Reaching Your Customer Through Story, According To A Marketing Pro

Theresa Gonzalez
May 07, 2021
small business owner

Running the day to day of a business can be all-consuming but taking the time to step back and think about your marketing strategy can save you time and money down the road (while attracting more customers to your brand!). As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, Wesley Brinkhurst, VP Head of Marketing at Office Depot joined our Selfmade spring session to share some insights on how to hone in on your target audience (or audiences) and create a story tailored to them.

"One of my favorite things within marketing is the storytelling and the emotional connectivity, and really getting to the root of how your customers feel successful in their day-to-day lives, and what you are doing that can allow them to feel more successful," Brinkhurst told Selfmade students. Here are steps she outlined to help you get there.

Define Your Purpose. "Understanding your target audience layers back to who you are as a brand and what you want to stand for in the marketplace," said Brinkhurst. First step, level set on your brand position, your why. "This is that vision of the change that you want to see in the world."

Define Your Promise.How will you achieve that purpose? What are you promising to your customer? "Our promise is really to be that trusted platform that our customers rely on to start, manage, and grow their business," offered Brinkhurst as an example.

Define Your Brand Position. This is the what you are offering your customer at a high level. "Our target audience is really businesses of all sizes and all facets. Ultimately, it's our positioning to be an essential business partner that gives you the freedom to accomplish more," said Brinkhurst.

Create a Target Persona. Now that you're firm on your purpose, promise, and positioning, you can start to think about the person you are most trying to target. Office Depot, which has 28 million active customers, has identified six audience segments. If you're just starting out, you may just have one primary persona.

"Whether you call it a persona, which is a specific buying personality or, in some cases, if you're activating through certain digital channels, you may call it a micro segmentation," said Brinkhurst. "But this is the ability to tap in at a more granular level to identify a smaller group so you can more actively and appropriately engage." This is anywhere from demographics (age, race, gender if applicable) to their core values (their passions, emotional triggers) to how and what they consume (websites, apps, magazines, favorite brands, for example).


Wesley Brinkhurst, VP Head of Marketing at Office Depot


If you're short on marketing budget to pull in-depth data on your customer, you can get a lot of data from your social platforms. Run surveys, polls, ask questions directly in your feeds. "This is going to be critically important as you think about where you're going to place investments and where your marketing strategy is going to start to come to life," said Brinkhurst.

Create a Story. Once you have this profile of your target customer, you'll start to think about how to leverage it, making sure that this persona is at the heart of how you develop messaging and engagement strategies, said Brinkhurst. First, what will resonate most with this persona? "Do we need to talk about products? Is it an attribute of a product that's going to resonate or is it the experience that they're going to have? In my case, we like to tap into the outcomes that we're going to provide for our target audiences," said Brinkhurst. "Everyone has outcomes that they want to accomplish."

For Office Depot, those outcomes include everyone's desire to be more productive, to want to drive efficiency in their day to day, to want to grow their business. "So how do you position yourself and create these points of engagement; these moments in your relationship where you're demonstrating as a business and as a brand that you can create that outcome for your customers, which is critically important."


Want to take your business to the next level? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.

Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.

Collaboration Hacks Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Therise Edwards, founder/CEO of Teshley Solutions, an education consultancy firm that helps students and families navigate the complexities of the education system K through 12.

What is an unexpected business challenge that you faced and how did you overcome it?

I wouldn't call myself a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) expert, but I ended up having to know a lot more about it than I ever anticipated. FAFSA is what administers Pell Grants, which is what a lot of colleges base their financial aid on. I knew about the application changes, and some were excellent, but they made a series of critical errors and a lot of parents were scrambling. It was not my intent to have this as my area of focus; it just became a necessity.

What's a recent small win for your business?

Recent small wins are my collaborations. I formed partnerships with one organization that focuses on students with special needs. I hosted a webinar with the executive director of that organization. I formed a partnership with members from an insurance company on planning and paying for college. That was my first corporate sponsorship. And I've got a series of events coming out because others actually reached out to me. One of them I met through another networking platform, but I got to that platform from one of the sessions that I did with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program.

