Today we’d like to introduce you to Kitsy Rose.
Kitsy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since I was a child, I have enjoyed writing short stories, poems, letters you name it. My mom was the special events director for Burdines, a large department store in Miami (now Macy’s) and I often tagged along with her on weekends to assist in event set up and execution. I was ten so it was mostly stuffing goodie bags, handing out coloring books and crayons for breakfasts with the Easter bunny, etc. If I was well-behaved, and a good assistant my mom would reward me with an outfit. To this day I “blame” her for my love of fashion and my overflowing closet(s).
Moving to Atlanta upon graduation from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide Roll), I worked for a local newspaper and had the opportunity to attend many events and write several articles as the features editor. While I loved my job and experience as a reporter my creative freedom was limited so when the opportunity to work for a boutique PR firm presented itself I jumped in wholeheartedly.
I worked for a little over eight years at an agency that allowed me to grow my creative skills and learn from minor mistakes. And then when it seemed like it was time, with the owners’ blessings (and their gift of a client or two) I took a leap and started Kitsy Rose PR with a focus on- what else – fashion – that was in August of 2006.
I must admit I was slightly scared to leave a regular paycheck but in nearly eleven years I have hardly had the time to look back. I have been fortunate to work with so many great businesses in Atlanta and beyond. With changes in the economy in 2008 my focused shifted slightly and I found myself working in the “lifestyle” arena, representing not only boutiques and designers but also fitness facilities, restaurants, beauty products, hair salons, a cidery, a brewery and so many more.
It seems like just yesterday and not over a decade ago that Kitsy Rose PR took root. I wake up every morning feeling grateful and excited to go to work. And it is never lost on me that so many small business owners trust in me to generate a buzz for them each and every day.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As I mentioned previously, 2008 brought some challenges with the change in economy and public relation programs, marketing and advertising seem to be the very first things to get cut.
The difficulty was not only working on tight and reduced budgets, but developing unique programs and creative call-to-actions in order to stay one step ahead of the competition as well offer incentives to go and visit the place of business without cheapening the brand.
The “new normal” if you will at that time also allowed for me to branch out of my initial focus on fashion and branch out into other passions such as fitness, travel, restaurants, etc.
My former firm had provided me the experience with many types of businesses, but as so many other PR firms (colleagues) focused solely on restaurants I picked fashion as no one else was concentrating on Atlanta’s ever-growing boutique and design scene in 2006.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kitsy Rose PR (KRPR) story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in media pitching and placement – generating a buzz and sharing the personal journeys and stories on behalf of my clients. I could list out all of my services, but that would take too much space for this piece (LOL). My newly designed website is a great resource for who I am and all that I offer.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
As mentioned earlier, I feel very fortunate each and every day. It does not feel like I have been in business for myself for 11-years and the fact that it has been built nearly 85% on referrals, well that is lucky in itself. To have the support of current and past clients, friends, other PR professionals and others say “you should call Kitsy” means the world to me! I thank my lucky stars, I really do.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://kitsyrosepr.com
- Phone: 404-607-9022
- Email: kitsy@kitsyrosepr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitsyrosepr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KitsyRosePR/
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