The Art of Personalization: How Macie Franklin Temples Blends Creativity and Strategy
Turning Calligraphy into a Business: Macie Franklin Temples on Live Event Engraving, AI, and Making Clients Feel Seen
Hi friends,
This week on The Founders Society Podcast, we sat down with Macie Franklin Temples, a live event engraver, calligrapher, and bottle painter who has built a thriving creative business—all while maintaining a full-time career in aerospace.
If you’ve ever wondered how to blend artistry with strategy, or how to create memorable brand experiences through personalization, this conversation is for you. Macie shares how she transitioned from a background in engineering and technical communication to launching Macie Kendall Co., a business that allows her to combine her analytical skills with her creative passions!
Macie’s Journey: From Calligraphy to Live Event Engraving
Macie’s creative journey started with a simple love for hand lettering and brush calligraphy. From there, she learned pointed pen calligraphy, honing her skills in a way that felt both creative and meditative.
What started as a calligraphy service evolved into live event engraving and personalization. Today, Macie travels to events, engraving bottles, perfume, and glassware on-site, creating one-of-a-kind keepsakes for clients and their guests.
Her secret to success? Bringing a hospitality mindset to every event, focusing on how she can elevate the experience and make people feel special.
Balancing Corporate and Creative Work
Macie isn’t just a full-time artist—she also works in the aerospace industry, proving that you don’t have to choose between business and creativity. She shares how she finds synergy between her analytical and artistic sides, and why setting boundaries and prioritizing rest have been key to her growth.
She reminds us that doing it all doesn’t mean doing it all at once.
How Macie Uses AI and Technology in Her Business
One of Macie’s biggest insights? Technology doesn’t replace creativity—it enhances it.
She has embraced AI tools like ChatGPT to help with:
✔️ Marketing and content planning
✔️ Refining her business strategy
✔️ Maximizing her time and efficiency
Her advice to other creatives: Don’t be afraid of technology. Instead of seeing it as a competitor, think of it as a tool that allows you to focus more on what you love doing.
Building a Brand That Goes Beyond Social Media
Macie knows that likes and follows don’t always translate to business success. Instead, she focuses on:
- SEO and website optimization to reach her ideal clients
- Hiring a fractional CMO to analyze her marketing strategy and data
- Understanding search behavior and how her audience is actually finding her
Her approach is a powerful reminder that visibility isn’t just about showing up on social media—it’s about making sure the right people find you.
Open Studio: Excelling at Live Events
If you’ve ever seen an engraver at an event, you know how magical it is to watch something personalized right in front of you. Macie takes that experience to the next level by making every interaction warm, engaging, and memorable.
In this week’s open studio, Macie, Hayley and Meg share their best tips for succeeding at live events:
- Be intentional about interacting with guests—practice conversation starters ahead of time!
- Focus on the small details that create an “experience,” not just a service.
- Always aim to over-deliver—you want guests to leave thinking, “Wow, that was special.”
Tidbits for the Week!
To wrap up the episode, the ladies shared their latest go-to products, mindset shifts, and habits that are making life a little easier (and more enjoyable!). From game-changing content organization to a donut-flavored beauty find, here’s what they’re loving right now!
Macie // Organize your content effortlessly with iPhone albums—she swears by separate folders for edited videos, brand content, and BTS to make social posting seamless. Plus, a mindset shift: You won’t know how to do something until you try.
Meg // Currently obsessed with Lanolips gloss (and cuticle balm!). Bonus? It tastes like Krispy Kreme donuts.
Hayley // Schedule a monthly marketing power hour with a fellow entrepreneur. A little accountability—and a fresh perspective—goes a long way.
Find us online:
The Founders Society on Instagram: @founderssociety
Macie Kendall Co. on Instagram: @maciekendallco
If this episode resonated with you, hit reply and tell us—how are you making your clients feel seen and valued in your business?
Until next time,
Meg & Hayley
