Meet Megan Wilson. Many of you know her as the face and positive personality behind Sweet Sauce Blog, showcasing Richmond area businesses and events. Megan is also a mover and shaker behind the scenes of many local businesses and nonprofits as the creative director of her marketing firm Sweet Talk Strategy. She helps local clients like the Autism Society of Central Virginia, The Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival, Sage & Vine Aesthetics, and Stegmann make headlines, reach new audiences on social media, create video and photo content, and so much more. When she's not advocating for all things Richmond, she's exploring Virginia and sharing her affordable travel recommendations.
Megan got her start at the University of Richmond as a journalism and studio art student; she says she uses these skills every day! This is what led her to make the River City her home for the past 15 years. Fun fact: Megan took the University of Richmond's newspaper online for the first time as Editor in Chief. Today, she's a digital marketing maven and teaches others through her educational events, both online and offline.
This week, Megan shares her fall hit list with events, shopping, and travel ideas.
Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival, October 20th - 22nd
I've been working with this community since 2019, and the artists and businesses who come together for this festival are the most kind, creative, and supportive people. I'm so proud to help them all grow and thrive. This year's event is going to be the best yet —and we mean it! A few highlights of the 2023 Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival:
Ryan Ashley is our headline artist. This is the only event the Ink Master star is attending this year. She'll be a judge on Season 15, which airs on November 1.
The Richmond SPCA is our official festival nonprofit partner. They are benefiting in all sorts of ways, including receiving proceeds from our Sunday ticket sales.
On Sunday, we're launching our first Family & Fur Friendly HallowInk Day. Wear your costumes and join us!! I'm going as Left Eye from TLC with two of my friends.
There will be 62 exhibitors to explore and shop, including some second hand style shops like Saturn Returns and Uptown Cheapskate.
Of course, there are tattoos -- 185 global artists who may only be coming to the Virginia area once in this decade. Many are Ink Master stars.
Vitals:
2023 Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival / Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Midlothian, 1021 Koger Center Blvd. Richmond, Virginia 23235 / Friday, October 20th - Sunday, October 22nd (schedule)
Second-Hand Shopping for Fall + Home
It's no secret that I'm a second-hand shopping fan. If you're looking for inspiration, I wrote this article last year in Richmond Magazine and I am in the midst of updating my big bad RVA Thrift List. I just moved to Bon Air, so I'm getting my house ready for my first party (Halloween Birthday Bash!) and hosting my first Thanksgiving for my 30+ large blended family. I'm also obviously thinking fall fashion. Here are a few places I'm shopping the next few weeks:
It's no secret that I'm a second-hand shopping fan. If you're looking for inspiration, I wrote this article last year in Richmond Magazine, and I am in the midst of updating my big bad RVA Thrift List. I just moved to Bon Air, so I'm getting my house ready for my first party (Halloween Birthday Bash!) and hosting my first Thanksgiving for my 30+ large blended family. I'm also obviously thinking fall fashion. Here are a few places I'll be shopping in the next few weeks:
A Man's World in Jackson Ward - This is primarily a men's consignment shop, so my guys all have presents from here. BUT this is a hidden gem for women's second-hand finds—trust me!
Fall Road Trips in Virginia
After the Richmond Folk Festival this past weekend, I was reminded again how beautiful Richmond is in the fall. In fact, the entire state of Virginia is the most magical place to explore during this season. I always encourage people to travel locally for family and friend getaways. There's so much you can reach on one tank of gas and support small businesses in every corner.
Virginia's River Realm: Eight small towns flank the Rappahannock River and create a foodie respite you didn't know you needed. Insider tip: I'm the voice behind the brand.
We're working to get some of these lists refreshed, so if you have edits or additions, send an email to sweetsauceblog@gmail.com.
More from Megan...
I'm always looking for ways to help my community grow.
At Sweet Talk Strategy, we're innovative and constantly creating; we're seeing great success with clients we serve and people we teach. Please follow us on Instagram and sign up for our email list for upcoming educational opportunities, service offerings, and even a new membership model: Content Collective. You heard it here first!
Shoot me an email if you have a marketing conundrum to unravel or ideas to tease out: megan@sweettalkstrategy.
