Episode 116: Kelsey Wagner

Kelsey Wagner

Intro: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Pretty Powerful Podcast, where powerful women are interviewed every week to share real inspiring stories and incredible insight to help women or anyone break the barriers, be a part of innovation, shatter the glass ceiling, and dominate to the top of their sport, industry, or life's mission.

Join us as we celebrate exceptional women and step into our power. And now here's your host, Angela Gennari.

Angela Gennari: Hello, welcome to another episode of the pretty powerful podcast. My name is Angela Gennari. And today I'm here with Kelsey Wagner. Hi, Kelsey. Hi. So Kelsey is a dynamic entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and community leader based in Ponkla city, Oklahoma.

Kelsey is the owner of my media matters, creative agency, where she helps build. She helps businesses grow through innovative marketing, branding, and digital strategies. Beyond her business success, Kelsey serves [00:01:00] as a city commissioner and is currently running for mayor of Ponca City. With over a decade of experience helping businesses thrive and a passion for community development, Kelsey brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship, leadership, and time management.

So whether she's consulting small businesses, shaping civic initiatives, or teaching others how to find balance and purpose, Kelsey is a trailblazer dedicated to making a difference. Very cool. So, I mean, the first question I'm going to have to ask is public service. This is a huge, I mean, that's a, I mean, when you're an entrepreneur and you're running a business, and then you also were like, you know what, with those extra three and a half seconds I have per day, I'm going to cut out something and I'm going to devote it to.

Public service. I mean, entrepreneurs are crazy busy. So good for you for wanting to make a difference in your community. But tell me what led you into that?

Kelsey Wagner: Well, you know, it's funny because I've always been interested and fascinated with politics. But once I got into being a [00:02:00] business owner, I thought, well, I'm never going to be able to do politics because politics is bad for business.

So they say,

Both: right.

Kelsey Wagner: Uh, But the more I really got into, uh, you know, helping businesses and working with organizations, uh, I really just started to uncover all these things that I felt like I could do more of if I was in a position to, to make policy change. And so I just felt like I kept getting pushed in that direction.

And I decided, I'm like, you know, imagine a world where more entrepreneurs were running our government.

Angela Gennari: What

Kelsey Wagner: a better world it would

Angela Gennari: be. a better world for sure. Yeah, here I am. Wow, good for you. Well, that's really admirable. And I've thought the same thing many times. I've thought, you know, I'd love to get into politics.

I'd love to be able to do a little bit more to help create change. Um, but, you know, I just, You get overwhelmed with being an entrepreneur, and there's so much on your plate, and I'm constantly taking on new initiatives and new opportunities, and okay, we'll just grow a little bit here, and we'll do a little bit more [00:03:00] there, and then you lose an executive, and you're like, I'm right back to the grind of, yeah, so.

And I

Kelsey Wagner: do. Uh, I do teach time management classes, and so I feel like, um, being able to balance that, getting into something that you're not prepared for is definitely not something I would advise, but, uh, I've changed my lifestyle a lot, and, and I, my time management enables me to do that, so.

Angela Gennari: I love that.

Okay, well, we're definitely going to dive into that, because that's, that's a topic I need to know about, so if I do, I know other people do too. So, um, so you're running for mayor, so what is that process like?

Kelsey Wagner: Well, originally, I ran for city commissioner in 2022, and I actually ran unopposed. So I didn't have to run a campaign.

I didn't have to go out and, you know, get votes or anything. So I became an elected official. Well, when I decided to run for mayor, I had a feeling that. There was going to be opposition there. There is I have one opponent, so I got way out ahead of the game. I formed my committee. I started [00:04:00] fundraising. I started doing campaigning.

So I actually announced that I was going to run in July and then we filed the official paperwork in December. So I'm. in the thick of campaign mode right now and the election is February 11th. So it has been uh, an out of body type of experience. I've never run a campaign, so it's, it is kind of what you think it is though.

It's definitely demanding.

Angela Gennari: Yeah, I imagine it is. Well, and so do you have to have a lot of public speaking opportunities? Are you constantly going and talking to groups? Is that what that looks like?

Kelsey Wagner: Yes, absolutely. I've held, you know, coffee chats where I invite the public to come out. I've talked to civic clubs.

I'm, you know, having a hero's breakfast where I talk to military professionals. So, I mean, you name it, I'm doing it. I'm on the cam. I'm knocking door to door. I'm doing everything. I've got signs out. I'm getting ready to run some radio ads. I've got a website. So all, all the things just, you know, I figure it out.

If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it right. And if, if I'm going to win, I need [00:05:00] to make sure that I put all the tools on the table. So,

Angela Gennari: yeah, well, good for you. And I mean, it's brilliant. You own a marketing agency, so this is like right up your alley of like how to figure this out. So that's amazing.

So, um. So how did you balance, and let's go into the time management thing, how did you balance being a city commissioner with also being an entrepreneur and getting ready to run a campaign? So talk to me a little bit about your time management strategies.

Kelsey Wagner: Well, I think with, with most business owners, we generally have a passion to help our community.

And what happens is you dip your toe and then, and then, and then everybody kind of swarms, Oh, come be on my board, come be on my group, come volunteer for this. And so you get kind of wrapped up in this, Oh, I'm, I'm serving on everything. And so about seven or eight years ago, I really started getting into time management and, you know, being more intentional with my time.

And so I created a personal mission, vision, values for myself. And so I have a, you know, a personal mission [00:06:00] and everything that I do, I consult that mission. And if it doesn't get me closer to my ultimate goal, then I, then I say no to it. And so. What I did when I was really getting ready to be a city commissioner, I had rolled off every single board except for the Chamber of Commerce, which I'm very passionate about helping small business.

Uh, so I was chamber chair this past year. Um, but, but I had said no to everything else. So I really am a big believer in intentionality and being proactive with what you're going to do with your time to be the most effective leader to make the most effective change you can. So

Angela Gennari: Absolutely. I love that.

