MARCH 2020
zine photographer, Emanuel Wallace. Toward the
tries—entertainment, fitness and technology, to
end of her event, a video prepared by Graham’s
name a few. Once she developed her niche, she began
marketing coordinator, Kofi Amponash, brought her
attracting clients more fit to the mission of Touch
to tears as she reminisced on some of the struggles
Cleveland. “I’ve worked with The Cleveland Rowing
she encountered and the success that came out of it.
Foundation, Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival,
“I’d just like to say, although starting a business
Vineyards and Winery at Chateau Hough, Ingenuity
wasn’t my plan, it’s the best thing that ever hap-
Festival, and now currently, Fund for Our Economic
pened to me,” Graham said. “I’m very grateful to
Future and Destination Cleveland,” she added.
have reached this milestone. This [fifth year] event
Touch Cleveland has blossomed into a successful
is more than a celebration, it’s a manifestation of
business in which Graham takes great pride. “I wake
dreams and plans written on paper five years ago.”
up and check my calendar, emails and social noti-
Graham also mentions that her business is proof of
fications immediately…which is actually a horrible
what hard work looks like and it’s the greatest form
habit,” Graham said. “On a good day, I manage to
of motivation that she could ever receive to continue
make it out to the gym and eat breakfast. I travel to
moving forward. She and her clients share great work-
my clients and work in their offices or wherever else
ing relationships as reflected in the results of their
I like inbetween.” She also mentions that her travels
labor. “Touch Cleveland is thoughtful, collaborative
keep her engaged in the field and more integrated
and passionate. They bring such a positive energy to
with her clients. “In the evenings, I’m either attending
each project and deliver results,” said Chief Strategy
an event or home continuing to work on some part
Officer of Destination Cleveland, Hannah Belsito on
of my business,” she said.
touchcle.com. “Touch Cleveland seamlessly integrated
Touch Cleveland uses the power of marketing to
with our internal team making the project incredibly
influence and push initiatives that aid in communi-
collaborative and fun,” Belsito added. Masfield Fra-
ty and business development. “Respectively, as we
zier, General Manager at at Chateau Hough Winery,
build and connect with the entities in these sectors,
believes that, “Touch Cleveland does exactly what its
we educate and guide entrepreneurs with not only
name implies. They show you how to collaborate with
marketing expertise, but also with the information
parts of Cleveland you wouldn’t otherwise touch.”
and resources we already promote for our clients,” she
(Also on Touch Cleveland’s website.)
said. Graham hopes to be the center of a connection
Graham would also like to help college students gain
between smaller enterprises and larger corporations.
experience in marketing and public relations. She
As a bonus, Graham’s business now has the freedom
is accepting applications for students to intern
to consult and guide startups without the eagerness
at Touch Cleveland. Interested students
to sell them services. She also recently filmed her
can apply by emailing their resumes
first episode of a web series, “Unspoken.” The web
to brand@touchcle.com. The po-
series features discussions on issues that are affecting
sitions require that students
business and the community.
be a junior or senior in
For Touch Cleveland’s fifth anniversary, Graham
marketing, public re-
hosted an event on Jan. 29 at Social A Loft located in
lations or com-
the Hotcards building. Her closest friends, family and
munication.
colleagues joined her to celebrate her accomplishments and embrace Graham and Touch Cleveland LLC. On the menu, spinach dip with veggies, cucumber shrimp bites and mini caprese cups, all catered by Chef Vell. Glasses of wine from a local Cleveland winery, Chateau Hough, were offered with Flame as the red wine and Sassy as the white. Customized cupcake desserts were provided by Brittany Moguel, owner of The Sweetest Treat. Photos were taken by Cleveland Scene Maga-
“
—I made a decision then to always be myself and nothing less.
“
Her first few clients were startups in various indus-
