This month, we are welcoming Riley Fry, our newest intern rocker, to the team. We love asking our new employees a few questions to get to know them better! Riley is a student at The University of Arkansas studying communications and journalism. Riley is particularly excited about storytelling, media strategy, and empowering others through effective communication while she sits with us on the Porch.

What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?

One of the biggest misconceptions about marketing today is that it’s only about advertising or posting on social media. Marketing is about understanding people, using research and data to meet their needs, and building lasting relationships. It’s not just about selling a product — it’s about creating real connections and value for customers

What advice would Riley Fry give to her younger self?

No matter what, everything always works out the way it’s meant to. It’s easy to get caught up in the future or dwell on the past, but today is the only thing you can truly control. One day, you’ll look back and wish you had taken a breath and appreciated the moment you’re in right now. 

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?

Nobody has figured it out. It’s easy to feel intimidated or compare yourself to others, but comparison only steals your joy. True confidence comes from within — and while it may sound cliché, sometimes you just have to fake it until you make it. 

What does good brand strategy look like?

I think of a brand strategy as the heart of a company. It defines who you are, what you stand for, and how you connect with your audience. More than just a logo or design, a strong brand strategy combines your mission, values, and understanding of your customers to create a clear and consistent identity. It highlights what makes you unique and tells your story in a way that builds trust and lasting loyalty. 

If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?

I’d love to be back in Maui, Hawaii. The summer I spent there with my family was unforgettable — it’s the most gorgeous and peaceful place on earth. The locals are so kind and genuine, and my favorite thing to do there is just sit on the beach and enjoy the calm. 

If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?

I’d choose Dakota Johnson. I admire her as an actress and love her sense of style. She has an incredible taste in fashion, home decor, and architecture. She’s also worked with so many talented people, and grew up in a famous family, I’m sure she has some amazing stories to share. 

If you could describe Riley Fry in three words what would they be?

I’d describe myself as detailed, creative, and optimistic. 

Tell us about a major milestone in your life?

 A major milestone for me was coming to school at the University of Arkansas. Growing up in Houston, Texas, I had never experienced living in such a beautiful state or meeting so many new people. Moving here pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow both personally and professionally. 

From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?

Front Porch creates a warm, close-knit environment that extends to both the clients and team. Their focus goes beyond delivering exceptional work — they’re dedicated to building lasting relationships with clients who quickly start to feel like family. 

What is a fun fact about you?

I have two pugs named Biscuit and Olive! 

This fall, we are welcoming Sophie Leos, our newest intern rocker, to the team. So as we always do, we asked her a few questions to get to know her better! She’s a student at The University of Arkansas studying marketing and management. Sophie is eager to further build her skills and learn more about marketing, client relations and strategic writing on the Porch.

What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?

That the only goal of marketing is to sell a product or service. Marketing is so much more than that, it’s about building a personality, message and values for a company that resonate with its audience and foster real connections.

What advice would Sophie Leos give to her younger self?

I would tell her to always trust her gut. This is something I try to live by in life, making decisions that feel right for me rather than relying on the approval of others.

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?

That communication is one of the most valuable skills a person can have in every aspect of life. It is the foundation for understanding and for building meaningful connections with the people around us.

What does good brand strategy look like?

Good brand strategy focuses on differentiating your brand from competitors while creating a strong brand identity. A successful strategy ensures people recognize your brand while also connecting with its values, message and personality.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?

Venice, Italy. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Paderno del Grappa last summer, just an hour outside of Venice. My time in Italy was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I loved immersing myself in a new culture, exploring beautiful cities and gaining new perspectives.

If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?

I’d choose Selena Gomez. I think she is such an inspiration for women around the world. She comes from a humble background and became incredibly successful from acting and singing to having her own beauty brand.

If you could describe Sophie Leos in three words what would they be?

I would describe myself as curious, motivated and creative.

Tell us about a major milestone in your life?

A major milestone in my life was coming to college at the University of Arkansas. Being from St. Louis, I moved five hours away from home and did not know many people at the school. It has been an incredible period of growth for me and I’ve learned so much about myself as well as the world around me!

From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?

Front Porch stands out from other marketing companies by emphasizing story-telling and building long-term relationships. Front Porch takes the time to understand their client’s specific needs and then implements marketing strategies that drive results and form meaningful connections.

What is a fun fact about you?

I grew up doing competitive dance my whole life!