Yeah. I had gotten into a position where you're right. I mean, once you do one thing, you know, they always say, if you want something done, call a busy person because it's true. They're going to get it done. It's going to be efficient. And they do get it done. They always get it done. So, uh, but yeah, there was one time where I think I was serving on.

Like four different committees and boards and I, you know, was so drained and I was, I mean, pulled in so many directions and I felt like I was [00:07:00] constantly like fighting deadlines, like Friday, an

Kelsey Wagner: easy recipe for, for burnout. Right?

Angela Gennari: Yeah, very much. So, and at the end of that year, I remember I just, you know, at the end of the last board service, I was, I said, I, I can't, I'm taking a year off and I took a year off of volunteering for anything and it took me, it took me some time to just kind of decompress from all of it because, you know, when you're constantly pulling so many directions, but, you know, the good thing about that is you do become disciplined with your time and I became much more efficient at my business after that, because I was able to focus fully, but I also focused in a more meaningful, purposeful, intentional way.

Okay.

Kelsey Wagner: Yes, exactly. And I think when you start to look at your time and actual time blocks and you multiply that out by weeks and months and years, and you know, it's okay. It doesn't matter what you do with your life, but if you choose to do, you know, travel sports with your children, you're looking at, you know, 20 hours a [00:08:00] month or something.

A huge commitment. Exactly. And so just understanding and knowing what those commitments are, like when you're going to sign up for something, ask what the time commitment is ahead of time. And it's something that a lot of people don't think about, but it does add up.

Angela Gennari: It really does. So talk to me now a little bit more about your, your marketing background.

So you started a marketing agency. So is that what you, is that your passion? Is that what you wanted to do?

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah, it, you know, it's one of those things that I went to school. I'm actually a trained journalist. I went to school for journalism, uh, and then I went and I got my degree in administrative leadership.

Uh, so. I ended up getting, I worked for a non profit, I worked for a bank, I was one of those people, I just was kind of jumping around job to job, didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, but I got laid off twice in a matter of three years, and I thought, you know, I don't really care what I do next, but I don't want to get laid off again, so I thought, I'm going to start my own business, and so I had already been doing I'm You know, building websites for people.

I've always [00:09:00] had a very tech techie kind of background. So I started doing that on the side and then I launched my media matters and it just took off. And so I've got customers all over the country. Uh, and I think that one of the things they really love about me is that I'm. Approachable. I'm consistent.

You know, one of the things I get all the time from people is, Oh, my web designer doesn't ever email me back. And so being just being a human person that answers the phone and emails back that it's a low bar, but it is amazing how many people just can't do the basic thing. So

Angela Gennari: it's so true. It's so true. I mean, there are so many times where I got a con a contract with somebody just because I answered the phone because you're the first person out of four people that I've just called that answered the phone.

And it's time to actually like set aside like, Hey, well let's talk, what are the issues you're trying to solve and how can I help you? And you know, people just want to be heard and they're tired of talking to, you know, the wall and getting nowhere. And so I feel like is as efficient as our world has become with the internet and [00:10:00] email and everything else.

It's also highly inefficient because we're just overwhelmed with so much. so much stuff that we block it all out and then it's impossible to get to a human.

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah. And you can never really replace the value of just true human to human, you know, communication. Cause you'll go back and forth with email for weeks when it could have been a five minute phone call.

Really

Angela Gennari: exactly. Or texting. Oh my gosh. We just call me. Just call me.

Kelsey Wagner: I do love a short text sometimes though. Sometimes that's more efficient.

Angela Gennari: Absolutely. So, uh, so. I, I own a small business and a lot of people who are listening are small business owners. So how can we develop our marketing better? Because marketing is one of those things where if you're not in marketing, it feels confusing and it feels overwhelming.

There's so many outlets. So what would you, what advice would you give to small business owners who are looking to do marketing at a, you know, reasonably cost, but you know, they, they want to get, they want to get their name out there.

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah. I think for most small business owners, they [00:11:00] struggle with. Finding their voice.

Uh, they, they see all these different people and what they're doing and they want to do what they're doing. And so I think what my recommendation always is, is that authenticity, that's what people connect with. And so you really have to look inward, find what makes you special, find what makes you unique, and then, and then do it in a way that nobody else is doing it.

And that's where people really latch on. I mean, you know, you have those people that are going viral and all this stuff. It's because They're doing something different and unique. You don't have to, you know, try to copy, um, and you can spend a lot less marketing dollars and get a lot more traction by doing it that way than you can.

I mean, I have seen people spending hundreds of thousands of dollars with very, very little return on investment because they're not, they don't have that authenticity.

Angela Gennari: And I've made those mistakes too. And unfortunately, especially when it comes to advertising, like print advertising, it's so expensive.

And if you don't do it [00:12:00] right, you could literally just walk away with nothing. And I've done that a few times. Like, you know, they'll convince you, Hey, if you advertise, you get a full page ad and this magazine, and it'll be, you know, gone to this many people. But then you have to ask yourself, have I read this magazine?

Because if I haven't read it, Am I, are my competitors reading it? And so I definitely got stuck in that trap before where I agreed to spend, you know, thousands of dollars on print ads that no one saw. We never got any return on investment. And imagine if we had put that same amount of money into online marketing or a better website, or, you know, it, it would have actually probably given us a better return.

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah, and you do have to be really strategic, you know, where you're spending your marketing dollars

Both: because

Kelsey Wagner: it does matter, you know, if like you said, if you're not reading it, who else is reading it? Um, we actually do, you know, own a magazine called Punk City Monthly Magazine, but it's a hyper local publication.

And, you know, we have a lot of people that say, Oh, I don't know, print, print is [00:13:00] dead. But it really depends on the publication. It depends on, you know, who's your audience, who are you trying to reach? There are some companies that should not spend any money on print, and they should only be doing digital.

But likewise, if you're trying to reach an older demographic, you need to be in print. And so, like, just knowing your audience, knowing what customers you're trying to reach is very, very important.

Angela Gennari: Absolutely. So, um, branding is something else that I feel like people get wrong. I feel like the, they think a brand is just a logo and it's so much more than a logo.

