Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Lesnick.
Hi Holly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, I’m Holly — music therapist, small business owner, digital marketing strategist, and someone who truly understands the heart (and hustle) behind running a local service-based business.
My story didn’t begin in a marketing agency or corporate office. It began in a Kindermusik classroom—a place filled with rhythm, laughter, and connection. In 2002, after falling in love with the program as a parent, I became a Kindermusik educator and launched Grow and Sing Studios in 2005. What started as a small passion project grew into one of the top Kindermusik programs in the world, earning national recognition year after year. Along the way, I was honored as a Kindermusik Brand Ambassador and became a Kindermusik University Coach, helping educators across the globe build thriving, joy-filled businesses. I still proudly hold that role today—nine years and counting.
But growth didn’t happen overnight. In the early days, I built my studio the old-fashioned way—mailing flyers, setting up booths at community fairs, and personally connecting with parents one by one. It was rewarding but exhausting. When digital marketing started to emerge, I saw its potential and decided to learn everything I could about Google and Meta Ads.
Like many small business owners, I quickly discovered that most marketing agencies were out of reach—charging not just monthly retainers but also percentages of ad spend. That model didn’t make sense for small, local entrepreneurs like me. So, I taught myself. I invested in courses, tested, refined, and proved that affordable, transparent, and effective digital advertising was possible.
In 2023, I was invited to speak at the Kindermusik International Conference, presenting social media strategies to a packed room of educators. The response was incredible—it was clear that small business owners everywhere were craving simple, honest guidance that actually worked.
That realization became the spark for Savvy Ads by Holly, officially launched in January 2025. What started as a few side clients has grown into a thriving agency serving over 30 small businesses across multiple industries. My team and I specialize in Google Ads, Meta Ads, Online Coaching, and Monthly Monitoring & Optimization—all designed to help service-based businesses grow without breaking the bank. No hidden fees. No complicated contracts. Just strategy, creativity, and results.
This year, I had the honor of speaking once again at the 2025 Kindermusik International Conference, where I presented on Google Ads and SEO strategies to another great turnout. Seeing so many educators eager to learn about marketing reaffirmed my mission: to empower small business owners with knowledge that leads to growth and confidence.
In July 2025, I reached one of my proudest milestones—successfully selling Grow and Sing Studios, the business I built from the ground up, to one of our amazing educators. Even after the sale, my story with the studio continues, as I was invited to stay on as Marketing Manager—a full-circle moment that allows me to support the business I created while continuing to grow Savvy Ads by Holly and serve as a Kindermusik University Coach.
Beyond business, I’m a wife, mom, musician, and lifelong creative. My daughter, Anna, is a talented musician, composer, and author, and my son, Aiden, is thriving in college. My husband and I also run FunBox Photos, a photo booth company that brings joy to events across Central Florida. Since becoming empty nesters, we also love to travel, our most recent adventure in Switzerland. Together, we’ve built a life centered around creativity, connection, and community.
Today, I’m more passionate than ever about helping others grow—because I’ve lived the ups and downs of entrepreneurship myself. Whether it’s through coaching, campaign building, or community connection, I believe every small business deserves the chance to be seen, supported, and successful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — but every challenge along the way has shaped who I am as a business owner.
When I launched Grow and Sing Studios in 2005, I was only a few years into building the business when the 2008 recession hit. Like so many small businesses, I felt the uncertainty of that time deeply. Families were tightening budgets, and I worried about how a music program for babies and toddlers would survive. But somehow, we didn’t just make it through — we grew. I think that period taught me how powerful consistency and connection can be. When you show up with genuine care and purpose, people feel that and stay with you.
Then, of course, came the COVID years. Our entire business revolved around gathering — singing, dancing, and playing together with little ones — and suddenly, that wasn’t possible. We had to pivot overnight to Zoom-based Kindermusik classes, which was quite an adventure! Trying to engage babies and toddlers through a screen was definitely a learning curve, but our community showed up, and we found creative ways to keep the music and joy alive.
Over the years, there have been plenty of ups and downs — times when I questioned what was next or how to adapt. But through every challenge, my focus and dedication never wavered. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding obstacles — it’s about facing them with creativity and purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I run Savvy Ads by Holly, a digital marketing agency built specifically for small, local, service-based businesses — the kind of business owners who are usually overlooked by big agencies. We specialize in Google Ads, Meta Ads, Online Coaching, and Monthly Monitoring & Optimization.
What sets Savvy Ads apart is that I’ve developed a formula that actually works for small businesses with limited budgets. I know firsthand what it’s like to be the one doing it all — answering phones, running classes, managing social media — and still trying to figure out how to get new leads. That’s why everything I do is built around clarity, honesty, and affordability.
Unlike traditional marketing agencies, I don’t charge percentages of ad spend or lock clients into long-term contracts. My approach is flat-rate and transparent, so business owners always know exactly what they’re paying for and what to expect. That’s incredibly freeing for small entrepreneurs who are cautious about their budgets but still want to grow.
I’m most proud that I’ve created something that helps real people — not corporations, not franchises — but local dreamers who want to make a difference in their communities. Whether it’s a Kindermusik studio, a med spa, a photo booth company, or a family-owned service business, I get to help them reach the right people and see their hard work pay off.
At its core, Savvy Ads by Holly is about empowerment. I want business owners to feel confident, informed, and supported — not overwhelmed or intimidated by digital marketing. My brand exists to make advertising accessible to everyone, no matter the size of their business or budget. I want readers to know that it is possible to advertise effectively, strategically, and affordably — and that they don’t have to do it alone.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Absolutely — I wouldn’t be where I am today without an incredible network of support.
My family has been my greatest source of encouragement through every season of my career. They’ve cheered me on through long nights, big transitions, and new ideas, and their belief in me has been a steady foundation for everything I’ve built.
I’ve also been fortunate to have amazing mentors over the years — people who have guided and inspired me both personally and professionally. From the leadership team at Kindermusik International who encouraged me to dream bigger, to marketing mentors who helped me refine my craft, each one has played a part in shaping my path.
And I can’t forget the incredible people I had the pleasure of managing during my years as owner of Grow and Sing Studios. That team was extraordinary — creative, compassionate, and fully dedicated to the families we served. Leading them was one of the greatest joys of my career and taught me so much about collaboration and trust.
Finally, my clients deserve huge credit as well. Working alongside so many passionate small business owners — seeing their excitement when an ad starts working or when their business begins to grow — that’s what keeps me inspired every single day.
At the heart of it all, Savvy Ads by Holly was built from gratitude — for the mentors, family, teammates, and clients who’ve believed in me and shaped the work I get to do. Every piece of this journey has led me to where I am now, and I’m so thankful for each person who’s been part of it.
Pricing:
- Google Ad campaign creation: $285
- Meta Ad campaign creation: $385
- Online Zoom Coaching/Training: $95/hour
- Optimizing/monitoring: $75/month
- Consult call: $50 (and applied to any campaign)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adsbyholly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvyadsbyholly
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvyadsbyholly/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollylesnick/
Image Credits
Tamara Knight Photography (for the professional shots of me)
