Purpose in Nonprofit Marketing
If you step into Cornerstone Coworking on a Tuesday or Thursday, you might spot Carlie and her team designing a compelling fundraising campaign, developing innovative branding strategies, or crafting engaging content for one of the many nonprofits that Magnolia Media Group serves. As co-owner of this purpose-driven marketing agency, Carlie brings passion and creativity to every project.
“Storytelling marketing that makes a difference,” is how Carlie describes her work. “We help nonprofits understand and communicate their story to donors, volunteers, partners, and the general public through strategic digital and print marketing.”
A Career Path Led by Faith
Carlie’s journey into nonprofit marketing wasn’t planned from the start. With a double major in Advertising and Public Relations, she had no intention of working specifically with nonprofits. But when an opportunity came along to join Magnolia Media Group after college, something just felt right.
“God – it’s really that simple,” Carlie explains about what inspired her career path. “Now, I co-own it thanks to our Founder, Heather Loveridge’s obedience to the Lord.”
While she acknowledges there are certainly long days, Carlie finds deep fulfillment in the work she does. “The work we do matters. We get to be behind the scenes and support many different causes within and beyond Gwinnett. People pay us to write and dream up campaigns for them! It is incredibly fulfilling, and I love how we support and promote organizations doing great work in our community.”
Current Projects and Personal Joys
Currently, Magnolia Media Group is working with nonprofits across various fields – from housing and food insecurity to foster care support and mentorship programs. Carlie’s team is juggling multiple fundraising campaigns, preparing for upcoming gala video shoots, and working on a hand-drawn animation piece.
On the personal front, Carlie and her husband recently purchased his dream car – a well-loved 2008 Tacoma with high mileage – and are outfitting it for camping adventures.
Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs
When asked what advice she would give to those starting their business journey, Carlie doesn’t hesitate: “Do it scared. There will be a million things you do not know how to do, and often the best (and sometimes only) way to learn is by trying – not waiting around until you are ‘ready.'”
She also emphasizes the importance of sustainable growth: “You don’t have to sacrifice every weekend and work 10-12 hour days to be successful. Your best creativity and results will come from when you work from a place of rest, not working to rest.”
The Unexpected Side of Carlie
Beyond her professional achievements, Carlie has some surprising talents and experiences. She’s flown a two-seater plane in the Matanuska Valley and hiked across the Canadian border. If she could teleport anywhere for lunch, she’d choose “the top of the Snaefellsjökull Glacier with a PB&J,” noting it’s “the opening to the center of the earth according to Jules Verne.”
Creating Community at Cornerstone
So what is Carlie’s favorite thing about Cornerstone Coworking? “The community! It really is such a welcoming place, and I feel I have a great network to pull from and bounce ideas off of. Cornerstone really is special.”
Connect with Carlie and Magnolia Media Group at https://magnoliamedia.group/ or on Instagram @magnoliamediagroup