We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Campbell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.
Kelly , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
My parents taught me to be generous with my time, talents, and treasure, and they showed me that generosity is about more than grand gestures—it’s a way of life. My dad, a business owner of 20+ years, always went above and beyond for his clients, employees, family, and friends. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t hesitate to roll up his sleeves and make things happen. Whether it was planning unforgettable family trips, organizing events, or simply being the rock for our family during challenging times, he led by example. I remember a time when one of his employees faced a family tragedy. Without a second thought, my dad stepped in, not only offering financial support but also dedicating his time to help them navigate their difficult situation. He never sought recognition or praise—it was simply his way of doing what he believed was right.
My mom, who was a full-time stay at home mom (a job that should require one of the highest salaries in my mind!) brought her own brand of generosity into everything she did. She was the heart of every school Booster Club meeting and a fixture at putting on local charity events. But it wasn’t just the big moments that stood out—it was her everyday kindness. She was the mom who drove my tennis team to matches when no one else could, who took on other people’s tasks when they couldn’t help, and who always had an open door for my friends, many of whom came to think of her as their second mom. She’s always the one to call, show up, and offer anyone a helping hand. It’s just who she was—quietly making life a little better for everyone around her.
Their example in generosity shaped me, and I’ve carried those lessons into my own life. My love for baking and telling stories through COCOHAUS Kitchen stems from that desire to nourish others, whether it’s through food, time, or simply showing up for my community. It’s also why I started my marketing consultancy, Sunny Side Up Marketing—to help others find their brand voice and tell their story. It gives me the greatest pleasure to see someone succeed, knowing I played even a small role in their journey.
To me, generosity isn’t about looking for ways to give back—it’s about seeing the needs around you and showing up, just like my parents did, with an open heart and a willingness to help.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Kelly Campbell, founder of Sunny Side Up Marketing and COCOHAUS Kitchen, both based in Orange County, California. At Sunny Side Up Marketing, I specialize in helping founders and business leaders discover their unique brand voice and tell their stories authentically. As an ex-marketing agency executive with over 15 years of experience across industries like technology, healthcare, and consumer goods, I create strategies that seamlessly connect marketing and sales, ensuring every piece of content has a purpose and drives results.
COCOHAUS Kitchen is a passion project that brings together my love for baking and storytelling. The concept was born during my honeymoon in Austria in Fall 2013, where the indulgent pastries, serene café ambiance, and warm hospitality left an indelible mark on me and my husband. This experience sparked a desire to recreate that environment and share it with others through homemade treats, delectable recipes, and sweet stories from my kitchen, garden, and home.
What excites me most about my work is the transformation I witness in my clients and the joy I bring to my community. Whether it’s a founder gaining confidence in their thought leadership through Sunny Side Up Marketing or someone finding inspiration in a COCOHAUS Kitchen recipe, I thrive on helping others succeed in telling their stories and creating sweet memories.
Currently, I’m expanding my services for Sunny Side Up Marketing to offer more personalized branding and marketing support for businesses and founders. This year, I’ll be launching the “Startup Story Machine”, a digital course guiding entrepreneurs through the four pillars of building a compelling brand story and teaching them how to infuse that story into every digital channel. Additionally, I offer a content marketing coaching service called the Spark Session, providing quick-start consulting for those needing actionable guidance to elevate their content. When it comes to COCOHAUS Kitchen, I’ll be continuing to tell my own story through delicious baked goods and recipes, all while I continue to work on my first cookbook!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, three key qualities have been instrumental in shaping my path:
1. Passion for Storytelling: From a young age, I was captivated by the power of stories. This passion led me to establish Sunny Side Up Marketing, where I help brands shine through authentic storytelling and content marketing strategies. For those starting out, immerse yourself in diverse narratives—read widely, listen actively, and practice crafting your own stories. Understanding the nuances of storytelling will enable you to connect deeply with your audience.
2. Entrepreneurial Spirit: My entrepreneurial journey began in high school when a friend and I started our own cookie company. This early venture taught me the fundamentals of business and the importance of perseverance. In any job that I did, I brought that same spirit, where I’d try new things, push boundaries, and take ownership over driving us to new destinations. To cultivate this spirit, embrace opportunities that challenge you, learn from failures, and remain adaptable. Every experience contributes to your growth as an entrepreneur. As the saying goes, “Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
3. Commitment to Community: Throughout my career, I always made it a point to bring in treats for the team, engage in conversations by the water cooler, host employee events, and help plan holiday parties. Fostering that sense of community within the team and the entire company was important to me. It wasn’t part of my job description, but I made it part of my role because it brought fulfillment to me and others. For those early in their journey, find causes or activities that resonate with you and dedicate time to them. Building and supporting your community not only enriches others’ lives but also brings fulfillment to your own.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
Early in my career, my boss introduced our team to the CliftonStrengths assessment (formerly StrengthsFinder), and it was one of the most pivotal moments in shaping how I approached my career. The assessment identifies your top five strengths and helps you understand how to lean into them. For example, my top strength ended up being “Maximizer,” and when I read the description, it felt like a light bulb turned on. Maximizers focus on taking good things and making them great, honing in on potential and pushing for excellence. That one insight gave me the clarity to lean into my natural talents instead of wasting energy trying to fix things that weren’t in my wheelhouse.
It completely shifted my mindset. I realized that it’s not about what you don’t have—it’s about recognizing what you do have and bringing that to the forefront. Instead of trying to be great at everything, I made the choice to focus on elevating the things I was already good at, and it made all the difference.
For example, communication and storytelling were areas where I naturally excelled. As a Maximizer, I didn’t just want to tell stories; I wanted to help people find their voice and tell stories that would resonate deeply and make an impact, and I thrive when I’m helping others take their good ideas and turn them into something exceptional.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to embrace what makes you uniquely you. Tools like CliftonStrengths are so valuable because they give you permission to focus on your natural talents instead of constantly trying to fix areas that aren’t your strong suit. Lean into what energizes you and what you naturally excel at—it’s the easiest way to set yourself up for success.
That doesn’t mean ignoring weaknesses completely. It’s important to understand and manage them, but I’ve learned that the magic happens when you’re working in alignment with your strengths. For me, being a Maximizer isn’t just about pushing myself; it’s about helping others see what’s possible and elevating everything I touch to its full potential. And honestly, it’s so much more fulfilling to focus on what lights you up rather than forcing something that doesn’t.
So, whatever your strengths are, my advice is to lean in hard. When you focus on what you’re naturally great at, you create a path that not only feels authentic but also allows you to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunnysideupmktg.com and www.cocohauskitchen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocohauskitchen and https://www.instagram.com/sunnysideupmktg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellymeyercampbell/
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