CC Media founder blends storytelling, culinary arts into startup

CC Media founder Christen Clinkscales remembers when she’d had enough of corporate life.

“It was in 2021 during COVID,” she said. “My company downsized, and I lost my job. I had always worked in corporate settings up until that time, and I just had enough.”

Armed with years of experience working in New York-based corporate marketing roles, Clinkscales, who has since returned to her hometown of Greenville, launched into a new venture all her own.

On Instagram as @Christeneats, Clinkscales melds a love of multimedia storytelling with a passion for entrepreneurship, photography and the culinary arts that has become the basis of her new company and brand.

“I started freelancing, doing social media management for a local Realtor and local restaurants such as Jasmine Kitchen,” the 2011 Clemson grad said. “It took off, and within the last six months, I decided to form a brand and build a company that would be identifiable.”

Today, Clinkscales’ clients range from real estate offices and restaurants to law firms and construction companies, a diverse group she’s on a good footing to serve, thanks to her time in New York.

“I learned adaptability there, how to work within diverse groups,” she said. “I loved it. I loved learning people’s stories. And that translates so well into what I’m doing now, because I’m not just interested in a client’s brand. I’m interested in telling their story.”

Clinkscales said mentorship has also been key to her early success.

“My friend, Hannah Gray (onesweeetmama on Instagram), is a source of creative inspiration, and groups like TealHaus Strategies have helped me step up my game and develop a brand,” she said.

On the business side, Clinkscales looks to several women business owners and community leaders.

“After all, being a woman and running your own company can come with several unique challenges,” she says.

Clinkscales has worked or is working with: