Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Theresa Spencer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Theresa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the early days of establishing your own firm. What can you share?
Who is Theresa H. Spencer?
Well, I’m a lot of things, and every part of me is a story. I’m a friend, a sister, a daughter, a niece, and a granddaughter. I’m a world traveler, a hugger (and always open to receiving hugs), a cat mom, and a lover of the ocean—even though I still can’t swim. I’m also an award-winning storyteller, business owner, golfer, writer, photographer, and innovation enthusiast. I’m a woman who cries during every movie where a hero sacrifices themselves to save someone else. I feel deeply, love endlessly, and live purposefully.
I’m also someone who refuses to be held back by anything or anyone. If I set my mind to something, I will find a way to make it happen, period!
That’s who I am. That’s Theresa H. Spencer.
Roots That Ground Me
I was born to Rose and Felton Spencer, my mother is Filipina, and my father is African American. I came into this world on a little island called Guam, a gem in the Pacific, full of vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and some of the best cuisine you’ll ever taste. Fun fact: Guam is home to one of the largest beach bars on the island, which felt especially serendipitous to me since I once dreamed of owning a bar and restaurant. That dream has since evolved, but it planted a seed of creativity and possibility in me early on. Eventually, my parents moved us to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where my story really started to unfold.
Born to Create
As a child, I was always making something, drawing a picture, performing for my family, crafting short stories, or cooking up a “master plan.” My mom always emphasized the importance of money and being a good steward of it. While I didn’t always understand how money worked, her lessons stuck with me. I learned, sometimes the hard way, that passion alone isn’t enough. You need resources to sustain your dreams.
My entrepreneurial spirit was born when I was just 10 years old. My parents bought me an Easy Bake Oven and a candy maker, and I fell in love with the magic of making sweet treats. The entire house would fill with the smell of warm chocolate and baked cakes. Then came the idea: why not sell my creations at school? And just like that, T’s Tasty Treats was born—wrapped neatly in foil and full of ambition.
That little business taught me a lot about money, supply and demand, and the very real costs of chasing your dreams.
Finding My Voice
While my first love was making sweets, my truest passion was storytelling. In high school, I wrote poetry and fell in love with the cadence of words. Believe it or not, I even wanted to be a rapper at one point, battle rap fascinated me. The confidence, the rhythm, the unapologetic truth-telling, those MCs were leaders. I admired their boldness and wanted to channel that same energy in my own voice.
Eventually, I went on to study journalism at Kutztown University, nestled in the farmlands of Berks County. It was just far enough from home to spread my wings, but close enough to find comfort when I needed it.
At Kutztown, I learned from professors, but I learned just as much from my peers. I listened deeply to different perspectives, expanded my worldview, and grew into the storyteller I was always meant to be. I discovered new music, savored new foods, and built lifelong friendships. And when I wasn’t in class, you could find me in the library, walking through rows of books, dreaming that one day my name would be on a spine in someone else’s hands.
Reading made me a better writer. Writing made me a stronger communicator. And storytelling gave me purpose.
Theresa H. Spencer isn’t just a name. It’s a life-long journey, a collection of moments, lessons, triumphs, and a whole lot of love.
And if there’s one thing I hope you take away from my story, it’s this: You don’t have to fit into a single box. You are allowed to be many things, chase many dreams, and write your story in bold, beautiful chapters.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I didn’t step into entrepreneurship just to chase a dream, I stepped into it to reclaim my dignity, my voice, and my future.
After years of being passed over for promotions, seeing others take credit for my work, and navigating the anxiety of potential layoffs, I reached a breaking point. The final straw wasn’t a single event, but a thousand subtle ones. I grew tired of being referred to as “her” or “she” in whispered tones.
When I earned promotions, I’d hear the mutters: “Why does SHE get to do that?” or “HER work isn’t even that great.” It was like becoming invisible in plain sight. Instead of being celebrated, I was questioned. To avoid confrontation, I played it safe and I began to shrink. I dimmed my light. I stayed quiet. I flew under the radar. But inside, I was burning with ideas and ambition.
