Today we’d like to introduce you to Marsha Kennedy.
Hi Marsha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am Marsha Kennedy, behind the brand Marsha on the Move®. I am a Digital Creator specializing in creating food and travel photography and videos on social media. I am a Greenville, SC-based native who has traveled around the world. I call myself a globetrotter with a foodie habit. I help people plan epic adventures from their backyards to their bucket lists. 19 years ago, I worked 90-hour weeks running my law firm. I worked hard and represented children in really nasty situations. This took a heavy toll on me. I loved to travel. But I only knew one way to live. When the economic recession hit in 2007-2009, I was appointed to represent children but often not paid because parents could not pay. The traditional path was killing and bankrupting me.
In January 2009, I moved to Micronesia for two years, where I worked as a lawyer. After Micronesia, I moved to Honduras and worked at the US Embassy. I loved being in other countries but did not love the work. I was what people viewed as being successful. But I was not happy. At the end of 2011, I returned to the US and continued working as a lawyer until COVID forced me to stop. COVID made me realize exactly how valuable the gift of life is. In that pause, I reassessed my life and career.
Because my happiest moments involved travel, good meals, and sharing the world with others, I decided to re-dedicate myself to building my brand and creating a career focused on my true passions, travel, and food. I incorporated my background in the visual arts and began a career as a Digital Creator. I get to visit new and familiar places filming videos and taking photographs showcasing everything between South Carolina and the rest of the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
An early and continuing challenge I face is being taken as a professional. This comes from the messages I receive from people looking for a date to the companies who expect me to create content for them for free. This challenge is overcome by maintaining my professionalism and receiving legitimate business opportunities.
One of the first obstacles I faced was the social media learning curve. I had to learn about social media, the different social media platforms and types of followers, the differences between an Influencer and a Creator, the types of Creators, and the categories of Travel Creators. I had to define my niche and focus. It has taken a lot of studies to learn how to: use social media effectively, create and edit photos and videos, approach brands, set rates, and negotiate contracts. I am constantly learning to improve my content creation and maximize my time.
A second obstacle I faced was the financial investment to acquire photography and tech equipment to create better-quality content. Each year, I invest in my equipment. I started with a regular iPhone and an iPad Pro. I invested in a MacBook Pro and iPhone Pro Max in my first year. Last year, I invested in a GoPro Hero to take quality underwater videos and photos in Iceland. This year, I invested in a professional-grade Sony digital camera with a video recorder and two professional-grade Sony lenses to capture higher-quality digitals. Next year, I plan to purchase another professional-grade Sony lens and a drone. With each of these new device purchases, there is also a learning curve as I learn to use them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love connecting cultures through immersion and food. I love experiencing, learning about, and teaching others about the world. There are South Carolina-based Food Creators. But, I have yet to be aware of any other South Carolina-based Travel Content Creator who shares international content. I have followers from all over the world. But, I am most proud when I see I have gained a new follower from South Carolina. I am hitting home by showing someone they can access the world through South Carolina. I also love showcasing how great my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, is.
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Starting, I wish I knew that quality is more important than quantity. Creating good quality content that resonates with people is more important than having a lot of followers. I also wish I had known that I could have started making money earlier without having a huge following. The best advice I can give to someone is that life is short. Create your dream job if you do not already have one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marshaonthemove.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshaonthemove/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshaontheMove/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-r-kennedy-jd-mba-%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%88%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8-ba56a043
Image Credits
Headshot by Chelsey Ashford Photography, Photo on cliff by @macs_explore (please link https://instagram.com/macs_explore?igshid=NzAzN2Q1NTE= )
