If time flies when you’re having fun, I cannot deny that I’m having the time of my life. Cecilia Russo Marketing was born in 2008 on a wing and a prayer. With only a handshake, I left behind a stable full-time job to take on the publicity and event planning for Tour de Georgia, a U.S. professional cycling race across the State. It was a three-month assignment that paid $5,000.
I remember telling my parents my monthly mortgage and car payments, just in case things didn’t work out. But, thankfully, they did! I was steadfast in my determination and fervent in my prayers. The connections and relationships I made along the way led to more and more work. It soon dawned on me: I had my own business.
It was the textbook learn-as-you-go scenario, and I am proud to say that I built my business client by client with grit and determination. Cecilia Russo Marketing works with countless businesses and organizations in Savannah and the Southeast to provide strategic communications, marketing, fundraising, and public relations counsel to business executives and personnel across large corporate, private, and nonprofit sectors.
At times, it felt like falling in slow motion; at others, it was a whirlwind of activity that never seemed to end. Before I knew it, it was late 2022, and the company’s 15th anniversary was looming.
How could fifteen years have flown by so quickly? As I gazed into the rearview mirror of my career, I chuckled at the wide-eyed, hopeful, and slightly clueless version of myself. I also thought about some of my silly mistakes and how the economics of owning my own business made it scarier than it had to be.
A little self-reflection sparked a brilliant idea: let’s turn our anniversary into a celebration of entrepreneurship and a time machine to help my younger self! Inspired by “The Little Red Backpack Fund” offered by Spanx and The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, I decided to forego the big anniversary party and offer three $5,000 cash grants for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Georgia. Sara Blakely’s example proved how a single thriving enterprise can positively impact a community.
The individual grant amount honors the first payment I received when I started my business, while the total reflects my 15 years in the industry. This connection made our anniversary celebration even more meaningful. The focus would remain on the Georgia entrepreneurial community and the hardworking small business owners who continue to inspire me.
We immediately got to work doing what we do best: strategic planning, aggressive publicity, and community engagement. We secured Governor Brian Kemp’s endorsement and leveraged media outreach to maximize visibility. The story graced the front page of the Savannah Morning News and was featured in state, regional, and local business publications. Additionally, colleges and universities disseminated information across their campuses. Our robust social media campaign further amplified our exciting message.
The grant application was launched in April 2023, with a deadline of October. A summer-long media blitz followed, generating significant buzz about our Savannah-based marketing firm nationwide. While we anticipated around 300 applications, the response was overwhelming. By the October 2023 deadline, we had received over 630 applications.
Reading these applications and stories filled me with a sense of nostalgia, transporting me back to the early days of my business. The desire for control, the risk of a startup, and the fear of failure were all too familiar. Their boundless hope and optimism reminded me of my own youthful aspirations.
Despite years of making difficult business decisions, selecting the three winning applications proved to be one of the most challenging tasks of my career. After careful deliberation and facing a tight deadline, I chose three deserving entrepreneurs.
Carmella Alexander is the woman behind C.A Publishing, an innovative publishing company in Lawrenceville, Ga., that aims to provide inclusion for the special needs community. The “Fearless the Amazing Boy with Special Abilities” books, along with the plush dolls, coloring book, comics and more, were inspired by Carmella’s son, Amir, who was born with a rare epilepsy disorder. I could relate to Carmella and Amir’s story, as I had suffered seizures when I was a little girl. Carmella’s efforts to make Amir’s life as inclusive as possible inspired me, as did her creativity. The Fearless character that was once just Amir’s dreamtime escape to fly like Superman after daily difficulties could be shared with so many others. Instead of dwelling on the challenges, Carmella chose resolve and empowerment.
To help give her child a life like any other, she started a publishing company to create books that cater to the unique needs and interests of children with disabilities. The “Fearless” doll, based on the story character, is made for children with limited mobility. The complementary products, including tote bags, tumblers and t-shirts, promote inclusivity and foster a sense of belonging among individuals with special needs.
