great, all right.

Speaker 2 (04:36):
So, I know, having worked with small business owners for
well over eleven years now, there's always challenges to being
a small business owner. Tell me about one of the
biggest ones you've faced and how did you overcome that.

Speaker 4 (04:48):
It is definitely finding the sweet spot. That is learning
when to say no to projects that I would not
be a good fit for or you know ones that
finding the opportunities for the ones that would be a
good fit and identifying what those are by aligning with
the right strategic partners. You know, that goes hand in

(05:10):
hand with finding my niche not trying to be everything
to everyone. It's okay to zero in on those who
need it the most and really be hyper focused on
their needs and how you can solve their problems versus yes, yes,
yes I'll do it. I'll do it just because I
think I need that money or the experience.

Speaker 3 (05:28):
Totally agree.

Speaker 2 (05:31):
So you're a social media expert in my eyes. So
what advice do you have for small business owners who
are struggling with their social media content?

Speaker 4 (05:42):
The best advice would be to find what works for
you and your business. Everyone is different, especially from a
small business perspective. You don't always have, like we said earlier,
the resources to do everything. If doing reels is something
that causes you stress and resentment, don't do that. In fact,
I had a client come to me who you know,

(06:03):
they left an agency because they just couldn't keep up
with all the demands they were wanting them to do.
And you know, part of that was doing reels every day,
using specific hashtags, you know, all of the things, and
it was causing her so much stress that she just
wanted to quit. She was done. So we kind of
dug a deep dive into her audience and did some testing,
and we found that they didn't even engage with any

(06:25):
of the reels that she was making, so she was
just spinning her wheels for nothing. So we found that
her value was really in the static posts and the
long form content. So when she switched gears to focus
on that, she was able to reach a better audience
who was more engaged and actually have more conversions in
what they call those quote vanity metrics, you know, the

(06:49):
no like trust. But are they commenting, are they engaging?
Are they sending you a direct message? So really find
what works for you. Every business is different. You know,
there's no never going to be a cookie cutter strategy
that's going to work across the board. It's really going
to be what works for you.

Speaker 3 (07:06):
I'm I'll throw you on. You weren't prepared for I know, right.

Speaker 4 (07:09):
Geez, let me hold on.

Speaker 3 (07:11):
So what's your favorite social media platform.

Speaker 4 (07:15):
Personally or business related?

Speaker 3 (07:17):
Both?

Speaker 4 (07:17):
Okay, personally, it would have to be Instagram because I
am visually I'm visually drawn. I like photography and that
kind of thing, so that's my favorite. But from a
business perspective, it would have to either be Facebook or LinkedIn,
and that probably goes to say my age, because I
prefer the sort of longer form content where I can

(07:39):
read and get to know someone more intimately than just
a photo.

Speaker 3 (07:45):
All right, let's go here.

Speaker 2 (07:48):
So how do you stay ahead of the trends and
ensure that your business remains innovative?

Speaker 4 (07:55):
That one is I feel, you know, I've always been
drawn to ask the questions and say why, why is
something this way? Why does it happen? Or how can
I make this better and more efficient? So I kind
of utilize my clients as a way to stay ahead
of this because they always come with me with a
unique come to me with a unique challenge that I

(08:17):
am now apt to solve. So that would either be
going to learn a new platform, utilize different gorilla type
marketing where you can kind of get outside the box
and try different things, see what works and what doesn't,
and then be able to apply that across the board
in sort of a strategic element.

Speaker 2 (08:39):
All right, I'm gonna ask what I've been dying to
ask you for a long time, and I've never asked
this before.

Speaker 3 (08:43):
How did you come up with a name? Who blocks studios?

Speaker 4 (08:45):
I love this question too, because everyone asked me that
and they're kind of surprised by it. So through the
creative element, I've always had a need for expression, whether
that's artistic or dance or movement. Oh naturally, when I
saw someone hula hooping, I was drawn to that, and
I for the past twenty years have been an avid

(09:07):
hula hooper quote hoop answer. Yes, I know it surprises everybody.
That is kind of where the name hoop or hooplah
came to be. And you know, asking somebody, what's the hooplah?
What's this all about? That that's the progression of hoopla studios?

Speaker 2 (09:24):
Oh, now you make me want to buy you a
hula hoop? And have you come to the Chamber office.

Speaker 4 (09:28):
Well, you don't have to buy one. I have lots
and I could even sell you one if you really want.

Speaker 2 (09:33):
I have two girls at home, we have plenty of
those later around the house somewhere.

Speaker 4 (09:36):
But yes, but before before this, many many years ago,
I did have a hula hoop company and we did
a lot of that. So I did classes and birthday
parties and I know, so it's a thing.

