Exploring Life & Business with Kellie Walton of Modern South

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kellie Walton

Hi Kellie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my career in public relations, representing an array of industries from healthcare to products and, ultimately, hospitality. I fell in love with travel, and set my sights on a career focused on just that. I ended up quitting my job to become a freelance writer, covering food and destinations all around the world.

I wrote for major media brands and local publications alike, all of which inspired me to launch my own media brand. Now, I’m the founder and editor-in-chief of Modern South, which places a fresh perspective on Southern food, travel, lifestyle, and culture.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m fortunate that the road to get here has been largely smooth. Of course I’ve had hard days, but the work is so rewarding, I take them in stride. Any challenges I’ve faced have propelled me into the next chapter of my career. In PR, I wanted to write more. As a writer, I wanted to write about topics I’m passionate about. As a business owner, I get to do all of that and learn more every single day!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Modern South?
Modern South is a digital media brand that spotlights Southern food, travel, lifestyle, culture, and all the great things the region brings to the table in modern America. As a multimedia platform, it operates as a digital publication, a weekly e-newsletter, social media channels, and soon, a YouTube channel.

Here’s our “why”:
Here in the South, we may love our front porches and sweet tea, our floral prints and needlepoint knitting, our stunning white sand coasts and our winding back roads. But we also love our diverse cuisine, celebrating chefs from all over the world who call the region home. We love that we’ve become a destination for vibrant music, historical sites, and just as many major metropolitan areas as charming small towns.

We’re here to spotlight all the things that make the American South great: those sweet Southern traditions like twinkling lightning bugs and all things toile print, while also celebrating all the wonderful, refreshing things we bring to the table in modern America.

Here’s our motto: Live Rooted
Being Rooted is about honoring our roots—the sweet traditions, the biscuits and BBQ, the warmth of hospitality—while also recognizing that roots don’t just hold us in place; they help us grow. Through the Rooted Movement, we’re celebrating the foundation and traditions of the South, while also embracing personal growth, progress, and what it means to be “Southern” today.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I always hope to lead with empathy, compassion, and with an emphasis on community. We’re better together, and I hope Modern South will serve as both a trusted resource and convergence of like minds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.modernsouthmag.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernsouthmag/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernsouthmag
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernsouth
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@modernsouthmag

Image Credits
Addison Colvin