Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerrie Quinby Tracey Saenz.
Kerrie and Tracey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After appeasing my parents and earning a degree in Early Childhood Education, I embarked on my dream career in the entertainment industry. Completing TV, Film and special effects makeup school in Hollywood, CA, I started a career as a Professional Make-Up Artist, working on feature films, television shows and red carpets.
As a result, I was recruited by Stila Cosmetics to act as an educational artist. Estee Lauder subsequently acquired Stila and this allowed me to have real corporate and retail experience. In 2000 I transitioned out of cosmetics and retail to a unique San Diego start-up, Cosmederm Bioscience, a boutique medical skin care, OTC drug and women’s healthcare company. I spent 12 amazing years working in or with all departments, (most of which I was not remotely qualified for.)
With a CEO who believed in “learning by doing” I learned a lot! Working in Education, International Biz Dev, sales and product development. Lastly serving as Vice President of Product and Brand Development. The partnerships, friendships and mentors from these days are how and why I co-founded Social Currency. I met my co-founder and dear friend, Tracey at Cosmederm.
Working as consultants in marketing, events and education over the years Tracey and I have learned about all types, sizes and styles of businesses. Helping them scale through both innovative programs and strategic planning. Combining skill sets, networks and ideas Social Currency was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a fairly smooth transition. My co-founder, Tracey and I were affectionately known in our past life as the Ying and Yang so we fell into our respective roles with in the business pretty naturally, but with any changes, we have experienced minor hiccups! The hardest thing for me and my family life is not having “real, regular” office hours.
Also getting used to being on the other side of things, pitching clients verses being the client. Managing time and expectations of our partners as many are the founders/inventors or CEO’s so they have a deeply personal interest in success and they usually like that to have happened yesterday! Lastly, following best practices for your own business, the advice we give our clients is often hard to live up to on our end.
Please tell us about Social Currency.
Social Currency is a Strategic Marketing and Events Company for David brands competing against Goliath.
Social Currency is the evolution of two like-minded business woman who saw an opportunity to use our years of experience (both negative and positive) to help start-ups affordably and effectively launch, market and scale new products or concepts. We like big brands and believe we can all learn from them however we love helping small brands, ideas or concepts come to life in this ever changing landscape. Small and scrappy OR Strategic and initiative are ideal partners.
What sets us apart? Our ability to pivot on demand. We can help temporally scale your team personally or through our network of partners. Whether you need an on-demand marketing team, investor presentation, go-to-market plan, trade-show concept or an inventive influencer program we can help.
What are you most well known for? Building a brand identity, go-to-market strategy, education platforms and measurable events. Helping small companies temporally as a cost-efficient alternative to full-time employees.
Most unique? Thus far we seem to not directly compete with anyone, but rather be a resource for the bigger agency.
We can ingrate into a small company temporarily or long-term, likewise help a large company execute a short-term initiative. We can work with current marketing teams in-house and or help manage/find the best outside agency partners. With a combined 40+ years of local and national experience if we can not help you meet your goals we feel confident we can introduce you to someone who can. You get two very different skill sets with Social Currency, a two for one in many ways!
Core: Being an honest, ethical partner to all of our clients. Always going the extra mile to ensure things get done correctly the first time. Short or long term all of our projects and partners are equally important.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
OH wow! Well, I would follow the advice we give our clients first and foremost. If you had the magic ball and could go back to when both time and money permitted the strategic plan for our own brand THAT would have come first…… now I sound like my clients!!!! I would also say don’t be afraid of change, take small risks.
Lastly, I let my “gut” guide me sometimes and now I feel gut instinct although important, more important in building your brand are facts and data- separating yourself from emotion and using fact and data help brands compete more effectively no matter how much experience you have had! Lessons learned, still learning daily!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getsocialcurrency.com
- Phone: 858-254-0416
- Email: kerrie@getsocialcurrency.com
- Instagram: get_social_currency
- Facebook: @getsocialcurrency
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
