MINI SERIES

1) When is your business birthday? Tell us a little about your company.

September 25, 2023!

Nicole was many executives first time EA & she had to teach them why they needed her. Through that, they gained trust in her ability to make high level decisions for the good of the company that her executives came to rely on.

In November of 2021, Nicole was discovered on LinkedIn by a government-contracted company in need of a temporary EA for their CEO during a maternity leave. Impressed by her professionalism, expertise, & her ability to wear multiple hats in any company dynamic, the company created a permanent position for Nicole, enabling her to provide invaluable support to the President and C-suite. Even though she loves her job with this company, she misses the training that she was able to provide to other admins & their corresponding executives from her previous employment. Fast forward, here we are today.

2) What is an Executive Assistant?

I love this question. I believe there are several different types of assistants but executive assistants do so much more. We truly believe in taking care of you as a whole. We stay 10 steps ahead, we help you get back to doing what you love daily by relieving you of the backend stuff that boggs you down. We form relationships, we get to know you so well that when people email you, they have no idea that they are talking to us because we have learned how you speak and to who differently etc. We simplify your life!

3)What are the professional languages

Words of affirmation, Quality time, Acts of service and Acts of giving

4)What is your professional language?

Words of affirmation, Quality time

5)What advice have you received that has stuck with you in regards to becoming an entrepreneur? 

Learn the word no. I am a yes girl so you can imagine this was hard to grasp! But If a client says they don't have time to spend time with their EA, it is an automatic no for me. Us as EA's have a lot on our plates believe it or not and if we don't understand what our Executive needs or wants, we won't be able to grow and it sets us up for failure. I believe in advocating for my EA's as much as for my clients. I always promise my clients that if they give the time upfront, I promise they will thank themselves because their EA won't need much time down the road because they actually know them now. Its a win win. We are all busy. but I promise 15 minutes a day makes a huge difference! Trust me!

6)What is an Ennegram Test and why is that important in business?

It is a personality test and it empowers you to understand yourself better and why you do what you do (fears, talents, desires etc!) but also allows you to understand others and how to work best with them!

7)What is the most important thing that you would like people to know about your business?

That we vet the best EA for your business and personality.

8)What is something that you like to do for FUN?!

Play tennis or travel the world!

Click the link to learn more about Nicole and her business!

1) When is your business birthday? Tell us a little about your company.

Answering this question is a bit tricky. While I officially filed for my LLC in January 2023, I don't personally consider that as my business's birthday. At that time, it was just a side hustle for me. Instead, I mark August 15, 2023, as my business's true birthday. It's the day I made the pivotal decision to fully commit, investing all my energy, determination, and resources into making my venture a success. That's when I decided to give it my all – pouring in my blood, sweat, and tears to breathe life into my business and pursue my dreams wholeheartedly. 

The Digital Touch started as a side gig, a little something I did to help out my colleagues in real estate. They'd often ask for assistance with social media and marketing, and I was more than happy to lend a hand. Funny thing is, I never really thought of it as a business until one of them suggested I give it serious thought. So, I took the plunge! I started offering my services, built a website, and began networking with small businesses all over Charleston. As I connected with more people, I realized there was something special here, something worth pursuing full-time. That's when The Digital Touch went from side hustle to my main gig. 

Now, what drives me every day is the idea of preserving that personal touch in an increasingly digital world. I'm all about building connections and supporting small businesses to grow and thrive. I'm not just here to get clients; I want to build relationships. I want to be your go-to support system, not just for my services, but as a friend in the community. Because to me, ensuring that your business remains connected, relevant, and authentically branded is just the beginning of our journey together.

2) What is a Social Media Manager?

A social media manager is like your brand's online best friend! 🌟 They're the ones who handle all aspects of your brand's presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and more. Their main goal? To help your brand shine and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. They're the creative minds behind crafting engaging posts, eye-catching graphics, and compelling captions that reflect your brand's personality and message. They also keep a close eye on trends, analytics, and audience feedback to constantly refine your social media strategy and ensure you're reaching the right people at the right time. In a nutshell, a social media manager is your go-to guru for all things social – from building brand awareness and driving engagement to fostering relationships and boosting your bottom line. They're here to make your brand look good and help it thrive in the digital world!

