August Lunch and Munch
On August 1, AAF Tuscaloosa hosted a panel of local, small business owners to talk about their advertising and communication strategies.
Erica Grant, owner of Catch-A-Taste, as well as Jheovanny Gomez, Tiffany Amirkhanian and Bo Hicks from Jalapeños, Druid City Makerspace and Druid City Brewing Company, respectively, discussed their victories and struggles as local business owners. The conversation, led by membership VP Ashley Cornelius, highlighted Tuscaloosa’s need for high-quality advertising.
From left to right: Erica Grant, Jheovanny Gomez, Tiffany Amirkhanian and Bo Hicks
“I don’t have models,” said Grant. “That’s me. I’m the model - so I need a photographer or even an agency to help me take photos and get my products out into the world.”
Hicks agreed: “I have a daughter on TikTok, and I follow social media, but I don’t know where to start with getting 21-year-olds to come to the brewery. Back at Egan’s, we were on the Strip and had a built-in audience because of it. We also had regulars from the [University of Alabama’s] English department, and they brought in grad students, creating a cycle of sorts. On 15th Street, we don’t have that. If someone could help us put together a strategy to attract college students, it would mean the world.”
“My family moved here in the height of COVID, and as a busy mother, I feel like I’ve missed my opportunity to get out there and meet people,” said Amirkhanian. “We’ve done well so far, but I really need help connecting.”
Said Gomez, “With Jalapeños, we try to create a home restaurant for everyone, a place where you can see your friends and share a good meal. And with our three locations, I feel like we’ve done that. But we struggle with translating that feeling onto our social media.”
AAF Tuscaloosa hosted the event at The University Club, which opened earlier this summer to members and the public. For many attendees, this was their first experience of the newly renovated space.
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