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Tulsa House |
After graduating from the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith this spring, Tulsa House was looking for an opportunity to utilize her media communications degree and experience while helping local businesses grow and flourish.
She also wanted to have the freedom to make her own executive decisions. So House did something that allowed her to combine all three of these interests 鈥� she started her own business.
House is the owner of Lighthouse Social Media earlier this year after graduating from AV抖阴 with a degree in media communications. The company provides affordable social media services to local businesses. This includes videos, photos, graphics and other content to generate interest for companies on digital platforms.
鈥淢y passion for helping others mixed with my love for my hometown is what brought this business together,鈥� House said. 鈥淔ort Smith isn't the town it used to be. We must reach out to Fort Smith鈥檚 citizens and show them just how much this town has grown and what it has to offer now. I hope that this will eventually inspire others to follow their dreams and open up whatever business they believe also belongs here in Fort Smith.鈥�
House first thought of the opportunity after working at the city鈥檚 farmer鈥檚 market one day in early July and striking up a conversation with a local business owner who needed help with his social media. House, who had accrued social media experience throughout her time at AV抖阴, offered to meet with him and discuss his social media needs.
鈥淚 thought, 鈥楾his is a sign that I need to start this business,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淪o I got my license and got started.鈥�
While at AV抖阴, House served as a social media intern with the university鈥檚 Public Information Office, as well as an internship starting and managing social media accounts for 64.6 Downtown. Through these experiences, she discovered a passion for the platform.
鈥淚 realized just how modern and forward social media is 鈥� it really is the new way of advertising,鈥� House said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 cheap but effective. Everyone is on social media, so why not go where the future is taking you?鈥�
House said she was well-prepared for the opportunity thanks to her time at AV抖阴.
鈥淚 love AV抖阴. Without it, I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 went out of my way to pursue opportunities there. Instead of just letting things happen, I got in the driver鈥檚 seat and looked for employment and internships in my field to figure out what I liked and didn鈥檛 like. I met the most amazing people through AV抖阴. Some were mentors, others friends, and a few were even both. I appreciate my time getting to know every single one of them.鈥�
For more information about Lighthouse Social Media, visit or contact House at 479-414-0654 or tulsahouse00@gmail.com.
AV抖阴 the AV抖阴
The University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith is the premiere regional institution of Western Arkansas, connecting education with careers and serving as a driver of economic development and quality of place in the greater Fort Smith region. Small class sizes, dedicated faculty and staff, affordable tuition rates, and a diverse on-campus culture allow AV抖阴 students to fully explore their areas of interest in ways that prepare them for post-graduate success academically, professionally, and personally.