Some of the women inspired by and inspiring the marketing efforts of Studio 22.
“If I am doing my job correctly, I am elevating these women and their small businesses. They come to me because of their belief in themselves, and that is so important,” Gillispie said. Via Studio 22 Marketing, Gillispie helps her clients to take their concepts and share them with the world. She helps with branding, logos, mottos and the overall cohesiveness of their businesses’ messages, but that is not all. Gillispie’s caring goes beyond the bare-boned guises of Studio 22 Marketing, and extends to the very core of what she and the ladies she represents stand for.
“I like to create a synergy between my clients and we all work together. I enjoy the bringing together of like-minded individuals for the greater good,” she said. “My clients have a special purpose that led them to the work they are doing.”
Part of this effort is conscious awareness and purpose even spills over into the habits and practices of Honey’s Coffee. The specially roasted blend of beans come from small farms, many of them women owned. “Sustainability and supporting small businesses is important to me, and we are very conscious to environmental issues,” Gillispie said.
This awareness and synergy is evident amongst the women Studio 22 works with.
“Trish supported me and loved me from the beginning. Without her and the other ladies, I wouldn’t even be sitting here,” Gillispie said. Gillispie is referring to is Trish Burton, owner and founder of The Good Wife House of Lingerie & Mastectomy Boutique. Burton epitomizes bold moves as a business owner who left a more mainstream career path to help others in a unique way, and to, surprisingly, place colorful lingerie on mannequins that flank the Glasgow Square.
Trish Burton and Kelley Bauer are among the strong-minded, purpose-driven women helped by Savannah Gillispie.
“My overall goal was to bring women together,” said Burton.
She says that whether its a woman who hustles with their jobs, stays at home and mothers all day, has survived cancer or just needs a boost of self-confidence, she is there to help.
“Trish has a special gift. She is welcoming, comfortable and confident. She has created space that is beautiful,” Gillispie said.
Burton is especially outspoken about body shaming.
“No one gets to body shame in my space. We all do it. We all say self-disparaging things about our bodies. We don’t do that at The Good Wife,” Burton said.
Burton and Gillispie were friends for a long on time, and Burton saw an opportunity to use Gillispie’s expertise to elevate her ideas. Much like Gillispie helped Burton pick the specific combination of colors for the logo, Burton helps the women who enter her store to pick out something that exemplifies confidence and fits their personality. It applies to every woman, but she does have a special place in her heart for women who have had mastectomies and need cancer after care.
“I collaborate closely with T.J. Samson,” Burton said. She is also dedicated to more cancer cares and uses her Facebook page and other social media platforms to showcase her wares, but also to educate women of breast self-exams and breast care. Another very important aspect for Burton, was that her items be attainable, with a price point that fits the average woman, not a Hollywood starlet. “It is very important to me that what I have is affordable and not out of reach for anyone,” she said.
Johanna Seibel describes her business and how Studio 22 elevated her purpose to a new level.
That is important for other women in the group as well, like Johanna Seibel, owner of Jojo’s Body Care, who strives to have a reasonable price point, paired with wholesome body products.
“I create sustainable body care, with items from local farms and local vendors,” Seibel said.
Seibel grew up in Germany, and met Gillispie through working at WKU. Seibel says that in her native country there is a more profound focus on what is sustainable and natural that America is just beginning to cultivate, and she wanted to bring that commitment to nature, the planet and self to Kentucky in the form of products that make women feel good about themselves.
“My products are affordable, and made with a lot of care and forethought,” she said.
Items include balms, lotions, scrubs and toners. Every item is handmade and includes natural seasonal aromas such as rosemary, lavender, vanilla and so forth.
In addition to running her own business, Seibel also works for Studio 22 Marketing.
“Johanna is a brilliant content marketer and serves as a tactical advisor for projects,” Gillispie said.
In the Studio 22 Marketing group of dynamic women are also a former classmate and “fellow band geek,” and one of Gillispie’s former teachers.
“We were 2006 Barren County High School graduates, we were in band together,” said Danielle Certain. Like many teenagers it was her goal to spread her wings and see the world once high school was complete. She pursued a culinary degree at Sullivan University, and is a certified French Pastry Chef. Afterwards, she returned home and eventually wound up on another path.
“I took a break from food, I just lost my passion,” she said. However, her friends, including Gillispie, never let her forget her love or her dreams. With a lot of positive pressure from friends, she is now working for herself as the proprietress of Wild Flours Bakery, where she puts her wide range of pastry skills to work making a fancy and friendly selection of sweet things. Studio 22 designed her logo and helped market her ideas.
Danielle Certain has turned dreams to reality with the help of creative efforts from Studio 22 Marketing.
“I have gluten free options, and I love making wedding cakes. Those are my favorite things to make for a person’s big day,” Certain said.
Kelley Bauer of Kelley D’s Travel Design is also an educator, and was one of Gillispie’s teachers. The once shy student is now inspiring the teacher and helping her to follow her dreams as well.
“She has been such a huge help to me and also an inspiration,” Bauer said.
Bauer has found joy and success in a second career of planning once-in-a-lifetime trips for people seeking a special experience.
“It started out as me planning a trip for a friend, and I loved it,” Bauer said. She also plans many excursions for herself, and finds travel to be a way to earn and teach in a whole new way.
Perhaps the most endearing and influential part of Gillispie’s story is that she and the group of strong female tribe she has gathered is influencing younger generations, including Studio 22 intern, Emory Gardner. Gardner is not only learning the ropes of marketing, but is a favorite barista at Honey’s Coffee where her warm people-loving personality shines.
“People love Emory’s genuine nature and caring spirit,” Gillispie said. They both believe a persons’ day can be changed for the better by a cup of coffee.
Beyond marketing and making a great cup of coffee, Gardner has been inspired by the group of strong, independent women she works with. She wants to be the first female president.
“I hope people know how many strong women are working to make a positive difference in Glasgow,” Gardner said. “It’s been wonderful to work with these women and to know them.”
As the efforts of the ladies of Studio 22 move forward, Gillispie and Certain have just publicly announced their partnership in restoring a historic downtown storefront for their first brick and mortar location.
“We are putting great effort into the details, and we are working hard to make this a place where people are aware of that attention to detail,” Gillispie said.
To learn more about Gillispie and her businesses, follow Studio 22 Marketing and Honey’s Coffee on Facebook.
