Designed and developed by KKPR Founder Katrina Foster, the four-part certificate program draws on nearly twenty years of real-world brand strategy experience to give entrepreneurs practical tools they can immediately apply to their businesses.

STATESVILLE, N.C. (July 27th, 2026)– A successful partnership between KKPR Marketing & Public Relations and the Small Business Center at Mitchell Community College is expanding through a new collaboration with Mitchell Community College and NC Community Colleges to launch Designed to Differ: A Certificate in Brand Strategy, Marketing & Business Growth.

Created by Katrina Foster, Founder and Chief Difference Maker of KKPR Marketing & Public Relations, Designed to Differ is a four-part certificate program developed following the success of Foster’s entrepreneurial workshops offered through the Mitchell Community College Small Business Center. The expanded curriculum equips entrepreneurs and small business owners with a practical roadmap for building stronger brands, creating intentional marketing strategies and achieving sustainable business growth.

Rather than focusing on trends or quick fixes, Designed to Differ helps participants build the foundational strategies necessary for long-term success, from defining what makes their business unique to creating intentional marketing systems that support sustainable growth.

“Too often, entrepreneurs believe they need to do more marketing when what they really need is greater clarity,” said Foster. “Designed to Differ was created to help business owners slow down, think strategically, and build with intention. When you understand who you are, who you serve, and what makes you different, marketing becomes far more effective.”

The four-week certificate program follows a progressive framework that guides participants through each stage of building a successful business:

  • Discover: Finding What Makes Your Business Different
  • Define: Building a Brand Customers Remember
  • Design: Creating a Marketing System That Works Together
  • Deliver: Marketing with Consistency and Purpose

Each session combines instruction, interactive exercises, practical tools, and real-world examples, giving participants actionable strategies they can begin implementing immediately.

“Mitchell Community College’s Small Business Center is committed to providing entrepreneurs with meaningful educational opportunities that support business growth,” said Suzanne Wallace, Director, Small Business Center. “We’re excited to partner with KKPR to bring this unique certificate program to our community and help local businesses Designed to Differ reflects the shared commitment of KKPR Marketing & Public Relations, Mitchell Community College, the Mitchell Community College Small Business Center and NC Community Colleges to provide entrepreneurs with practical, high-impact education that strengthens businesses, supports innovation and contributes to North Carolina’s growing small business community.

For more information or to register, visit:  https://www.mitchellcc.edu/continuing-education-registration/, email Bailey Williamson, Administrative Assistant II, Small Business Center & Business Services at Mitchell Community College, at bwilliamson@mitchellcc.edu,  or visit www.kkmpr.com.

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About KKPR Marketing & Public Relations

Founded in 2006, KKPR Marketing & Public Relations is an award-winning strategic marketing and communications agency that helps organizations, businesses, and nonprofits build brands that connect, inspire, and grow. Through strategic consulting, branding, public relations, digital marketing, and educational programming, KKPR empowers clients to communicate with clarity and confidence.

 

About Mitchell Community College Small Business Center

The Mitchell Community College Small Business Center provides high-quality training, counseling, and resources to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and strengthen successful businesses throughout Iredell County and beyond.