And I think it really goes back to what you were saying earlier about a voice. It's really your voice. And so it's putting your voice in a, in an image, in a, in. You know, how you do your business, how you put things out on social media. And one of the things that I do as a CEO of a company is I have a personal brand.

And so the personal brand is not necessarily about me. It's about me being the leader of this company. And so, you know, I represent the company [00:14:00] with this voice. And that voice also translates to everything that the company does. So I think building a brand is important. So what, what recommendations do you have for brand building as a small business?

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah. Um, I'm going to go out on left field here because I feel like I see this so much is it's really important getting that brand, but the biggest mistake I see people having is they rebrand way too often. Really? They get a great brand and then they do a re I think it's fun and exciting and fresh to rebrand like, but I see people do it like every year.

They're like, Oh, I got a fresh brand. I got a fresh, you know, and it's okay. To update your brand. It's a whole different thing to rebrand. I see companies that are changing their business name that are changing their logo to something completely different. Um, so I would say put a lot of work and effort into getting that brand and you're right, the colors, you know, uh, the, the feeling, the meaning, everything really makes a big difference.

And then once you get that brand [00:15:00] identity together. Really, really own it. And, and, you know, then a couple of years down the road, yes, you're going to need refreshes. Look at Coca Cola. Their logo is completely changed. They've done, you know, 25 different updates to their brand, but they've kept that core identity of, of who they are.

Both: Yeah. And,

Kelsey Wagner: and it takes such a long time to become recognizable and it becomes a very, very valuable asset in how you take care of it.

Angela Gennari: Absolutely. Well, and then protecting that asset, you know, going into the legal part of trademarking it and making sure that you, you, that brand stays your brand. Um, and you know, my company is called Titan.

And so it's a pretty common name, but you know, one of the things that we did, um, a while ago was go and get the trademark. So we own the trademark. We own the word Titan and security because it is so common and it's really easy for other people to be like, Hmm, this sounds like a good name. But, you know, they'll spend thousands of dollars on marketing materials and all these things and not do the [00:16:00] research and then get a letter from us to cease and desist from the attorney.

Uh, but yeah, so I, I think, you know, as you're branding and as you're getting your name out there, also do that extra, extra step of due diligence of making sure it's not somebody else's brand or it's not infringing on somebody's trademark, which is a huge, huge thing.

Kelsey Wagner: As in you will have to rebrand. Oh, yeah.

Angela Gennari: Yeah.

Kelsey Wagner: It can be expensive too. Once, once you've gotten signage and, you know, paid for every, it can be, it's a very expensive, uh, investment. It can be.

Angela Gennari: It can be absolutely right. Yeah. So, I mean, you could have to get all new, um, all new uniforms. I mean, there's just, it's, it's endless.

Both: It is.

Angela Gennari: So, how do you incorporate what you do as a entrepreneur and a business owner with your community engagement?

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah, that's a really interesting question. It's a conversation I've been having a lot with the citizens of Ponca City and with fellow business owners. I, I feel like that [00:17:00] we're all kind of standing around looking at each other and we all understand a couple things. Number one, the world is completely different than it was five years ago, ten years ago.

And number two, a lot of our leaders that have been in. Powerful positions leading they're all ready to retire. And so we have kind of this big shift in, uh, you know, who is going to be the decision makers. Uh, and so I, I, I feel like, uh, one of the things that I really bring to the table is. As a marketing professional and as someone who has worked with a lot of businesses, communicating a message out to people is very, very important.

From a city perspective, you know, we're trying to compete to bring in new businesses. We're trying to bring in tourism. Um, and so having an effective marketing strategy at the municipal level is. It's never been more important than it is now. People communicate differently, they shop differently, they work differently, you know, you can live remotely now.

And so, attracting the type of families and citizens that you want [00:18:00] to live to build a thriving community is extremely important. And so, I think that my marketing background gives me a very competitive edge. And someone who, you know, doesn't have that, it's just, it's a different kind of leadership.

Angela Gennari: No, you're absolutely right.

And I think that the leaders who, you know, are still around and they've been in politics or community, you know, involvement for so long, or civic roles, it's a different world than when they started to, you know, and so if you've spent your whole life in politics, and you haven't been a business owner, and you haven't been in the workforce at the at the same level as the citizens that you're serving, It's really hard to identify with them.

And I love that you were out there engaging with small businesses every day, because I do feel like it gives you a pulse of what's happening in your community because small businesses are a community. Our communities are not run by the large corporations. They're run by the small businesses. That's who employ most of our, most of our citizens.

Kelsey Wagner: Absolutely.

Angela Gennari: Yeah.

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah. And our small businesses, they are there. It's been a very [00:19:00] hostile environment the last five years. And a lot of these small brick and mortars are having to make some very difficult decisions and they need support. They need support from everywhere that we can, can give it to them.

But some of these small business are small businesses are overcoming these odds and doing such amazing, innovative things. And, and. What do small businesses do? They give back to the community. They're the first in line to donate to the bake sale and all these other things. So

Angela Gennari: they're the ones who have their signs up at the ball field.

You know, when your kids go to play football or basketball or baseball, they're the ones with the signage. They're the ones who are out there supporting the community efforts. So absolutely. So, um, So you have something called Rivershire. So Rivershire is, uh, is an RV park.

Kelsey Wagner: Yes. It's an RV park. Um, my husband and I are both entrepreneurs.

He actually has a full time job. Uh, but he, you know, he'd been watching me on my own small business. Well, two small businesses for a while. [00:20:00] And he thought, you know, Kelsey, I think I want to. Have an investment property. What do you think we should do? Uh, so he is a scout master of troop Ponca city. He loves camping.

He loves outdoor adventuring. So he kind of settled on an RV park.

Both: So

Kelsey Wagner: we, we bought that RV park and fixed it up and, you know, put a lot of love and time and attention into it. And, uh, then we had a post go viral last year that has kind of changed. It changed our life. It's been very eyeopening and a fun experience.

Angela Gennari: Really? So tell me about how that went viral and what it, what it was.

