Welcome to 2026 - Where We Are Headed

For more than two decades, Carolyn Sutton has helped brands and businesses tell their stories, build credibility, and secure hard earned strategic local and national press. As the founder of Carolyn Sutton PR, she and her team bring national media experience, creative strategy, and genuine relationships to every client partnership across the country.

Starting in 2026, Carolyn serves brands in a fractional capacity as an Executive PR Partner, delivering senior-level PR leadership to heritage and high-growth national brands.

Acting as an extension of a brand or business team, she guides messaging, media outreach, and brand positioning with the insight and care of an in-house executive and the perspective of an experienced agency leader.

Whether she’s providing communication strategies, positioning a founder’s story, or driving visibility across lifestyle and business media, Carolyn’s focus is always the same: helping brands communicate with clarity, purpose, and passion.

Launching in 2026, she will serve as a Executive Public Relations Partner for national lifestyle leaders and category defining leaders. With 20+ years of national media experience, she helps businesses shape the stories, build credibility, and earn meaningful press - bringing executive-level strategy, communication, and a personal touch to every client partnership.

Private PR Executive. Storytelling strategist. Media-savvy partner helping brands earn attention, build credibility, and grow - without a full-time commitment.

In today’s fast-moving business world, brands don’t always need a full-time PR executive - but they still need senior-level strategy, guidance, and media expertise. As an Executive Public Relations Partner in a fractional capacity, Carolyn provides executive-level PR leadership on a flexible, part-time basis, acting as an extension of your team, guiding strategy, building media relationships, and helping your brand tell its story with impact.

Why a Fractional + Executive PR Partner?

Modern brands don’t always need a full-time PR executive, but they do need strategy, story, and results. Carolyn Sutton acts as your Executive PR Partner, providing executive-level expertise, national media relationships, and communication guidance on a flexible basis, tailored to your goals.

Public Relations Is a Long Game — And That’s Where the Real Value Is Built

At Carolyn Sutton PR, we believe enduring brands are built through discipline, strategy, and patience, not overnight wins.

Public relations has never been about quick hits. In 2026, with a fragmented media landscape, algorithm-driven platforms, and more discerning audiences, PR is a long-term investment. It requires clarity, consistency, and leadership-level thinking from day one. This is the first conversation we have with every client: if you want sustained visibility, credibility, and influence, you must commit to the long game.

Below are six principles we use to guide category-leading brands through modern public relations.

1. Strategic Positioning Is the Foundation of Everything

Before any outreach begins, your brand must be positioned with intention. That means clear messaging, a defined point of view, and a narrative that aligns leadership, marketing, and communications.

Strong PR doesn’t start with pitching—it starts with strategic alignment. When your brand language is sharp and consistent, every media opportunity compounds over time.

2. Proprietary Content Fuels Credibility and Coverage

In 2026, brands don’t compete for attention - they compete for trust.

Custom photography, high-quality video, and executive-led content are no longer optional. They are essential assets for earned media, digital platforms, speaking opportunities, and long-term brand authority.

Video continues to lead modern storytelling, driving deeper engagement, stronger recall, and measurable ROI across channels. The brands that invest here are the ones media want to feature. This is why we built our sister agency, Brand Your Brand, Co. to execute brand videos and deliver the assets.

3. Relationships Drive Results - Over Time

PR remains a relationship business. Building trust with media, partners, and key stakeholders takes consistency and restraint.

Some of the most impactful coverage we’ve secured took months—from initial pitch to publication. A front-page feature in The New York Times for Allegiance Flag Supply, published on Christmas Day, took five months of strategic cultivation.

This is how meaningful media happens: not rushed, but earned.

4. Progress Is Measured in Strategic Milestones

Modern PR success isn’t defined by volume—it’s defined by impact.

We establish clear milestones that align with business objectives: authority-building placements, leadership visibility, market expansion, and narrative ownership. Each milestone builds momentum and informs the next strategic move.

5. Adaptability Is a Competitive Advantage

The media landscape is constantly evolving - platforms shift, algorithms change, and narratives move quickly. And it comes in many forms - print, magazine, social, etc.

The strongest PR strategies are flexible without losing focus. We continuously refine our approach based on emerging trends, audience behavior, and cultural relevance—ensuring brands remain visible, credible, and ahead of the conversation.

6. Patience Produces the Most Valuable Outcomes

Some stories take time—and that’s not a weakness, it’s a strength.

We regularly see pitches publish months - or even a year -after initial outreach. But when they do, they deliver authority, longevity, and influence that short-term tactics never can.

Enduring PR results require patience, discipline, and confidence in the strategy.

The Long Game Builds Market Leaders

For nearly 17 years, Carolyn Sutton PR has guided brands through PR as a marathon—one built on strategic planning, disciplined execution, and a commitment to evolving alongside the market.

The brands that embrace this mindset don’t just stay visible—they become category leaders.

If you’re ready to invest in PR that compounds over time, we’re ready to run the long game with you.

Start the Week with a Clean Slate

I can’t claim I tackle things perfectly, but these tips have helped ensure I start Monday with a clean slate (not behind the ball) and don’t go to bed with 100 thoughts in my head (always the goal!). ✔️

I can’t express the power of one early morning weekend desk session. Here’s what I have learned with nearly 16 years of owning my own businesses + parenthood.

✨That peaceful quiet weekend hour before ALL the things start rolling - texts, kids, games, driving - can give you complete focus to dial in without anything coming your way.

✨ Tackle the things you keep putting off to get it done! They are usually minor, but hover in your inbox - sign up for the sports, write the thank you notes, get your returns moving, send calendar invites for the week, etc.

✨ Dial into your paper inbox - this is my favorite - go through each item and address it - then be done with it. Pay those pesky bills, electronic file your donations then recycle the paper, respond and handle.

✨ Respond or send the emails and use the “send later” feature to send Monday morning. Easy. ✔️

✨ Write your fresh to do lists for the week - personal, work, volunteer, family related. You will go to bed with a clear head for Monday.

I’ve always loved my quiet, early Saturday or Sunday mornings in my office. I light a candle and dial in on my PR + content creation businesses, volunteer life and the ever changing family life schedule.

Does anyone else carve out early morning weekend desk time? ✨✨

Five Types of Holiday Placements To Target Right Now

While I’m making the most of summer days with my family (and looking forward to many more), my working hours are becoming increasingly devoted to securing holiday placements for our clients. Here are some of the ways we’re helping our clients connect with their audience this holiday season.

Magazine and Newspaper Gift Guides

The excitement of placing one of our clients in a national magazine’s holiday gift guide never gets old. But, as I mentioned above, magazines have a long lead time and a lot of brands vying for their attention. To ensure effective gift guide coverage, cast a wide net targeting national, regional, and local publications, and consider creative approaches to making your brand resonate with editors.