Speaker 3 (09:49):
So you're a jack of all trades.

Speaker 2 (09:51):
I mean you can do everything from social media and
content creation to planning parties with hula hoops.

Speaker 4 (09:56):
I'll take it. Yes, I like it.

Speaker 3 (09:58):
I think I could work with that.

Speaker 2 (10:00):
We'll do one more and then we're going to pull
into a quick commercial break here. So let's talk a
little bit about one of your most satisfying moments in
your business ownership so far.

Speaker 3 (10:12):
What would you say that.

Speaker 4 (10:13):
Has been m That's a good question, and that was
also not on my list.

Speaker 3 (10:18):
It's not so keeping you on your toes today.

Speaker 4 (10:21):
I like it. I like to be on my toes.
My most satisfying moment is probably I mean it happens repeatedly,
but when we meet a goal or a metric that
my client has really been trying to work towards and
get there and just couldn't and they just thought it
was impossible, and when they finally see that, it is
with the right strategy in place, then you know that

(10:42):
is the most satisfying thing for me because I feel
like that rewarding. I mean, that's why I'm here. I'm
here to help them essentially, and when we could meet
that goal together, it's a win win perfect.

Speaker 3 (10:54):
All right, Well, we're going to take a quick break.
Stay with us.

Speaker 2 (10:56):
We'll be right back with the Chamber connection on talk
Rady eighty as we hear more from Kristin Marlow with
Hoopla Studios.

Speaker 5 (11:13):
At Hooplas Studios, we blend authentic branding and holistic marketing
to create personalized strategies for small businesses. We offer creative
marketing solutions through a humanistic, integrated approach, creating authentic experiences
and unlocking our brand's full potential. Our boutique style approach
fosters genuine conversations, not shouting matches, with quality content that

(11:35):
wins every time. We deliver unique solutions without the agency
price tag. Contact Hoopless Studios dot net. That's Hooplastudios dot net.

Speaker 6 (11:44):
Does your business need health insurance? The Benefits Firm is
here to help with a Saint Matthew's Chamber Insurance plan.
We can help your small business with health insurance. Our
plants to the Saint Matthews Chamber cover between two and
two and fifty employees. We offer high quality anthem health
insurance with the best statewide and notional networks. You do
not need to wait for your annewal. If you're interested,
please contact me Billy Fowler, President the Benefits Firm, at

(12:06):
five zero two four six A one six ninety four
or email me at Billy at the Benefits Firm dot com.

Speaker 1 (12:14):
You're listening to real News, Real Talk Talk Radio ten eighty.

Speaker 2 (12:21):
Welcome back to the Chamber Connection on Talk Radio ten eighty.
I'm Josh Souter with the Chamber of Saint Matthews and
happy to have Kristin Marlow with me here in the studio. So, Kristen,
we're going to dive into another topic that I think
you're passionate about, and that's marketing. But we're not going
to talk about it for o their businesses. We're going
to talk about it from your business perspective. So what

(12:41):
marketing strategies have been the most effective for you in
your business?

Speaker 4 (12:47):
I would have to say probably being authentic and passionate
about what you do in your Why why why you exist,
you know, who are you serving And this also goes
with a lot of my clients too. But really, when
you create that quality content, it wins every time, way
more than any generic messaging that you're putting out there,

(13:08):
and typically more than just you know, putting out a
promotion or a deal, but focusing on the story behind
the product and the features and that transformation that your
clients are seeking and not only makes you and your
service more memorable, but it also gets you in front
of the right audience and really you know, gets that
emotional response that you're looking for. So you know, neuroscience

(13:32):
will say that neuroscience, it proves that you buy based
on an emotion and then you justify with logic later.
So when you can turn your product or story into
a customer centric story and something that they can put
themselves in and kind of paint themselves into that picture
then and really take it for a test drive, then
you can get to the heart of their desires and

(13:54):
it really helps with that conversion to get them to
do something. So for me, knowing that a small business
has a lot of trouble with creating all of the
content or you know, managing your social media and trying
to do all the things. It's finding the one thing
that works for them and maximizing it in whatever way
they can.

Speaker 2 (14:14):
So one of the words I keep hearing from you
is story or telling their story. So when you work
with a business owner who maybe is struggling to tell
that story, how do you pull that out of them?
How do you get them to tell you the deep
dark secrets of the business that nobody knows, deep dark secrets.

Speaker 4 (14:31):
I love that it is starting with why they started
the business or how the business got started, and really
finding that. You know, when when everything aligns and their
passion aligns with what they're doing or selling or you know,
whether that's a product or a service, you can start
to really center things around that. And I like to
kind of pull out maybe one to three I call

(14:52):
them content pillars or topic pillars that they stand on
and so for me, that's authenticity. So I want to
sit down and have that conversation versus you know, making
a paid ad or something that is going to just
reach everybody. I want to reach very specific people and
so understanding where they come from, how they got to

(15:14):
where they are, and why they're there and who they're
seeking to serve. That is kind of where you get
to the heart of the meat, the meat and the potatoes.