How did you start to collaborate with external partners?

Just changing my strategies and my approach, and just being more secure and more emphatic in making connections. It ends up being this continual cycle.

Is there a woman in business that you admire or that you look up to?

I have two. Leontyne Anglin, who runs a nonprofit called Beyond Expectations. She works with a small pool of students, but she just gives them enormous exposure and opportunity. She's brilliant with collaborating with individuals and businesses and really bringing the students what they need. And then the other on a bigger scale is Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, who taught her Business Plan Bootcamp through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. She is just a dynamo. She is just so supportive of women entrepreneurs. She's awesome.

How did the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program help propel your business forward?

All of the collaborations and partnerships with the exception of one all came from joining the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. I’ve taken all of the free classes and the one on projections and pricing, something every entrepreneur struggles with, was very helpful. There have been so many of them. Sometimes you're completely ignorant in a category so you take the class and it's like, okay, that's good to have. But then sometimes you sign up for it and it's like, oh, yeah, I did know 90 percent of that, but this other 10 percent is going to be very, very helpful.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Teshley Solutions.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces


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11 Expensive-Looking Amazon Christmas Decorations Under $35

Now that Halloween is officially over, it’s time to lean into all things holiday cheer. My favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit is decorating my space to match all the cookie decorating parties, gift wrapping sessions, and holiday cocktail hours to come this winter. But I’m one to do this on a budget – I often hit the thrift store for Christmas decor. When I’m not there, I’m scouring Amazon for pieces that are cute, but still take it easy on my wallet.

These are the best Amazon Christmas decorations I found that don’t cost an arm and a leg, but rival styles you’d find at more upscale stores like Anthropologie and Nordstrom:

Amazon

Peiduo Small LED Light Birch Trees

These tiny trees lit by twinkly LED lights are perfect for topping your mantle or dinner table. I think they add just the right amount of whimsy to your space, no matter how you decorate with them! They're not necessarily Christmas-specific, either. Their simple design allows you to spruce 'em up in all kinds of ways year-round. Similar pieces at Target and Anthropologie range from $21 $68 for one tree, but you can get two trees for just $25 on Amazon right now.

Amazon

Plaid Throw Pillow Covers

Plaid – specifically red plaid – is timeless when it comes to Christmas decor. It never fails to make a space extra cozy! These 18x18-inch covers are perfect for throw pillows on your bed and couch alike. You can snag this set of 2 in a few other holiday-ready colorways for just $10, and they'll likely last you a while with the right care.

    Amazon

    Artgar Real Touch Pine Garland

    If you have a mantle, use it! A mantle is prime real estate for Christmas decorations like stockings, candles, and cards – but none of that is truly complete without a good garland! This 6-foot faux pine garland can easily span your mantle to fill in any negative space and simply make things cozier. It comes with attached LED lights (no wall plug necessary, just a few batteries) as well as pinecone accents to make the garland itself feel fuller. Plus, $30 isn't so bad for a statement piece like this!

    Amazon

    Vintage Bow Decorative Tray

    This piece reminds me of a tray Pottery Barn Teen and LoveShackFancy sells in their collaborative collection, except it literally costs $60 less. It's not a total dupe, but the one thing it does have in common is bows: the most adorable reference to gifting season! I think this $9 pick could be so cute as a serving platter for Christmas desserts or even as a festive catchall you keep on your coffee table throughout the holidays.

    Amazon

    Kate Aspen Retro Floral Drinking Glasses

    The intricate design on these green-tinted glasses really has me hooked. They'd look so good with any sort of Christmas party tablescape – as long as you're sipping Christmas cocktails out of them! A similar set of 6 is currently being sold on Quince for $48. This one's only $26.

    Subscribe to our newsletter to shop even more holiday decor!

    Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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    Meet The Top 3 Founders In Our Selfmade Pitch Competition!

