We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gianni Martinez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gianni below.

Alright, Gianni thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope my legacy reflects my passion for empowering others, especially women entrepreneurs, to succeed and thrive in the digital space. I want to be remembered as someone who not only built a successful agency but also fostered a community of creativity, collaboration, and mentorship. Through Girl Socially, I aim to leave a lasting impact by helping creators and business owners tell their stories and achieve their goals.

When people think of me after I’m gone, I hope they’ll say that I was someone who genuinely cared about the success and growth of others, someone who used my knowledge and platform to uplift others and create meaningful connections. Most importantly, I hope to be remembered for my kindness, generosity, and dedication to empowering those around me to find their voice and take bold steps in both their personal and professional lives.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into marketing right after college, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when businesses needed to adapt quickly to a rapidly changing digital landscape. The world was moving online faster than ever, and I saw an opportunity to help brands build their online presence and navigate these new challenges. This led to the creation of Girl Socially, a female-owned, Gen Z marketing agency that offers a wide range of services including social media management, marketing consulting, strategy calls, and more.

One thing that sets us apart from other agencies is our deep understanding of the digital world through the lens of Gen Z. We are not just marketers; we are also the target audience and consumers for many brands. We know what resonates with today’s consumers, especially younger generations, because we live and breathe social media ourselves. Being a female-led agency also brings a unique perspective, allowing us to create campaigns that are empathetic, empowering, and in tune with current cultural trends.

We solve a variety of problems for our clients, from developing strong social media strategies that align with their business goals, to creating high-quality content that drives engagement and growth. Whether it’s managing day-to-day social media activities, crafting a comprehensive marketing strategy, or offering personalized consulting sessions, we help brands not only stay relevant but thrive (aka glow) in the ever-evolving digital space.

I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve grown our agency into a trusted partner for many brands, helping them build communities and elevate their digital presence, all while working with some of the most incredible women in so many different industries.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success in business is all about constantly hustling and pushing through, no matter the cost. In other words – hustle culture. Early on in my career, especially when I started Girl Socially, I felt that to grow and succeed, I had to be constantly working—taking every client, saying yes to every opportunity, and wearing myself thin to keep up.

The backstory behind this mindset goes back to when I first launched my agency during the pandemic. It was a time of uncertainty, and I believed that the more I worked, the faster I’d reach my goals. However, this led to burnout. I was juggling everything—from client meetings to content creation to administrative work—and I realized that I wasn’t able to be my best self for my clients or my business. My creativity started to drop, and I truly felt exhausted.

I had to unlearn the idea that hustle culture is the only path to success and instead learn that working smarter, not harder, is key. Prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and learning to delegate were critical shifts that helped me find balance. Now, I focus more on strategic growth, quality over quantity, maintaining a healthy work life balance, and creating sustainable practices. This not only improved my personal well-being but also the quality of work I deliver for my clients.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has consistently been word-of-mouth referrals. When I first launched Girl Socially, I focused heavily on building strong relationships with my clients, delivering results that exceeded expectations, and maintaining clear communication. Satisfied clients naturally became super fans, sharing their positive experiences with others in their network. Another reliable source for new clients, from my experience, is attending networking events. Or simply, just networking, in general.

Another powerful source has been social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok. These platforms have allowed me to showcase my expertise, connect with potential clients, and demonstrate the value of our services. Posting case studies, client testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content has helped establish credibility and attract clients who resonate with our brand and values.

Ultimately, combining excellent client relationships with an authentic online presence has driven steady growth for Girl Socially.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.girlsocially.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsocially/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/girl-socially/

Image Credits

Photographer – Lynette Ortiz
@lynetteortiz.photo