Kelsey Wagner: Oh, I'm a, obviously my business, I'm a social media person, but just personally, I've always, you know, shared a lot on social media. I'm a writer and I, I love to, to talk about my life. Uh, but my husband, uh, is a very quiet person. He does not post, he's one of those people that just watches on social media, never interacts.

So when we bought the RV park in November, you know, we did all the things, we built a website, we, you know, [00:21:00] we're posting on social media for Rivershire, uh, but again, this is kind of goes back to that, finding that authentic voice, um, we were really frustrated because he had, he had one person book from November to April, and we were starting to get very, very word, and it was, it was, It was May.

Um, when I, my husband walked in one Saturday and I actually had a sick kid. I was taking him to the doctor. My husband and we had been, you know, I don't want to say fighting, but we had, it was a stressful situation because we were watching the bank account and doing some projecting. And we're like, if, if this continues on through the end of summer, you know, by the end of the year, we're going to have to make some very difficult decisions.

Both: And

Kelsey Wagner: so me being the person I am, I just. My husband was just so frustrated. So I just got on Facebook. I thought I'm just going to ask people what they think. So I made a post and I said, uh, Hey guys, I need some help. You know, my husband bought an RV park. Uh, we've done these things and we are not getting any campers.

What do you think we should do? [00:22:00] It was a very simple post that I wrote in about 30 seconds, and I, I posted it, posted a picture of my husband, and then I got in the car and drove my kiddo to the doctor. By the time we left the house and got to the doctor, it had been shared like a hundred thousand times.

It was the craziest, my phone started blowing up, and I think what connected was That my husband is a military veteran. He's a scout master. Um, and then the, the RV park community. I mean, between those three kind of niche communities, they saw someone that was. Working hard and in need of help, and I'm, it kind of gives me goosebumps, like, our park was full for two months straight.

I mean, booked, solid, and still to this day, I mean, we're talking, you know, this has been nine months ago, like, Still to this day, people call because of that one Facebook post.

Angela Gennari: Amazing.

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah, life changing. And so, and that's why I say it's so important to [00:23:00] find that authentic version of yourself, because when you can get that connection, you know, that brand becomes identifiable with who you are as a person, and there's nobody else that can be you.

And so, My quiet husband who hates Facebook and never posts, you know, that this, the post was so wonderful for him because now people go to the park, then they know he's not a big social media guy, but they love to go and talk to him about military and scouts and all the things and his business is just thriving.

So.

Angela Gennari: Oh, my gosh. I'm so happy for him. And I'm so happy for you. What an amazing story. I love that. Well, and I think people love vulnerability because they connect with vulnerability. We've all been vulnerable and we've all wanted somebody to say, Hey, I got you. Right. And so when you have that opportunity to do that for somebody else, it's the like, for me, it's like, Oh, that's it makes me feel great that I know I helped somebody else.

Right. So

Kelsey Wagner: it's true. And I think that there's a, You know, there's a special kind of condition where you [00:24:00] have to put in that work up front, like you can't be the first one asking for help, but when you've done everything that you know how to do, and you do, and that vulnerability, I think people connect with that so much, and I give this advice to just regular, you know, if you own a restaurant and, you know, your numbers are down, there's There's this interesting thing where sometimes people don't want to be rude and tell you what they really think unless you ask for it,

Both: you

Kelsey Wagner: know, get on there and say, Hey, guys, our numbers have been down.

What can we do better? People will direct message you, you know, they, most people are very kind, generous people. And, and it, but if you're not asking for that feedback, how, how are you supposed to know? And not everybody is going to leave you Google reviews. You can't always rely on that. So

Angela Gennari: yeah,

Kelsey Wagner: it's being a good listener.

Angela Gennari: Yeah, and Google reviews can be very, um, one sided because usually you're only going to go to a Google review. If you've had a terrible experience. I do have a lot of accolades to those people who say, Hey, at the end of every service, no matter how [00:25:00] it went, Hey, leave me a Google review. Leave me a Google ask.

I'll do it. But if they don't. I generally don't do it if they've done a good job. It's only when I'm mad about something that now I'm going to go leave a Google review. And that's just human nature, I think. Yeah, yeah. I think it's, you know, an exceptionally good or an exceptionally bad experience triggers you to want to do something about it.

But, you know, if you just have a decent experience, like that was good. That was expected, you know. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Yeah. Fascinating. So, um, what other social media, um, advice would you give to people?

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah. Um, I probably just some of the things that I see, um, I, I work with hundreds of businesses. And when you do that, you just really start to see some patterns.

Um, don't, I would say under Uh, sorry, I'm going to get this wrong. I'm under promise and over deliver. Uh, I think some people get very, um, big lofty goals. And [00:26:00] then they say, I'm going to start a podcast, for example, you know, and then they do it, they get out gung ho, and then it can kind of get out of hand.

And then it falls off the face of the earth. So I always say, start, start small, you know, commit to One post a week if you've never done Facebook before you don't want to hire anybody to do it Commit to one post a week and then after three or four months that you've been being consistent with it Amp up your game after that.

So I think that um our clients You know, they want consistency is very very important Authenticity is important, but it's not a good look when you do five or six posts in the matter of a couple weeks, and then you don't post again for four months. They can see that.

Angela Gennari: Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah, well, and I see that a lot with, you know, when I, when I started my podcast.

I did it on a dare. I really did. I, somebody, it was, you know, I had been, um, during COVID, I had done some coaching, uh, just, just honestly for something to do because my business [00:27:00] was shut down for five, for five months during the pandemic. And so I was just looking for something to do other than, you know, House projects.

I needed something besides digging ditches in my yard to keep me busy or else I was going to take on way more than I needed to and spend way more money than I needed to. And so I was looking for just something that I could do. And so I started coaching entrepreneurs and it was a really eye opening experience.

But in doing that, I realized the need that was out there was greater than what I could do one on one. And then when I started doing more of, um, you know, I started getting back into my business, I didn't have the time for that one on one coaching anymore. So for me, reaching a larger audience through podcasts seemed like it would make sense, but I was one of those.

