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Meet Lanelle Henderson of Oh Nellie Promos

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Lanelle Henderson.

Lanelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started in computer graphics when I relocated to Atlanta from New York City. In 1991, my role at the CDC was creating presentations, designing publications and web design. These skills allowed me to start freelancing and servicing variety of clients with design services.

I decided to finish my B.S. degree in Business Administration with a focus on Hospitality Management at Georgia State University which opened new doors in event management, marketing and business. I worked my way through college, graduating with no financial burden, for the Executive MBA Program and Business Manager with the School of Hospitality.

Before graduating in May 2001, I was offered the Manager-In-Training program followed by a Sales Management position with Marriott. Being trained by the leader in hospitality was priceless. I also worked as a Director of Sales for a Hilton Hotel property before starting my own company. Welcome 2 the Neighborhood, was a neighborhood marketing service that allowed me to market the local businesses to new homeowners moving into Henry County.

Staying active in the community as a board member with the Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Henry, serving as the Hospitality Correspondent for Channel 15 (SCB-TV) and leveraging community events with the City of McDonough allowed me to transition into a marketing company by 2008 when the real estate market shifted.

Business owners in the community started asking me to help them with marketing since I did a great job promoting the welcome service and I complied. Using the tool, Constant Contact to grow my business encouraged the company to approach me and offer a role as Regional Development Director in the Southeast. Teaching small business owners and non-profits on how to leverage smart online marketing strategies became a natural fit.

Seeing the need to offer a more hands-on approach, I returned back to my company and re-branded the name to Oh Nellie Promos (my childhood name to remind me to have fun in what I am doing). My company celebrates 15 years this March 2018 and we are now offering more business solutions like SEO and CRM to our clients who need to structure their business for success.

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?
The road has been a little bumpy but we persevered. I started the company while going through a divorce after a 3-month marriage went traumatic due to my husband being diagnosed with mental illness, raising a son entering high school and just purchased a 5 bedroom home in Henry County. I only knew a couple of people but meeting a stranger was never an issue. I decided I would stay until my son left for college.

The first six years, we lived month-to-month to pay the mortgage and feed a growing child who played 6 sports was challenging but I was determined to stay home and be available for my son. I focused on enjoying what I was doing in the community and how I was serving but once my son went off to college, I had to downsize.

I took 6 months staying with a friend to figure out my next steps. I started consulting and then reorganized my company. This was a low point for me financially as I had absolutely no money. My friend asked me to contribute by paying the utilities and even that was a stretch. I had to sell my gold for money to make the payments until I started getting clients. The struggle was real but I remained hopeful once little opportunities started to pick up.

In 2013, I opened an office in downtown Atlanta to get off the road. Caring for my mother with dementia took a lot of responsibility. She passed in 2014 and I had no drive. I took off 2 years grieving and trying to figure out my next steps. Living off my savings for two years was a blessing but then faced with getting back into business when my money was scarce pushed me to get back in the saddle. The summer of 2015, my childhood friend offered some encouragement and lent a hand until I landed a few new clients.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Oh Nellie Promos – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Oh, Nellie Promos is an award-winning boutique marketing agency offering solutions in online, event and promotional marketing. We specialize in web design, email marketing and events. We are known for our creative solutions with an integrated approach to leverage the best of online and offline exposure.

In our first year of coming back to our company, we were voted best marketing agency in Atlanta by The Atlanta Tribune and received the Creative Stylist award by The Atlanta Business League.

We are most proud of staying the course and being recognized for our talents. Our reputation remains positive with raving reviews from the clients we have served. Many of our projects come from referrals which is a testimony to our work.

What sets us apart… We educate our clients. If a client cannot afford our services, we will teach them how to leverage the tools they need to succeed.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In 2017, we launched the Women + Wellness Project which was a success. After the loss of my mother, the time I took off was also to heal from burnout. I was mentally and physically exhausted. Being a workaholic, I was not taking care of myself.

After 3 weeks in bed, I realized if I am not healthy, my business is not healthy. My mother and I started a Women on the Move series in 2006, but I wanted to enhance the program to incorporate health and wellness practices for busy women entrepreneurs. We are excited about this years’ events and goals and have created an advisory board of amazing women who understand the need for self-care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Ideally, I would love to spend 80-100% on the women and wellness project which I hope I can transition by mid-year.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Todd Hull Photography, Denise Gray, Maryann Davidson Photography, Darrell Emory

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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