Today we’d like to introduce you to Khali Gallman.
Hi Khali, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello, I am Khali Gallman, author, realtor, and entrepreneur, specializing in branding, websites, and mobile apps. My passion for travel and exploration has been a key determinant in all of my entrepreneurial endeavors. I launched the Soda City Certified app in January 2020 as an incentive-based app to encourage residents and visitors of Columbia, South Carolina to patronize local restaurants, small businesses and entrepreneurs, events, and attractions. The premise was to reward app users for stimulating our local economy. But of course, 3 months later… COVID-19 hits! We pivoted from the original plan to focus on restaurants that were still open during COVID-19. With the help of local media, we were able to assist over 100 restaurants by advertising their menu information, opening/closing times, deals, special announcements, etc. on the app. Our Who’s Who feature spotlights individuals in various industries around town.
We are very fortunate to have grown to a community of nearly 15,000 app users and social media followers. While the Soda City Certified app still promotes local restaurants, small businesses, events, and attractions, we have expanded as a lifestyle brand to include merchandise sales. We have a few extensions on the app as well, including a scavenger hunt feature that allows for great team-building while exploring the city.
Hopefully, COVID will wane this year so that we can expand our footprint in other cities. We are incredibly grateful for the support and continue to look for ways to connect Columbia. My main challenge (and goal) is helping to connect people. I believe that we become better human beings when we explore the unknown and befriend the unlikely.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not! Ha! When I launched my first app, Not Just Spring Break, in 2014, I had to teach myself some coding features to get my app approved in the app store. The APK code was rejected by the app stores several times, and I spent many hours trying to figure it out before it was finally accepted. My background is in public relations and marketing so mobile apps were a brand-new world for me. At every step in the process, there was a new obstacle. From creation, trademarking, promotion, partnerships, expansion, time management, etc. I encountered challenges. My key focus to overcome them has been prayer. It sounds cliche, but every time there has been an obstacle, I ask God for the solution. I ask for His help and I usually resolve the issue within days or sooner. I wish I could say that every obstacle was methodological but it’s not. I have learned to welcome the challenges and rejoice in the small victories.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Epitome.?
I established Epitome. LLC in 2011 because I wanted to be a small business consultant in public relations and marketing outreach. With 14 years in governmental relations, I have worked as a public relations coordinator, marketing outreach specialist, communications manager, and public information director for municipal, county, and state government. I established relationships with the media and local businesses, which helped me to help other small businesses in branding and outreach.
I tend to take the Steve Jobs approach to problem-solving. “People don’t know what they want until you show them.” Although challenging, I enjoy the first-mover advantage. My ventures have differentiated from the expected.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Thank you so much for the invitation!
For more details about the Soda City Certified app, visit www.sodacitycertified.com. Please follow the Soda City Certified app on Facebook and Instagram at @SodaCityCertifiedApp.
I would love to network with your readers. They can feel free to contact me via LinkedIn at www.linked.com/khali-gallman, Facebook @KhaliGallman, and Instagram @ilikewhatilike8.
Contact Info:
- Email: sodacitycertified@gmail.com
- Website: www.sodacitycertified.com
- Instagram: @sodacitycertifiedapp
- Facebook: @sodacitycertifiedapp
- Twitter: @sodacitycertify