    When you launch a business, you have to know how to sell it: to customers, to potential investors, and to the people you bring on board. In the Selfmade Fall 2024 Pitch competition, we challenged our female entrepreneurs to sell us their big idea and compete to win over $10K in prizes to build and grow their business. The judging panel was made up of a group of inspiring women in business, including Emily Merrell, founder of Second Degree Society and Ready Set Coach; Niki Shamdasani, CEO of Sani Lifestyle Brand; and Joanne Oparu Ayebo Eriaku, business transformation strategist and founder of SOAR AI School of Readiness.

    Selfmade is a unique, hands-on business membership for female founders. Our coaches support our mission to help make the dreams of female founders a reality. "Our mission is to even out the odds and offer a clear route to success for business owners who've been marginalized," Emily said during the competition.

    Pitch day was filled with uplifting, celebratory moments as all members cheered on the 10 finalists. Winners were judged on creativity, inspiration, authenticity, uniqueness, and evidence of impact. The finalists were phenomenal in their pitches, but the judging panel had to make the tough decision of picking three women who really stood out. Here are the winners of the Selfmade Fall 2024 pitch competition, plus our amazing finalists below!

    Meet the Selfmade PItch Winners

    Hyacinth Tucker

    1st Place Winner

    Hyacinth Tucker | The Laundry Basket

    A US Army veteran and wife, Hyacinth owns and operates The Laundry Basket, a laundry subscription service that provides expert, laundry-on-demand and dry cleaning services in Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia, Northeast Ohio, and Toronto Canada. The company is committed to sustainability, offering zero-waste practices in partnership with non-profits like Impact Zero. They are also paving the way for minorities and veterans to build careers and businesses through their workforce development program. Hyacinthhas a masters of business administration and is a mom of two. When she’s not running the show, she loves traveling, reading, and playing games with her family.

    Monica Casillas

    2nd Place Winner

    Monica Casillas | Amor Movement

    Founder Monica Casillas recognized that many young Latinas faced the same challenges she did in high school, experiencing the weight of generational traumas and their impact on growth and potential. Driven by her own experiences and determination, she set out to create a transformative movement with love as its guiding force. The mission behind Amor Movement is to ignite the passion and leadership potential in young Latinas in high school. The nonprofit is dedicated to equipping these future leaders with essential life skills, professional development, and civic engagement opportunities, empowering them to break barriers and create the lives of their dreams.

    Yolanda McCray

    3rd Place Winner

    Yolanda McCray | Skyler M Style & Wellness

    Yolanda's passion for clothing, accessories, and custom products inspired the creation of Skyler M Style & Wellness, named after her Cocker Spaniel who passed away from cancer in 2019. Skyler M Style & Wellness is an online boutique and pop-up shop in South Carolina that offers clothing, accessories, and custom gifts. They are also launching gift and subscription boxes that empower women to embrace their unique style while prioritizing wellness. Their carefully curated products offer a blend of fashion and self-care, solving the common struggle women face in balancing both.

    Selfmade

    Meet Our Other Amazing Finalists!

    Thinking about becoming a member of Selfmade? Founders can join Selfmade for just $39 per month and have a chance to pitch your business at our next pitch competition! Here's how our Selfmade community is breaking barriers and connecting you with like-minded founders:
    • On-demand courses
    • Live coaching
    • 1:1 mentorship with leading industry experts
    • Opportunities for pitching your business (such as this pitch comp!)
    • Digital events
    • AND of course, our community of 4,000+ women founders, just like you!

    Learn more about the Selfmade Founder Fund and join us!

    Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more tips and news!

    Header image via Meghan Lamle on Unsplash

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    Taylor Swift Just Gushed Over Travis Kelce After Years Of Extreme Privacy

    We might not have a royal couple here in the U.S., but as far as I'm concerned, Taylor Swift is the people's princess! Taylor and Travis Kelce are at the absolute top of their games right now (hello Eras Tour and Super Bowl ring!), and they're absolute masters at privacy, meaning they only let us see exactly what they want us to. That’s why when they go on the record about their relationship, it’s a huge deal. (Because let’s be real, it’s always adorable when a couple gushes over each other). Here’s everything this power couple has said about each other — and some other FAQ's like "How did Taylor and Travis meet?" and "What did Travis Kelce say about Taylor Swift?" you might have asked yourself recently.

