Feisty (n.) - Meeting the Man Behind the Brand
photo courtesy of fletcher rowe (@feistyfletch ; feistyfletch.com)
Fletcher Rowe, sophomore Strategic Communication major at Elon University, is known by many as a social media natural and personal branding expert. Yet, many don’t know the man behind the brand.
His early childhood in Richmond, Virginia, is largely forgotten, except that he knew he was different.
As time went on, Rowe grew attached to the internet which, in his eyes, was a way of exploring topics that helped him figure out who he really was. “I really like the idea of self-expression,” said Rowe. By looking at bloggers, YouTubers and LGBT activists, he began to learn that being different was ok—even encouraged. And with this, his passion grew.
Much like when learning to ride a bike or learn a new language, his expertise with social media didn’t develop overnight. Rowe’s talents of using social media came rather naturally, further supplemented with the knowledge he gained at Elon University.
“When it comes to personal branding and a natural knack for using the language, he has an intuitive nature,” mentor and professor Hal Vincent said. “He’s doing the job a skilled strategic communicator should do from themselves and their clients, but no one can do it the same way he can.”
His brand, Feisty Fletch, only took him about an hour to formulate, but quickly became easily recognized.
photo courtesy of fletcher rowe (@feistyfletch ; feistyfletch.com)
“My brand became such a big part of me,” Rowe said. “People will always call me Feisty. If I got called Fletcher I knew I was in trouble.”
While regarded by members of the Elon community as someone with impressive social media presence and the ability to engage with modern communication media, Rowe remains humble — even amidst thousands of followers.
“I’m just someone who loves what I do and wants to help others,” he said.
On occasions, Rowe can be seen leading social media workshops sponsored by Elon News Network, hoping to give others the skills necessary to start their own brands.
Even those who knew Rowe since high school said that Rowe’s personal brand is something to be reckoned with, even if it’s with a little humor.
“My friends and I like to tease him a bit because he takes it very seriously which is a good thing,” said Matthew Whiting, long-time friend and sophomore at Villanova University. “But in all seriousness, I think it’s amazing what he is doing with his dreams and he is going to go far.”
Just as much as his presence online, his enthusiasm and upbeat personality are just as infectious. On campus, he’s rarely in his room. When he isn’t being pulled in every direction by different student media organizations, he’s either enjoying a cappuccino at The Blend or traveling to explore the world around him; either way, it’s documented on Instagram, Twitter, and probably Facebook.
“No matter how much time we spend together, Fletcher and I never get bored and are always constantly laughing,” sophomore Molly Bauer said. “I cherish our friendship so much, and I really appreciate how willing he is to go on any type of adventure with me.”
Whether it’s creating “Monday Playlists” on Spotify, reacting to numerous award shows, or just sharing his personal opinion on the world around him, Rowe does it all.
“There is a distinctive individual personality that comes with Fletcher,” Vincent said. “Humorous, wry, unique-to-Fletcher; that’s his brand.”
Yet, Rowe still has a lot of room to grow. While only being 19, Rowe hopes to settle down in New York City after graduation, work for a social media business — possibly starting his own— and doing as much as he possibly can in a way that only he knows how to manage.