Podcasts

If you’re a listener, you know how devoted a podcast audience can be. I’ve gotten some of my best tips for time management and work-life balance from podcasts, but they’re also a great resource for gift ideas— sometimes when you least expect it. One of my current favorites, Discover Ag, hosted by two millennial women in agricultural, has tipped me off to several food gifts and the rich stories behind them. Yet another example of how media coverage can expand beyond just the placement, but become a topic of discussion to a wider audience.

Branded Presentations/Guest Editorial

I love when my favorite brands collaborate with or spotlight other brands that inspire me. Tuckernuck does a great job with this with their monthly guest editorials, as does the artist collective Well + Wonder, It’s a fantastic way to début new collections and introduce brands to a like-minded audience.

Pop-Ups

Many established brands host pop-ups to support emerging or new-to-market brands. I love this idea so much that I’m launching my own brand, SugarGlass, at a pop-up at Leland Gal this summer!

Influencers

From Instagrammers, TikTokkers and YouTubers on social media, to real world icons like athletes and hometown heroes, an influencer endorsement of your brand is the gift that keeps on giving. For two successive years, we promoted collaborations between Omaha luxury jeweler, Borsheims, and top female athletes, Rachel Balkovec and  Lexi Sun. Not only was featuring these best-in-class brand ambassadors worth its media weight in gold (and diamonds!), it shined a light on the brand’s ongoing commitment to empowering women.
To ensure your brand shines this holiday season, Contact Us Today.

What Public Relations Means In 2024

Welcome To Q2(lips🌷)

Spring has finally begun to settle into the Midwest! While it seems we’ve been awaiting the arrival of April flowers for ages, I can’t believe how quickly the business year is flying by. With so much going on across all forms of media right now – including the upcoming U.S. elections that will dominate every news cycle in the months to come – it’s a good time to get back to the basics of what public relations really means and what it can do for your brand.

How PR Started, How It’s Going

When I began in this business more than 20 years ago, the objectives of PR were straightforward: secure media coverage. I crafted key messages and story pitches, and built relationships at local and national newspapers, television networks, and magazines to create and facilitate great press opportunities for my clients.

The evolution of digital media has expanded what a successful PR strategy can – and should – accomplish. It’s no longer enough for a business to simply get in front of their audience. Brands need to make a meaningful connection with individuals on a consistent basis; they need to establish their authority as industry leaders; and they need to keep a steady stream of fresh, relevant content flowing to ensure people stay engaged in this era of information overload. 

Brand Spotlight: Fraulein Boot Company

One brand that I admire who has done all this beautifully is Fraulein Boot Company. I’ve been a fan of their sophisticated, vintage-inspired cowboy boots since I saw them at a Southern C summit in Round Top, Texas. (I fell in love with the San Antonio Rose boot and brought it back to Omaha, inspiring several friends to buy their own pairs.) I recently spoke with Fraulein’s founders, sisters Margaret Walker and Sarah Caruth, on Instagram Live about how they’ve built their business, and how a well-timed Vanity Fair placement played an early, and ongoing, role in their success. “You’re planting a seed everywhere you go,” Sarah told me.”Every time you’re in front of someone and you’re telling your story… that sale may be six months or a year later, or two years later, or they tell someone else about it, but you’re always selling whether you realize it or not.”

Fraulein’s + Carolyn Sutton PR Instagram LIVE Chat

When I followed up with Margaret after our Live chat, she elaborated on how Fraulein’s multi-faceted PR strategy, which includes media coverage, social media campaigns, and influencer partnerships, has helped them launch new collections and engage with their audience to build loyalty, trust and friendships. Their authentic brand identity shines through in everything they do. “In a nutshell,” she said, “People like us because we are nice. #workhardandbenicetopeople”

5 Ways to Avoid a Social Media Crisis

Another important side of public relations is crisis communications. Whether it’s an organization, a politician, or a celebrity, there’s always someone in the news who has gaffed and is in dire need of a Public Relations Rescue. It recently happened to the British Royal Family with their handling of Kate Middleton’s health crisis. But it can happen to anyone. For example, once the truth came out about the princess, many who had posted their thoughts and theories on social media also wish they had handled the situation and speculation differently. Royals and non-royals alike can lessen their chances of being cancelled (at least for their behavior online) by following a few simple social media posting protocols.

1.Take a Beat

Is it helpful? Is it kind? Is it true? When my children were very young, they learned to ask themselves these three magic questions before they spoke, but, truly, it’s a litmus test that serves all of us – especially on the everlasting internet. 

2. Don’t Assume the Worst 

Humans have a negativity bias. In the absence of information, we tend to assume the worst. Whenever I catch myself doing this, I remind myself that life is nuanced and complex. If I don’t know all the details, I try to give the benefit of the doubt.

3. The World Doesn’t Always Need Our Opinions

Some people seem to have Hot Take FOMO – they always need to weigh in on every topic, even if they’re not really saying anything new. But, as every good hostess knows, sometimes it’s okay to let others pour the tea.

4. Maintain a Light Touch

If you simply must post about a topic, try to keep it light. Aim for gentle humor over razor sharp wit and avoid posting repeatedly about the same thing – no matter how many Likes that first post garnered.

5. When All Else Fails, Apologize

Sometimes we simply fail to heed the wisdom of our better angels. When that’s the case, it’s always admirable to acknowledge your error with a sincere apology… and then move on.

One-on-One Consultation

Navigating the complexities of PR requires expertise and experience. By engaging in a 90-minute one-on-one consultation, you'll tap into what I’ve learned over 20+ years in the industry and receive immediate strategic consultation. These 90-minutes will provide valuable insights, best practices, and a deep evaluation on your brand's PR potential.

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6 Reasons Why a One-on-One PR Consultation with CSPR Is Smart

In today's competitive business landscape, effective communication and strategic public relations (PR) are essential for success. While many businesses recognize the importance of PR, not all fully understand its nuances or how to implement it effectively. This is where a one-on-one PR consultation can make all the difference.

We are thrilled to launch One-on-One PR Consulting sessions - powerful 90-minute consultations that immediately will give your business strategic PR direction.

Here are six compelling reasons why we want you to book today.

1. Tailored Strategies for Your Unique Needs: Every business is different, with its own goals, challenges, and target audience. A one-on-one PR consultation allows you to receive personalized advice and strategies tailored specifically to your business. Instead of relying on generic PR tactics, you'll get insights that are relevant and actionable for your specific situation.

2. Expert Guidance from 20+ Years Experience: Navigating the complexities of PR requires expertise and experience. By engaging in a one-on-one consultation, you'll have the opportunity to tap into the knowledge of seasoned PR professionals who understand the industry inside and out. They can provide valuable insights, best practices, and innovative ideas to help you achieve your PR objectives.

3. Clear Communication and Goal Setting: Effective PR is built on clear communication and well-defined goals. During a one-on-one consultation, you'll have the chance to articulate your objectives and challenges directly to the PR consultant. They can then help you refine your messaging, identify key target audiences, and establish measurable goals to track your progress.

