INFLUENCER EVENT: AROMA CANDLE STUDIO
Did you know that over two-thirds of North American retailers are utilizing social media influencers in their marketing strategy? Obviously, influencers are a huge asset to large companies who have a budget for celebrity endorsements, but small businesses can use local influencers just as effectively!
This month, I worked with Aroma Candle Studio (one of downtown Bel Air’s newest additions) to host a a local Influencer Event. The goal was to invite 10-15 local women who have a strong online following to come visit the studio, create a custom fragrance, meet women that they follow online in-person, and provide valuable content for their brands.
Events like this one are common in the city, but we rarely see them in Harford and Baltimore County. I’m so excited to not only show you how we organized and created this event so that you can do it yourself, but also introduce you to all of the incredible women who made it possible! Be sure to follow each of these ladies and businesses on Instagram!
First things first, you have to meet the Aroma Candle Studio team. You guys already know I’m a huge supporter of small business and downtown Bel Air especially, so having them be one of the newest additions to the Main Street family is such a treat! I’m telling you, this is unlike anything in Harford County. You spend time shopping over 100 scents and combine your favorites to create a custom candle. I’ve personally made about a dozen candles there already since they’ve been open and I’m still looking forward to going back again. My son’s idea of a perfect date for us is making a candle at Aroma and then getting cream of crab soup at Buontempo’s across the street. The studio is owned by Marc and Wendy Mills, who bring every bit of hospitality and charm that you would expect from a couple who spent so much time in Texas. They’re already growing roots in Bel Air and working on ways to help build up the downtown area. Keep an eye on their social media and website for lots of info on upcoming events this year! We have some fun things coming your way!
Like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram!
We were so excited to have local photographer Heather O’Steen attend and photograph the event. Ya’ll, this woman is the TRUTH. Her photos are absolutely stunning, she is sweet as pie, and she got these photos to us THE SAME DAY. Unheard of. From a marketing perspective, her photos could not have turned out better. Each one is an awesome reflection of the amazing space we were in and the incredible connections that the women who attended have. Someone looking at these photos thinks to themselves, “That looks like so much fun! I want to go!”, which is exactly what you want your social media followers to think! If you own a small business or are growing a brand, I cannot stress the importance of professional photography enough. Obviously, you can’t afford it all the time, but work it into your budget annually or quarterly. Maybe even partner with a local photographer to have monthly mini-shoots that are discounted. If your brand needs to be turned up a notch, photography is the first place to start. Heather, thank you SO much for your fabulous eye and for making us all feel relaxed and beautiful. You are certainly one of Harford County’s finest!
Like her Facebook page and follow her on Instagram!
You should all know me well enough by now to know I gotta have a little something to drink at the events I plan. Lucky for me, my favorite local brewery is just a few doors down from Aroma! Not only did Independent Brewing Company provide a few different types of beer for us, but we were also blessed with the presence of two local favorites, Shelby Stange and Beth Rhudy (more about them below)! The only thing I love more than women supporting women and local businesses supporting local business is Independent beer, so needless to say I was a happy girl. They were kind enough to donate cans of their Blonde Ale, Bad Hombre IPA, and Hard Times Raspberry Lemonade Sour. #yum
Like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram!
Another local company offering their support at the Influencer Event was Sean Bolan’s Irish Pub. Conveniently located right next door to Aroma Candle Studio, Bolan’s offers discounts to Aroma customers who want to grab something to eat while they wait the 90 minutes for their candles to set. Business supporting business- my heart is full, ya’ll! They brought over a few dishes full of crab dip and I’m not ashamed to say that I snuck back there to shove my face several times while the girls weren’t looking. So. Freakin. Good.
Like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram!
And for the starting lineup….
(listed in alphabetical order according to their Instagram handles)
Amanda Moatz
Project Your Best
Amanda is doing the Lord’s work and helping mom’s with busy lifestyles (so….all moms…) look and feel their best without breaking the bank. Think StitchFix for those of us that are on a budget and care about the environment. Her style is to die for (the jacket she wore to the event had dragonfly hardware all over it and was S’CUTE) and her personality is even better. This momma and boss babe is all about girl power and lifting others up. Give her a follow for style inspo on a budget!
Doree Martin
Designs By Doree
Doree is an example of a local boss babe who is really using Instagram to grow her business. Her company creates custom apparel and printing options for businesses and individuals and she is a dream to work with. Personally, I’ve used her for several things, including matching Bride Tribe sweats for my sister’s bridal party. Professionally, she’s all over Bel Air and has created branded apparel and vinyl decor for many of your local favs. Check out examples of her work in Aroma next time you visit! She can brand just about anything, so if you’re looking for ways to brand your business, Doree is your girl. For this event, Doree helped us create shirts that matched perfectly with the event invitation we sent out for each of the girls to take home!
Shelby Stange and Beth Rhudy
Independent Brewing Company
@ibco.shelbs and @independent_brewing_co
I already sang Independent’s praises, but Shelby and Beth need a special shoutout. If you don’t already know them (and if you’re in Bel Air it’s nearly impossible not to), Beth is the owner of IBC and Shelby is their bartender extraordinaire. They’re an incredible tag team and so much fun to be around. Like I said earlier, the IBC team is all about promoting Bel Air business and lifting others up. We are so lucky to have people like this in our community!
Beth Cunningham Pocalyko
John’s Men’s Clothing
Beth and her mother, Maureen, have been running a men’s clothing boutique on Main Street since April 2019 and I’m so excited to see how much it has grown in such a short time. Just like Independent Brewing Company, John’s works hard to support other downtown businesses so that they can all lift each other up. There’s nothing else like them in the area, so they bring a little something special to Main Street. Beth has the most gentle spirit and is loved by everyone she meets. Be sure to check out the shop if you haven’t yet- they have some awesome brands that dad/hubby/kids will love!
Julia Chang
US Taekwondo Academy
Julia and her husband, CJ, are the owners of a taekwondo studio on Main Street, US Taekwondo Academy. My son was a student of their for years and as a mom I gotta tell ya, it was a game changer behaviorally. My kid is an angel, but the level of discipline and obedience this kind of training instills in a child’s mind is impressive to watch. Julia herself is not only a straight up bombshell, but she’s got brains too. Oh, and she can kick ya butt. Follow her on Insta for taekwondo-based workouts, healthy eating options, and mom life, all sprinkled with her signature humor.
Krista Demcher
Krista is just fabulous. She’s a mom, Stella & Dot rep and team leader, and all-around optimist. I love following her for her fab fashion finds and her big smile, but my favorite thing about her brand is her constant encouragement. This girl will have you feeling like the best version of yourself after one conversation. She gets along with everyone - you can tell just by scrolling through her IG feed. Before she left the Influencer Event, she went out of her way to thank me for organizing it and to tell me that she really loved my energy and the way I bring everyone together. I drove home thinking about how good that made me feel. Follow her for all the good vibes and watch as she steps out into a new business venture!