Meet Katie Bishop: Co-Founder, Yalla Public Relations

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

Hi Katie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The journey to starting any business, in any industry, isn’t easy. The thought process for starting Yalla really came from seeing services that were not offered in our area. We took advantage of that gap in the marketing industry and launched a marketing agency specializing in social media and digital marketing. We started slow, building our portfolio of clients as we worked from home. I waited tables while building Yalla on the side. It wasn’t until we built enough clientele to support both myself and my co-founder, Stephanie Woodham full-time that I was able to leave my serving job and go all-in at Yalla.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Leading a company is a learning opportunity everyday. Being a part of a small agency comes with its challenges. Our team feels every success and failure together. As a leader in the company, I try my best to grow each day I am at work. I am honest with myself that mistakes will be made, but it is how I respond as a leader that means the most. The biggest lesson I have learned is setting an example for our team. How we respond emotionally to those success and failures can determine how your employees will respond in the future. I found ways to “check” myself when I want to scream of frustration or cry of defeat. On top of that, I also know we do not have to always have it together. It’s finding that balance to ensure your team feels supported to find strength, but to also know its okay to need a damn day off!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a type-a person in general, but when it comes to traveling my friends know to expect a full itinerary and budget breakdown! It’s my truth. If someone was coming to Columbus for a weekend, I would give them the following schedule:

Friday:
5:00PM Happy Hour at Hotel Indigo’s Rooftop Bar
7:00PM Dinner at 11th & Bay Southern Table on the Patio (Short Rib is recommended)
9:30PM After Dinner drinks at Nonic

Saturday:
9:30AM Yoga class at River Flow Yoga and Wellness
Noon Brunch at Bodega
2:00PM Rafting Trip at Whitewater Express
4:30PM Nap
7:00PM Grab and Go Dinner from Banks Food Hall and picnic at Woodruff Park watching sunset

Sunday
10:00AM Bike Ride on the DragonFly Trails
Noon Lunch at JarFly
2:00PM Beach day at PCB (Phenix City Beach) Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If I had to shoutout the people and organizations who have supported our dreams along the way, I would be writing pages. I would first thank my business partner. We are truly the luckiest ladies. Our relationship around this company is nothing short of full unicorn. We push each other each day to make this company better. We challenge each other in unimaginable ways. We lift each other up when the stress of work gets too heavy. I could not ask for a more supportive and strong woman to be leading this company by my side.

Second, I would thank my family and boyfriend who gave me the courage to go out on my own. There were times I was so scared to not have the 9-5 I was always told was priority. They believed in me and pushed me to follow my dream.

Lastly, I would thank our clients and the community in Columbus. The majority of our clients have been with us from day one. They took risks with us, and watched us grow. We would not be here with out our amazing clients. And Columbus. The community has always welcomed us with open arms. Being in this industry, you are constantly vulnerable. Your work is seen all over town, in a space that comes with a lot of critique. The community has allowed us to build a business that supports three full-time employees, and sees growth year over year.

Website: www.yallapr.com

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Linkedin: Yalla Public Relations

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