Inspiring Conversations with Kendra Higgins of GreenCup Digital

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Higgins.

Hi Kendra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Looking back, I’ve always had strong women role models supporting me, from my mom, grandmothers, and aunts to teachers throughout my time in school. I was entered into writing contests, urged to take advanced online classes, and selected for outside internships. All along, they saw something in me I couldn’t see in myself at a young age and, if I’m being honest, even see now. Their support provided me with greater opportunities but also taught me that anything I wanted was attainable.

Because of them, I eventually went on to obtain my college degree, continuing to freelance throughout my time in school. I ended up interning for a QR company and hotel, both offering me a job at the end, but ultimately, I chose the hotel in hopes of “climbing the ranks.” I did, working there for four years and into the role of Director of Marketing before deciding hospitality wasn’t my cup of tea.

By this time, I had already graduated college and decided to follow my passion back to small businesses and nonprofits, becoming an independent contractor. I’ve never limited myself to a single job title. Since I’ve been a marketing director, lead UX designer, adjunct instructor, web developer, president of a non-profit, inbound specialist, podcast host, and entrepreneur. The list goes on, not necessarily in that order, and with a few of those titles simultaneously.

Eventually, I found my home with GreenCup Digital, first as their Lead Web Developer and now as their Director of Marketing + Client Experience. The strong women in my life have shown me how to be one, currently working for a women-owned and led digital marketing agency. The role suites me well with a tech background, I know what’s possible, and I thoroughly enjoy getting to know our clients and their businesses. Now I partner with our clients in discovering the potential of their online presence through digital marketing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I never had a “dream” job. I loved technology and design, knowing that’s the industry I would fall into, but above all, I wanted to learn. Printing, developing, teaching, designing, I wanted to try it all without being bound by career commitment. I took my first love of design and continued to push myself into every corner, exploring. As part of the tech world, the industry is ever-changing with platforms, methodologies, and, best of all, possibilities.

I remember very clearly the day I was told GreenCup Design was being sold. It was the same day one of my own personal and largest clients was also selling. I sat in my car in a parking garage for a solid 2 hours, in silence. I was about to lose my livelihood and wasn’t sure if I could pick myself up again. I considered falling back into a 9-5.

A few weeks later, I met the current owner, Joanna Chulick, at a local brewery. I knew we would be friends because nobody prior had ever asked me for a business meeting beer. Today, I joke that I was part of the package deal, as Joanna took over the business, changing the name to GreenCup Digital and keeping me on as a developer.

What felt like an incredibly heavy challenge at the time, was in fact, an opportunity. Learning to navigate those challenges is all part of life.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
GreenCup Digital is a digital marketing agency located in Grand Rapids, MI, serving clients throughout the United States. We do it all when it comes to digital marketing, specifically designing our umbrella of services to support our client’s presence through branding, web design, SEO, social media, email, and content marketing.

When it comes to small businesses, we take our role seriously. Not as an agency, a developer, or a strategist but as a partner. As a small business ourselves, we know how hard it is to keep everything afloat. We’re here to help ease our client’s workload while encouraging them to dream big. In the end, our job is to improve your digital marketing, increase your sales, and get YOU back to the things you love most.

And as a partner, we help guide clients through strategy, execution, and management. We really are there every step of the way. We’re client-focused, transparent, and, let’s be honest: Real People. We don’t talk jargon!

What’s next?
This past year GreenCup Digital has grown tremendously, with clients and with new additions to our team! We’ve added and restructured our services along the way to truly support our clients in every aspect of digital marketing. Looking ahead to the future, we’re focused on refining our process, improving our agency based on client feedback, and continuing to deliver results for our amazing clients.

Pricing:

• Free Consultation

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.greencupdigital.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greencupdigital/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greencupdigital/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/greencupdigital
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/greencup-digital-grand-rapids