4. Immediate Feedback and Actionable Advice: In a one-on-one PR consultation, you'll receive immediate feedback on your current PR efforts and actionable advice on how to improve them. Whether you're looking to enhance your media relations, refine your brand messaging, or develop a crisis communication plan, you'll gain valuable insights that you can implement right away to strengthen your PR strategy.

5. Cost-Effective Solution for Small Businesses: While hiring a full-time PR agency may not be feasible for small businesses with limited budgets, a one-on-one PR consultation offers a cost-effective alternative. Instead of committing to long-term contracts or hefty retainers, you can pay for individual consulting sessions as needed, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes.

6. Empowerment Through Knowledge and Skills: Ultimately, investing in a one-on-one PR consultation is an investment in your own knowledge and skills as a business owner or marketer. By learning directly from PR experts, you'll gain a deeper understanding of PR principles and techniques that you can apply not only in the short term but also in the long term to drive sustained success for your business.

One-on-One PR consultation provides a valuable opportunity to receive personalized guidance, expert advice, and actionable strategies tailored to your unique business needs. Whether you're looking to enhance your brand's reputation, increase media coverage, or navigate a crisis, investing in a one-on-one PR consultation is a smart decision that can yield significant returns for your business. So, let’s talk.

Unveiling the Long Game: Why PR is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Welcome to Carolyn Sutton PR, where we believe in the power of endurance and strategic thinking. In the world of Public Relations, success is not a sprint, but a marathon. We cannot emphasize this enough - and it’s the FIRST thing we tell clients. You need to invest in the long-game to see the long-term results.

Here, we unveil the wisdom behind PR and share six essential tips for current and future clients to navigate the Public Relations path.

1. Crafting a Solid Foundation: The Starting Line of Success

Just like a marathon, building a strong foundation is crucial for a PR strategy. Establish clear and authentic brand key messages, ensuring that you have solid, updated brand messaging. This foundation serves as the starting line, providing a solid, consistent language for long-term success.

2. Personalized, Ongoing Content is Imperative

Brands who want to establishe a brand story and secure smart media coverage, must have custom photo + video content to deliver to the media and for all future purposes to tell the brand story on Instagram, websites, and more. Video content is the future of brand storytelling and will continue to explode - driving more views, engagement and return on investment.

3. Relationships Are the Steady Pace: Cultivate, Nurture, Thrive

In a marathon, consistency is key, and the same holds true for PR. Building and nurturing relationships with media, influencers, and stakeholders require time and dedication. The slow and steady pace of relationship-building pays off in the long run, creating lasting connections that elevate your brand. This incredible front page from The New York Times story feature for Allegiance Flag Supply took five months from pitch to publish on Christmas Day.

4. Strategic Milestones: Celebrate Every Progress Marker

As you navigate the PR marathon, it's crucial to recognize and celebrate the smaller victories along the way. Set realistic, strategic milestones that align with your overarching goals. Each milestone achieved is a testament to progress and a source of motivation for the journey ahead.

5. Adaptability: Maneuvering Through the Twists and Turns

A marathon is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and the PR landscape is no different. Embrace change and remain adaptable to evolving trends and challenges. A flexible strategy ensures that your brand not only survives but thrives in the ever-changing media landscape. We recommend staying in touch with Jeneration PR for consistently updated PR Trends insight.

6. Patience: The Endurance of End Results

Patience is the unsung hero of both marathons and PR endeavors. Understand that meaningful results take time. Whether it's securing a feature story, building brand authority, or fostering community engagement, the endurance of patience brings forth the most rewarding and lasting outcomes. We can often pitch a story and not have it publish for more than a year.

For nearly 15 years, we’ve educated clients that PR as a marathon, a journey that requires strategic planning, perseverance, and a commitment to continuing to share your story, the news and evolve as a brand to ensure relevance. By embracing these six tips, our clients can not only endure the race, but revel in the victories that unfold with each step.

Elevate Your Brand in 2024🎉✨

What exactly does that mean and how do we do it? It’s a great big question. And we have the tips to make it happen.

It’s true there are multiple strategies and tactics we all need to be doing on a daily basis to elevate our brand (helloooo Instagram). But, what can you do to own your brand voice and visuals? And have brand assets on hand when the media wants to feature your product or brand?

✔️We need to have incredible brand photography.
✔️Short-form video is a must.
✔️Positioning your brand in the eyes of the media spotlight on an ongoing basis.
✔️✔️✔️ and more

But how do we pull this all together and what is truly an easy way to make this happen in 2024?

Quarterly, we sit down and map out our calendar for our own personal brand and our clients and outline specific photo and video shoots. We outline new product shoots, new lifestyle shoots and brand specific photo + video shoots.📸🎥📷🤳🏼

That way we have a ROLODEX and a LIBRARY of content to use for multiple forms.✨

This needs to be a priority in 2024!

Especially when a local or national media outlet wants to share your story. Brand photos and videos need to be ready to share.📺📰💻

Learn how to be brave, tell your story, create content and make your brand known in 2024.🎉

Wow, What a Year! Thank You 2023!

The week between Christmas and New Year's is a time for our team to reflect, reset and REST.  It's also a time when we wrap up end of year client reports, team accomplishments and goals for the following year. 

2024 will mark 15 years of Carolyn Sutton PR and three years of Brand Your Brand, Co., which is wild! Over the years, we have impacted hundreds of small and large scale brands through Public Relations, our Masterclass Series and Photo + Video Content Creation and more. We continue to make professional development, client relationships and community engagement top priorities. 

In 2023, Founder Carolyn Sutton became an Educator for the Branding Business School - a self-paced branding business school for busy women. And we partnered with Pitchcraft to lead conversations between PR professionals, while the Pitchcraft Founders enjoyed time home with their newborn. We thrive with leading educational conversations and 2024 will bring more of this!

Thank you for being part of the Carolyn Sutton PR + Brand Your Brand, Co. community and for contributing to an amazing 2023. Whether you are a Public Relations or Branding client, a partner, brand cheerleader or a member of our team, we're grateful for this past year. 

We're ready to reset the rest of this week and rock and roll in 2024. We'll be in touch with our “In the Spotlight” series, Instagram and more to come. Thank you for an incredible year and Happy New Year! 

5 Reasons Video is Necessary for Your Brand

We launched our sister agency - Brand Your Brand, Co. to give a solution to clients for curated brand video content. Video has become an indispensable tool for brands in today's digital landscape. Here are five compelling reasons why incorporating video is necessary for your brand:

1. Engagement Amplification: Video content captures attention like no other medium. Its dynamic nature, coupled with visual and auditory elements, captivates audiences, resulting in higher engagement rates. Viewers are more likely to interact, share, and remember your message when presented in video format.

