Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary Ann Griffiths. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mary Ann, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
I came up with the idea of Kaylor Girl Promotions, my publicist business, fifteen years ago when I was in college in Auburn, AL. There was only MySpace back then for social media and I found a growing need for music promotions. I would go around and talk with venue owners and offer to promote and hang fliers. From there it grew to selling merchandise, connecting people, and really doing whatever I could for the artists and club owners. Eventually I moved to Nashville, TN and studied Music Business at MTSU. I learned a ton of new skills and did an internship at a record label where I stayed on for five years. It was there where I began my job in publicity. It has been incredible to be Platinum-selling band Sister Hazel’s publicist for seven years.
Nashville, TN also opened my eyes to a growing food and celebrity chef scene. It is such a passion and joy to cook. I started Grubs and Grooves that combines my love of music and food. Chef’s love to cook to music and musicians travel and eat around the world. It was a no-brainer to write about the relationship between the two. I enjoy traveling to what my friend Stephanie and I call ‘food concerts.’
During the pandemic I spent a lot of time at the computer and in the kitchen. My cookbook, “I’m Not Drunk, I’m Cooking,” came to life. It was released a year ago and has sold nearly 1,000 copies. What began as a book for my family and friends developed into a life of its own.
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 grew up in the small central Alabama town of Selma, Alabama. I first fell in love with music listening to “After Midnight with Cody Alan.” My senior year of high school I worked as a “Dixie Girl” for the local radio station Dixie 100. I would pass out pizza and Pepsi at the on location remote broadcasts. To my mother’s dislike my radio stayed on constantly. After graduation I dreamed of going into radio. But as it happens, God had a different plan for me. Moving to Music City over a decade ago has opened so many doors. Here I have so many opportunities to work with other creatives. I still believe in grassroots PR and developing relationships.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building a good reputation is so important in any business. I never want to burn a bridge with someone. Of course there are times when you just do not click with a client, and that is okay! Know your strengths and weaknesses and take every opportunity to learn from others. Truly what helped me build my reputation is being kind to others and following through with the things I promise. Honesty and integrity are the best policies.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
New clients come with connecting to others. Find people that share the same goals and work together. It makes me so happy to gain new clients through word of mouth. Maybe someone met me somewhere and we struck up a conversation and they remembered me later down the road. It does not happen by just sitting behind a computer. Get out there and put faces with a name. It takes a lot of work, but can be so rewarding!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grubsandgrooves.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grubsandgrooves/, https://www.instagram.com/imnotdrunkimcooking/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaylorgirls, https://www.facebook.com/GrubsandGrooves/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrubsandGrooves, https://twitter.com/KaylorGirls
- Other: Cookbook: https://www.amazon.com/Im-Not-Drunk-Cooking/dp/B09CRY4BMZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mary+ann+kaylor+griffiths&qid=1632461952&sr=8-1