    Everything Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Have Publicly Said About Each Other

    Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

    July 26, 2023 — Travis Kelce Expresses Interest In Taylor

    After Taylor's Eras Tour show in Kansas City, Travis told his brother on an episode of New Heights that he had hoped to give her a friendship bracelet displaying his phone number. "I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings," he joked. "So I was a little butt-hurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her."

    “I said what I said,” Travis later told NFL's Andrew Siciliano. “And I meant what I said when I said it.”

    @chiara_ / Instagram

    October 22, 2023 — Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Basically Hard Launch Their Relationship

    You know what they say: a picture's worth a thousand words. After lots of rumors, dates, and car rides, this kiss on the cheek was all the confirmation I needed that these two are serious!

    Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

    November 11, 2023 — Taylor Swift Changes The Lyrics To "Karma"

    While Travis Kelce was in the audience during the Eras Tour, Taylor changed a "Karma" lyric from "Karma is the guy on the screen coming straight home to me" to "Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me." Yeah, it's safe to assume I freaked the freak out.

    Even though Travis revealed he had a clue Taylor would change the lyrics, he was still super surprised. "Definitely when I heard it come out of her mouth, [it] still shocked me," he said. "I was like...'Oh, she really just said that, alright.'"

    Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

    November 20, 2023 — Travis Kelce Calls Taylor Swift "Mind-Blowing"

    “I’ve never been a man of words. Being around her, seeing how smart Taylor is, has been f—king mind-blowing," Travis Kelce tells the WSJ Magazine. “Obviously I’ve never dated anyone with that kind of aura about them…But at the same time, I’m not running away from any of it…She’s just living, enjoying life. When she acts like that I better not be the one acting all strange.”

    Even Donna Kelce had something to add! “I can tell you this,” she says. “He’s happier than I’ve seen him in a long time… God bless him, he shot for the stars!”

    Inez and Vinoodh for TIME

    December 6, 2023 — Taylor Swift Reveals When She And Travis Actually Started Dating

    Travis wasn't the only person who spilled on their relationship in a cover story! While speaking to TIME, Taylor revealed that the public's perception of their relationship timeline was (and had always been) way off.

    “We actually had a significant amount of time [together] that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other," she said in the interview. "By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple. I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.”

    Taylor also mentioned how they "show up for each other" and that they're "just proud of each other."

    Patrick Smith/Getty Images

    January 28, 2024 — Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Are Caught Saying "I Love You"

    After Travis Kelce and the KC Chiefs won the Super Bowl, Taylor and Travis had some celebrating to do. The first order of business? Saying those three special words!

    According a post-game video, Travis says, “Tay, I'm going to enjoy with the guys I love you," Travis says in a post-game video, "so much it’s not even funny.” And it appears Taylor responds with, “I love you too... I’ve never been so proud, EVER.”

    Taylor Swift/Universal Music Group

    February 5, 2024 — Travis Kelce Says What We're All Thinking

    After Taylor Swift announced The Tortured Poets Departmentwould drop on April 19 (and won Artist of the Year at the Grammys for the fourth time), Travis revealed that he'd already listened to some of the music.

    "She's unbelievable, she's rewriting history books herself," he said during a press conference. "I told her I'll have to hold up my end of the bargain and come home with some hardware too...It's been fun to kind of gather the Swifties in the Chiefs' kingdom and open them up to the football world and the sports world."

    "I have heard some of [Taylor Swift's new album], yes, and it is unbelievable," he continued. "I can't wait for her to shake up the world when it finally drops."

    Amy Sussman and Jason Hanna for Getty Images

    March 8, 2024 — Travis Kelce Gushes Over Taylor Swift (Again)

    After spending some 1:1 time together in Australia (and getting hounded by the paparazzi), Travis Kelce had one easy answer for why this couple is so popular: “This is all because Taylor is the biggest and the best thing possible."

    Patrick Smith/Getty Images

    April 2, 2024 — Travis Kelce Has Never Been Happier

    After a winter and spring full of amazing moments, Travis Kelce revealed just how happy he is with life. "I'm the happiest I've ever been," Travis Kelce told People. "I'm a guy that some people say is glass half full, half empty, and my glass is all the way full. It's all the way full...I'm oozing life right now."