One of my earliest jobs out of college was as a telemarketer for an internet company in Philadelphia. One morning, I showed up to find a crowd of employees standing outside, confused and upset. Management came out and announced that the office was closed immediately. Everyone had been laid off.
No warning. No direction. Just gone.
That moment rattled me. I felt powerless, and I never wanted to feel that way again. It was the first of several wake-up calls. I decided I wouldn’t live in fear anymore. I wanted stability, but more than that, I wanted autonomy. I wanted to build something that couldn’t be taken from me overnight.
So, I did my homework. I consulted with an accountant, mapped out startup costs, and devoured books like The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. I wrote a detailed business plan because I believe that success begins with structure.
That’s how Vintage Green Inc. was born, a boutique creative agency built to support individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits with heart.
In the early days, I wrote resumes and cover letters to help job seekers land opportunities. I expanded into blogging, B2B and B2C marketing, social media management, and event strategy. Every service I offered had one thing in common: it helped people show up boldly and be seen.
At the same time, I was working at a global bank. That job taught me discipline, how to assess risk, stay organized, and build relationships rooted in trust. Those lessons became the foundation of my agency.
At Vintage Green Inc., we provide creative, strategic, and human-centered communication services that help individuals, nonprofits, and businesses amplify their voice, grow their impact, and shape meaningful stories. Whether you’re launching a campaign, building your brand, or managing visibility during a crisis, we’re your partner in purpose-driven communications.
Public Relations & Visibility
• Creation & Distribution of Press Releases
• Media Management
• Securing Local & National Media Interviews
• Publicity Campaigns
• Influencer Marketing
• Crisis Communications & Reputation Management
Digital & Social Media Marketing
• Social Media Strategy & Management
• Social Media Messaging & Content Calendars
• Advertising Campaigns & Media Buys
• LinkedIn Article Ghostwriting
• Copywriting & Editing
• Brand Awareness Campaigns
• B2B & B2C Content Strategy
Creative Direction & Storytelling Assets
• Event Scriptwriting
• Headshots & Brand Photography
• Event Photography
• Brand Development & Messaging Frameworks
• Story-driven Visual Content for Social Media
Why Clients Choose Vintage Green
We help our clients:
• Tell stories that connect, inspire, and convert
• Navigate moments of change with clarity and confidence
• Build brand trust and visibility
• Manage events that feel seamless and leave lasting impressions
• Strategize with empathy, creativity, and results in mind
What Problems Does Vintage Green Solve?
At its core, Vintage Green Inc. is about visibility, voice, and value. We help our clients:
• Build brand trust and position themselves as credible, relevant thought leaders
• Amplify their media presence through well-crafted press campaigns and trusted media relationships
• Create content that resonates across digital platforms and fuels real connection
• Manage their public reputation during challenging moments with clarity and professionalism
• Drive engagement and attendance before, during, and after events with consistent messaging and media support
What sets us apart? We don’t just pitch stories, we cultivate relationships. From journalists and influencers to local creators and community leaders, we know how to get your story in the right hands. We combine strategy with heart, because we know that visibility without authenticity doesn’t last.
We don’t do cookie-cutter campaigns. We create messaging that moves.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud that since 2017, Vintage Green has worked with over 200 clients, helping brands grow, evolve, and shine. We’ve supported individuals in landing new jobs, with some earning salary increases of $20,000 or more. We’ve worked alongside major nonprofits across Philadelphia to increase their media presence, grow their social media audiences, and craft impact reports that highlight the vital work they do for communities.
I’m proud to be a Pepperpot Award recipient for Community Impact, a recognition that means the world to me because it honors the heart of what I do.
I’m proud that I led and managed the largest Media Morning at Citizens Bank Park, where more than 50 media professionals came together to raise awareness around CPR training and heart health.
I’m proud to have helped launch two published authors, guiding their voices from drafts to bookshelves.
I’m proud that I get to amplify brands through strategic marketing and public relations every single day.
And most of all, I’m proud of me, for not giving up when the odds were stacked against me. For betting on myself. And for continuing to believe that purpose, passion, and persistence will always pave the way forward.