3) What are the different deliverables provided by Social Media Managers?

Content Creation: Social media managers create engaging and relevant content for your brand's social media platforms. This includes writing posts, designing graphics or videos, and selecting or creating imagery. Posting Schedule: They develop and maintain a posting schedule to ensure consistent and timely content delivery across all platforms. 

Community Management: Social media managers engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and mentions, fostering positive interactions and building relationships. 

Analytics and Reporting: They track key metrics such as engagement, reach, and follower growth, providing regular reports to evaluate the performance of social media efforts and inform future strategies. 

Strategy Development: Social media managers develop comprehensive strategies tailored to your brand's goals and target audience, including content themes, posting frequency, and promotional campaigns.

 Trend Monitoring: They stay up-to-date with industry trends, social media algorithm changes, and emerging platforms to adapt strategies accordingly and maintain relevancy.

4) What are 1-2 Strategies that you recommend for a new business looking to grow, but aren't sure where to start? 

First and foremost, my advice is to take action – JUST START! Don't wait for everything to be perfect. Put yourself out there and get involved. Grow your business by attending networking events and actively posting on social media. Remember, you don't need to have everything figured out from the start. The important thing is to take that first step and get in the room. 

Next up, let's talk about boosting your online presence! In today's digital world, it's super important for your business to shine online. Start by creating a website that really reflects your brand and shows off what you offer in the best light. Then, hop onto social media! Connect with your audience and show them what you're all about. Pick the platforms where your crowd hangs out the most, and make sure to share fun and engaging stuff that they'll love – think of it as building a little online community!

5) What are the major differences between marketing and advertising?

Think of marketing as the big picture – it's all about understanding your customers, creating products or services they'll love, and finding ways to reach them. Marketing covers everything from research to pricing to making sure your customers are happy. 

Now, advertising? That's like the cheerleader on the sidelines, cheering your brand on! It's a part of marketing that focuses on getting the word out there. Whether it's through TV ads, social media posts, or billboards, advertising is all about spreading the word and getting people excited about what you offer. So, while marketing is like the whole playbook, advertising is just one of the plays – but an important one, for sure!

6)What advice have you received that has stuck with you in regards to becoming an entrepreneur? 

Take It One Day at a Time...

As an entrepreneur, facing frustrations may trigger self-doubt and comparison to others' success, tempting you to quit. That is all apart of the struggle with having your own business. However, it's crucial not to fall victim to these feelings. Instead, allow yourself time to acknowledge and reflect on them, but shift focus to gratitude for what you have and the potential ahead. Despite bad days, changing your perspective can lead to positive outcomes and steer you towards success.

7)What is the most important thing that you would like people to know about your business?

I'm genuinely committed to supporting fellow small businesses. By serving as a resource for others' success, I believe it will also contribute to the success of my own business. My aim is to foster a community where businesses can uplift one another and collectively thrive. We all have our strengths and we can all use a little help from our friends to achieve success.

8) Why is Branding so importany for a business?

Branding is like your business's personality – it's what makes you stand out and be remembered. When you have a strong brand, people trust you more, feel connected to you, and are more likely to choose you over the competition. Plus, it helps you charge higher prices and keeps customers coming back for more. So, think of branding as the heart and soul of your business – it's what makes you, well, you!

9)What is something that you like to do for FUN?!

Cooking and baking have always been my solace. 🍝 Growing up in an Italian family, I spent countless hours alongside my grandmothers and great-grandmothers in the kitchen, learning their treasured recipes. Now, whenever stress creeps in or I simply crave some comfort, I get messy in the kitchen and immerse myself in the familiar scents and flavors of my heritage. It's not just about the food; it's a heartwarming connection to my roots and a reminder of the love that permeated every dish they prepared.

Click the link to learn more about Alyssa and her business!

1) When is your business birthday? Tell us a little about your company.

4/15/2020

2) What sets your boutique apart from others                                          in the crowded online fashion market?

My boutique started the way most online boutiques do-buying wholesale and marking the items up for resale. After 3 years in business and becoming more familiar with the inner workings of the fashion industry, I've decided to pivot my brand in a more sustainable direction. Going forward, the UP AND DOWN brand will be synonymous with sustainability, ethics, quality, and timeless style. Our mission is no longer to provide the latest fashion trends but to create quality, stylish pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation while also supporting initiatives that make the world we live in a better place.