I'm like, I don't have the time, maybe one day when, you know, when things slow down, when I don't have to worry about, you know, taking on all these roles in the company. And, you know, you always say the one day, one day, one day, and then somebody, we were, we were talking about something and they're like, You know, because we had visited a friend's studio who, you know, he had a [00:28:00] podcast studio and I said, Yeah, podcast is one of those things I keep telling myself I should do.

And he's like, should do it on International Women's Day. And I was like, that's like, three weeks away. And he's like, you think you can't do it, then you just Just tell me you can't do it if you can't do it. And I was like, well, I mean, I can do it, but yeah, I was like, it's just a really impossible. And he's like, well, I mean, if it's impossible for you, then I guess it's impossible.

I was

Both: like, okay, challenge accepted. It became one

Angela Gennari: of those. It's like, yeah, okay, I'll find out. I'll do it. I'll do it. And I thought, you know, I'll do it a couple of times and nobody will watch it and it'll go away and I'll just, you know, I can say I did it. And I honestly loved it. I honestly loved it. And now I'm up to like 118 episodes and it's the most rewarding experience.

Cause I get to meet amazing people like you.

Kelsey Wagner: Well, first of all, you have a wonderful voice for podcasting. You know, that's not, not everybody has that. So, um, but, and I think you bring up a great point about, you know, sometimes it's [00:29:00] good to be consistent. It's good to start small, but sometimes it's that initial fear of just jumping in and just, you know, breaking the ice and saying, you know what, I'm just going to do this because that is such a powerful way to just get yourself into that momentum.

Angela Gennari: It really is because you think you can't do it until you're doing it and then all of a sudden you're like, Oh my gosh, this is actually working. Like I'm actually doing this because I'm not a, I'm not a good, you know, I don't like public speaking very much until somebody said, Hey, we'd like you to be the keynote speaker.

And I was like, Oh no, there's no way that is not happening.

Kelsey Wagner: And then

Angela Gennari: I brought us

Kelsey Wagner: one, I brought some show and tell. So this is, I wanted to bring my magazine that I do, um, and talk about jumping in headfirst. I had never printed a magazine in my life. I was a writer, uh, but then, you know, I decided to start a magazine and, you know, it's amazing what you can accomplish when you just set that goal and say, I'm going to do this and nothing can stop you from doing it.

And I think people [00:30:00] underestimate their potential.

Angela Gennari: Oh, my gosh, all the time. Yeah, I, I, there's a gosh, who says is it? I want to say Thomas Edison, but I know that's probably not right. But it's, uh, there's a quote that says, um, it's, um, it's astonishing what you can do. Uh, gosh, I'm on a bunch of this. It was on literally had on my Facebook forever.

But, um, you'd be amazed of what you're capable of if you'd only try, you know, basically, like, we'd be astonished if we knew all that we were And it's true. Like we are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. And so all it takes is putting that one foot in front of the other and just pushing through.

And then if you fail, you fail, but you learn and that's okay. Like it is a hundred percent okay to fail at something. So absolutely. Yeah, I think people just don't take the chance, you know, and I love that you're running for mayor because that is exactly one of those things where people would be like, Oh, I could never, I could never, I could never, but you're like, you know what, you can, and you know, you're serving, you're serving your city right now as [00:31:00] commissioner.

So, you know, good for you.

Kelsey Wagner: And, you know, I'm not in Ponca City, at least I would not be the first woman elected to mayor. I would be the second. So that's good. But you know, it's, it's amazing because as I've gotten into this position as a city commissioner, I see more young women that are running for, for positions of office.

And I think that that's amazing. We need, you know, not just young people, but we need people from all across the board, more business owners, more, you know, people from all different backgrounds to really just, you know. Technically, public office is a time commitment, but technically it's only one meeting a week here in Ponca City.

That's the actual time commitment. There's meetings and other things outside of it, but if it's something you're passionate about and you want to do, make the time. Make it happen.

Angela Gennari: Mm hmm. Absolutely. And I mean, we all have, we all have the same amount of hours in every day, right? Like some people are taking those hours and they're, you know, they're serving their, their country.

Some are sort of, you know, serving in their communities. Some [00:32:00] are running, you know, multimillion dollar, billion dollar companies. And then some are making excuses as to why they can't do anything. So it's true. Yeah. When I

Kelsey Wagner: have the same. When I teach my time management classes, I use really specific, tangible examples of things like I have, I hire a house cleaner.

So for three hours a week, I'm saving that time and 12 hours a month enables me to do something different, you know, and there's, there's very tangible things that you can cut out of your life, you know, doom scrolling on Facebook people. It's amazing how much time people waste. So you just have to be intentional with your time.

Angela Gennari: Mhm. I have a timer set up on mine. So after a certain amount of time, it just locks me out. And like, that's the best thing because honestly, it gives you that like, Oh crap, I've just been doing nothing. You know, like I've just spent that much time doing nothing on, on social media. And so something like that is a big deal.

Like just being able to cut something like that out. Yeah, being mindful. Uh huh. So, who inspires you? [00:33:00]

Kelsey Wagner: Oh, that's a great question. Um, I mean, I'm, I, I grew up on a farm, and so I grew up driving a combine with my dad and my grandpa, and so probably first right out of the gate, I'm just, I'm a daddy's girl, and I, I've always been inspired by him.

He's just a very down to earth kind of guy, uh, but, you know, he always taught me the value of, of a hard day's work, and, you know, it, it's, Sometimes going out and getting dirty and coming home and actually needing a shower. It teaches you lessons that are so valuable throughout your life. And so that that's probably one of my big inspirations.

You know, I, I'm one of those people that I latch on to people and I want to learn from them. And so I've always been kind of a sponge type person and You know, that we're surrounded by people who had just have fascinating stories and wisdom, but you, you have to ask them and you have to talk to them. And that's probably the journalist and the writer and me too.

