Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Scanlan.
Kate, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Finding beauty behind the camera started young for me. By no means would I call myself a seasoned photographer, but I’ve always loved capturing moments. Growing up, my dad carried a camcorder everywhere, recording both the big milestones and the small everyday moments throughout my childhood. Those are some of my earliest memories, and where my fascination with storytelling and “content creation” really began.
I naturally leaned creative growing up. I was more drawn to art, music, and dancing than playing sports in the cul-de-sac with the neighborhood kids. Looking back now, even staying up late making PowerPoints about completely random topics or begging my parents for a Facebook account at 12 years old was the start of my interest in social media and digital design – even if I didn’t realize it at the time.
I moved to Nashville almost five years ago from Tampa, Florida in pursuit of my Master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Belmont University. What started as a front desk job during graduate school unexpectedly evolved into a full-time career in digital marketing just a few years later. Today, I serve as the Digital Marketing Manager for Berry Hill Beauty Salon, a team led, filled, and empowered by women. I feel incredibly lucky to not only love the creative side of what I do, but also the people and community behind it. Being able to help people feel confident, seen, and beautiful while building a brand I genuinely believe in has made this career feel far more personal than I ever expected.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what has shaped me the most.
My dad always recited The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost to me and my sister. When I moved to Nashville, he unexpectedly passed away just six months later. Navigating life, grief, and adulthood at a young age without a parent is something that continues to shape me every single day.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself returning to that poem often, especially when reflecting on my career path and the choices I’ve made. The meaning of the poem, to me, has always been about having the courage to take the path that may not look the most traditional or expected, but ultimately becomes the one that defines you.
I’ve also always had a very entrepreneurial mindset when it came to my life and career. I’ve never been someone who was solely motivated by the idea of following a perfectly mapped-out path just because it felt safer or conventional. I’ve always been more drawn to building, creating, and trusting my instincts – even when the direction felt uncertain.
There were many moments where I could’ve pursued the more “desirable” or traditional corporate route after graduate school. Instead, my creative instincts kept pulling me somewhere different. I stayed committed to a salon and brand that I genuinely believed in, even when the future felt unclear.
I think there is a real opportunity cost that comes with choosing the unconventional path. You sacrifice stability, predictability, and sometimes even validation from others while trying to build something that aligns more deeply with who you are. At times, it felt like I was taking the longer road with no guarantee it would lead me anywhere. But over time, this experiences helped me build confidence in myself, my creativity, and the kind of work environment I wanted to be part of. Eventually, that path led me to a role that combines storytelling, strategy, and human connection in a way that feels incredibly authentic to who I am.
Looking back now, I think taking the “road less traveled” is exactly what led me to where I was supposed to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently serve as the Digital Marketing Manager for Berry Hill Beauty Salon here in Nashville, where I oversee social media, branding, digital campaigns, content creation, partnerships, and overall brand strategy. A lot of what I do lives at the intersection of creativity and community, whether that is creating content that resonates emotionally, building campaigns that feel real to our audience, or helping shape the identity and voice of the brand online.
I think what I specialize in most is storytelling and understanding how people connect digitally. Social media has shifted so much from perfection to relatability, and I love finding ways to make brands feel human. Especially in the beauty industry, people are not just investing in a service, they are investing in how a place, person, and experience makes them feel.
One of the things I’m most proud of is helping build a strong sense of identity and culture around the salon both online and in person. From partnerships with organizations like the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders to growing our digital presence and creating content that genuinely reflects our team, I’ve loved being part of building something that people feel connected to.
I also thinks what sets me apart is that I didn’t necessarily enter this industry through a traditional marketing pipeline. My background is deeply rooted in communication, creativity, human connection, and curiosity. I pay attention to trends and emotion just as much as analytics and strategy. I think because of that, I approach marketing less like “selling” and more like creating conversations people actually want to be part of.
At the end of the day, I’m most proud of creating work that feels authentic – both to brands I work with and to myself.
What matters most to you? Why?
There’s a saying that “you are a reflection of who you surround yourself with,” and I’ve found that to be incredibly true.
What matters most to me is my people. More than accomplishments or career milestones, I value the relationships and community surrounding me. I truly don’t think I would be the same person I am today without the people who have loved me, challenged me, supported me, inspired me, and believed in me throughout different seasons of my life.
Especially after losing my dad at a young age, relationships and human connection took an even deeper meaning for me. It made me realize how important it is to be intentional about the people you pour into and the people who pour back into you.
A lot of the reason I love the work I do is because it’s rooted in people. Whether it’s building community through content or creating spaces where people feel seen and connected, that human element is what motivates me the most.
I think life is really about the people you share it with. Everything else is just an extension of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.berryhillbeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berryhillbeauty.salon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berryhillbeautysalon
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@berryhill.beauty?_r=1&_t=ZT-93trpYM3kXF
