Meet Stacey Marie | Professional Connector/Radio Show Host/ Radio Station Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacey Marie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacey, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in California. I grew up in a Christian household where we were taught to serve others and meet their needs. In my upcoming book “Can We Connect?! The Ultimate Guide to Being an Effective Connector”, I discuss how I learned a lot by watching my dad engage with people. He was a great listener and encourager – every time he talked to someone, he left them feeling good about themselves and with a smile on their face. He truly had a knack for making people’s days.

Growing up, I also volunteered a lot at my church, which helped further equip me with the skills to connect with and support others. However, I personally struggled with learning disabilities and had a hard time in school. As a result, I felt different from my peers and it took a toll on my relationships and self-confidence.

Dealing with my own challenges growing up, as well as observing how my dad interacted with people, taught me a lot about human nature and the brokenness we all carry. I learned that we all have our own backgrounds, pasts, and struggles that shape who we are. This has really influenced my approach to working with difficult people in my career.
Today, I am blessed to have found my true purpose – promoting businesses and helping them grow. I find it quite humorous that the very skills I had to work so hard to develop as a child are now the ones I use daily in my work. It’s as if my life experiences have perfectly prepared me for this path. I’m grateful to be able to take the tools I struggled with and use them to make a positive impact.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
‘ve donned many hats over the years – media consultant, publicist, product launch strategist – but now I’ve come full circle, returning to host my business talk radio show and own a radio station. My focus is clear: Spotlight business owners, showcase their products and services, and create valuable advertising opportunities.

My background encompasses hosting, consulting, public relations, and product launching. This comprehensive understanding allows me to approach business needs from multiple angles, ensuring I deliver tailored solutions. As both a host and station owner, I possess an intimate knowledge of content creation and the business side of media. This dual perspective helps me craft engaging content while managing the operational demands of a successful radio station.

While many media outlets cater to large corporations, I have carved out a niche that amplifies the voices of small business owners. I believe in the power of local businesses and strive to elevate their stories. I’ve developed a suite of services that offer significant exposure at price points accessible to small businesses. My goal is to help them gain visibility without breaking the bank.

I take a hands-on approach, ensuring that each business receives personalized attention and strategies tailored to their unique needs. This commitment fosters strong relationships and drives results. By leveraging live radio, archived shows, and digital platforms, I provide a multi-pronged approach to visibility that surpasses single-platform services. This strategy ensures maximum exposure and engagement for my clients.

As the media landscape evolves, small businesses often struggle to gain visibility. Many lack the resources for advertising on major outlets and are still grappling with the impacts of COVID-19. My radio station aims to bridge this gap by offering several services to enhance visibility for small businesses:

1. Featured appearances on my business talk radio show, which allow business owners to share their stories and expertise with a wider audience

2. Professionally produced ad commercials that play in rotation, both live and archived across multiple platforms

3. Rotating banner ads on our media player to increase digital visibility

At my radio station, our mission is clear: Provide affordable, effective media solutions for small businesses seeking to expand their reach and share their stories. As we move forward in this ever-changing media landscape, I remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs and showcasing the vibrant tapestry of small businesses that drive our economy. Together, we can create powerful narratives and foster a community that thrives on collaboration and innovation.

Unlike traditional radio stations that simply sell advertising packages, I take a fundamentally unique approach to media partnerships. My position as a media insider allows me to offer something truly valuable: Insider knowledge and personalized guidance in building genuine media relationships.

While competitors focus on selling airtime, I prioritize teaching business people how to build lasting relationships with media outlets as well. My tips and coaching empower you to become your own media expert, rather than remaining dependent upon hiring a publicist and a public relations company. Receiving an insider scoop can lead to actionable strategies for your business. As the media landscape keeps changing, entrepreneurs will have knowledge of what works and what does not.

What truly energizes my mission is the opportunity to help small businesses thrive through smart media relationships. Every new business I meet represents a chance to unlock their unique story and potential as a guest on my show. Talking about your business can open more opportunities to meet other business owners and build meaningful relationships within your community and elsewhere. It is incredibly productive to make connections beyond the day-to-day of running your business. I want to transform your approach to gaining visibility within the media. I have built a sustainable platform with marketing strategies specifically designed and priced to help business owners.

I believe every small business deserves the opportunity to shine in their local market and beyond, regardless of their marketing budget. By combining educational resources, personalized coaching, and affordable packages, I’ve created a new model for media success that puts small business owners first.

If it weren’t for the lessons I learned when I was just starting out in this industry, I wouldn’t be back doing what I love. Every business decision I make is based on a lot of thoughtfulness and intention. From the very beginning, I knew I didn’t want to follow the crowd—I wanted to carve out my own unique path. I’ve always believed that each competitor in the industry brings something special to the table, something that others may not offer, and that’s what sets us apart in a positive way.

When I decided to re-enter the industry, I knew I would have to pivot and adapt, keeping an eye on trends and selectively choosing the ones that fit my vision. Sometimes, I develop new trends that feel authentic to my brand. One of my new trends is providing tips to business owners on how to build relationships with their local media. That includes teaching them how to write a press release. Creativity thrives when we step outside of the age-old norms. While it’s not always easy, and the unknown can be both thrilling and intimidating, I’ve learned to embrace it. There’s a constant excitement in trying new things, especially when it’s something my competitors aren’t doing.