You know, I will just pepper people with questions, but you know what? They love [00:34:00] telling their stories and I have learned so much from people. Um, our current mayor right now. He's retiring after 18 years. Um, you know, he served in the military and he was a geophysicist and he is this amazing, wonderful person who has so much to teach me.

Um, and, and he has been a wonderful mentor to me. So I just, I guess I just love, I love interesting people, I guess.

Angela Gennari: Yeah, I love that that I agree with you and I think that's one of the reasons why I wanted to do this podcast is just meet people that I would never ever run into in my day to day life and learn from them because there's just so much you can learn from listening to people and hearing their story and understanding what challenges that they had to go through and understanding how they've gotten to where they are and it's just so So much value in that.

And I think, you know, one of the things that I think is one of the saddest parts of, you know, seeing a lot of kids today is that they're afraid to talk to adults. You know, they spend so much time behind a screen that they have no social skills. And, you know, talking to older, like when I talked to [00:35:00] grandparents and great grandparents and, you know, people in generations ahead of me, I always am so fascinated by their stories.

And I think there's just such a loss when people don't have that.

Kelsey Wagner: It's true. It's true. I have some older mentors now that have really, you know, helped guide me on my, my mayor journey. And one of the things I love about the older generation is the handwritten notes that they mail. And that, it breaks my heart to think that that may, so, so, you know, it breaks my heart to think that may go away.

So I have taken it upon myself to write handwritten thank you notes. And it's true, the younger generation, you know, they, I have two boys. They're 16 and 18. So I'm right in the thick of those teenage years, but just teaching them to pick up the phone and make that phone call. Don't be afraid of it because, you know, like we said at the beginning it that human connection is so, so important and it it is at risk right now with the screen time.

Angela Gennari: Hmm. My son is 18 also. And, um, you know, one of the things that I really instilled in him was, and he was [00:36:00] raised as an only child. So he spent a lot of time around adults. And so he was just kind of used to being, you know, comfortable getting comfortable around adults. But at the same time, I really wanted him to focus like when, when he has to do something, I make him pick up the phone and call, you know, like he, he has to be comfortable with that.

And when he was 13, he started his own. business and um, it was just like eating mailboxes in the neighborhood and he was just trying to raise money because I wouldn't buy him these sneakers that he wanted. So I told him, yes, he had to raise his own money for it. And so he was, and he was going around doing it, but.

Um, of course, you know, most parents are just going to email the parent, you know, like, Oh, hey, I just saw your son was out there trying to, you know, he's painting mailboxes. Can he come to my house? And I would tell my son, I'm like, Hey, you know, Mrs. Smith wants you to come to her house also. And he's like, well, did you give her my phone number?

Because I like to book my own appointments. And I was like, okay.

Kelsey Wagner: Oh, I love him. I love that. That what, what a great attitude.

Angela Gennari: He was, he was doing all of [00:37:00] his own. appointments. He had an appointment book so that he could do it all himself, but he wanted to maintain that engagement, which I think is really important.

And I think it's something that's missing a lot in the, in the younger generations. And, um, I was talking to a kid that he actually went to, uh, he went to, he, he played tee ball with when he was really, really little and I know his parents and, but I haven't seen him. I haven't seen this kid in probably 10 years, you know, when he was.

And now he's 18 and he's doing door to door sales, which is amazing. And I remember him being a really shy kid, but he came in and he was funny. And he was, you know, he did his presentation. It was just so it, he was, I, I

Kelsey Wagner: love sales people. Yes. Special personality. We have my advertising director for Punk City Monthly Magazine.

Oh my God. She is, she loves people and she just, you know, it takes a really certain passion to do it, but they're so, um, charismatic and I, I love to be around people like that.

Angela Gennari: Yeah. And well, and I think Sales teaches [00:38:00] you that courage, that, that, you know, confidence to go out and talk. And he used to be a really painfully shy kid and, and he was, you know, when he was telling me about his, you know, this, this new position, he's like, I love it.

It's commissioned only. So I really have to get company. He's like, he's like six months ago. Still asking my mom to call to get pizza for us because I didn't feel comfortable talking on the phone with the pizza guy. And he was like, now I'm knocking on doors and asking if I can come do a presentation for them.

And, and it was just, he's like, you know, it's really taught me so much about life. And I'm like, I love that. I love that, you know, kids get out there and they do, they do things that push their boundaries and teach them.

Kelsey Wagner: That's so important. My son, he just finished his Eagle Scout project to get his Eagle rank and he kind of went through that same experience where he was very kind of timid and he wasn't, you know, super outgoing and he had to get out there and raise money and go knock on doors and do all this stuff.

And by the end of the project, he was so changed and he had just overcome so many of those [00:39:00] obstacles. And so that's why I, you know, if you're not in scouts, get in an organization that really pushes your, your kids boundaries because they need it. And it, it, it will. force them to grow and, and mature. And it's so, it's, it's wonderful to watch them go through these, these challenges and succeed.

Angela Gennari: Yeah. Well, and it gives them such confidence when they know they did that. Right. Absolutely. It's, it's a gift for them to say, I did this and I broke through my own boundary or my, my own, you know, hurt of my home. Yeah. I broke through my own barriers. And so it is just such a life changing experience and it changes who they are to build character.

So

Both: big fan of that.

Angela Gennari: So what obstacles did you have to overcome and doing and starting your business? And then again, of course, running for office.

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah. Oh, probably. Let's see. There's so many. I'm kidding. I

Angela Gennari: know. Yeah. Well, entrepreneurs that we deal with it.

Kelsey Wagner: I know we deal with obstacles on the daily, but probably, you know, I, I launched the magazine.

I [00:40:00] decided I was going to launch punk city monthly in 2019. So it was November of 2019. And I did. I'm, I'm a big planner. I'm a big researcher. So I got everything, you know, got all my, my Okay. Business capital and I got my, my personnel and I made my plans and I did everything. And then, you know, December came and then January came of 2020 and then February and we're just right there selling ads.

And then, and then like started hearing about a virus. And I was like, okay, well, it's all right. Uh, well, you know, we were going to distribute all of the magazines and grocery stores. And so it got to the point where it was March. And I remember the day it was, you know, Uh, St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, when the world kind of went, Uh oh, this is like actually a real end of the world scenario.