Speaker 3 (15:21):
I call it love it.

Speaker 2 (15:24):
So you're a small business owner, obviously, what advice would
you give other small business owners out there who maybe
they're just getting started and they have no clue what
they're doing. Because let's be honest, none of us really
know what we're doing when we first start. And I
say that as somebody who doesn't own one, but I
work with entrepreneurs every day. So what advice would you
have for a brand new entrepreneur?

Speaker 4 (15:47):
First of all, to get started, just do it, don't wait.
You know, there's no time like the present. My mom
always used to say, if you always do what you've
always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten. So
if you don't put yourself out there and take the risk,
you're just going to be where you are. So why not, right,
So just be to get out there, do it, try
new things, don't be afraid to ask the questions. Really

(16:09):
get to know your audience or why they're there, how
you can get them there? Ask why what are those
needs that you can fill that somebody else is not.
How can you find your niche and really dig in
and get to the heart of it to solve your
your audience's problems.

Speaker 3 (16:28):
Absolutely. Where do you see Hoopla Studios in the next
five years, Well, hopefully at the top high.

Speaker 4 (16:37):
H's exactly am high. I really want to develop more
of the educational space within this business, so you know
that's coaching, doing workshops, doing a lot more hands on
type things with small businesses, and really giving them the
tool set that they need because I think a lot
a lot of times they think I just can't do

(16:58):
it or I'm too overwhelmed, and with the right tools
they can. So you know, starting a podcast is top
of my list for next year, so that will be exciting.
Stay tuned for that. And I would love to be
a published author where I can kind of put some
of these into workbooks and stuff that they can utilize
and take with them.

Speaker 2 (17:16):
You went to authors, So I'm gonna go to a
question I literally wrote down as you were talking. Tell
me a book that has impacted you as a business
owner that somebody should read.

Speaker 4 (17:26):
Well, I'm not that great of a reader. Well that
sounded really bad.

Speaker 3 (17:31):
I don't think I can read.

Speaker 4 (17:33):
But no, I listened to a lot more things than
I do actually physically open the book and read. But
Simon Sinek is probably my favorite. I've probably read her
own all of all of his books, but I read
one that was all about contextual marketing. I think it's Matthew.

(17:55):
I'm going to quote this all wrong, so I'm not
even gonna say his last name, but he wrote a
book of about how you really connect with the audience
over that transformation and those micro connections. So like focusing
on you know, instead of let's say a chiropractor, instead
of them focusing on the fact that they can heal
your back or help with your back pain. Why would

(18:17):
you want to do that so you could run the
marathon so you could play with your children? What are
those transformations that you're really wanting to seek or find
and then talk to that And so that contextual marketing
has really transformed what I've done with businesses, and I
think it really helps be authentic with your audience.

Speaker 2 (18:39):
Perfect All right, So you're in an industry like me
where the clock never stops. We have to work all
the time. So how do you balance that work life
personal life As a business owner? When do you check
out and how do you check out that is.

Speaker 4 (18:55):
A good question because the truth is I don't, not
one hundred percent anyway I would like to think I do.
And it's all about creating those boundaries. So I know
that when my family comes home, my laptop closes, my
phone goes on to focus mode, and I'm present with them,
and I offer the same respect to my clients. When
I'm with them, I mean one hundred percent focus mode,

(19:17):
and you know, we can get stuff done. So it's
really about making those boundaries and just sticking to them
and learning when to say no, because that's a big one.

Speaker 3 (19:26):
See.

Speaker 2 (19:27):
I'm amazed that you can find that word because a
lot of small business owners they can't say that word.
It's not in their blood. So kudos to you for
being able to do that. So a totally different thought
process here and again unscripted. What made you choose the
Chamber of Saint Matthew's.

Speaker 4 (19:45):
I have heard lots of great things about it, and
so I'm curious and I asked the questions. So I
had to come find out for myself if it was
really true, And I went to a leads group, the
mon Stars Monday Leads Group.

Speaker 3 (19:59):
Which is the best biyuy the way you heard that
on here.