2. Enhanced Storytelling: Videos provide a powerful platform to tell your brand's story. They allow for creativity and emotional connection, enabling you to convey your brand's personality, values and mission more effectively. Through compelling narratives and visuals, you can forge deeper connections with your audience.

3. Improved SEO and Online Visibility: Search engines favor video content, often ranking it higher in search results. Integrating videos on your website and social media channels can boost your SEO efforts, increasing your brand's visibility online. Additionally, videos tend to keep users on a page longer, signaling search engines that your content is valuable and relevant.

4. Versatile and Shareable Content: Video content is highly versatile and can be repurposed across various platforms and marketing channels. From product demonstrations and tutorials to behind-the-scenes glimpses and testimonials, videos cater to diverse audience preferences. Moreover, they are easily shareable, fostering organic reach and audience growth.

5. Increased Conversion Rates: Studies consistently show that incorporating video into marketing strategies leads to higher conversion rates. Whether it's showcasing product features, explaining services, or sharing customer testimonials, well-crafted videos have the potential to drive purchasing decisions and prompt action from viewers.

Incorporating video into your brand's marketing strategy isn't just a trend; it's a necessity to engage audiences effectively, tell compelling stories, boost visibility, and ultimately drive growth and conversions.

Borsheims Brand Video

Give a Little Thanks ✨

What does a written note or thank you have to do with PR or your personal brand?

So. Very. Much.

When I started in the PR journey at The Container Store many moons ago, the way we connected with editors was by literally reading the magazines and writing/typing/mailing physical, tailored letters to the editors to create a relationship.

Fast forward… it’s the same process just via email. And guess what, it’s powerful.

A few years ago, we landed Allegiance Flag Supply a front page business story in The New York Times on Christmas Day for a massive PR feature and we still celebrate. And that piece was a direct result of reading and writing an introduction note to an editor - now a friend. You can imagine our thank you note to her after the piece hit.

My middle daughter sat down and write the most beautiful, individual thank yous to some friends for her birthday gifts last month. I was so proud of her because to me - it’s a reflection of what is in your heart and taking the time to share that with others. This is just as powerful when building media, influencer and general brand relationships. To take the time to write the note.

The power of a glowing note makes a big impact at the start or as a relationship grows - and that is huge for your overall personal or business brand.

Let’s never lose this art!

5 Legal Tips Every Business Owner Should Know

Happy June, and happy end-of-the-school-year to all who celebrate! It’s a momentous June for my family because our eldest graduated from 8th grade at the end of May. It truly seems like yesterday that we were sending her to the first day of kindergarten. We had total faith that our independent (even then), kind and wise daughter would handle school beautifully. When it came to being school parents, on the other hand… well, we didn’t know what we didn’t know. Thankfully, through trial and error, by the time our other two children started school, we felt like pros!

It was a bit like that with my two businesses. When I launched Carolyn Sutton PR, I was confident that I could deliver unique expertise and results for my clients, but I knew I had a lot to learn about running a successful business. Fast forward 12 years to 2021 when I created Brand Your Brand, I was surprised at how much of the business side of things felt like second nature. 

One of the biggest game changers was knowing that I had a team of experts I could call on, including my legal advisor, Alli Elmunzer. As an attorney for entrepreneurs, Alli has been key to helping me set up my businesses, ensure my brands are protected and navigate all things legalese. Here, she shares her top 5 legal tips every entrepreneur should know when starting a business.

Give Your Business Its Own Legal Entity

One of the first things you should do when starting a business is set up an LLC or another sort of business entity (although LLC is usually best for small businesses) to protect yourself, your family, and your personal assets from any kind of liability. This includes opening a separate business bank account so that your personal bank accounts cannot be accessed if your business is ever sued. It’s an easy process, the business division on your Secretary of State’s website will have everything you need to know, including what licensing you might need.

Trademark Your Business Name

An LLC is a state entity, but you also need a federal entity, which is a trademark. Choosing a name for the business that you can trademark is of paramount importance. Alli suggests Googling the name and checking the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s website to see if anyone else has a similar name registered before you start setting up your social media and website. If you want to avoid a future cease and desist order later, consider having a trademark attorney do a search. For a great resource on trademark information, check out Alli’s blog.

Don’t Do Business Without a Contract

“You should 100 percent always have an agreement in place with any person you’re working with. Don’t do business without one of those in place!” Alli says. Your contract should lay out all the terms to ensure both parties are protected and on the same page as far as compensation, length of the agreement, deliverables, etc. You don’t necessarily need an attorney to create your contract. Alli even has some contract templates on her site that you can download and edit to suit your needs.

Engage an Attorney

Once your business is earning a significant amount of revenue or you’re working with a lot of vendors and contracts, it’s a good idea to have an attorney on retainer. But even when you’re just getting started, Alli recommends having legal counsel that you can turn to when issues come up.

Build a Personal Brand

Okay, so this one might not exactly fall within the legal realm but having worked with entrepreneurs for more than a decade, Alli knows what it takes for a business to succeed. “I always like to say “law is my profession, entrepreneurship is my passion,”  Alli writes in her blog. “This helps people learn more about me and my mission and get a feeling of the person behind the business. Having a well-established brand helps you stand out among your peers and colleagues, which is important to further establish authority in your field.”

If you’d like to work with us on building your personal brand, I’d love to hear from you!

Springing Your Brand into Q2

Welcome Spring! The sunshine and idyllic temperatures are still teasing us here in Omaha, but I love seeing the spring-spo our clients and friends in warmer regions are posting to their Instagram feeds. The wave of new possibilities starts with a tiny ripple sometime in February. By May, it has washed over everything, making the whole world look new again. I hope you’re going into the new season feeling proud of everything you’ve accomplished the first part of the year — and as excited as I am about this next season!

Why Spring is a Great Time to Refresh Your Brand

Maybe it’s because I’ve worked with so many companies that specialize in beautiful home products and design, but I like to think that building a brand for your business is a bit like creating a home for your family: 

• It is unique to you and your values.

• It tells the story of where you’ve been and where you’re going.

• It is a True North for you and your team: when in doubt, you should always be able to look at your brand to gauge if you’re on the right track.

Just like a well-run home, your brand benefits from a spring refresh to keep it updated and aligned with your current needs and overall mission. After months of post-holiday season austerity, audiences are primed to see something exciting and vibrant. A new campaign, new photo assets or video shoot, or service offering is an easy and effective way to cast open the windows on your brand and inspire your audience and the media to look at it anew. If you’d like to learn more, contact us about how we can help you achieve your Q2 goals.

5 Ways to Celebrate Spring

• Host a poolside happy hour with friends or colleagues.

• Write out Q1 triumphs and review Q2 strategy - and put calendar dates in place for mini goals.

• Freshen up your home or office. Something as simple as a luxurious throw for your sofa or desk chair or a timeless new indoor/outdoor rug can give a whole new look to your space.

