Katie Dennison

I attribute my success to my career journey from being a high school chemistry teacher with a Master's in Education and Technology from Western Governors University to starting my own marketing company, Mayapple Marketing, which now serves 16 clients. I've been in my field for about 4 years and have been running my own business for 2 years. I'm very proud of what I've built so far. I have some very great companies that I work with that rank number one, if not in the top three on Google locally, and that's pretty impressive that I was able to build them up in the years that we've worked together. I also recently launched a local networking group for small businesses in my community called the Bullet Business Connect, and at the first meeting, we had 45 business owners present, which was incredible. I've also published some national articles that have national and global input from other marketing specialists, and that was something I was very proud of as well.

One of the best pieces of career advice I’ve ever received was that your circumstances do not define your ability to succeed. As a mom balancing business ownership, life responsibilities, and plenty of challenges along the way, that message has stayed with me. It reminded me that even when your plate feels full and the odds feel stacked against you, you are still capable of building something meaningful and successful.

That mindset has motivated me throughout my journey as an entrepreneur, and it’s something I hope to pass along to other women — especially moms — who may doubt whether they can pursue their goals while managing everything else life demands.

Don’t wait until you feel completely ready to start. Confidence is built through experience, not before it. There will always be challenges, self-doubt, and people who underestimate you, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of succeeding.

As a business owner and a mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to juggle multiple responsibilities while trying to grow something of your own. But I also want other women to know that it is possible. You can build a successful career, create opportunities for yourself, and still stay true to who you are.

My biggest advice is to keep learning, stay adaptable, and never underestimate the value of your perspective and experiences. Those things are often what set you apart.

One of the biggest opportunities in digital marketing right now is the ability to utilize AI and emerging technology to help businesses work smarter and grow faster. AI has completely changed the way businesses can approach content creation, customer engagement, SEO, data analysis, and overall marketing strategy. Small businesses now have access to tools that can help them compete on a much larger scale without needing massive teams or budgets behind them. I think we’re only at the beginning of seeing how powerful those tools can become when used strategically and authentically.

At the same time, one of the biggest challenges in this industry is how quickly everything evolves. Algorithms, platforms, trends, and technology are constantly changing, which means staying adaptable and continuing to learn is essential. As a one-woman business owner currently managing around 16 clients, no two days look the same for me. Every business has different goals, different audiences, and different challenges, so my work is always changing and evolving alongside them. I genuinely enjoy the fast-paced nature of the industry because it pushes me to stay creative, continue learning, and constantly find better ways to help businesses grow.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are community, authenticity, and perseverance. I’ve always been passionate about supporting the people and businesses around me, which is a big part of why I started Mayapple Marketing. I wanted to continue helping and educating others, but in a way that allowed me to make a direct impact within my community and support small business growth on a more personal level.

Family is also a huge part of who I am. As a mom with a busy household and kids involved in sports and activities, a lot of my personal life revolves around supporting and showing up for them — whether that’s at soccer games, dance competitions, school events, or everyday moments in between. Those experiences have taught me a lot about balance, adaptability, and the importance of being present for the people who matter most.

I also believe strongly in staying genuine in both business and life. I want clients to feel comfortable, understood, and supported when they work with me, and I try to bring that same honesty and approachability into everything I do. And outside of work and family life, you can usually find me with an iced coffee, browsing a thrift store, or shopping for clothes or makeup whenever I get a little free time.