Community Highlights: Meet Katie Hess of Connecting Clarkston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Hess.

Hi Katie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Katie Hess, a dental hygienist by training with a passion for connection and community. I started my career working in dentistry, and early on, I found myself drawn to the marketing side—managing social media and promotions for the office before it was even common. In fact, in 2012, Colgate flew me to their R&D center in New Jersey to consult on social media and influencer trends—something that felt way ahead of its time.

In 2020, during COVID, I launched a business helping dental offices with their marketing and social media. That eventually led to a new path in 2023, when I teamed up with a friend to start a local podcast. We followed it up with a newsletter and social media presence—all aimed at highlighting the people, places, and events in our Clarkston community.

In 2024, I took things a step further and created the Connecting Clarkston app—a free resource that brings everything local into one place. The app (available free to download on Google Play and the Apple App Store) features a popular community calendar, local deals, giveaways, and listings for nonprofits and businesses. We currently have over 3,500 downloads and are on track to reach 5,000 by year’s end.

My goal moving forward is to help other communities replicate this model and launch their own version of a community connection app. Because when people feel connected to where they live, everyone benefits.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d describe it more like a rollercoaster—some days everything falls into place, and other days I find myself wondering if I’m on the right track. Time has definitely been one of the biggest challenges—balancing my work as a hygienist while raising a family, managing kids’ sports schedules, moving, and keeping up with the day-to-day.

What keeps me going is the feedback from people who genuinely love the app and think it’s a great idea. We even received a Community Choice Award and were invited to speak at several local events—opportunities that felt both unexpected and encouraging. One of the most pivotal moments was when a local business offered billboard space to help promote the app. That gesture felt like a clear sign to move forward—and reminded me that even when things feel hard, the support from this community makes it all worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Connecting Clarkston is a hyper-local platform built to bridge the gap between the people who live here and everything happening around them. My goal has always been to use digital tools—like our app, podcast, and newsletter—to connect the business community, local organizations, schools, and residents in one shared space.

We’re best known for our community calendar, local spotlights, and giveaways—but what really sets us apart is our commitment to lifting up the voices and businesses that make Clarkston special. We’re not a big agency—we’re your neighbors, and we’re passionate about helping the community thrive.

With over 3,500 downloads and growing, the app offers a free, easy way to stay in the loop and get involved. Whether you’re looking for a weekend event, a new favorite restaurant, or ways to support a local cause, Connecting Clarkston is here to help you find it.

How do you think about luck?
I know some people don’t believe in luck—but I think it’s been a mix of things. A lot of prayer, support from friends, family, and even strangers, plus the right timing… and probably a little luck. But more than anything, I think consistency has played a huge role—just continuing to show up, even on the busy days, and trusting that each small step would add up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://share.google/xZv4PIL9143oIhKL0
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectingclarkstonpodcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CD6vizYVJ/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-hess-71445214
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@connectingclarkston?si=INPIHeZz-YLq_x8w