Today we’d like to introduce you to Karolyn Raphael.
Karolyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started out in theater. I had extensive training in oratory through a competitive speech and debate team and had dreams of making it big on the stage. What I discovered quickly about theater was not only how hard it was to make a living but by doing so, I had to make lifestyle choices. Ultimately, the skills I learned on my speech team and a job I landed at the Indiana University News Bureau in Bloomington taught me every skill I needed to be successful in PR and marketing.
After a few years of extra work in movies, a European theater tour and lots of black box theaters in Chicago, I traded my temp jobs for a position as an Account Executive at Winger Marketing.
Sherry Winger, the founder, had also started out in theater and then spent the majority of her career as the marketing director for Playboy Hotels. She started her own firm when Playboy sold its hotels. She liked how I sounded on the phone, “nice and strong, but friendly!” So, I came in for an interview. The gal I was replacing had been there for 11 years. I was lucky. Positions at small firms, where you get to learn everything and even have a seat at the table with business owners, are unusual. I realized I would never get this kind of experience at a large firm, so I paid attention and learned everything I could!
Eventually I was promoted to senior account executive, then Vice President and eventually, I was offered the opportunity to purchase the business. I had just come back from a six-week maternity leave. Welcome back! “While you were out, we decided to retire.”
The timing wasn’t perfect, but the opportunity was. I had made choices about my career to support the kind of life I envisioned. A career, a family and the flexibility to do what I wanted. Well, here it was. Not exactly what or when I thought it would happen but nonetheless, this was an opportunity.
It’s been 11 years since my husband and I purchased the business. Since that time, I’ve created a flexible work environment not only for myself but also for 10 employees. I’m happy to have grown the company to twice its original size, having created a team of experts who have the flexibility to be awesome at their jobs, have time with their families and learn skills to continue growing.
Winger Marketing just celebrated its 30th anniversary. I can’t wait to see where we are when we turn 40!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve overcome lots of obstacles – including a Great Recession and the invention of social media. We learn, adapt and grow. No matter what!
Winger Marketing – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are known for delivering outstanding PR programs. Our approach is to start with the goal and strategically map marketing tactics for a company to meet those goals. Our proprietary IMAP program outlines annual marketing plans and tracks outcomes and progress.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
When my kids came to see our new office. They freaked! “Mom, you have the whole floor?! Can we live here?”
Contact Info:
- Website: Wingermarketing.com
- Phone: 312-494-0422
- Email: info@wingermarketing.com
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