Carmella is using the grant award monies to fund the production of new plush dolls adapted with a switch device. This allows children with limited mobility even more opportunities to bring Fearless’s stories to life and participate actively in imaginative play.
Maggie Lilly, a busy bee entrepreneur who founded Party of Hive Granola, was the recipient of our second grant. Her straightforward business plan, combined with her passion for creating healthy snacks, impressed us. Her goals were as straightforward as her granola’s ingredient list. Maggie is a wife and mother of three children. Her family is always on the go and as a health-conscious mom, she would whip up homemade granola as an anytime snack.
After much cajoling from friends who couldn’t get enough of her delicious treats, she stirred in her three favorite things — family, food, and her hometown of Savannah — and her business was born. The five Party of Hive varieties are made from local Georgia honey, certified gluten-free oats, pure extracts, and superfoods like hemp and pumpkin seeds.
Maggie’s determination to share her homemade recipe with the world embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. As a busy wife and mother of three, she juggles countless responsibilities. Yet, her passion for creating delicious and nutritious granola has driven her to launch her own business. It’s inspiring to witness this kind of drive and dedication. Small business owners like Maggie are the backbone of our nation’s economy.
Our third Cecilia Russo Marketing Entrepreneur Grant was awarded to the visionary musician and educator, Rickey Brown III, owner of RBIII Academy. Raised by a single mother, Rickey found solace and inspiration in music. Despite graduating from Howard University, a prestigious HBCU in Washington, D.C., during the height of COVID-19, a time when live music venues were shuttered, Rickey’s entrepreneurial spirit prevailed. He moved to Atlanta to perform and teach music. Like my story, that temporary gig turned into something more. He found his passion for teaching and started RBIII Academy.
Rickey focuses on serving at-risk, underserved communities, providing access to music education that might otherwise be out of reach. He understands the transformative power of music, both personally and academically. By providing one-on-one lessons in guitar, voice, bass, and other instruments, he empowers students to express themselves and develop essential life skills. The power of music to inspire and transform lives is undeniable. I’ve seen this firsthand with the Savannah Children’s Choir, and I’m excited to see how Rickey will harness this power to benefit his students.
The Cecilia Russo Marketing grant has allowed Rickey to purchase new instruments and technology, and to establish a subsidized program for students in need. This support has enabled him to provide scholarships to four deserving students, ensuring that music education remains accessible to all. By nurturing young talent and fostering a vibrant music community, Rickey is making a lasting impact.
These three remarkable entrepreneurs demonstrate the unyielding spirit and adaptability needed to build a thriving business. Their compelling applications stood out among the many we received, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements. To celebrate their success and inspire future entrepreneurs, we timed the announcement with National Entrepreneurship Month. Building on the momentum of Governor Kemp’s previous endorsement, we secured another opportunity to highlight these deserving businesses through a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity.
It was an exhilarating day at the Georgia State Capitol. Governor Kemp, a steadfast advocate for small businesses, and First Lady Marty Kemp warmly welcomed me, my Managing Partner Cynthia Cradduck, and our three grant winners: Carmella Alexander, Maggie Lilly, and Rickey Brown III. It was great to recognize the achievements of these talented entrepreneurs and also to shine a spotlight on Georgia’s thriving small business community.
I am committed to providing business counsel and mentorship to not only our three winners but also the fifteen finalists. As seasoned entrepreneurs, we understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. There is so much to learn when starting a business, and I look forward to being a resource for these extraordinary business owners.
I’ve always believed in recognizing good fortune and paying it forward whenever you can. Building a successful business over 15 years requires unwavering dedication and relentless effort. As I’ve learned, there’s no substitute for hard work.
Hard work is essential, but a bit of luck never hurts. I’ve been fortunate to experience both. By recognizing the tireless efforts of these three entrepreneurs, I hope to provide them with a boost of luck to help them on their way. But, most of all, I hope our anniversary celebration inspires others to take risks, start a business, and realize their dreams.
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