Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Alexander.
Melody, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I fell in love with writing as a child, so when I decided to become a writer as an adult, I thought the only way I could do it was if I became a reporter. That resulted in me going to school to become a journalist. I became a sports editor in college before going to work for a couple of small newspapers — including my hometown paper in Clinton, Illinois right out of school — before finding my way into a copywriter role at an advertising agency in New Bern, North Carolina.
All of my bosses for the first decade of my professional career were women, and that really stood out to me then, and even more so today since I have seen first-hand how most companies are led by men. It was my agency’s owner, Martha Littleton, who told me frequently that I could run my own agency if I wanted to. That stuck with me through my career, but it took spending a few more years honing my abilities. I spent time at another small agency before getting creative director roles at the University of Kansas and Hallmark, which really made me see what I could do with my capabilities and vision.
When Hallmark went through a massive downsized and laid off a significant portion of creative talent, I decided it was time for me to move out onto my own. I immediately launched my company, Sparrow Creative Studios, and I’m now going on 6 years as a small business owner.
The idea for Sparrow Creative Studios started with my grandmother, a life-long musician who married a pastor and committed her life to their shared ministry. I grew up loving hearing my grandmother play her favorite hymn: His Eye is on the Sparrow. My grandmother was a strong influence in my life, and the name not only reflects that and the guidance she offered, but the song also speaks to the value that even the smallest things have to offer. Laying under the weeping willow at her grandmother’s house in the country, I found peace, joy, and happiness in those little things. Sparrows are also significant to me because symbolically, they represent joy, creativity, and protection as well as simplicity and community. These symbols are what my studio represent. As a small company, I can’t do it all alone. My goal is to round out Sparrow’s services by bringing in trusted partners. And that’s also why Sparrow is significant: it speaks to the idea of community and teamwork. It will truly take us all.
Today, Sparrow brings creative agency and big brand experience to the table. We’ve worked with many types of brands—some local, some national, and even some international brands—but our favorite work is helping a small company find its voice. No matter the objective—whether it’s to get more sales, to create a bigger web presence, to develop a road map for a business, to create compelling sales collateral, or to do the big job of defining what a brand is—our goal is to give a business the tools they need to think like those big brands.
I also teach journalism at Park University in Parkville, which I absolutely love. It’s been fun watching students grow into future journalists and communicators, and getting to be a part of that experience is incredibly worthwhile. And then a couple of years ago, I co-founded a company called StatsDraft with my husband Topher Enneking. StatsDraft is a sports gaming app that provides game day experiences for teams. As I recently explained what I do on a daily basis, someone commented, “Oh, you’re one of those people,” and I had to laugh. Yes, I’m one of those people: I’m competitive, driven, and constantly driving to explore new ideas. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If the road was smooth, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ve had jobs I’ve loved that were led by people who have been life-long mentors. I’ve also had roles where I was completely miserable, and they taught me a significant amount about what I’m willing to put up with. I’ve also lost jobs, and each job I lost ended up leading to something much greater.
I was fortunate to recently go through leadership training with Women Leaders in Sports and Korn Ferry and one of the discussions many of us in the sessions had in common was learning how to bounce back after a job loss. The great news is that so many of us who shared similar stories were all these incredibly strong, capable women who always find something bigger. I have accountability partners and each of us talk about how we won’t settle for anything less than what we want. It’s been empowering seeing how many of us have gone through similar circumstances and it made me feel less alone in my experiences.
I will also add that being a small business owner can be incredibly hard and lonely. But I’m a connector and when I talk about my community, it’s one that I rely on. I wouldn’t be here without the network I’ve built and without the connections I’ve made in my career. I’m a big believer in reciprocity, so if you’re dealing with obstacles or challenges, look out and see who is in your network. Chances are, people want you to succeed and will help you get to where you want to go. Be willing to do the same for others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a writer and journalist, I’ve been know for my writing skills for many years. But most recently, I’ve become known for my ability to connect people, ideas, organizations, and more. I recently had a student tell me that one of the things she appreciates about me is how much I try to put the right people in the room together. I do believe that’s what of the things people see about me: if I know you and believe in you, I’m going to try to make something happen for you.
But work-wise, I just love working with people who are willing to do things that push boundaries. I don’t want status-quo in anything I do. From TV and radio spots to think pieces to witty direct mail pieces, I am always looking for ways to level up my creativity and the results for anyone I work with.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’m forever grateful for the women who were early supporters and mentors of mine in my career, including my former bosses Martha Littleton and Terrie Baker. They showed me what it looks like to be a successful business owner and that you can pursue your dreams unabashedly.
I wouldn’t be here without my best friends, who have always told me I can do what I’m doing and have empowered me to be more: Kelsey Kimberlin (she’s an outstanding photographer who shoots all over the Kansas and Kansas City area), Nicole Sampson, Laura Kulinenko, Shannon Layne, Brian Estep, and Brian Hurtgen (who I’m pretty sure connected me with Voyage KC!). Kelsey in particular helped me model my business and everyone else has just reminded me that I can do and be whatever I want.
I have to shout out my accountability partners: Dr. Karen Hall, Jessica Poole, and Jawauna Hardin. I wish everyone had women like this in their lives. They continue to check in and we provide support to each other non-stop.
And to my husband, Topher Enneking: he has told me for years that I’m his Tom Brady. That may not be a very welcome analogy in the Kansas City area, but I’m still pretty proud of that analogy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sparrowcreativestudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparrowcreativestudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SparrowCreativeStudiosLLC
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparrowcreativestudios/