    And when asked about his relationship with Taylor, he hypes up how dedicated they both are to their crafts. "I think we both love what we do and any chance that I can show my support to her — knowing that she has shown me all the support in the world throughout the season — it’s just been an amazing experience getting to know Tay," he says in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

    Amy Sussman/Getty Images

    April 10, 2024 — Even Travis Kelce Doesn't Know Why Taylor Swift Is Dating Him

    During an April episode of New Heights, Travis admitted he doesn't quite understand how he's dating everyone's favorite popstar. "I don't know how I did it because she wasn't into sports," he says. "So I don't know how the f—k I did it."

    Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

    April 19, 2024 — Taylor Swift Finally Releases Songs Rumored To Be About Travis Kelce

    Okay this one might require you to suspend your disbelief for a little bit, but there is NO WAY "The Alchemy" and "So High School" aren't about Travis. Especially after Taylor Swift started mimicking his on-field moves during her concerts!

    With lyrics like "Call the amateurs and cut 'em from the team" to "We've been on a winning streak / He jokes that it's heroin, but this time with an 'E'" in "The Alchemy" (which I think is about how Taylor literally made his game better) and "Truth, dare, spin bottles / You know how to ball, I know Aristotle" is "So High School," you'll never be able to convince me they're about anyone else.

    JC Olivera/Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

    April 27, 2024 — Travis Kelce Gave Us A DTR On His Relationship With Taylor Swift

    When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce arrived at the 15 and Mahomies Foundation Golf Classic in Las Vegas, I don't think Travis intended to confirm his relationship status with the popstar — or to auction off tickets to her concerts!

    “I think I was just talking to my significant other, and we might have one other alternate item that wasn’t on the docket," he says (via People). "Um, has anybody heard of the Eras Tour?” The crowd was super excited, and they raised $80,000!

    Rob Carr/Getty Images

    June 1, 2024 — Travis Kelce Comments On Viral Engagement Rumors

    The internet has been talking about Taylor Swift's engagement (or lack thereof) for literal years, and it appears Travis and Taylor's IRL friends are talking about it too. During the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend's onstage comedy sketch Jason Sudeikis asked, "Hey Travis, real talk, OK, just the guys here...When are you going to make an honest woman out of her?"

    "Guys," Travis responded, "you're really pushing it." Good on you Travis.

    Taylor Swift/Instagram

    June 22, 2024 — Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Finally Go Instagram Official

    When Taylor Swift posted a selfie from the London Eras Tour with Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte, not only was she showing off her new friends but she also went Instagram grid official with Travis (a move she hasn't pulled since 2016!)

    "Happy Bday M8!" Taylor captioned the photo. "London shows are off to a splendid start."

    Patrick Smith/Getty Images

    September 3, 2024 — Taylor Swift Literally Drafts Plays For The Chiefs

    Travis Kelce nonchalantly revealed that Taylor Swift started drafting plays for him, and I NEED to know if and they use them! “She’s a little biased and just creates plays for me," Travis tells the Rich Eisen Show. “She had just been so open to learning the game, she didn’t know much about the rules or anything…I think she was just curious about the profession...I know none of the plays have gotten to Coach Reid yet, but if they ever do I’ll make sure everyone knows it was her creation."

    Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

    September 11, 2024 — Taylor Swift Calls Travis Kelce Her Boyfriend On Live TV

    During the VMAs, Taylor Swift accepted the award for Video of the Year for "Fortnight," and thanked Travis Kelce for his involvement — and confirmed they were boyfriend and girlfriend!!!

    "Something that I'll always remember is when I would finish a take and I'd say ‘cut,’ and we'd be done with that take, I would always just hear, like, someone cheering from across the studio where we were shooting it, and that one person was my boyfriend, Travis," she says. "Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic. So, I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot because I’ll always remember that."

    ​How did Taylor and Travis meet?

    Christian Petersen/Getty Images

    In his WSJ profile, Travis Kelce revealed he had his own assists when it came to connecting with Taylor.

