Melissa’s Marketing Leadership Captured at the AWAKEN Retreat

MAC Global Promotions + Melissa’s Expanding Vision

Melissa, Owner and CEO of MAC Global Promotions, has built a thriving business helping companies amplify visibility through strategic promotional products. But today, her work goes far beyond merchandise. As she expands deeper into marketing education and strategy, Melissa is stepping confidently into a new identity: a marketing expert serving Huntsville and the broader North Alabama business community.

Melissa speaking to her audience about social media marketing best practices

Her recent speaking opportunity at the AWAKEN Retreat in Guntersville, Alabama marked a pivotal moment. Surrounded by small business owners seeking clarity and confidence, Melissa taught on marketing pillars, platform strategy, and authentic audience communication — stepping into the rooms she knew she was meant for.

Melissa connecting with a retreat attendee

Planning the Session: Photographing a Leader in Her Element

For Melissa’s story, we didn’t need staged moments — we needed real ones. The intentionality mirrored the experience many Kia & Co. clients describe: clear communication, thorough planning, and guidance that helps them feel prepared and confident.

Marketing speaker positioning herself as a Huntsville marketing expert

We focused on:

  • Capturing her actively teaching and connecting
  • Moments of leadership, clarity, and presence
  • Interactions with attendees that reflect her relational approach
  • Environmental storytelling at the Guntersville lodge for warmth and authenticity

The goal: position her visually as a trusted marketing voice and highlight her expertise in action.

Collaborating with her clients by answering marketing questions

The Experience: Presence, Authority, and Genuine Connection

As Melissa spoke during the retreat, her confidence was unmistakable — a blend of ease, humor, and seasoned marketing insight. She delivered tangible strategies while making every attendee feel seen in their entrepreneurial journey.

From speaking on the pillars of marketing to workshop-style discussions on audience clarity, her session demonstrated exactly why she’s becoming a sought-after educator in Huntsville’s marketing landscape.

These were the moments the camera was meant to capture: a woman fully aligned with her next level.

The Results: Images That Match Her Expertise

The final gallery gives Melissa what she previously lacked — polished, purposeful images that reflect her authority and marketing expertise.

Her new photos now support:

  • Website updates as she expands into marketing education
  • Social media content positioning her as a trusted expert
  • Future speaking opportunities
  • Brand storytelling that aligns with her evolving identity

This is what Melissa had to say about our experience together:

Gari-Ann captured my branding photos beautifully. Her professionalism, creative direction, and effortless ability to navigate a busy environment were truly impressive. She delivered the images incredibly fast, and the entire experience was seamless from start to finish. I could not be more pleased. I highly recommend Kia & Co. for anyone looking to elevate their brand with polished, intentional photography.

Clear images of Melissa during her speaking engagement at the AWKEN retreat

Here are other marketing professionals that I’ve worked with: District Brand Bar and Hollie Beaver Marketing

meet Gari-Ann

Gari-Ann Kia is an accomplished Branding and Product Photographer with a passion for helping creatives and professionals elevate their brand by showcasing their product, promoting their services, or simply enhancing their brand image. Gari-Ann's expertise in branding and product photography will help you stand out from the crowd. With years of experience in the field, Gari-Ann has honed her skills and developed a unique approach to visual storytelling that resonates with her clients and their target audience to help them stand out from the crowd.

Gari-Ann currently lives in the Huntsville, North Alabama area with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling with her family, some of their favorite destinations have been Santorini, Wanaka, Paris, & Aix en Provence. In her free time, Gari-Ann enjoys giving back to her community by supporting fellow military spouses & their families and mentoring other small business owners.

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