Featured Member-Alison Gillaspie

Let’s get the basics out of the way. Who are you? Where are you from? I am Alison Gillaspie and I am from Lexington, KY. I own Deep Rooted Marketing, www.deeprootedmarketing.com, and Ali G Originals, www.aligoriginals.com.

When and why was your business started? My business was started in 2009 when my youngest child had some medical issues during his first year that kept me from being able to go back to work. I wanted to find a way to use my skills and still be able to be there for my family so I started a Christmas card line and it has blossomed from there.

What do you love about being a female entrepreneur? As much as they make me want to pull my hair out, I love the challenges that come from being a female entrepreneur. Often times it feels as if we are climbing a hill with a load on our backs but it is those challenges that create the person and business owner we are today.

Why did you start your business? My youngest child had some medical issues during his first year that kept me from being able to go back to work. I wanted to find a way to use my skills and still be able to be there for my family.

How did you launch your business and/or dream?  I was restless in December of 2009 so I started designing a small line of Christmas cards. Along the way through virtual events, I have connected with small businesses and began doing some virtual marketing assistance along with continuing to do the graphics. Funny, I have never really had a huge launch, I have just built little by little.

What is your mission statement? Deep Rooted Marketing and Ali G Originals exist to give cost efficient marketing and graphic solutions to fit every aspect of your business and life.

What are the biggest challenges you have overcome as a female entrepreneur? After working in the professional workplace for many years, learning to balance my work time and my family time has been a big challenge. I also had to learn (and am still learning) how to consistently set myself apart from the crowd.

What is your BIG DREAM for your business – what do you hope will happen?   My BIG dream is to be the go to source for graphics and marketing for small businesses. I also have a huge dream of writing.

How do you incorporate your faith into your business? Without my faith, there is no business.

What are you favorite biblical parallels and verses that encourage you? Why?   Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” I love this verse because even when things might get tough, God calls us to think about the good things.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” God calls us to be strong and work for him.

What one woman epitomizes (for you) a picture of Christian Entrepreneurial Leadership? 

How do you promote/market your business? Social media, networking through organizations and word of mouth in my hometown.

What is the biggest risk that you have taken in your business? Has it paid off?  Not jumping into projects just to earn a paycheck. Going from decent income to no income to some income has had its challenges but I cannot just take on anything to make a dime. I have to go where God is calling me to go and remain faithful to that.

What risk do you need to take now? Do a huge launch and really promote myself. As sad as it is to say since I am in marketing, I do a really good job of promoting others but let my self promotion to slide to the back burner.

What  3 tips would you share with a friend setting out on her own entrepreneurial adventure? 1) Jump in! We all have dreams but if all we do is hold on to those and dreams and we don’t act upon them, they are useless.

2) Be proud of the call God has placed on your life. He has given you a calling, a path and you need to be proud to call it yours. Don’t shy away from where God has placed you.

3) Find a support group. Find others that have different skills, that think differently than you do and that can lift you and also tell you like it is.

What resources and books would you recommend—the ones which have best helped you?  Everybody’s Normal Until You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg because it helps me see clients in a whole new perspective. Platform by Michale Hyatt  and The Circlemaker by Mark Batterson.

Tell us about your family and support group: I have been married to my husband Eric for 10 years and we have two boys, Carter and Blaine, who are 8 and 3. Eric is a great supporter and so are other members of my family and the church congregation we serve.

Who were/are your mentors?Diane Cunningham for being real in her business. My father for building a great business and not letting junk get in the way of doing it. My mother for being a great example of being a mother and guiding me as I am a mom to my boys. And my husband Eric, who is not afraid to say what he thinks and is proud to minister to those around him through any challenge that may come his way.

Alison Gillaspie is a marketing expert who has a deep passion for seeing small businesses and non-profits thrive through correct marketing practices. She loves seeing businesses work through a branding process and embrace their a-ha moment in marketing that is going to make their business succeed. Her marketing technique is very sensitive to the workings of God and the Holy Spirit within each business.

Alison lives in Lexington, KY with her husband and two boys. She loves working with her clients and is ready to work with you today. Check out her websites www.DeepRootedMarketing.com and www.aligoriginals.com  for more details of her marketing services that will make your business succeed!