Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Baughman Taber. She and her team share their story with us below:
Kristen Baughman is the founder of Tabletop Media Group. Native to the Carolinas, she received a degree in Extension Education with a focus in Nutrition from North Carolina State University. She also received a Master of Science degree in Extension Education with a focus in Agricultural Leadership.
Working for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services coordinating events for the Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council and serving as a Food Safety Outreach Coordinator led her to become even more passionate about the food industry. During her time at the NCDA&CS she created a popular 43 Day Local Food Challenge Blog, which led to a food blogging opportunity with the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
Her varied career after university led to a social media marketing and public relations opportunity with the Got To Be NC Competition Dining Series. This new role spurred a career shift to focus on media as it relates to the hospitality, food, agriculture and beverage industries.
She later started a popular food blog and consulting company, Gadabout Food. After working in Raleigh, North Carolina for three years, she spent two years in New York City consulting for Shutterstock, Taste Talks, Northside Festival, Swig and other clients. Kristen decided to return to Raleigh, North Carolina in July 2016 to launch Tabletop Media Group.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
COVID-19 was definitely eye-opening for me and the team at Tabletop Media Group. As soon as the stay-at-home order went into place in early 2020, we immediately had to adjust our marketing approaches for clients. Although 2020 into early 2021 was an uncertain time with so many challenges, we prevailed and were able to work with clients to create unique opportunities for them to succeed. One of my favorite examples is that our client Asali Desserts & Cafe took one of our ideas to create a toilet paper cake early on in 2020. Orders skyrocketed and even resulted in a COVID-19 bride ordering one for her family-only, backyard wedding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Tabletop Media Group is a full-service media agency offers a variety of services like public relations and marketing, social media management, website design, event planning, photography, videography and graphic design. What really sets us apart is that we specialize in the food, beverage, agriculture and lifestyle industries. We’re proud to serve primarily small businesses and start-ups who are looking to become known in their respective space. Personally, I’m really happy that Tabletop Media Group plays a role in increased sales and sold-out events for our clients. It’s so fulfilling to see others succeed and is why we do what we do.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I make it a priority to meditate, stretch or do yoga, read and journal every morning before I start working. In the car during a long commute, I’ll listen to a book on Audible. Some of my favorite books that have helped me to do my best in life are:
– The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
– The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
– How We Choose to Be Happy: The 9 Choices of Extremely Happy People by Rick Foster & Greg Hicks
– The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh
Contact Info:
- Email: kristen@tabletopmediagroup.com
- Website: tabletopmediagroup.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/tabletopmediagp
- Facebook: facebook.com/tabletopmediagp
- Twitter: twitter.com/tabletopmediagp