• Sign up for a Masterclass and learn something new to implement into Q2 and Q3.

Make time to get outside. Even if I only have a few minutes, I always try to work a walk into my day, especially in springtime. If I’m really in a time crunch, I’ll pop in my headphones and multi-task with a podcast or catch up with friends via Voxer. Some that have highlighted CSPR/BYB and our clients recently include: The BrandWell Podcast and The Preppy Podcast.

I’ll be honest, as ready as I am for warm sunshine, Q1 was fantastic. We began the year with a whirlwind New York City press tour for our client, Red Land Cotton, resulting in 35 million media impressions across outlets including World News Tonight, Forbes, and Fox News. From there, we just kept up the momentum. We’ve already hosted three Masterclasses and participated in a roundup of industry leaders for The PR Bar. We have also onboarded some new clients, which we can’t wait to tell you more about in the coming months.

Last, but not least, we launched the newsletter you’re reading right now. Last week, I got together with my team for our first quarterly audit of our In the Spotlight analytics and we were overwhelmed by your support and response. Thank you! 

In the spirit of a spring refresh, we’ll be making a few small changes to our In the Spotlight format, but we’re thrilled about the content we have planned for the coming months. We would love to connect with more people, so if you know of anyone who might be interested in hearing more from us, please feel free to share this newsletter!

In the Spotlight is a bi-monthly newsletter about what we’re doing at Carolyn Sutton PR and Brand Your Brand, Co. the brands we love, and industry trends. You can find past issues here.

Celebrating Women-Led Brands

Happy Women’s History Month! Back in 2014, The Atlantic published an article entitled “Why Are There So Many Women In Public Relations?” It touched on many things: from the antiquated notion that women are just naturally better communicators to more modern themes like flexibility and remote working. But the takeaway that has always resonated with me is that since nearly 70 percent of PR jobs (up from about 63 percent from when the article was published) are held by women, we play a HUGE role in shaping the message people consume across all media.

It's not a responsibility we take lightly. In my career, I have been fortunate to work with so many inspiring women, from mentors and colleagues at The Container Store and The Richards Group to clients at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Michaels Arts and Crafts, Sub-Zero/Wolf, Dallas CASA, Disney Consumer Products, Charlie Banana, O-Venture, Borsheims (for whom we launched a campaign timed to Women’s History Month last year), JH Interior Design Studio and so many others. I am constantly in awe of the passion, commitment, experience, vision, and drive that these women bring to every project. It gives me great hope to be raising two strong and determined young women (and one strong women-supporting young man) in a world where they are shaping the messages. 

This issue of ‘In The Spotlight’ is dedicated to my women clients and partners and all the women leaders we admire.

Award-winning interior designer Tara Miller, founder of The Heartland Interior Design, has worked with major developers in multiple markets on mixed-use projects that serve thousands, but she has a special place in her heart — and will always make time for — small business owners. The iconic spaces she has designed for women entrepreneurs include Lulubee Artisanal Chocolates, Of The Earth Floral Design, Roots Collective Hair Salon and Wax Buffalo candle store in Lincoln, Neb., and Hardy Coffee Co., Sweet Magnolia Bakeshop, Julia Mason Art, and Valo Wellness Spa in Omaha. “Tara took my brand and brought it to life as a storefront,” her client, Gaylene Steinbach of Lulubee, said in a story we placed in The Omaha World Herald. “Her intention all along was not only to highlight our brand, but to let our product be the star of the show.” 

Through our PR efforts, we had the opportunity to make Tara the star of her own show. Last year, we generated 367M unique visitors per month in media outlet impressions — the equivalent of nearly $150,000 in advertising value — for The Heartland in print and online publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Domino, The Spruce, Hunker, The Everymom and more. Not only did these stories showcase how Tara’s versatility and experience as a designer enhance the spaces where women live, work and gather, but the publicity helped position her in the media as an interior design authority in the Midwest. If you’re interested in how we can help your brand attract a wider audience and media coverage for your expertise in your industry, let’s connect!

O-Venture: O-Venture founders Janie Cooke and Caroline Nix created the Big O®  Key Ring “where have you been all my life” must-have piece for busy women everywhere. The company, which employs eight women and sells its chic, useful accessories in women-owned boutiques across the country, has sold more than one million Big O key rings… because women have enough to juggle without worrying about their keys! 

The Southern C: The Southern Coterie, lovingly called The Southern C and founded by two media professionals in 2011, has grown into an event and networking organization that is more than 300-women strong. With a focus on affiliation, inspiration, leadership, and merrymaking, they have built a culture of women connecting with and learning from each other and celebrating one another. I was honored to speak at the 2020 Summit among PR industry women. 

JH Interior Design Studio and Bouquet: The founder of an award-winning interior design firm, a 3,000 square foot shoppable showroom and a luxury floral design studio, Julie Hockney has built a mini lifestyle empire that employs a large team of creative women who encourage each other to go the extra mile for their clients and themselves. She has launched yet another brand this year - The Winery, with the most delightful wine selection in town! 

Of Counsel PR: You might be surprised to see another public relations firm on my list, but I’m a huge admirer of the way my friend Jackie Thomson, founder of Of Counsel PR in Charleston, S.C., empowers her incredible women clients with her thoughtful, in-house approach to their PR strategy. Her team also creates the most elevated chic magical events - truly dreamy.
The Brimm: Sallie Holder, a former employment lawyer and COO for six different Fortune 500 companies, founded The Brimm to create more women millionaires — based on her belief that when women have the right resources, they are capable of changing the world. Last year, I invited Sallie to Omaha to lead an exclusive live revenue accelerator workshop where she shared her nine strategies for female entrepreneurs to take their businesses from six to seven figures.

I See, You See, We Win

Can you believe we’re already wrapping up February? When Julius Caesar came up with the Julian calendar, he clearly didn’t anticipate that we’d need an extra day (or three) every month. Next year, let’s stretch Feb. to the 29th. Done and dusted! Great!

While I’m at it, maybe it’s also time to take a stab at updating Caesar’s famous phrase, Veni, vidi, vici. I came, I saw, I conquered. If history has taught us anything, it’s that converting people to your message is less about conquest and more about connection. Video, vides, vincimus. I see, you see, we win. 

Visual storytelling is one of the most powerful tools brands have to engage with their audience… and it continues to gain more traction. In 2022, 87 percent of marketers said they got a great ROI on video content, and in the first two months of this year, that number has risen to 92 percent, according to Wyzowl’s annual video marketing survey. Given that number, it’s no wonder that 70 percent of marketers who don’t use video say they plan to start doing so this year, and 96 percent of current video users say they will maintain or increase their video budget in 2023.
Last year, I founded Brand Your Brand, Co. to serve businesses that want to make meaningful and lasting connections with their audience with video and photo assets that can be strategically leveraged across multiple platforms. If this sounds like you, let’s discuss.

