Meet Kristina Kury: Founder & CEO of Sprout Creative LA

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

Hi Kristina, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Going into business for yourself doesn’t mean doing it alone. You can’t and you shouldn’t. The sooner you learn this lesson the more growth, success, and happiness you will experience.

In late 2019 and into 2020 I had a goal for my business. Attend 2 in-person networking events a week. Make connections, follow up and book those coffee meetings. I started to get folded into a few groups due to this consistent (sometimes exhausting) effort of meeting people, following up, and engaging.

I would drive to Orange County, up to Ventura County, and all the other counties in between, just to hit my goal. I was getting pretty drained attending all these networking opportunities in person.

Then, in February 2020 I joined a networking group called District Bliss, based in D.C. I wanted to expand my community and with them being on the other coast, I was hoping for some online connection opportunities and relieve myself an in-person trip each week.
I didn’t know it at the time but this was the best decision I could have had and made when the shutdown happened less than a month later.

90% of my business has been built with online communities that I have been a part of. Hands down this is the best way to build that “know, like, and trust” factor that can usher in new clients, partnerships, and opportunities.

The in-person connections were a great springboard that propelled me into online communities. I am a part of 3 online communities and always on the hunt for more. However, you can’t just join and then expect clients to roll in. You must be willing to donate time, energy, and some of your secrets. Only then will you get back what you give.

1 – Be active and giving – share some of your talents and be open to referring others
2 – Stay connected and engaging with the members
3 – Show up to the events/networking socials, with your video on and a positive attitude

What should our readers know about your business?
I went back to school when I was in my late 20’s to pursue my passion for Marketing. I received my Bachelors in Marketing and Management at Texas State University, graduating in 2013.

During the last few years of school, I held a Marketing Director role for the Texas franchise, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I was responsible for planning, developing, and implementing marketing strategies and marketing communications across each cafe. I also developed an online community using viral marketing campaigns that spanned on and off-site events for both profit and nonprofit. When I began it was a new franchise that grew to 15 locations by the time I left in 2014.

I then worked for Wolfgang Puck Catering as the Regional Marketing Director for the Dallas area. I oversaw 7 locations where Wolfgang Puck was the exclusive catered, from museums to historical buildings. I lead the deployment of marketing initiatives that drove top-line sales, customer and client satisfaction, and brand penetration. These initiatives were website development, marketing collateral, media, and pr connections, and experiential events.

After that, I was the Field Marketing Director at the Sky Zone Franchise Group supporting over 75 franchisees with their marketing. With my experience being on the franchisor side with Coffee Bean, I was able to set up comprehensive, result-driven systems in place that would support the franchisees under me on a large scale.

Then, summer of 2019, I decided to start my own company, working with small business owners who are busy running their business, overwhelmed with marketing, and whose growth has plateaued to turn their marketing into a manageable, automated, stress-free marketing machine.

I left my day job in November of 2019, headed into the holiday season gaining several clients. Then Covid hit March of 2020. Like many, I lost all but 1 client in the beginning.

Recognizing my Ideal client had actually changed with this lockdown environment and to start making money again my needed to change the messaging and services of my company. With this new pivot, I was able to quickly gain paying clients, even during a pandemic. I used various marketing tactics such as webinars and partnered webinars, leveraging networking groups and being a guest presenter for other colleagues to gain an audience.

Additionally, during the summer of 2020, a colleague and I launched a comedy podcast, Laughing with Gingers, that has been gaining major traction in the comedy podcasting genre. We are now beginning to monetize our podcast which was originally just a fun side project.

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.
If I had a friend visiting for a week we would be heading outside for sure. I love being outdoors and would add some beach time to the agenda. It’s SoCal, we have to! I love making it a day thing with a group of friends, some lunch, and a few umbrellas.

I would also take my friend on a hike, perhaps around the Santa Monica mountains or hiking to the Hollywood sign. Honestly, there are so many great hikes and views you can’t go wrong with whatever you decide.

Life seems to be emerging out of its covid fog and this opens up room to visit museums and galleries which is so exciting! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
2 supportive groups where I am learning and growing from and never would be where I am today without:

Creative Successful Entrepreneurs
They help creative entrepreneurs figure out how to turn their talents into a business. Not only do they offer business coaching but it truly is a space of community and support.

Creative Successful Entrepreneurs with Melissa McFarlane, acclaimed business coach

District Bliss
The most engaging online member-based community run by Sara Alepin. She is a master connector and amazing at bringing people together that builds everyone’s business up. I have found clients and various profitable partnerships through District Bliss.

• District Bliss – light-hearted networking events, workshops, business support, quality connections

Website: https://www.sproutcreativela.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sproutcreativela/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-kury/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SproutCreativeLA