Exploring Life & Business with Madrona Rose of Bitely Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madrona Rose.

Hi Madrona, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been drawn to food—not just what’s on the plate, but the people behind it, the process, and the stories that bring it all to life. I grew up in Portland, Oregon, where food is culture, craft, and community. That environment shaped how I see this industry and sparked something early on.

I started working in restaurants as a young adult—first at a Japanese bistro, then a vegan cafe and juice bar. In 2018, while working my way up in the industry, I launched a short-lived food blog. It was a place to document the meals I loved and the stories that stayed with me. Not long after, I joined the team at Pok Pok Noi while attending Portland State, where I was pursuing a marketing degree. Working in the kitchen at Pok Pok was a turning point. I got a firsthand look at the care, intensity, and rhythm of a vigorous BOH environment. One moment that’s stayed with me was when Chef Andy Ricker gave me a hands-on lesson in how to make Pad Thai as we prepared to launch it on the menu. That kind of mentorship left a mark—and deepened my respect for the food world and the people who keep it moving.

Eventually, I stepped away from the restaurant industry and landed a marketing role at a nonprofit. Around the same time, I started freelancing as a social media manager. That side hustle quickly turned into a full-time business. Over the next few years, I worked with more than 100 clients—mostly female entrepreneurs—helping them start and scale sustainable businesses on their terms.

After several years of consulting and marketing work across industries, I found myself wanting to reconnect with the space that shaped me from the beginning. That pivot back into food and beverage lined up with a move to Detroit, Michigan—and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Detroit’s food and bev scene is bold, hardworking, and full of heart. Being part of this community reignited everything I love about this work.

I started Bitely Media to support the kinds of businesses I care about most—those built on craft, culture, and connection. It’s not just about marketing. It’s about helping food and beverage brands tell their story in a way that feels honest, intentional, and worth remembering.

At the core of everything I’ve built is creativity, community, and a deep respect for the people behind the plate. That’s the thread that runs through it all—and it always will be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road at all times, especially working at the intersection of food and marketing—two industries that move fast, run deep, and ask a lot from the people in them.

In the beginning of my freelance career, I was figuring everything out as I went. I knew I wanted to support impact-driven brands, but I didn’t always have the tools, the systems, or the resources to do it in a sustainable way. I was saying yes to everything, undercharging, overdelivering, and burning out quietly behind the scenes.

There’s also an emotional weight that comes with industry I work in now. I work closely with people who pour their entire lives into what they do—chefs, mixologists, owners—and I’ve had to learn how to hold space for that without losing myself in it. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve had moments where I felt disconnected from my own work. But each struggle has brought me back to the core of what I care about: helping good people tell good stories and build brands that actually reflect who they are.

Every challenge has taught me something about clarity, boundaries, and staying grounded in the “why.” And for me, that why has always been food, storytelling, and community.

As you know, we’re big fans of Bitely Media . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bitely Media is a marketing agency built specifically for food and beverage brands. We work with restaurants, food CPG brands, and other food and beverage businesses and creatives, and though we are full service our core services include social media social media marketing, design, and branding. But we’re not just here to post pretty pictures—we’re here to help brands grow in a way that feels aligned with their story, not just where they’ve been but where they are now and where they’re going. We’re here to grow with them and be a close creative partner.

What sets Bitely apart is the decades of experience and perspective we bring across both the marketing and food and beverage spaces. We don’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach — we take the time to understand the people behind the brand: their vision, their challenges, and the business they’re building. With roots in both industries, we know what it’s like behind the line and behind the screen, and that dual lens shapes everything we do.

Later this year, we’re expanding with Bitely Studio, a sister design studio focused on branding, websites, and packaging for food and beverage businesses. It’s a natural next step in our work, helping clients build cohesive brands that look as good as they feel.

What I’m most proud of is how deeply our work reflects the people we partner with. Every brand we touch still feels like them, just elevated. We build with intention, not ego—and that’s something I never want to lose.

Whether it’s through content, design, or strategy, our goal is always the same: to help food and beverage brands tell their story in a way that’s honest, impactful, and made to last.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t wait until everything’s perfect to start. You’ll learn more by doing than by planning. And honestly, the clarity comes after the action, not before it.

I wish I had trusted myself more in the beginning of my career, too. I knew I was good at what I did—I was actively putting in my ten thousand hours. But I spent a lot of time undervaluing my work, overdelivering, and waiting for someone else to give me permission—to charge more, to take up space, to lead, to trust my instincts, to stop playing small. I kept looking outward for validation instead of realizing I already had everything I needed. If you’re just starting out—especially in creative or service-based work—know that boundaries, clarity, and confidence are things you build. They don’t have to be there on day one.

Also: relationships matter. Take care of the people around you. Be someone people want to work with again. The best opportunities I’ve had came from being honest, collaborative, and human—not from having the most polished pitch.

And if you’re working in food and beverage—this industry is fast, intense, and deeply personal. Let your work reflect your values, not just the trends. That’s what lasts.

Pricing:

• Social Media Management starting at $499
• Web Design starting at $1500
• Social Media Marketing Services starting at $499
• Branding Packages starting at $499
• This industry is built on passion, not profit margins—and we respect that. Our packages are fully customizable and priced with care, always at or below industry standard, to meet food and beverage brands where they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bitelymedia.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/bitelymedia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bitely-Media/61552687460368/?_rdr
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bitely-media-kalamazoo-2