Martina Barley, founder of Uptown Marketing, shares her journey from Rochester to Dallas and back, highlighting her business growth and community pride.
Martina left the comfort of Rochester for the bustling city of Dallas, only to come back to where it all began. A marketing maven and entrepreneur, she has deep roots in Rochester, and her story is one of passion, growth and community. We sat down with Martina to explore how her experiences shaped Uptown Marketing, her love for Rochester’s authentic spirit and how coming home reignited her business and personal life. From Brighton to Penfield, Martina’s connection to her hometown continues to inspire her success.
Q: Let’s start with learning a little bit about your background and what you do. A: I’m the owner, CEO and founder of Uptown Marketing. I also run a small property management company where I manage Airbnbs and short-term rentals.
I grew up in Henrietta, attended Rush-Henrietta High School, and then went to SUNY Brockport. I lived and worked in Rochester until I was 27, but then I got the itch to leave and moved to Dallas. However, I missed my family and friends, so I moved back to Rochester in 2021, bringing my business with me.
Q: How did you get started on your career path, and what led you to open your marketing agency?
A: I was a marketing major in college, and my dad worked for State Farm. One of his friends was a State Farm insurance agent, so I asked to work for him. While I was there, I leaned into the marketing side, especially when State Farm started allowing agents to have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. My boss asked me to figure it out, and that’s how I started playing around with marketing. I later transitioned into sales at another Rochester company, where I built a book of business helping other State Farm agents with digital marketing. In 2019, I took a big leap and decided to start my own marketing company. The name Uptown Marketing came from living in Uptown Dallas at the time, and that’s how it all began.
Q: How did Rochester influence your business when you first started, and how has it helped since you moved back?
A: When I started my business in Dallas, I didn’t know anyone there, so I looked back to Rochester for employees because that’s where my network was. My first hires were from Rochester, and the company grew with Rochester as its home base, even though I was in Dallas. When I moved back, I was excited to be in the same city as my team because I value working in person. Rochester played a big part in growing the business, and it’s where I’ve continued to hire and expand.
"In Rochester, everyone is genuine, and there’s a certain authenticity that I really appreciate."
Q: What are your passions outside of work?
A: I love real estate, especially getting a house, furnishing it and putting it on Airbnb. I’ve bought and sold several homes, and I enjoy the process of making a house my own. I also enjoy cooking, even though I’m not the best at it. I like trying new recipes with a good cookbook and a glass of wine. Anything related to home decorating and hosting is fun for me.
Q: What do you love most about Greater Rochester?
A: It’s definitely the people. When I was in Dallas, I realized how much I missed the down-to-earth, laid-back nature of people here. In Rochester, everyone is genuine, and there’s a certain authenticity that I really appreciate. It’s something I didn’t find in Dallas, where people often had this “glittering mask” on.
Q: Do you have any clients in Rochester? How do you help businesses in the area?A: We have two insurance agents in Rochester, one on the east side and one on the west side. We get involved in the community and suggest ways our clients can do the same, like participating in events or supporting local nonprofits. For example, we’re involved with Girls on the Run of Rochester, which teaches young girls self-esteem and social skills. We encourage our clients to get involved in similar activities to help promote their businesses.
Q: What are some of your favorite things to do in the region?
A: I love being by the water, especially at a nice restaurant like The Lake House in Canandaigua, where I can sit outside with a drink and enjoy the view. There’s so much good food in the area, so going out to eat and getting a glass of wine is something I really enjoy.
Q: What makes Rochester unique compared to other cities you’ve lived in?
A: In Rochester, there’s a real appreciation for what we have. When a new brewery or restaurant opens up, it’s exciting, and people here truly value those things. The sense of community is strong, and everyone rallies around their passions.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had in the Greater Rochester region? A: I have a special memory from the fall of 2021 when I was visiting Rochester while still living in Dallas. I ran into my high school and college boyfriend at The Revelry, and that chance encounter led to us getting back together and eventually getting married. It was one of the big reasons I wanted to move back to Rochester.
Q: How have you felt supported by the Rochester community?
A: All my friends are here, so I’ve always felt a lot of support, both personally and professionally. The community really supports businesses, especially women-owned businesses like mine. Even though most of our client base isn’t in Rochester, we still feel the support through networking and charity events.
Q: How does the Rochester region inspire you in your business? A: Having lived in a big city like Dallas, I see so much potential in Rochester, both in the people and the community. There’s no reason Rochester can’t have the same kinds of businesses and opportunities as a place like Dallas. The hardworking, genuine people here inspire me to keep growing and innovating.
Q: What is it about where you live in Rochester that gives you a sense of pride? A: I recently moved from Brighton to Penfield, right on the border of Webster, and I love it. It feels like its own little mini town within Rochester. Brighton was also a special place to live, being so central and quintessentially Rochester with places like Highland Park. Both areas give me a strong sense of pride in the community and everything they offer.
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