Full-Service Marketing, Managed by One
First Gen Media
I've noticed that many small, family-owned, or first-generation businesses need professional marketing support but cannot afford the costs associated with large agencies or full-time teams. This is where I see my role. In today’s world, having a strong online presence is crucial for success. I’ve applied these insights to businesses like Estela’s Fresh Mex, helping them grow through social media, marketing campaigns, content creation, and community engagement.
So, as a first-gen college graduate who learned alongside her father’s 35-year journey running his business without a website, social media, or traditional marketing, it inspired me to start First Gen Media.
For more information, please refer to the bottom of the page.
My Mission
I offer affordable, full-service marketing managed entirely by me.
Every part of your marketing—strategy, branding, content, digital campaigns, events, and analytics—is handled personally, providing you with a single point of contact and a unified approach.
My Vision
For an affordable monthly or annual fee, you'll get a dedicated professional managing your entire marketing operation, leading to significant cost savings compared to an in-house team or traditional agency.
I provide personalized, hands-on service with real results, and my approach is flexible enough to grow with your business.
My Range of Services
Strategy & Research: Market analysis, competitor research, brand positioning, and marketing strategy
Creative & Branding: Photography, videography, graphic design, logo updates, website updates
Digital Marketing: Social media management, email marketing, SEO, paid ads
PR & Events: Press releases, influencer collaborations, event planning, community engagement
Analytics & Optimization: Reporting, performance tracking, A/B testing, conversion optimization
Customer Experience: Customer service, online review management, engagement strategies
Next Step
Are your marketing efforts producing results? Discover the answer for free!
Submit your business information, and I'll provide you with a tailored monthly plan and timeline at an affordable rate, as well as an analysis of your current efforts.
Let’s explore what you could achieve in just one year with First Gen Media by your side!
The Full Story
My dad ran his own business for 35 years and did everything himself through word-of-mouth partnerships, friendly and quality work, and in-person interactions. He was very successful and didn't do a single piece of marketing. If we don't count business cards, there is no website either.
Growing up, I always wondered how this man built relationships with customers and partner businesses without the social media and marketing tools we have today.
In 2018, I had the chance to help a friend with a videography commercial shoot at Estela's Fresh Mex, a local restaurant in downtown Iowa City. Two college friends, Jerry and Tyler, came up with the idea to open a fresh-Mex spot in a prime location on the University of Iowa campus. The menu was inspired by Jerry’s mom, Esla, and her cooking.
The day I met everyone at Estela’s Fresh Mex, I knew I had found a passionate group of people, not only for a steak burrito but for the history and character of the product and for working hard at something that makes them and those around them happy.
The day I approached Tyler and Jerry, I asked, "Can I help out with your social media? Is anyone managing your accounts now?" They looked at each other as if they were already handling that, managing staff, catering, fulfillment, and expenses.
That wasn't something I liked to hear, but to help Estela’s Fresh Mex grow and be the best it could be, I offered my services free of charge in exchange for an unlimited gift card to use for photo and video shoots, along with marketing campaign ideas to collaborate on community events like football watch parties and burrito discounts after class.
Once I took over the social accounts, I began analyzing sales alongside our marketing campaigns. I could tell Estela’s Fresh Mex that this was working by seeing sales increase on Friday, thanks to the high number of students.
If we sent out a reminder on Friday morning when they were all in class, sales would increase that day compared to the Friday before without a reminder. We then launched apparel and partnered with Hy-Vee to offer to-go options. Then COVID hit, and we had to rely on marketing and our social accounts to keep the business afloat, or people would have forgotten about us. We made updates allowing customers to place orders and pick them up the next day, even if we couldn't open, by inviting them to come in on Friday when we would be open.
These are just a few examples from my time working with a local business that was very hard for me to let go of, but now I want to apply what I have learned since then in the corporate marketing world. I aim to implement a practical approach that every business should be able to adopt, allowing them to decide what they want to do with their product's history.
Like first-gen, as a first-generation college student, I got this idea when working with a family-owned and operated business. It's also about generational businesses run by local families that I want to work with in the future because all other high-end agencies will charge significantly more, and the costs of outsourcing staff per person will be expensive.
With me, you can pay ____ and get all social media management, product and brand management, photo and video, email newsletters, customer service, and event planning and execution, all bundled and managed by one person.