In the beginning, fear of failure held me back, but I’ve learned to push through that fear. I’ve come to realize that if something doesn’t work, there’s always a plan B, and that’s okay. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to drown out the distractions—the noise from others who may not understand my vision or level of risk-taking. Early on, I allowed outside opinions to cloud my judgment, and I found that those who discourage risk in others are often the ones not taking any in their own lives.

It’s so easy to lose sight of your goals when you’re pulled in different directions, but focusing on what you truly want to achieve is essential. You have to have faith in yourself and your vision, even when things seem uncertain. Confidence and focus are crucial for any business owner. Staying true to your objectives is the key to turning your vision into reality.

Every business deserves its moment to shine, and that’s where my passion lies. As a dedicated business development and media professional, I’ve made it my mission to help businesses of all sizes find their voice and expand their reach. Whether you’re a small business owner seeking more exposure or an established brand looking for event coverage, I provide the expertise and commitment to help you achieve your goals.

My journey has led me through multiple roles in both business development and media coverage, giving me a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed. This dual experience allows me to offer comprehensive support to businesses at every stage of their growth. From strategic planning to media representation, I understand the multiple facets of building and maintaining a successful business presence.

The entrepreneurial path isn’t always smooth, but that’s where the most valuable lessons emerge. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that success often requires taking calculated risks and being ready to pivot when circumstances change. Each new chapter in business brings fresh challenges and opportunities for growth, and I’ve embraced every one of them as a chance to learn and evolve.

What sets my approach apart is the understanding that every business’s journey is unique. When you work with me, you’re not just getting a service provider – you’re gaining a partner who has been in the trenches and understands the real-world challenges of building a business. I believe in establishing backup plans and being prepared to adapt while keeping your core mission intact.

To all entrepreneurs and business owners: You can do it! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your next big step, I’m here to help guide you through the process. The road ahead might seem challenging, but with the right support and strategies, any goal is achievable. Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to bring your business vision to life and create the exposure and success you deserve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Travel destinations are totally up my alley, as on the side I put together itineraries for those traveling to destinations I’ve experienced firsthand. There are too many must-see sights and delicious restaurants to list when visiting Tennessee, so I like to cater my recommendations to what best suits my out-of-town friends and family members.

This itinerary is geared towards the more low-key visitors who aren’t necessarily interested in the bar scene on Nashville’s Broadway Street. Instead, these suggestions focus on the beautiful scenery, historic sites, and fantastic food that Middle Tennessee has to offer.

1. Start Your Day at 1819 Coffee in Thompson Station

Begin your trip by visiting 1819 Coffee, a charming coffee shop located in an old plantation. The property is absolutely gorgeous, and you can go inside to check out the space. One unique feature is that they have a wall where you can type up and hang your prayers. And of course, the coffee itself is delicious!

2. Enjoy Breakfast at Biscuit Love in Franklin

After your coffee, head to Franklin and have breakfast at Biscuit Love. Their menu is packed with mouthwatering options, but you can’t go wrong with their famous biscuits. Be prepared to leave very full and satisfied!

3. Tour Carnton Plantation in Franklin

Following your hearty breakfast, take a tour of the Carnton Plantation, a National Historic Landmark. During the Civil War, the McGavock family who lived there helped care for wounded soldiers, and you can still see the bloodstains on the wood floors. It’s a fascinating piece of history to explore.

4. Grab Lunch at Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe in Franklin

For lunch, enjoy some delicious Mediterranean cuisine at Taziki’s in downtown Franklin. Their menu has a great variety of flavorful options.

5. Indulge in a Big Breakfast at City Cafe in Murfreesboro

Head to Murfreesboro and have an indulgent breakfast at City Cafe. Their portions are extremely generous, so come hungry!

6. Dine at Southern Tre in Columbia for Dinner

To cap off your day, drive to the city of Columbia and have dinner at Southern Tre. This restaurant serves up fantastic Southern-inspired cuisine that you’re sure to love.

Tennessee is truly a beautiful state, and I always recommend that my visitors take some time to simply drive around and soak in the scenery. I’m confident that you and your out-of-town guests will have a wonderful, relaxing time exploring Middle Tennessee using this itinerary.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I just want to take a moment to give a special shout-out to my parents for raising my siblings and me in a loving and supportive home. They taught us to have faith in the Lord, and that foundation has meant so much to me. I especially want to thank my father for leading by example—showing us what it means to treat others with kindness and compassion. And I’m also grateful for the difficult people who came into my life, the ones who challenged me and taught me valuable lessons that helped shape who I am today. Every experience has equipped me to be the person I am meant to be, and I couldn’t have gotten here without the love and guidance from my family, the harsh lessons I’ve learned along the way, and the difficult people who crossed my path.

Website: https://www.staceymarie.tv

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heystaceymarie/

Twitter: https://x.com/StaceyMarieK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyStaceyMarie/

Other: https://www.HSMRadio.app

Image Credits
I own the rights to all of the images