From News Reporter to PR Pioneer: Giving Topeka’s Small Businesses a Voice | India Yarborough

India Yarborough, Topeka's newest PR pioneer, shares her journey from Mississippi journalist to founding Local Lens PR, the city's first public relations firm dedicated to helping small businesses find their voice. She explores the critical distinction between marketing and PR while explaining how her business fills a gap in the local market for strategic communications.• Moved to Topeka in 2019 as a reporter for the Topeka Capital Journal, having never visited Kansas before• Found Topeka to be the "perfect small city" with unique qualities that convinced her to stay for six years and counting• Worked at the Greater Topeka Partnership for over three years before identifying the need for dedicated PR services for small businesses and nonprofits• Launched Local Lens PR in February 2023 after participating in Omni Circle's entrepreneurial programs• Explains that PR focuses on building relationships and trust while marketing focuses primarily on selling products• Works with clients ranging from Omni Circle Group to Trident Homes, which is bringing 3D printed housing to Topeka• Acknowledges AI's role in PR work while emphasizing the need for human creativity and refinement• Wishes more Topekans would believe in themselves and their community's potentialIf you're looking for PR support for your small business or nonprofit, visit locallensPR.com or find India at the Omni Circle office space in Topeka.This episode is proudly brought to you by Choose Topeka! If you've been thinking about relocating to Shawnee County, Topeka might just pay you to move. Seriously. You could get up to $15,000 to live and work in Shawnee County. Check it out at ChooseTopeka.com.________________________________________0:00 - Introduction to India Yarborough3:44 - From Mississippi to Topeka9:18 - Discovering Topeka's Hidden Gems15:35 - Career Journey: Journalism to PR22:12 - Launching Local Lens PR28:31 - PR vs Marketing Explained35:51 - Client Spotlights and 3D Printed Homes43:28 - AI's Impact on PR Work52:18 - What Topeka is Missing________________________________________Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KSWebsite -- https://topekainsider.com/Facebook --- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsiderInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsiderFollow Your Hosts: 📱Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jdFor Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!