Samantha's Portfolio

Samantha is a freelance feature writer and blogger sharing stories of people, brands, and organizations who make a difference in their world.  

She covers lifestyle topics that touch on our daily lives, including food, wellness, health, science, and consumer technology. 

Currently based in Corvallis, OR. 

Small and Startup Business Coverage

Photo by Jopwell on Pexels
Sellzone •

Amazon Cloud: What is Amazon Marketing Cloud? Benefits and Use Cases

Ecommerce advertising revenues nearly quadrupled between 2019 and 2023, according to eMarketer and Statista. With sellers spending so much money to get shoppers’ attention, the need for accurate analytics has also grown. Marketing your store without accurate analytics is like leaping without a net. Yet, getting the information you need in today’s privacy-conscious environment is becoming harder and harder. This is where Amazon Marketing Cloud shines. Let’s explore how the program works, its use cases, and its benefits for sellers!
The Corvallis Advocate •

Gadusol: Safer Sunscreen for Fish & Humans

Every summer, ocean lovers face the sunscreen dilemma. Fully protective sunscreen helps prevent sunburn and skin cancer, yet some popular sunscreen ingredients may harm marine life and the environment. Gadusol Laboratories is a Corvallis-based startup that hopes to offer a nature-inspired solution to the sunscreen dilemma by developing new sun protection alternatives based on a naturally occurring compound, called gadusol, found in marine organisms which provides UVB protection to the organisms.
The Corvallis Advocate •

Board Game Start-up Mountaineers

Imagine climbing a mountain with your friends and family without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. This is the experience that Corvallis game developer Corey Wright aimed to create with his newly released board game Mountaineers.

A mountain climbing themed, three-dimensional board game, Mountaineers was released by Corvallis board game start-up Massif Games, and funded through a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $145,000 with the support of 1,686 backers. According to Kickstart
The Corvallis Advocate •

Corvallis Mystery & Puzzle Rooms

Can Your Team Crack the Case?

For those that enjoy a good group puzzling session, community escape rooms, and mystery-themed games provide an immersive and interactive experience. Corvallis is home to three businesses offering unique group experiences that combine live-action gameplay, solving mysteries or puzzles, and storytelling. Escape Corvallis, Spiritopia, and The Conundrum House have each created team-oriented challenges for two or more participants.
The Corvallis Advocate •

DiCarlo Sex Tech Awarded State Business Grant

The State of Oregon awarded a business development grant of $99,637 to the Bend/Corvallis based sexual technology company Lora DiCarlo. Representatives from Lora DiCarlo believe they were the first sex tech company to receive a grant from any state government body.

The Business Oregon Enhanced Phase 0 Grant supports the commercialization of the Osé personal massager that is the first product designed for hands-free blended orgasms. Lora DiCarlo founder Lora Haddock previously explained to an Ad
Social Media Marketing Tips and News •

How to Use Social Media to Promote a Local Business

Pinterest and Instagram are marketing gold mines for local travel and hospitality brands. Using these social media platforms, it is easier than ever to reach and engage future guests.

But sometimes small businesses with limited marketing budgets overlook the importance of social media marketing beyond Facebook. Sadly, they miss out on opportunities to connect with potential guests early in their vacation planning process.

The good news is with a little planning and creativity, you can draw peo
The Shutterstock Blog •

Spring Cleaning Your Small Business' Marketing Strategy

Spring means a new quarter and new opportunities for your small business. Here’s how to refresh your marketing strategy for the season of growth.

For many people, spring signifies new beginnings. It’s also a chance to refresh and declutter their homes and lives. Your small business marketing may also benefit from a little spring cleaning.

For small business marketers, spring marks the end of Q1 and the start of Q2. So, now is the perfect time to evaluate your online branding and messaging. Tak
The Corvallis Advocate •

Lora DiCarlo Battles Sex Tech Bias

It all started with an orgasm, according to Lora Haddock, founder of Lora DiCarlo. The Oregon sexual tech company gained worldwide attention when their debut product won a Consumer Electronics Show Innovation Award, only to have it taken away due to the show’s so-called standards of decency. Since the Consumer Electronics Show previously included male-oriented sex tech products, this decision prompted conversations about sexual bias in the technology industry.
MUO •

How to Buy Audiobooks on Spotify

Spotify wants to be your one-stop platform for listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks. On September 20, 2022, the service rolled out a new audiobook feature for users in the US, with plans to expand to listeners worldwide.

Audiobooks are a departure from your usual Spotify experience. Instead of ad-supported or subscription-based streaming, you purchase individual audiobooks to stream through the app. Over 300,000 titles are available, including best sellers across genres.

Spotify curate
The Corvallis Advocate •

Local Etsy Top Picks

Buying unique, handcrafted items is made easy by online marketplaces such as Etsy, where shoppers can support their local economies by purchasing from resident artists, crafters, and makers, without having to set foot in a store or gallery. The plethora of featured shops caters to everyone’s personal tastes, holiday hunts, and price points. While Etsy offers vintage items and craft supplies, we’ve narrowed our search down to ten top-rated shops from Corvallis, selling hand-crafted items. From th