Behind the Scenes of a Brand Your Brand, Co. Video Shoot

Brand Your Brand® was born because I kept hearing from my clients that they understood the value of photos and videos, but they didn't have the time or the resources to navigate all the details. Sourcing the location, finding talent, negotiating legal contracts, etc. can be overwhelming steps, but they are necessary to produce high-quality visual brand content. Content that stands out among the constant barrage of TikToks and Instagram reels that fill our social media feeds each day.

With more than 20 years of branding experience and relationships with industry professionals across the country, I knew that I was uniquely positioned to create a solution. In fact, at Carolyn Sutton PR, I had been doing it all along for local businesses, influencer partnershipsand special events.

I created BYB to do all the behind-the-scenes work, so that brand stories can really shine.

After an initial consultation to determine the client's video's look and feel, here's what you can expect BYB to do for you:

• Create the shot settings for a 2-hour video/photoshoot

• Find the best location and video/photo team for the job

• Work with our attorney to finalize secure contracts to give you the legal rights to all your content (this often goes missed in photo shoots!)

• Develop and communicate the shot list, script and any other needed materials

• Confirm and communicate schedules

• Edit photos/video

• Deliver the final product—picture-perfect and tailored to exceptional brand standards

Every time you work with Brand Your Brand, Co., you can expect 30-40 branded photos, as well as beautifully-produced coinciding video content that can be leveraged across all media and marketing channels to strengthen your relationship with loyal customers and make new audiences fall in love with your brand.

5 Reasons Video is Necessary in 2023

• According to a 2021 survey, 93 percent of businesses gain new customers as a result of branded content video.

• When used strategically, video is great for SEO.

• You can use video over and over, in a variety of different ways. For example, this videowe created to celebrate the collaboration of Simply Southern Cottage and Orian Rugscan be posted in its entirety on both companies' social media feeds and websites, and broken up into smaller segments for their Stories. The branded photos we took on the day of the shoot can also be used across all their print and digital marketing channels.

• Video allows you to be efficient with your time while sharing your story in a visually appealing and memorable format. Think of it as an elevated version of an elevator speech!

• As I recently told The PR Bar, increasingly, traditional media outlets rely on brands to contribute their own photos and videos to press coverage. For example, we were so proud when video footage we shot for our client, Red Land Cotton aired as part of a story we placed on ABC News and when our video footage of Borsheims landed on the Today show!

Join Our Next Masterclass | March 15, 2023

Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. CST

Cost: $300

Learn how the visual power of photo and video content instantaneously elevates the branding of your business, raises authority, and gains prospective customers — all while acting as a visual extension of your brand story. 

Plus, Video Coach Erin Kienzle will give strategic video tips for confidence, growth, and how to grow your presence on Instagram through video and reels.

'In the Spotlight' is a bi-weekly newsletter about what we're doing at Carolyn Sutton PR + Brand Your Brand, Co., the brands we love, and industry trends. 

Create a Story to Fall in Love With

Happy Valentine's Day! This has always been one of my favorite holidays — whether I'm with my vals, my gals or my pals — because what other day of the year is exclusively devoted to celebrating the connections we make with others? In the 20 years I've been in this industry, I've seen the ways in which people become lovestruck by the ways brands expand and evolve: from the old-fashioned courtship of traditional media; to the speed dating of scrolling and reels; to consistent follow-through; to the building of a lasting and meaningful relationship through a strategic combination of all of the above. When a great story is told in a compelling way, people can't help falling in love over and over again.

When the National College Athletic Association implemented its Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy, enabling college athletes to enter financial partnerships with brands, it set the stage for not one, but two (and counting) matches made in heaven between Borsheims, a nationwide luxury jewelry store based in Omaha, Neb., and elite women athletes. In 2021, University of Nebraska-Lincoln two-time All-American volleyball player Lexi Sun became Borsheims' first-ever NIL brand ambassador with The Lexi Sun Edit, Sun's handpicked line of simple, elegant gold pieces that complemented her busy life as a student-athlete with classic style.

CSPR partnered with Borsheims to launch this first-of-its-kind collaboration, resulting in 931 million media impressions across regional and national channels including The New York Times, the Today show, the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, The Omaha World Herald, and The Lincoln Journal-Star. The following year, Borsheims launched a line with Rachel Balkovec, the Omaha-born-and-raised manager of New York Yankees minor league team, the Tampa Tarpons (and the first woman ever hired as manager of an affiliated professional baseball team). For this campaign, which includes a line of bar necklaces featuring inspirational phrases for women and girls, and a charitable partnership with Omaha's Women's Center for Advancement, CSPR proudly generated 186 million media impressions, including those in targeted key jewelry industry publications JCK, IGI Gem Blogs, Instore Magazine, and Centurion Jewelry, while BYB produced a series of videos to celebrate the launch. As the mother of two young women athletes — and a lifelong fan of Borsheims — I have loved being able to shine a light on how this brand supports these young women.

I am honored to have recently to be interviewed by Victoria Marcouillier for the BrandWell Podcast about the evolution of influencer relations and the future of influencer marketing. We covered everything and anything, including the key question: “Is your brand ready to react to the potential influence an influencer could have on your business?” If the answer is yes, let's talk!

I know I'm incredibly fortunate to have never burned out or second guessed whether branding and public relations is the right niche for me. What keeps the romance alive? It's a combination of loving what I do and working with the best people: both my team and our clients, who are constantly showing us how much they value what we do. Here are a few of the lovely things we've heard lately:

• “Awesome! I'm continuing to see affiliate transactions come in from this hit!” –Anna Brakefield of Red Land Cotton about a brand mention we secured in Garden & Gun magazine.

• “Carolyn, Kelly and Stacie were PHENOMENAL! I've worked with plenty of media professionals, and this was by far the best experience I've had. They were SO efficient, they did all the leg work for me and had incredible attention to detail during the shoot!!!” – Tampa Tarpons manager Rachel Balkovec on the shoot BYB produced for her Borsheims brand ambassador partnership.

• “These are beautiful assets - I am especially drawn to the ones of Rachel sitting on the red bleachers and the b-roll of her walking through the hotel…so powerful. I'm just so in love with all of it!” – Jaci Stuifbergen, Borsheims marketing manager, on the Rachel Balkovec partnership photo and video shoot produced by BYB.

• “Our team absolutely loved every minute of the training. Thanks so much for customizing it to them, and for so thoughtfully answering all our questions. I've passed all this info along to them and I know the recording may be revisited often.” – Jennifer Jenkins, president of JJ PR Agency on a CSPR pitch training masterclass.

• “This is awesome. Thank you so much, Carolyn. They put myself and MindHandle in a great light. Can't wait to share this with our network and get some eyes on the agency. I can't believe they got seven pages out of that :30 interview! Appreciate you guys lining this up.” – Eric Harris, CEO of MindHandle on an eight-page feature about MindHandle feature story in Texas CEO magazine.

