Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Swanton.
Hi Kathryn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Metkat Marketing was born from a desire to take control of my future, challenge my skill sets, and make a greater impact in my community. After earning my master’s degree in International Marketing, I found myself craving opportunities to learn new technologies, sharpen my marketing skills, and work on projects that pushed me outside my comfort zone. I started this business as a side hustle in 2019, helping nonprofits and small businesses tell their stories while building my portfolio and expertise. What began as a passion project quickly grew into a purpose-driven agency dedicated to helping mission-focused organizations connect with their communities through authentic, strategic marketing. Since launching full-time in 2023, Metkat Marketing now reflects my belief that great storytelling can inspire action, create change, and amplify the voices of those making a difference.
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?
As a newish business owner, one of my biggest challenges was building credibility and trust as a freelance marketing agent in a competitive industry. Without an established portfolio, convincing potential clients of my expertise and the value I could provide was difficult. I had to balance doing a ton of volunteer or heavily discounted work to showcase my skills while managing limited resources to keep the business afloat.
As a first-time business owner, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is balancing my creative vision for my business with the practical demands of running it day to day. There’s a steep learning curve from navigating financial management and understanding legal obligations to building a client base from scratch. Every decision, whether it’s refining services or marketing strategies, directly impacts the business’s growth, and it can be overwhelming at times.
Additionally, wearing multiple hats (marketer, accountant, client manager) requires constant adaptability, but seeing the business take shape is incredibly rewarding. I have tried to take advantage of all the educational resources available online and in my community to overcome these ongoing challenges. I have completed (2) NBIC cohorts, (5) certificates through Coursera, and (4) LinkedIn Learning courses. I’ve also met with over 40 senior-level marketing professionals and CEOs to learn about their failures and successes. This knowledge has turned out to be pure gold, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with the next marketers or entrepreneurs I meet.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Metkat Marketing?
As the founder of Metkat Marketing, I partner with small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits to craft personalized, data-driven marketing strategies that drive growth and engagement. This involves a blend of deep industry research, strategic planning, and hands-on execution across SEO, content marketing, and social media. What people think I do is casually post on social media or create some flashy ads. In reality, it’s much more complex and requires understanding analytics, market trends, and customer behavior to ensure every campaign is impactful and results-oriented.
For the clients I work with, they don’t have the budget to hire a full-time marketing staff member, and most marketing agencies in Nashville require a large monthly retainer and/or a yearly contract for new clients. My clients are organizations that only need someone for a few hours each month to update their website, create a single promotional flyer, or curate social media content – someone who can do just a little bit of everything marketing-related. Most importantly, they need someone well-connected in the community and deeply passionate about networking. They need someone who will care about their business/mission as much as they do, and can communicate that tone and passion throughout everything they create. I aim to be my clients’ biggest cheerleader and do everything I can to help them see and feel success.
What’s next for Metkat Marketing is growth, but not just in the traditional sense. I’m entering a season where I want to challenge myself creatively, professionally, and personally in ways that feel both exciting and uncomfortable. One of my biggest goals is to continue sharpening my skills in emerging technologies, especially AI, automation, and web design, so I can better serve clients in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. I never want to become stagnant or rely only on what I already know. I want Metkat to stay innovative, adaptable, and ahead of the curve while also becoming more efficient operationally behind the scenes.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Best:
– Diversity and unique personalities in each neighborhood
Least:
– Community resources (schools, parks, playgrounds, community centers) are concentrated in wealthier neighborhoods
As a new homeowner, I envision myself playing a significant role in shaping the future of the Nashville region. In 2023, I purchased my home in a suburban Antioch neighborhood that I quickly grew to love. Within my first month of homeownership, it became clear that our community wasn’t receiving the attention or resources it deserved from local lawmakers. Rather than accept the status quo, I stepped up to serve as HOA president, committed to being a voice for my neighbors and an advocate for equity. Since then, I’ve actively attended town board, council, and zoning meetings to ensure our concerns are heard and addressed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.metkatmarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metkat_marketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetkatMarketing/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metkat-marketing/