And we had already sent the magazine to the printer, and I, and somebody said, Are you going to pull it? Are you going to cancel it? I was like, Listen, we're in too deep. We're doing this. Um, and so we ended up. Literally, the grocery store shut down. I could not deliver the first magazines to the grocery store because they were shut down.

[00:41:00] So we ended up, we were wearing gloves and masks, and we had wagons, and we were going door to door handing out magazines to people. But what ended up happening, and I love the universe in this way, is that people in Ponca City were trapped in their house, houses with nothing but bad news, and Ponca City Monthly was the only good news that they had for months.

Wow. And so, It was such an amazing thing where it has become this beloved publication, we published human interest stories and stories about, you know, what's going on in the community, and people absolutely love the magazine, but I think that that kind of initial obstacle, it ended up being such a powerful opportunity for us to ingrain ourselves in the community, and I think every obstacle is kind of like that, where

Both: yeah.

Kelsey Wagner: You gotta find that, that silver lining and then I, you always have to, and I tell business owners I work with this, like, everything is going to work out for, for the greater good. Like you, sometimes it takes a while to, to, to see the, the greater good, but, you know, or, you know, if I, someone said, well, what happens [00:42:00] if you, if you lose the election?

Well, that's okay. You know, if, if, if I lose, then that means that there's something greater out there meant for me. And so, uh, we'll just have to see how that pans out. But it's the, the world, um, it, it, it, Um, how do I say this, uh, the world is going to work out the way it's supposed to work out. So you just have to keep that in mind and not get discouraged.

Angela Gennari: Yeah. Yeah. I always say things are working for you. Sometimes you just don't know that. So sometimes, I mean, sometimes I'm like, that can't possibly be for my best interest, but I know, you know, things happen and, and you do learn, um, but good for you. So I always ask women, um, during this podcast, if there was a time that you gave away your power, um, and we do this as women all the time, whether it's taking criticism or, you know, having to step aside while somebody else kind of takes credit for our work or, or do something like that.

So is there a time that you've given away your power?

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah, I mean, I definitely, I, I can think of a [00:43:00] situation where, you know, you, you end up working in these, uh, collaborative type of situations, and then there's always that person who maybe you don't completely get along with, or, you know, you don't, you, you have clashing personalities, uh, and I have really over the years, You know, you, I'm 39 years old, I'll be 40 in October, and you really get to the point where you learn, um, that it's okay to let people, uh, just be themselves and to let them go, and sometimes that does mean, you know, kind of letting them take the limelight or take the credit or, you know, take, take, I have one particular situation where someone kind of took the credit for this whole project that I, that I helped with, but at the end of the day, you know, I have so many other projects going on that it just, you have to, you have to lose the battle sometimes to win the war.

Um, I've, I've learned a lot from those experiences. I've become a better person from those experiences. Uh, and I, uh, one of the quotes from a book that I love is that you are You are [00:44:00] not the voice in your head. You're the one who hears it. And so knowing that the thoughts that you have, you know, the racing thoughts and things like that.

And, and a lot of times that happens when you, when you're facing confrontation and your brain says, Oh, you know, they're trying to get you or they're gossiping about you. And you have to really quiet your mind and understand that, you know, you have to let some of that stuff go, all the petty little things.

Don't matter at the end of the day, I think I answered your question. I'm not sure.

Angela Gennari: Yeah, absolutely. Well, yeah. And then the other part of that question is, you know, is there a time that you've stepped into your power?

Kelsey Wagner: Yes, I would, I would definitely say, so as a, as a young woman in a technology world, uh, most people, I mean, a lot of people who are in tech are male.

That's just the fact of the matter. And so for a long time, when I would go to meetings, you know, sometimes I would get mistaken for the secretary and I'm like, actually, I'm the CEO, I'm sure that you have had experiences like that. [00:45:00] I don't judge people for that because the world is the way the world is.

Uh, but I think that I used to really kind of play the part of, you know, being timid and, and, and letting them, you know, say things and, and now I just don't anymore. You know, there was a few years ago, I really just came into my own power of, you know, talking in meetings in a very powerful, direct way and just letting myself not.

Making myself small, even physically making myself small, you know, sometimes women said, you know, a certain way, and I think that we're kind of trained in a way to do that, and so really just owning your space, owning your voice, taking time, answering questions, there's so much power that comes with just learning to be yourself and accept who you are, and yeah, so.

There's my answer to that.

Angela Gennari: That's awesome. Yeah. I agree. And, and, you know, there is value in letting people do what they're going to do. And so there have been [00:46:00] instances in my company and what I have found lately is, you know, I talk about giving away your power all the time. And I always think, I always tell people, make sure you don't give away your power, always step into your power, own, you know, own your presence in that room.

And, you know, I do public speaking about this exact topic, but yet I will find that like, I will be. at one of our events and, you know, we'll, I'll have, sometimes I have employees or there's vendors and I don't, Oh, I don't know every employee. We've got like almost 800. And so I don't know everybody and they don't know me, which is okay.

And I'm a hundred percent okay with that. It's not an ego thing. I don't, I don't need to every, you know, like I like to kind of in the background sometime. And so there have been times where somebody has walked up to me and said, Hey, you know, I need to ask about something, something, something. And I'll point to one of my supervisors and like, you know what, she'd be happy to help you.

Or he'd be happy to help you. That's who that's the boss. That's who that's going to be able to answer your question. And then I'll walk away. And what I, and I used to, you know, because people used to mistake me. You know, as [00:47:00] like, Oh, does your husband on the company or Oh, is this, you know, are you just a supervisor?

Are you just this? Are you just that? And they would, you know, mistake me for, for not, you know, having. Any authority and I was, that used to be really offensive to me and now I kind of consider it a power move, you know, now I actually consider it stepping into my power of being able to just not have to justify who I am, you know, I am happy to just say, you know what, answer.