3) How do you curate your collection to appeal to your target audience?

In my first 3 years of business I based my collections on the newest emerging fashion trends however, after seeing how wasteful and unsustainable that was, I decided to take matters into my own hands and design the pieces going forward. Now I design my new collections based on the pieces I've thrifted in the past and the reliable pieces I wear over and over again in my closet. I appeal to my target audience by providing versatile clothing that can be dressed "up and down". 

4) What challenges do you face having a business that is solely an online platform?

While online shopping has become even more popular since covid, shoppers still appreciate the ability to try on clothes in person to see if they fit before they buy them. To combat this, I provide detailed size guides with measurements for each clothing item on my site. I also offer a very easy return process in case the items don't work out. 

5) How do you stay updated with the latest fashion trends and incorporate them into your offerings?

I used to rely on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to find the latest fashion trends. However, I realized how quickly trends come and go and at the end of each season I'd have leftover inventory that was no longer "in-style". Because of this I now find inspiration in thrifting and vintage pieces that have been around for decades. 

6)What strategies have you found most effective in marketing your online boutique and attracting new customers?

Being authentic & transparent, sharing behind the scenes, and asking our already existing customers for their feedback. This builds trust within our community and in return builds a stronger brand with organic and authentic reach. I do not pay for marketing.

7)What advice have you received that has stuck with you in regards to becoming an entrepreneur? 

Before I started my business, I read the book Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. One of the main themes I took away from the book was that anyone can be successful and accomplish their dreams; what separates those who are successful from those who fail is their ability to endure the hard times and remain consistent. I've faced many learning curves and difficult moments throughout my entrepreneurial journey that could have easily caused me to give up. However, I remind myself that I can only fail if I give up.

8) Looking ahead, what exciting plans or developments can we expect to see from Up and Down in the future?

To do more than just sell clothes...I want to use it to effect positive change in the world. Whether it's encouraging others to shop more sustainably overall or bringing awareness to various causes/organizations that share the same values/vision as us.

9)What is the most important thing that you would like people to know about your business?

Up and Down is more than a clothing brand, it represents a lifestyle. 

10)What is something that you like to do for FUN?!

Thrift and home decor!!

Click the link to learn more about Heaven and her business!

1) When is your business birthday? Tell us a little about your company.

March 1, 2022

2) How did you get your very first client?

A dermatiologist friend of mine asked me on a vacation to handle her social media & bradning and I told her if she still feels that way when we aren't drinking rosé on a beach in a few weeks from now that I'd do it. 

3) What skills do you think translate from being a talented college athlete to success in a career? 

Accountability and being self motivated! In collegiate sports, you don't (or at least in my time you didn't) get paid to show up. The consequences are strictly letting yourself and your team down, and despite getting paid for social media & branding now, I definitely still take that approach with me in anything I do for my clients / team today. 

4) How do you manage multiple different accounts? 

It helps to find your niche and have a clientele that falls within the same category for example, the bulk of my clientele falls within the category of skin / hair / nail / and oral health! Which is super fun for me, because I'm constantly gaining valuable information about categories that are important to my overall health and wellness. 

5) What advice have you received that has stuck with you in regards to becoming an entrepreneur? 

I used to work around the clock for corporate advertising agencies, with little say in what I presented to my clients, but I got paid more and more every year to do so... 

After years of doing this, I started to believe that the more miserable the job is, the higher pay you'll receive. 

When I finally decided to go after something I enjoyed doing, it was hard not to feel a little bit of imposter syndrome kick in, but someone in my life that I look up to told me, "Just because it comes natural to you doesn't mean you should have to do it for free. When it comes natural to you, that's when you know you're in the right place."

6) Where do you find your INSPIRATION? Are they any brands you are in love with now? 

Aimé Leon Dore has always been a favorite brand of mine, particularly with how they position their self online. They fascinate me every season with their branding and launching of a new campaign, how they implement different cultural influences, capture particular interior design styles and carefully pair music to their short clips, all as a way to accentuate the branding of their campaigns. Although the clients I work with are not clothing boutiques / companies, I still take away what Aimé Leon Dore has proven, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." 

Click the link to learn more about Britt and her business!