Tina Chovanec
President and owner | Image Makers Advertising Inc.
139 E. North St., Waukesha | imagemakersadv.com
INDUSTRY: Marketing | EMPLOYEES: 14
- She wooed them with Lean Cuisine. At 26, Chovanec was hired as the director of marketing at the company that owns the Chancery restaurants. She delivered a prepared freezer meal with her resume to demonstrate that she was passionate about food, but her services were affordable. “I went on an interview … and was surprised that I actually landed the job. I worked my way into their hearts with that Lean Cuisine.”
- At her first agency, Chovanec named a breakfast that’s still on the menu at George Webb: the Double Webb.
- Food is a common thread. Chovanec later founded her own marketing firm, Eat Cake Communications, with the tagline: “Have professional marketing and afford it, too.” “If I hadn’t gone into marketing, I would have been a chef. I love to cook.” Her favorite dish: Her mother’s Italian red sauce and meatballs.
- Communication is everything. “There isn’t anything good, solid clear communication can’t solve, whether it’s a relationships or advertising and marketing.”
- Mentorship is important to her. “I think sometimes professional women can be very hard on each other and it’s my desire to be the opposite.” Chovanec advanced quickly to leadership roles, and is thankful for the mentors who boosted her there. “If you want to be successful, you definitely have to be grateful for every opportunity you’ve been given.”