Let's talk about how we can help your brand create a story your audience will fall in love with this year.

The Luxury of Staying In and Getting Things Done

I know a lot of people think of January and February as months to be stoically endured before things really start hopping again in the springtime. But I must admit, I’ve come to value these quieter winter months as a time to stay in my office and get my work done. I love having dedicated time for fine-tuning the strategies we’ve developed for our clients and doing deep dives into industry trends before spring campaigns launch, the whirlwind of travel, conferences and summits begin, and my children’s warm weather activities kick into high gear (making the whole idea of work-life balance feel more like fire juggling on a tightrope). I start every year beside myself with excitement for the flurry of activity that the coming months promise, and I’m so grateful to have this time to ensure that I’m ready for all of it!

Client Spotlight: Red Land Cotton

I can think of few companies who make the idea of staying in more inviting than our client, Red Land Cotton. Founded by Mark Yeager, a premier cotton producer whose family has owned the land he farms for three generations, and his daughter, Anna Brakefield, a business leader who has a background in design and marketing, the company began in 2016 by creating heirloom-quality bed sheets inspired by one that had been passed down from the 1920s. 

In recent years, Red Land Cotton has expanded into making exquisite duvets, quilts, blankets, baby bedding, towels, robes, lounge wear and gifts: all 100% American made from Alabama cotton ginned entirely by the Yeager family and spun and sewn in American factories that pay their workers fair wages.

Red Land Cotton’s success proves that we all want to feel good about what we buy for the places where we spend our most meaningful moments, which is why we are thrilled to share the fantastic media attention and publicity we’ve generated for the brand. In the first few weeks of 2023 alone, Red Land has been prominently featured in Forbes, on Fox News, and in Victoria Magazine. Since we started working with them in 2019, stories about Red Land Cotton have received more than 3 million media impressions, including from outlets like ABC World News Tonight, Southern Living, Luxe Digital, and many others. We’ve also partnered with them on photo and video shoots, including one of our very first official Brand Your Brand video shoots at the French Valley Vineyard in Cedar, Michigan. Regardless of whether they’re showcased in print, online or on television, the unparalleled quality and beauty of Red Land Cotton’s collections always shine through each media feature.

CSPR/BYB In the News

I loved contributing my expertise on why building and maintaining great media relationships and cultivating a library of short-form video assets are essential to an effective public relations strategy for The PR Bar’s roundup 9 PR Trends You Should Keep an Eye On in 2023. The article includes invaluable insight from many of the top women leaders in PR right now, so it’s definitely one to read and bookmark!

5 Easy Ways to Love Your Winter Workday

1. Fill Your Cup: Whether it’s a morning meditation or an 11 a.m. matcha to power through until lunchtime, rituals spark joy in any routine. I have a favorite coffee mug that I only use when I’m at my desk: it makes my morning coffee feel like an indulgence that I miss on mornings when I’m not in the office.

2. Get Wrapped Up in Your Work: You’re not imagining it. Research shows that women tend to work better when we’re not freezing cold. That’s why I love my All-American Throw Blanket from Red Land Cotton. It keeps me warm, while being lightweight enough that I can comfortably work.

3. Go Green: Studies also show that having plants in the workspace can boost productivity, lower stress and improve job satisfaction. I’m not sure if cut flowers were included in the research, but I can report anecdotally that having hydrangeas on my desk always makes my day better.

4. Take Breaks: It can be tempting when we’re in the zone to want to keep working, but taking small breaks throughout the day to take a walk outside, or prepare and eat a (screen-free) healthy lunch actually promotes sharper focus and helps avoid burnout.

5. Exercise a Different Part of Your Brain: I’m a huge fan of time-blocking to keep my schedule streamlined, but sometimes it also helps to switch things up a bit. For example, after hours of typing, sometimes I turn my attention to mailing press kits (each with a handwritten note) or listening to a podcast interview.

Social Media Masterclass: Back By Demand 

We love hosting our Masterclasses as a way to engage and educate other business owners and industry experts. Which is why we are excited to launch our Social Media Masterclass: Build Your Brand Through Instagram again! This Masterclass is Monday, February 13, 12-2 p.m. CST and is an amazing way to launch your Instagram account or reenergize your social media skills to ensure they’re  impacting your business in a positive way.  

I hope you’re having a happy and productive month. To learn more about some of the things we’re working on, please follow Carolyn Sutton PR and Brand Your Brand on Instagram.  

Hello January! New Year, New Goals

Happy New Year!

Isn’t it amazing how those three little words can hold so much excitement, expectation and promise? After a tremendous ’22 and a joyful holiday season with my family, I feel inspired and invigorated to set new goals, rise to new challenges and collaborate in new ways in order to make 2023 the best year yet — I wish the same for you!

Celebrating Past Successes and Looking Forward to Big Things Ahead

Media Coverage in 2022

It says so much about our clients and the visionary talent and professionals we work with all over the country that — even after 20 years in the industry — I can still say that every year gives me new reasons to love what I do. This year, we generated more than 4 million impressions for our clients across print, television and digital media, including lifestyle magazines like Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, Garden & Gun, and Domino; industry publications like Texas CEO and JCK; and national news outlets like ABC News, as well as local market affiliates. 

It says so much about our clients and the visionary talent and professionals we work with all over the country that — even after 20 years in the industry — I can still say that every year gives me new reasons to love what I do. This year, we generated more than 4 million impressions for our clients across print, television and digital media, including lifestyle magazines like Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, Garden & Gun, and Domino; industry publications like Texas CEO and JCK; and national news outlets like ABC News, as well as local market affiliates. 

We traveled to Dallas and Round Top, Texas for The Southern C conference to connect and engage with other women entrepreneurs, and hosted 10 events, including five Masterclasses, informative Instagram Lives, and an exclusive live revenue accelerator workshop with Sallie Holder, founder of The Brimm, an invaluable business coaching resource for women entrepreneurs. Just as the year was winding down, we were honored to be recognized by PRSA Nebraska with an Award of Excellence for marketing consumer products for our work with Red Land Cotton and an Award of Merit for influencer marketing for our campaign promoting the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) partnership of Borsheims and University of Nebraska volleyball player, Lexi Sun. 

Within the CSPR family, the biggest achievement of the year was the launch of our sister company, Brand Your Brand (BYB), a full-service content creation firm that produces video and photo shoots that engage audiences across all media. Statistics show that 84 percent of people are convinced to buy a product or service after watching the brand’s video. At BYB, we take care of every detail: from hiring talent and securing locations, to developing shot lists, to executing legal contracts, to shooting, editing and delivering beautifully curated, on-brand visual assets that you can use again and again.

