Jodi Keogh’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We recently had the chance to connect with Jodi Keogh and have shared our conversation below.

Jodi , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about social media marketing today is that it’s all about appearances — the scrolling experience, the influencers, the perfection, the staged photoshoots. In reality, my business is built around showcasing my clients’ success, not just their aesthetics.

Photoshoots and trendy reels are fun, but the true value comes from the strategy behind them — the hours of engagement, research, and intentional planning that make that five-second scroll moment actually reach the right people. My focus is always on helping my clients grow and connect with their audience in an authentic, meaningful way — not just creating something that looks good online.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jodi Keogh, and I’m the owner of K4 Marketing, a social media marketing agency based in Flagstaff, Arizona. I’m a mom of two and have been married to my sweetheart for ten years.

I started K4 during COVID, when local businesses were struggling to get the word out that they were still open — many relying on gift card sales just to keep revenue coming in. I realized how powerful targeted, intentional, and local engagement could be — it’s really just another form of having a conversation in person.

Being born and raised in Flagstaff has given me the incredible advantage of working with businesses I’ve known my whole life. These same businesses supported me throughout every stage of my career — from my days in beer sales to my time in nonprofits, and even through fundraisers for my kids’ sports and schools. So when they were struggling, I knew I had to do something to help.

Four years later, K4 has grown into a thriving agency, and I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. What sets us apart is twofold: the organized chaos that comes with being a working mom, and my deep passion for supporting our clients. Flagstaff is unique — it’s not like Phoenix or other big cities where influencer marketing drives everything. Here, success is built on word of mouth, consistency, and trust.

I feel incredibly honored to represent so many of the OG staples that make our community what it is.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
This is such a fun question for me. I’ve always had a strong work ethic, but the person who truly shaped how I view purposeful work was Kari Watson — a lifelong entrepreneur and nonprofit leader here in Flagstaff.

At around 28, I was burnt out from selling beer. I’d been in the bar and restaurant world since I was 19 — cocktailing, bartending, managing, and eventually working in distribution and helping grow a brewery from the ground up. I was good at sales, but I didn’t feel passionate about it anymore. That’s when I started noticing the connection between the alcohol industry and nonprofits — how brands could partner with charitable organizations to host creative, impactful events beyond their liquor licenses.

Because I don’t really do anything halfway, I built an entire job proposal around that concept and pitched it to a local distributor. While they were amused and supportive, it wasn’t a yes. But as luck (and God) would have it, the very next day I found myself sitting in Kari Watson’s office. I shared my ideas, and she offered me a role at her nonprofit with the freedom to experiment in marketing, events, and community engagement.

You know those memes that say, “Oversold myself in the job interview and now I’m pouring a margarita over a pizza when they ordered a margarita pizza”? That was me — completely in over my head! But Kari believed in me. She was warm with feedback but firm with accountability — her motto was basically, “Just figure it out.” And I did.

I started with small community events, and soon the momentum took off — from ice cream socials and bartending competitions to beer and wine festivals and superhero-themed fundraisers. Through it all, Kari taught me one of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned: “Being underestimated is a superpower.”

That mindset changed everything for me. Without her mentorship and that early opportunity, I wouldn’t be the business owner — or the person — I am today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Always, always, always be kind. Be confident — but be kind.

I recently had a meeting with a prominent local business that I would be absolutely thrilled to work with. The woman leading the meeting turned out to be someone I went to high school with. I don’t remember us crossing paths much back then, but as I left that meeting, I felt this deep sense of gratitude knowing that I’ve always led with kindness.

It really made me think — what if I hadn’t been? Imagine sitting across the table from someone 20 years later, realizing you once bullied them or treated them poorly. How uncomfortable and humbling that would be.

You never know where life will take you or who you’ll meet again down the road. So, to my younger self: be kind to everyone — always. It costs nothing, but it matters more than you’ll ever realize.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I really like this question. Everyone talks about “Instagram vs. reality,” and while I know comparison on social media is a real struggle for many, I don’t feel like I fall into that trap too often. Don’t get me wrong — I’d love to be skinnier and vacation on a yacht someday — but that’s not my reality.

The real me? I absolutely love my husband. We’ve been together for almost 18 years, and he’s truly my best friend. If you know us, you know we love being home on our little farm — making big breakfasts (with even bigger mimosas), playing games with our girls, and just being. People joke that we’re “painfully simple,” and honestly, I take that as the highest compliment.

I love being a mom — I call myself the chaos coordinator. I have all the ducks… they’re just never in a row. I’ve been learning to homestead (though I’ve sworn I’ll never bake sourdough — I’ll happily trade fresh eggs with my friends who do!).

I think what makes me authentic — both online and off — is that I show up as myself whether I’m strong or struggling. I rarely say no when someone needs help, and I take pride in being a steady, reliable person for others. That’s the real me.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
For me, this question really ties into signing new clients. There are so many businesses I would love to work with, but I’ve learned to recognize when I’m not the best fit — not because I couldn’t figure it out, but because I shouldn’t.

Take wine, for example. I love it and I’d like to think I have a pretty good palate, but representing a winery on social media would be out of my depth. I don’t have the technical knowledge about varietals, pairings, or winemaking — and without that genuine understanding, I couldn’t create content that truly reflects the brand’s voice.

People often say, “Well, you can learn,” and while that’s true to an extent, I believe authenticity matters more than forced expertise. If the voice doesn’t come naturally, it won’t resonate. The same goes for industries like real estate — I have many friends who’ve asked to collaborate, but representing an individual agent versus a brick-and-mortar brand doesn’t align with my strengths or passion.

At the end of the day, I think it’s okay — and even responsible — to admit when something is out of your depth. It’s not about limitation; it’s about respect for the client and their brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.k4marketingllc.com
• Instagram: @k4marketing_
• Facebook: K4 Marketing