Kris Gragson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kris, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Early in my career I made the choice to focus on helping small businesses succeed. I knew I could have gone in a different direction by working with larger companies and charging higher rates, but I wanted to make my services affordable for the businesses that are the backbone of our community. It has meant turning down more lucrative opportunities at times, but standing by that decision has allowed me to support entrepreneurs who often need it most.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I was born and raised in Long Beach and have proudly called it home for 50 years. Staying connected to my community is at the heart of everything I do. For the past 15 years, I have overseen Moonlight Movies on the Beach, one of the city’s most beloved traditions. I also run LongBeachStuff.com, which has built a large following on Instagram and Facebook, and I own the Long Beach Local App, a platform that highlights local businesses and events. Beyond my work, I serve on several local boards including the Long Beach Gives, the Long Beach City College Foundation, and Long Beach Chamber of Commerce , where I currently chair the Small Business Council. At GK Media, I price my services to help small businesses thrive, because supporting local entrepreneurs has always been my focus.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Two mentors have had the greatest impact on how I see myself, and both are sadly no longer with us. The first was Fred Khammar, a respected community leader and entrepreneur in Long Beach. He showed me the importance of building multiple businesses while also being active in local government and giving back to the community. My second mentor was Jack Tucey from Catalina Island, a very successful businessman whose wisdom and guidance I valued deeply. I miss both of them and the conversations we shared, but the lessons they left me continue to shape how I approach business and community today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self not to change a thing. Keep being innovative and working hard at what you love. I would also remind myself to skip a few of those nights out in my twenties and start investing early.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In the local SEO industry, there are plenty of fads that come and go, but I have always focused on the long game. My priority is to provide quality work that delivers lasting results. I avoid quick shortcuts or gimmicks, especially since they are often a violation of Google’s terms of use, and instead build strategies that help businesses grow steadily over time.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand deeply how much artificial intelligence is going to shape our lives, and I think many people are only beginning to realize the scope of it. AI will impact everything from the cars we drive to the jobs we hold, and even the everyday choices we make such as which home service to hire or what restaurant to try. At GK Media, I pay close attention to these changes because I believe small businesses need to be prepared for this shift just as much as large companies. My goal is to help them adapt early so they can thrive in an AI driven world rather than be left behind by it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gkmediainc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longbeachstuff/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisgragson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longbeachstuff/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gk-media-seo-long-beach
Image Credits
All images are owned by Kris Gragson
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