Speaker 4 (20:01):
I don't know if you can hear me whisper, but
it is the best. It is awesome, and I really
enjoyed all the people in the group and like the
connections that we had immediately, and that was really what
drew me in. And then I think I did. Maybe
it was a five h five or another event after that,
and I was like, Wow, these people really do care

(20:22):
about you. They wanted to connect with me, they wanted
to learn more about my business, and I wasn't even
a memory yet, So what could what more could happen
when you were a member? And I think I've I mean,
the last couple of months have done the Chamber has
done more for me, both professionally and personally than anything
else I've done to grow my business. So I just

(20:44):
love that there's so many opportunities to plug in. There's
there's something for everyone, no matter what time of day
it is, and there's it's more than just excuse me,
it's more than just sales or like referrals. It's professional
development too. And you learned that you have some of
the same struggles that somebody else does and you can
work through them together and you're a team. You know,

(21:04):
you can kind of develop that partnership and work through it.

Speaker 2 (21:09):
And I asked that question as a segue to the
next one because I'm sneaky like that. So do you
work with in partnership or in collaboration with any other
local businesses or organizations? Oh?

Speaker 4 (21:22):
Yes, I do one hundred percent believe collaboration over competition.
So when someone says who is your competitor, I just
don't feel like, you know, that is a that should
be a thing, because, like I said earlier, it's taken
me a long time to realize that you can't be
everything to everyone, and so the Chamber has really helped
me develop some good professional relationships and being able to

(21:45):
connect with the right people. So if it's something client
comes to me and I can't do it, or maybe
even I don't want to do it, I can send
them to the right person that I've already had a
good relationship with through the Chamber.

Speaker 2 (21:57):
So in your pre questionnaire, one of the conversations that
came up was AI and I know is someone who
manages this app member who does content content for us.
Amanda realizes heavily on AI. What are your thoughts on
AI and what it's doing in your industry and a
lot of other industries across the country.

Speaker 4 (22:17):
Yes, yes, I have a love hate relationship. It's kind
of like me in EXCEL. I have the same like.
I know that there's a need for it. I love it.
It does great things, but there's a limitation. And you
know I said earlier, I stand on authenticity, and so
I embrace technology and especially AI because I do think
it creates a lot of efficiencies. But I would never

(22:40):
coach someone or tell someone to rely on it solely
like you would always want to. I use it as
like a brainstorming app or you know, chat, GPT. We're friends,
we get along, we hang out often. But it's not
the end all be all, like there is still a
lot of things that you would need to do to
really make it you and make it personable.

Speaker 3 (23:00):
Absolutely all right.

Speaker 2 (23:02):
One of your other questionnaires, one of the questions was
what is one thing that if you could go back
and change, what would you do? And your answer, and
I want you to expand a little bit there was
to go full time as my own boss. So my
question for you is how terrifying was it to take
that step and become your own boss?

Speaker 4 (23:24):
Extremely terrifying, but I have a little plaque on my
desk that says, leap and the net will appear, And
so I just took that advice and did it. But
it was also a little bit easier after COVID when
they let my whole department go and said, Okay, well
I can either make a go of this or I
can find another job. And I kind of was forced

(23:45):
into it more than I really wanted to be or
thought I was ready to do, but in truth, I
was here.

Speaker 2 (23:52):
I am absolutely Shifting back to your business for a minute,
who would you say is your ideal customer? Who do
you really want to work with out there?

Speaker 4 (24:05):
I always this question I get asked a lot, and
it's taken me a long time to get to hear.
But if we sit down and have a one on
one or even a discovery call, and I want to
quit what I'm doing and go work with you, then
you're my ideal customer. Your passion is there and your
authenticity is there, and I feel like I could really
help serve you and really build your business because you've

(24:29):
convinced me to quit what I'm doing, which I really
love to come work for you. So anytime I meet
someone in that space and I'm really ready to do it.

Speaker 2 (24:37):
You heard that she's ready to do it. So the
question and the next question is going to be, is
there a type of client you don't want to deal with?

Speaker 4 (24:45):
Oh? Well, I mean that's a hard question.

Speaker 3 (24:48):
I mean, but it's fair because.

Speaker 4 (24:53):
People who are not ready or businesses who are not
ready to make the change. Sometimes I've met with people
who come down and they're they think that they're ready,
but when we have the real hard conversations about this
is what it's going to take to really get to
your audience. And if you're not willing to make that change,
then we're just going to both spin our wheels.

Speaker 2 (25:13):
And that's precisely why I wanted you to answer that
question right there. So I do want to take a
minute and thank Kristin Marlow with Hoopla Studios for joining
me today. I feel like I learned a lot about
your industry and a lot about you as a person.
If you're interested in more information about the Chamber of
Saint Matthew's, I would like to encourage you to check
out our website Saint Matthews Chamber dot com. You can

(25:34):
also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. And with that,
I hope you'll join us next Saturday at eleven on
Talk Radio ten eighty as we talk with Christy Smallwood
with Eagle Eye Strategic Marketing. Thanks for joining us today, guys,
and have a great day.