What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.
We are strategic thinkers, and we approach every client relationship with a holistic mindset. We don’t force our clients into predefined boxes just to gain exposure, we design strategies that are true to their mission, their audience, and their impact. At Vintage Green, we work in partnership with our clients to elevate their voice, convert followers into loyal supporters, and transform visibility into long-term influence.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’m currently in the middle of a pivot, and it’s one of the most humbling, eye-opening transitions I’ve ever faced.
For years, I leaned on the stability of a full-time job to fuel my business. I started my agency for freedom, for purpose, and ironically, I’ve spent most of its existence juggling the very thing I hoped to escape: the security blanket of a 9-to-5. That tension, between passion and practicality, finally came to a head.
With the rise of AI and tools like ChatGPT, it felt like the ground beneath creatives was shifting. I started to wonder, “How do I continue to offer value when automation is replacing the very roles that once required human intuition, creativity, and storytelling?” I felt stuck, my business wasn’t growing like it once had, and the demands of my full-time role left little space for me to invest deeply in the business I believe in.
Most nights, I found myself burning the midnight oil. I’d be working on campaigns, writing content, or brainstorming strategy long after others were asleep. I’d squeeze in meetings on weekends. My days blurred. And still, I felt like I was falling behind.
Then came a spark. Two, actually.
The first was the Diversitech Conference in Philadelphia. A tech-focused convening filled with smart, ambitious creators, professionals, and innovators. I soaked in the energy, sat in on panels about digital transformation, and found myself thinking, “AI isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity.”
Not long after, I flew to San Diego for Social Media Marketing World. It was there, amid deep-dive sessions on AI, storytelling, and sales, that something clicked. The conference didn’t just teach me how to survive the changes happening around us, it showed me how to lead through them.
There were two tracks: one focused solely on AI, the other on mastering sales. I sat in both. I listened. I learned. And I walked away with a fire in my belly that I hadn’t felt in a long time. This wasn’t the end of creativity; it was an evolution. Storytelling, when paired with emerging technology, could become even more impactful. I realized I could blend my love of communication with these new tools to create smarter, more strategic marketing. I could help my clients not just keep up but rise above.
The fear began to melt away. In its place came clarity and confidence.
So here I am. Pivoting with purpose. Learning as I go. Committed to exploring how technology and creativity can live side by side.
If you’re reading this and feeling uncertain about your future, I want you to know you’re not alone. Change is scary, yes, but it can also be the door to something greater.
And sometimes, all it takes is showing up to the right room, at the right time, with an open mind and a willing heart.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Along this journey, several books, talks, and thought leaders have deeply influenced my approach to business and leadership. Each one has added a layer of insight to how I lead, create, and manage.
Books that have helped shape my entrepreneurial mindset:
• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
• Spin Sucks by Gini Dietrich
• Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
• The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
• Deep Work by Cal Newport
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Hacking Marketing by Scott Brinker (Wiley)
• How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• The Nonprofit Communications Engine by Sarah Durham
• Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel
• The Memo by Minda Harts
• Anything by Gabrielle Bernstein and Brené Brown
• Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter (Get Rich or Die Tryin’) by 50 Cent
Talks that made an impact:
• TED Talk by America Ferrera on authenticity and representation in leadership
These resources helped me build confidence, shape strategy, and lead with both empathy and precision. They reminded me that clarity, courage, and curiosity are some of our greatest tools.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vintagegreeninc.com
- Instagram: vintagegreeninc
- Facebook: vintagegreeninc
- Linkedin: vintagegreeninc
- Twitter: vintagegreeninc
- Other: https://linktr.ee/vintagegreen
Image Credits
Tyana Talley – Graduation photo with cap and gown
Zachary King – PRSA/Pepperpots Award photos (2 photos one sitting in the window and the other in front of the step and repeat)
Charlotte Tatum – photos with me in the white outfit at the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Women’s History Month Brunch
Black and white photo with me at the microphone – I took that photo of me with my phone
My dad – Took a photo of me as a toddler with my mom at Niagra Falls
Vernon Ray – photo of me in the red hat and white shirt