We are welcoming intern Michael Panikkacherry, our newest rocker from Texas Tech, to the team this summer. We wanted to get to know him better, so we asked him a few questions! He’s an advertising student and eager to learn more about this industry this summer at Front Porch Marketing. Give him a big howdy!

What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?

The biggest misconception about marketing today is that it’s primarily about advertising and selling products, when in fact, effective marketing is more about building relationships and  understanding customer needs. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would advise myself to embrace failure as a teaching opportunity and to concentrate on developing resilience and flexibility since these traits will help you navigate the ups and downs of life.

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?

A good routine is key to success, especially in college when you’re living on your own. 

What does good brand strategy look like?

A good brand strategy clearly defines the brand’s purpose and values while also building a strong emotional connection to the target audience. 

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

I would like to go to Iceland because I feel like it is a very unique travel destination and the land and scenery is beautiful. 

If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead, who would it be?

I would want to go to dinner with Michael Jackson because I have always loved his music since I could remember and he was such an icon for me. 

If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Sociable, dedicated, adaptable

Tell me about a major milestone in your life?

A major milestone in my life would have to be when I was elected leader for our community service project. I realized then that I was seen as a reliable person to the group that can help us get things done in a timely manner. 

From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?

Front Porch Marketing differentiates itself from other marketing companies because of its close knit team. 

What is a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I love to travel outside of the country. 

Welcome Lillian Cloud, our new intern, to the Porch!

It’s time to welcome a new team member this fall — Lillian Clould. She is a recent college graduate from Texas A&M, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Marketing at UT Dallas. We love our interns, and we’re so excited to introduce you to Lillian. You can read about her on our team page, and today, we’ve asked her a few questions about her perspective on marketing, so you can get to know her better. And then you can send Lillian a big Front Porch “howdy!”

What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?

I believe the biggest misconception about marketing today is that marketing is only about selling people stuff they do not need. Marketing is so much more than that now and we have such an opportunity to reach people today with marketing than ever before.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far at school is to make sure your professors know who you are. Build relationships with your professors, they can be a great resource.

What does good brand strategy look like?

I think good brand strategy starts with knowing your brand well and what direction you want your brand to go in.  At the same time, it is important to know what your brand is not.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?

Rome!

If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?

My great aunt Lillian who I am named after.

If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Three words that describe me are passionate, loyal, and honest.

Tell us about a major milestone in your life?

A major milestone in my life was graduating college this past year and moving away from my hometown and family. I went to college in my hometown so graduating and moving to Dallas was a big change for me but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?

I think that the size of Front Porch Marketing allows it to get to know their clients well and have a real connection with them. Everyone I have worked with on the team is always so willing to help and listen to me which is exactly how we treat our clients and I think that makes us special.

What is a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I love to travel and learn about history and art.

Trey Harrup – our newest intern rocker joins us on the Porch to kick off the new year! Trey has recently graduated and we’re getting his marketing career off to a start on the Porch. We’re so excited to have him on board to help with all the things. We asked him a few questions last week, so you can get to know him a little better.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about marketing today?

That marketing and advertising are the same forms of business.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in marketing, like yourself?

The advice I would give would be to be versatile when you start to learn. There are many small components to marketing and they all help each other. Learn them all!

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far in your career path?

I’ve learned that all things take time. Take your time while you grow to retain information and experiences. Missing the small details of life because you are trying to move fast ruins the outcome.

What does good marketing look like to you?

Good marketing starts with the relationship built with the customer. I think good marketing now is understanding what your customer needs from you. This business world is becoming more customer-centric and placing an emphasis on how the customer is treated is a great way to start.

If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Trey Harrup is Loyal, Personable, Flexible

Trey Harrup, what was your favorite thing about college?

My favorite thing in college was all the new people and faces I met every day. Making friendships with people I never thought I would, and having them in my everyday life has been a blessing.

Tell us about a major milestone in your life?

A major milestone in my life was finishing school! I never thought it would end and when it finally did, it was such a great feeling!

What are your goals for your time at Front Porch Marketing?

My goals at FPM are centered around learning. I want to take my time at FPM to learn as much as I can. I pride myself on being versatile when it comes to my skillset, so I want to learn about the many different facets that make up marketing.

If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?

I would love to go to dinner with Will Smith. He is my all-time favorite actor and I think that dinner would be filled with some great stories.

What is a fun fact about you, Trey Harrup?

Hockey is my favorite sport!

Well, we love Trey’s insights and perspectives, and can’t wait to get him all geared up for 2022 marketing. Welcome to the Porch, Trey, we’re so glad you’re here.