That person will be happy to answer your question. They're the one who will make that decision. They're the one in charge. And then I just walk away. Because then what usually happens is that person will be like, Hey, yeah, uh, one of your, your security guards told me that you would make the decision.

They'd be like, she's a CEO. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And it was kind of, you know, it was one of those things where I just let people believe what they want to believe and then I remove myself out of the situation and then I feel perfectly good about it. I don't feel like I have to justify it all the time. I don't feel like I'm constantly having to like, no, I'm the CEO and you need to respect me.

Right. Like. I don't care. Like, it's a power [00:48:00] move to not care.

Kelsey Wagner: Yeah, it is a power move to not care. Yeah, letting go of just other people's opinions. Like, that's not my business. I don't, I don't care what you, you know, most people's opinions is somehow an internal reflection on themselves. Like, you just, you keep that over there with you.

I don't, I don't care.

Angela Gennari: Yeah. Yeah. And I'm a hundred percent okay with it. And, you know, by being able to, to delegate and then walk away, it makes me feel like I just, I, I, I own my time, you know, and I own what I'm going to address and what I'm not going to address. And so, you know, for the longest time I used to have to justify, justify, justify, no, you know, I need to, I need to know, you need to know this and it's okay.

It's okay. I'm okay with it. Yeah, exactly. I love that. So what advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

Kelsey Wagner: Oh, that's a good question. Um, I would probably tell her that Because I was a stay at home mom for six years, um, just enjoy life as it comes because there, you know, I, [00:49:00] I was a very, I, I, I was always kind of an overachiever and I remember feeling very unworthy when I was a stay at home mom and I didn't have a job and it took me a long time to understand how, how important that part of my life was.

Um, I, I love I love it. Homemaking. I love baking. I love sewing. Um, I love a lot of other things. Um, and, and that's why I tell, uh, women today that are like, I'm a stay at home mom. I'm like, listen, there's time for other things. And, and honestly, if, if all you are is a stay at home mom, then you're everything and more, you know, I say I went back to work, so I didn't have to work so hard because women who stay at home with their kids are working 24 hours a day.

Um, and, and I just, so, so I would tell my 18 year old self, like, just, that's it. Enjoy the moment, enjoy what's happening. You know, life is long. We're living longer than we ever have before. And there's plenty of time to do everything.

Angela Gennari: There really is. Absolutely. So true. So Kelsey, I've really enjoyed this.

This has been so much fun and I've learned a ton from [00:50:00] you. So from branding to marketing. to public service. I mean, you've just done everything. And I mean, I just wish you so much success and I am rooting for you for winning the mayor. I can't vote, obviously, because I'm not a resident, but you know, I wish you so much success and I really do hope that you're able to lead your city and the way that I know you'll do, you'll do exceptionally well.

Kelsey Wagner: Well, thank you so much for having me, having me and you just keep doing amazing things and inspiring, uh, entrepreneurs.

Angela Gennari: Absolutely. So I have one more question for you. What do you wish more people knew?

Kelsey Wagner: I wish that more people knew. That's a good question. Um, you, you're going to stump me on the last question.

I've done so good. This whole podcast. Um, what do I wish that more people knew? I'll go way out on a limb here. I wish more people knew how to, like, do old school stuff like canning sandplum jelly. I'll just say that, because, like, my [00:51:00] grandma and I, we would go down on the banks of the Salt Fork River and pick sandplums, and then we'd come up and we'd, like, make homemade jelly, and, you know, I feel like we're in a world that's so fast paced, um, that slowing down and doing some things like that, that, you know, making things with your hand or making homemade bread, Um, If you are ever struggling in your life, go make a loaf of bread, because it is just a way to just bring you back into yourself and into your moment, or you know, like you said, go out and dig a trench, right?

Go do something with your hands, um, because it's, I think we get so busy and wrapped up in the digital world of all the things that, so I guess that, that's what I wish people knew is that, you know, there's, there's things that you can do and And, and come back into your, your moment.

Angela Gennari: Yeah, you're absolutely right.

There's so much value in creation, right? So even if, you know, something like, you know, I decided this year, I was like, I'm going to make candles for everybody for Christmas. And so one night my son and I, my son is 18 and I'm like, we're making candles tonight. He's like, what, why don't we just go buy them?

And I was like, it doesn't, [00:52:00] we're going to create something. And we did. And so we, we made candles together and it was the most fun, but like just doing things like that where you're creating something, because it just means so much. Like when I handle my candle and I'm like, I made that, you know, I picked up that scent for you.

Right. And so it just, I mean, people just love it and, and just knowing that you put love into something that you're doing for them means a lot. So yes. What a cherished memory. Yeah. Absolutely.

Kelsey Wagner: Well, I will keep you in touch on the mayor race and how it goes, but until then, bye.

Angela Gennari: Thank you for having me.

Please, please do. I will try to launch this right before your election, so that way you can. Okay. All

Kelsey Wagner: right. There we go. Perfect.

Angela Gennari: Well, thank you so much. This has been such a pleasure, and I really enjoyed our conversation.

Kelsey Wagner: You too. All right. Well, have a good snowy rest of your day. I hope everything opens back up very quickly for you.

Me too.

Angela Gennari: And everyone, um, you can find Kelsey on the prettypowerfulpodcast. com, and where else can they find you? [00:53:00]

Kelsey Wagner: Uh, you can, uh, follow me on Facebook, uh, I guess it depends. So My Media Matters is the name of my marketing agency, mymediamatters. com, Punk City Monthly Magazine on Facebook, or punkcitymonthly.

com. And if you're interested in learning about my mayor campaign, just because you're curious, you can go to Kelsey4Mayor. com.

Angela Gennari: Awesome. Thank you so much, Kelsey, and all the best to you.

Kelsey Wagner: All right. Thank you so much. Have a good day, everybody. Bye

Angela Gennari: bye.

Intro: Thank you for joining our guests on the Pretty Powerful Podcast, and we hope you've gained new insight and learned from exceptional women.

Remember to subscribe or check out this and all episodes on prettypowerfulpodcast. com. Visit us next time, and until then, step into your own power.