    “There were definitely people she knew that knew who I was, in her corner [who said]: Yo! Did you know he was coming? I had somebody playing Cupid," he said — which he found out when Taylor contacted him. “She told me exactly what was going on and how I got lucky enough to get her to reach out."

    How long have Taylor and Travis been together?

    Jason Hanna/Getty Images

    Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have been together since summer or early fall 2023. After Travis' friend "played Cupid" and they started talking, they were basically already a thing by the time she showed up to that first Chiefs' game in September 2023!

    What is the age difference between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce?

    Jamie Squire/Getty Images

    Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are only two months apart. Travis was born on October 5, 1989, and Taylor Swift was bornon December 13, 1989.

    Can't get enough of Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce? Here are 5 Wild Predictions About TayVis We Really Want To Happen!

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    Zoë Kravitz "Danced All Night" Despite Channing Tatum Split

    Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum made headlines for their whirlwind romanceafter they met while making Zoë's directorial debutBlink Twice. Fans were so excited to learn they were engaged, but on October 29, multiple sources reported that the couple had broken up — and called off their upcoming wedding. Here's a look back at their relationship timeline.

    Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum's Relationship Timeline

    Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

    February 10, 2017 — The Lego Batman Movie Premieres

    Glimmers of their love story began in 2017 when Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum lent their voices to the hit animated film, The Lego Batman Movie. Little did they know that this animated connection would pave the way for their real-life love story a few years later.

    Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for ABA

    Summer 2021 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Work Together Again

    Kravitz was all set to work with Tatum in her directorial debut film P*ssy Island. This creative endeavor brought the two closer, both personally and professionally, setting the stage for a unique partnership. While working on the film, Tatum advised Kravitz not to take on too much, showcasing the supportive and collaborative nature of their relationship. Both stars had nothing but praise for each other's work and creativity.

    Image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

    August 2021 — Zoë Kravitz Gets A Fresh Start

    At the start of 2021, Zoë Kravitz divorced her former spouse, eventually sparking rumors a possible romance with Channing Tatum. This marked the potential for the beginning of their exciting journey as a couple, with their personal lives becoming increasingly intertwined. August was a pivotal month for these two, too. Channing Tatum showed his love and support by following various fan-run Instagram accounts dedicated to Zoë Kravitz. It wasn't long before their relationship made its way into the public eye. And hello, did you see that Brooklyn bike ride? It was clear this couple was meant-to-be kinda cute from the beginning!

    Images via Theo Wargo/Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

    September 13, 2021 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Make Their Red Carpet Debut

    The couple made their debut — stepping up and out at the iconic Met Gala, a night filled with glamour and romance. Their joint appearance in multiple after party pictures confirmed their blossoming relationship to the world. Kravitz wore a sexy chain dress, while Tatum looked incredibly handsome in a black tux.

    Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

    November 15, 2022 — Zoë Kravitz Calls Her Relationship With Channing Tatum "Sacred"

    In a GQ interview, Zoë Kravitz opened up about her relationship with Tatum. She shared that they chose to keep their love story relatively low-key, wanting to keep it sacred and private for as long as possible. “He’s just a wonderful human," she says. "He makes me laugh and we both really love art and talking about art and the exploration of why we do what we do. We love to watch a film and break it down and talk about it and challenge each other."

    “You want to keep it sacred and private as long as you can,” Kravitz continues. “So that you don’t have to even think about what the world thinks about it.”

    Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

    January 17, 2023 — Channing Tatum Says He's A "Monogamist"

    Channing Tatum candidly discussed the early days of his relationship with Zoë Kravtiz in Vanity Fair, revealing they briefly lost touch before rekindling their connection on the set of P*ssy Island. He also opened up about his struggles in matters of the heart.

    “Relationships are hard for me,” Channing says. “I am a bit of a monogamist...but heart things, when it comes to people I love, I have a really hard time. I end up trying too hard, you know?”

