In Ep. 170 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Haley Kaliszewski, the former influencer marketing manager at Kendra Scott. To start, Haley dives into the origin story of the Texas based, woman-founded brand that is Kendra Scott. Coined by the phrase, “$500 and a dream,” the brand has grown from a storefront on South Congress Street in Austin to 150+ storefront locations across the country. The episode offers perspectives on building successful influencer marketing strategies, emphasizing the power of starting small, nurturing existing fans, and leveraging micro-influencers over high-profile endorsements. Haley dives into the significance of organic growth and the critical role of creativity, community relationships, and robust ROI tracking in expanding a brand's reach. Beyond business, we highlight Kendra Scott's unwavering commitment to philanthropy. Discover the impactful initiatives led by the Kendra Scott Foundation, including the Legacy Retreat for families affected by metastatic cancer, and the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurship Leadership Institute at the University of Texas. These efforts underscore the brand's dedication to social responsibility and community engagement.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How starting with loyal brand fans can help create an authentic influencer strategy without relying on large gifting programs.

2. Why fostering a sense of belonging among brand fans can amplify the impact of influencer marketing.

3. How Kendra Scott’s approach to including both large collaborations and smaller, consistent influencer engagements contributes to a diverse marketing strategy

Connect with the Guest:

• Haley’s LinkedIn - @haleykaliszewski

Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ:

• Brit’s LinkedIn - @britmccorquodale

• CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq

Follow us on social:

• CreatorIQ YouTube - @CreatorIQOfficial

• CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq

• CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq

• CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