Sutton Shaw
Fueled by a creative, can-do spirit, Sutton Shaw has over 25 years of marketing and advertising experience in packaged goods and the restaurant industry. Furthermore, Sutton gained valuable leadership and entrepreneurial experience by making her executive directorial debut in the non-profit sector. In 2014, Sutton helped create The Big Red Barn Retreat to honor her late father, Leon Irons. The Big Red Barn Retreat is a non-profit company dedicated to helping veterans and first responders suffering from work or combat related stress issues, such as PTSD, thrive and live lives full of joy, purpose, & connection.
Sutton Shaw graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Arizona State University in 1986. She began working at an advertising agency as a media planner, while completing her studies at night. She graduated with an MBA from Pepperdine University in 1990 and began work at Hunt Wesson as an associate brand manager for Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Popping Corn and Peter Pan Peanut Butter. In 1993, Sutton accepted an offer with Coca-Cola USA Fountain Division where she worked with key fountain customers to drive sales of soft drinks within their restaurants. She worked with key fountain customers such as Checkers, Miami Subs, Subway and Disney.
In 1996, Sutton was promoted to the bottle can division of Coca-Cola USA as a Field Marketing Manager where she assisted with the national launch of the soft drink SURGE. Later, Sutton accepted a position as the Marketing Training Manager for the North America division where she helped design and facilitate marketing training programs at Coca-Cola’s Atlanta Headquarters.
In 2001, Sutton moved to Columbia SC to be a part of the family restaurant business, a multi-million dollar restaurant company consisting of 33 Church’s Chicken franchised restaurants operating in four markets and 100 Sonic Drive-In franchised restaurants operating in five markets. Sutton’s primary role in the family business is to help plan and manage local advertising campaigns, as well as serve on the Board of Directors.
In addition to her roles in the family business and The Big Red Barn Retreat, Sutton also was involved in animal rescue and served as a foster home for The Boykin Spaniel Rescue Society. She also served on the board of the Project Josiah Restoration Ministry, a non-profit dedicated to providing peer to peer counseling for Combat Veterans, and The Blythewood Foundation, a nonprofit that serves to enhance the Blythewood community.
Sutton is married, lives in Blythewood, SC, and has two children. She continues to remain active with the Big Red Barn Retreat serving as the Chairman of the Board.