Kate Terricciano, an award-winning entrepreneur, is the founder and president of Image Marketing, a national agency specializing in retail and lifestyle marketing and named a Top 25 Advertising and Public Relations agency in Connecticut every year since 2011.
A PR strategist, public speaker and philanthropic leader, she started the company in 2007 at the age of 23 and has grown it to a firm with more than 15 employees.
Terricciano has been honored as a “40 Under Forty” winner by the Hartford Business Journal and again by Connecticut Magazine two years later. She represents some of the most well-known shopping centers nationwide and regularly makes TV appearances as a retail/lifestyle expert.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far?
My most successful accomplishment has been starting Image Marketing from scratch, never taking on debt, and growing it to the agency that it is today. We have clients in over 35 states, a team that enjoys coming to work every day and have been profitable since day one.
What’s the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally?
My next big focus is expanding my one-on-one coaching and media training for top-tier executives. Having worked with CEOs, politicians and celebrities, I’d like to dedicate more time to helping select leaders elevate their personal brand and public image to achieve success.
What’s one of the biggest professional challenges you’ve overcome?
The biggest challenge we’ve had to overcome was handling the day that shopping centers shut down because of COVID. With over 70% of our clients in this space, we weren’t sure what was going to happen next and how that would affect our overall business.
However, we were able to pivot quickly and offer clients more remote options to help fill the marketing void while people weren’t able to shop in-store.
How are you involved in the community?
One of my greatest joys is being active in charities near and dear to my heart. To support my 10-year-old son, I am involved in St. Luke’s Catholic School, March of Dimes, and Connecticut Children’s. I also serve on the board of directors for the Petit Family Foundation and am a proud Rotarian.
What are your keys to maintaining business success?
Image’s success is rooted in a clear long-term vision and the strategic partnerships we’ve cultivated. We’ve always had a clear idea of where we want to go, and we’ve been willing to make the necessary investments to get there.
Along the way, we’ve built strong relationships with key partners who share our values and complement our strengths. Those partnerships have been invaluable to our growth.