BYB has already had the great pleasure of producing videos for clients including Red Land Cotton and brand partnerships between Simply Southern Cottage and Orian Rugs and Borsheims and The Cottonwood Hotel, and we’re so excited about the projects the future has in store. Follow along on Instagram or contact me about how we can help you Brand Your Brand.

Carolyn Sutton PR team

My 5 Tools for Making New Year’s Resolutions Stick

I actually don’t really love the idea of New Year’s Resolutions — but I do love New Year’s Goals. This time last year, I had a pretty ambitious goal: the successful launch of Brand Your Brand. I also had some proven strategies in place that made me confident that I could achieve it, including never losing sight of why I set this goal in the first place: because I recognized my clients’ need for more video and photography content and I knew I had the best relationships and resources to fill that need. Here are some of the other ways I was able to stay on the right track throughout the year:

Set SMART Goals: SMART Goals have been around forever for a very good reason: they work. A big goal, like launching Brand Your Brand, is made up of thousands of little goals: from drafting a business plan, to developing brand guidelines, to creating a website and social media platforms, to marketing to potential clients. Throughout the year, I broke all these tasks down into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound goals that I needed to accomplish daily, weekly and monthly.

Write Down and Share Goals: Studies show that we are 42 percent more likely to achieve a goal if we write it down. I write my big goal down, as well as all my monthly, weekly and daily goals and I check in on my progress all the time. I also share them with someone who can help me stay accountable, whether that’s someone on my team who’s helping me achieve them, my husband, who’s my biggest cheerleader, or a trusted mentor or business coach.

Eliminate Friction: Once I’ve scheduled a time to achieve a certain goal, I work backwards to ensure I have everything I need to get the job done in the allotted time. For example, instead of just putting “Location Call” on my calendar, I include everyone’s contact details, a formal or informal agenda with relevant links and deliverables, and anything else I think I may need to ensure a smooth and efficient call that requires as little circling back as possible.

Set Up Systems to Avoid Distractions: I’m a big fan of time blocking – I try to schedule all my calls on one day, outside appointments on another, and deep dives into work that requires my undivided attention on another. I also always try to set my phone to Do Not Disturb during working hours so I only check it once an hour. (I do allow notifications from clients that have something going on that day that may require an immediate response, my children’s school, and any other urgents.)

Assemble Favorite Resources: I always try to keep track of the books and podcasts that give me that extra burst of inspiration when I need it most. Over the holidays, I listened to this audiobook in its entirety…twice! I know I will return to it many times throughout the year. I also always find Atomic Habits and anything by Adam Grant really helpful and I love bookmarking podcasts, like Make Me Known, the Preppy Podcast and How I Built This, that highlight entrepreneurs I admire.

Public Relations Masterclass | 2023

2020 Social Media Masterclass Recap

On a snowy day in January… we hosted our second Masterclass with more than 15 different local Omaha companies joining to learn more about how to expand their social media presence!

Our three hour Masterclass covered all social media topics including: the state of social media, building your audience, how do you hashtag, social media tools, the state of social media, insider advice from social media influencers and clients, social media tools, content creation and weekly action plans. Boom!

Thank you to our amazing event space host House of R and our fabulous goodie bag sponsors including our main goodie bag sponsor Gramercy + Garment District - our favorite place to shop in Omaha! Other fabulous goodie bag sponsors include: Fun Services, CKF Omaha, Dapper Dwelling, and The Studio by jh. And a big thank you to Brooke Wegner of Blushing Momma for giving her tips and tricks and our Content + Social Strategist, Alli Elmunzer for our Instagram Audits for each brand!

Hostess with the Mostess: Carolyn Sutton

There is nothing quite like an intimate group of women coming together—to connect, to share, and to inspire. It’s amazing what happens when you put us in the same space (perhaps with a glass of wine in hand) with a bit of time to dream.

Our BURU x UPPAbaby dinner series, sprinkled across 6 cities, was nothing short of pure magic. We are so grateful to our hostesses and of course, none of these dreamy evenings would have been possible without our amazing partner, UPPAbaby. 

Each hostess brought a unique sparkle and magic to her dinner, and what better way to celebrate that than sharing it with all of you? Let's meet our hostesses!

BURU x Uppa Baby Photo by Stacie Kinney Photography

Meet Carolyn Sutton: With more than 16 years of public relations experience with nationally-recognized lifestyle brands and publications, Carolyn has built her business on relationships that reach across the country – and across all media and social platforms – to help her clients make meaningful connections. In 2009, Carolyn experienced the joy of motherhood, which motivated her to start her own Public Relations firm––624 Public Relations. Seven years later, Carolyn refocused her energy and vision to a new brand––Carolyn Sutton PR.

Carolyn knows the audience that her clients aim to reach, because she is that woman. As an entrepreneur with a busy travel schedule and three school-aged children who are already following in her go-getting footsteps, Carolyn understands firsthand what it’s like to juggle the joys and demands of a purpose-driven life – backward and in heels.

BURU: What was your favorite moment from the dinner?

Carolyn: Our BURU dinner was in a gorgeous setting on my outdoor deck. Two hours before the guests were set to arrive, a torrential downpour and hail storm began to ruin the entire set up! Thankfully the House of R team was ready to react and between their team, myself, and calling a favor in from my mom, we covered the tables, pulled everything inside and saved the space. All in raincoats and with tarps and blankets! Thankfully, it was a short storm and once the skies cleared, we put the space back together and by the time the guests arrived, you never would have known a hail storm had arrived. Cheers to being able to roll with the punches (and ice pellets)!

B: Do you have a favorite UPPAbaby product? 

C: Although we are out of the stroller stage, I have a 4-week old nephew and my best friend also just had a baby boy! So, I cannot wait to buzz around with my sweet littles with the G-Lite stroller––lightweight, sleek and perfect for an auntie. 

B: What did you love most about being a hostess for our dinner series?

C: There is nothing I love more than welcoming guests into our home, creating a beautiful setting and the art of conversation and laughter. I love to entertain and will host anything from a casual night outside to an elegant dinner party to a giant Christmas bash. I love to have a special cocktail or a memorable part of the evening. For a large Christmas party a few years ago, we turned my office into a Champagne Room with a private bartender and a glass of champagne for every guest. It helped with the traffic flow in our home and gave an element of glamour and surprise for our guests. I know the party has been a success if I still have guests past midnight.

B: What's your go-to hostess trick? 

C: Hire a bartender. They are so incredibly helpful, take care of many details like slicing citrus fruit and keeping the ice bucket(s) full. It allows you to entertain, relax more and enjoy your guests. Bartenders will typically also help with clean up throughout the evening, which is a bonus. No one will ever be without a fresh drink or water in hand!

B: And finally, what are your top 5 BURU picks right now? 

C: Right now, these are my top five items: the Drawstring Henley Blouse - Floral, the Paradise Puff Sleeve Top in ivory, these Ankle Strap Heels, the Willodean Wrap Dress in red, and the Tie Front Swimsuit in pink.