    Image via Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Kering

    June 2023 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Are Taking Things Slowly

    Sources close to the couple revealed to US Weeklythat Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum were in no hurry to get engaged, as both had experienced failed marriages before. "They are perfectly happy with where things are and cherish [their] special relationship," the source says. "Having a baby is a very real possibility. But they enjoy taking things slowly."

    Images via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures/Amy Sussman/Getty Images

    October 31, 2023 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Are Engaged!

    After a romantic date night in Paris during Fashion Week, Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum are getting married! In October, the lovebirds finally took the next step and got engaged, per PEOPLE, promising a future filled with love and adventure. YAY! We love love!

    www.instagram.com

    January 26, 2024 — Channing Tatum Supports Zoë Kravitz' New Movie

    Channing recently took to Instagram to show his support of Zoë directing Blink Twice (formerly named P*ssy Island) and even shared a cute BTS video of them looking intently at a scene being filmed. "MISS DIRECTOR LADY HERSELF IN ACTION!!" he says in the caption. "ABSOLUTELY CRUSHING IT. CAN’T WAIT FOR YALL TO SEE."

    Image via Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Kering

    March 4, 2024 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Are Doing "Fantastic"

    "Channing and Zoë are doing fantastic and could not be more in love," a source tells ET. "They’re so thrilled about their engagement and to be taking this next step together." The fact that *they're* excited about their engagement makes *me* even more excited for them!

    August 9, 2024 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Attend The Blink Twice Premiere

    Look out world because Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum have officially stepped out on the red carpet together! They stunned in gorgeous, minimalistic black ensembles at the premiere of Blink Twice and made us wish we could've been specks of dust on what they were wearing.

    Zoë wore a satin Saint Laurent dress and kept the rest of her look simple while Channing took dapper to the next level with a tailored black suit. Honestly, this is one sexy couple whose engagement rumors we hope are true.

    Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

    August 14, 2024 — Lenny Kravitz Is Excited For Zoë's Wedding

    Fans may be surprised to know Zoë Kravtiz and Channing Tatum didn't know each other before she shared her idea for Blink Twice. Spending time together snowballed into the romantic relationship they have today, but wedding bells aren't ringing soon. Though her dad, Lenny Kravitz announced he's excited for the couple's wedding (via Entertainment Tonight), Zoë admitted that she and Channing have talked about it "in passing," (via Esquire).

    Also, you might want to erase the image of Zoë being a mother from your brain because she doesn't think she'll be taking on that role. It's something she used to be scared to admit, but feels more comfortable talking about these days (via Esquire).

    "There’s a lot of pressure on women to have children, and there’s a feeling that if you don’t, you don’t have purpose here. But this movie, it feels like I gave birth," she said.

    October 29, 2024 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Have Broken Up

    Multiple sources told People that Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz have split after three years together, and called off their wedding. "The split is amicable," one source says. "They realized they're at different stages in life." TMZ also confirmed the breakup.

    “Wedding plans were looming, but neither of them were rushing to the altar,” a source told Us Weekly, adding that their relaxed mindset ended up putting "a lot of pressure" on them. “Ultimately once [Blink Twice] ended, they realized they were on different pages with what they wanted. It fizzled fast after their press tour wrapped.”

    A Page Six source reaffirms that the relationship ended on good terms, and even says the couple has “been in touch” and has “no bad blood” between them. “There was no dramatic falling out between Channing and Zoë. They really just grew apart and decided it was best for them to go their separate ways,” they say. They "both handled the breakup very maturely [but] came to a mutual realization that they were better off friends than romantic partners.”

    Despite the breakup, another Page Six source says that Zoë Kravitz had a blast at a Halloween party. “She was in a good mood and seemed really happy,” they say, remembering that she was “dancing all night and having cocktails...having a great time” and “was so cute and nice.”

    ​What are Channing Tatum & Zoë Kravitz ages?

    Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

    Channing Tatum was born on April 26, 1980, making him 43 years old. Zoë Kravitz (who's 35 years old) was born on December 1, 1988, so there's an 8-year age gap between the two.

    Looking for more celeb news? Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter and if you love Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum's relationship, check out the latest news on Tom Holland And Zendaya and Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce!

    Header image via Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

    This post has been updated.

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