Meet Audrey Merkle (Bennett) | Founder, Seemly & Spruce Creative Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Audrey Merkle (Bennett) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Audrey, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve grown up in a family where my parents, David and Terri Bennett, are entrepreneurs. They own various real estate businesses, from creating commercial and residential properties to real estate consulting and property management. I have always had an independence inside me and it really mostly all came from the way they raised me, with love, care, and encouragement. They were always instilling confidence in me.

When I was in college I interned for a summer and the following school year for JB Hunt. I ended up accepting a job full time with them after graduation as a Logistics Manager. I thought I wanted to be in corporate with a clock-in 9–5 lifestyle and climb the corporate ladder. While located in Columbia, South Carolina, my boss then, Jon Engel, instilled the same confidence in me as my parents. He taught me so much about servant leadership and about how we’re out here doing our best to help people. I was there nearly two years before I decided I wanted a change.

I transitioned to Nashville to take another corporate job, and spent about 18 months there… still struggling to find my own passion and purpose.

I took my first post-college marketing role that was remote in 2021. About 4.5 months in I was laid-off. It was three weeks before my wedding, and I decided that it was not the right time to launch into another “job”. I was officially unemployed for the first time probably since I was 14. I spent that three weeks reflecting, praying and pondering what God had next for me in my life.

When I returned from my honeymoon I grabbed coffee with a girl friend of mine, Tiffany Stanford. She spent the whole morning encouraging me to find something I was passionate about. She was working part-time with a marketing company based in Nashville at the time and offered to connect me with her boss. I said yes, very grateful she would be willing to do so, and began my drive back home. I couldn’t get the thought out of my head that if I was going to do it for someone else, I first wanted to see if I could do it for myself. Instead of going home, I drove straight to my soon-to-be first client “Pinky Ring Pizza”. They were a new pizza shop in Madison and they didn’t have anyone currently running their social media. I offered to do a month for free since I had little experience outside of college and my four months as a Marketing Manger. After a month we officially started working together. Within the first 90 days we had brought their following from around 2500 to nearly 7000.

I decided my business name would be “Seemly & Spruce”. Seemly – becoming, fitting , suitable
Spruce – think… getting spruced up, cleaned up, dressed up. I found these two words fitting for my company because they represent what I do for my clients: highlight their brand, create engaging content, and interact with their communities so they can focus on what they want to do – grow and run their business!

I started to put myself out there and search for new clients. Most of my clients were word-of-mouth recommendations from my current clients. It was truly a blessing. It’s reaffirming proof that God has a plan for my life, and all of our lives. It was during my first year of business that I truly reflected on all the people who had encouraged me and cheered me on to help me get to where I am today. I’m so grateful for the individuals who have touched my life.

Since then I have created a retail extension of my marketing business. I create little fun designs and use my marketing experience to share them with friends, family, and the social world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Seemly & Spruce Creative Co – What sets my marketing business apart is that I predominantly work with smaller businesses and smaller budgets. I really am passionate about working with entrepreneurs who are hustling and bustling to get their dream off the ground. That mostly comes with a lower budget because they just don’t yet have the income for it. It makes the goal much more clear – help them grow into the business they want to be. Additionally, it’s not all numbers focused (although, don’t get me wrong, analytics are important) but they’re not EVERYTHING. My goal is to develop these clients a COMMUNITY – it’s more storytelling and community building then “come buy this” or “we’re selling this”. It’s interacting, engaging, and fun. We obviously start with making sure the goals align to their branding and we go from there.

Was it easy… hm. I don’t think easy is the right word. It was challenging – but because I felt I was trusting God’s plan and his path for my life I felt at peace. It wasn’t so scary or stressful all the time. I love what I do so it makes all the challenges feel very worthwhile.

For Seams by Seemly Retail Co – This was something I fell into. I always knew I wanted to dabble in some retail and design. I created a “Daily Habits” line with a goal to sell 50 sweatshirts (which I thought was REALLY pushing it) – here we are right about 90 days later and we’ve sold over 2200 sweatshirts. We roll out new understated fun designs that are meant to inspire daily joy and I really love it. It’s my.. creative outlet to my creative life – ha!

What do I want the world to know about me? I wouldn’t be where I am today without Jesus. He is the ultimate provider for my life. I’ve had some really dark spots in my past. It’s truly a miracle that I made it through high school. There was a point where I didn’t think I would. But through Jesus – my parents, my family, my friends… they all picked me up and helped me get through the hard parts. I am so grateful and so blessed. I guess what I want people to know is that you just have to keep going. Keep putting in the work. Keep showing up. Keep praying, God listens. Trust his path for your life and follow his will.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hmm… currently I live in Nashville, TN. A little long weekend?

Eat is easy – I’m a HUGE foodie:

Xiao Bao
St. Vito
Sabell’s
Dickey’s
Noko
Red Headed Stranger
Buttermilk Ranch for brunch

Drink:
Golden Pony
Southern Grist
Margs at Red Headed Stranger
Diskin Cider

Visit/hang out:
Soho House pool – for sure. The vibes are amazing, it’s so comfy and fun. I go there weekly to work & workout.
12 South is always fun to walk up and down when the weather is nice. It gets to be a bit busy but I love it.
Peeler Park for an outdoor walk. It’s where I did the majority of my marathon training. Full of wildlife including bunnies, deer, turkeys, hawks, owls and more.
Grand Ole Opry – I love to go for shows every once in a while with my husband. Even if I don’t know all of the performers its so fun to learn to love new artists and overall an amazing venue.

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?
How long do you have? HA!

My parents – David and Terri Bennett. I was blessed to be raised in such a loving, caring and encouraging families. They always push me to do my best, and remind me of who I am when I can’t see it myself – a child of god!

My sister – there is NO greater cheerleader than Kate Bennett. She’s been there for my 26 years of laughs, cries, breakdowns, breakthroughs… I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if I hadn’t been able to look up to her my whole life.

My husband – Alan Merkle. He’s my safe space, my quiet place, my grounding force. He always knows how to lift me up and has supported all of the changes and newness of the past 2 years of work/business craziness. His love is my sounding block.

My brother – always here to help me with anything current, or send corrections to any project I need some help with. He has been so supportive in all of my ventures.

Heather Rath – she’s my girl-boss inspo. She basically runs the world that is Beaufort County. She’s given me multiple client opportunities and is one of the most inspiring and uplifting women in my life.

Jon Engel – Probably the best “boss” I ever had. I learned so much from him, both in business and in life. We stay in touch to this day.

My besties – Nicole Morris, Christina Gjelsten, Rachel Burger, Ahna Kollar, Lise Caspersen, Lily Pudlik, Bryanna Butler – they are constantly rooting for me and checking in on me and my business. They are the BEST friends.

Molly Sovran – You know that person that comes into your life at just the right time and basically changes your life? That was Molly for me last year. She’s my personal stylist and when I tell you my confidence shot up an extra 100% from working with her and now becoming friends & peers??? I’m convinced she was sent straight from the Lord.

I could quite literally go on forever but I guess I will stop here so that your article is an article and not a book!

Website: Www.seamsbyseemly.com

Instagram: Www.instagram.com/seamsxseemly | www.instagram.com/seemlyandspruce

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-bennett/

Other: TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTL1dqHuG/

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me 🙂