TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Debbie McCarthy

​

Long before influencers were a thing, Debbie McCarthy was already there as the original. She's a recipient of the 2018 Sierra Nevada Powerful Women Award and was named the 2019 Promotions Person of the Year by the American Advertising Federation (AFF-Reno). Most recently, she received the 2022 Reno-Tahoe Ace Award for Outstanding Individual Marketing Professional. Debbie is a food, travel, and wine blogger who's a huge proponent of finding your voice and never giving up. Her individual journey started about ten years ago during a period of life changes. She'd given up a decade-long career as a parish life director at a local church to care for her sick father. As he regained his health, he would accompany her around town while Debbie had her camera in hand. Soon, Debbie became a photographer for various local newspapers, taking photos for the community and nonprofit events. It brought her tremendous joy, and she became known as the "girl around town." Fittingly, her hashtag became #abouttowndeb. 

 

When America Matters Media asked her to take photos for their radio station, she leaped at the chance—for free—to post the audio and pictures on her Facebook page. Then the CEO invited her to chime in on the radio. As someone who used to stutter, Debbie had been told she wouldn't make it, and while she overcame it, the idea of talking on the radio was entirely different. But this woman takes on any challenge in her path, so she did it anyway! She was then offered her show, Chick Chat, which Shamrock Communications picked up, followed by new partnerships, and she became a co-founder of Northern Nevada's only women's lifestyle magazine. Her latest venture is a weekly podcast, City Talk with About Town Deb. Debbie is a bright light in the community and beyond as the founder and CEO of a growing brand. Led by her motto, "Remember, together we're one heart," she created a campaign to give back to the health care and essential workers during the pandemic. She's also partnered with Crystal Basin Cellars in El Dorado County, sharing her branded wine labels with the community, where she donates a portion of profits to The Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation. 

 

Debbie McCarthy

Founder & CEO — About Town Deb, LLC

Website: www.abouttowndeb.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-mccarthy-3a403641/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.torresmccarthy

Instagram: @abouttowndeb