We were lucky to catch up with Jasmine Nove recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

College was feeling increasingly pointless. I’d spend my time in NAU lectures reading ahead, already knowing what the professors would cover. One particularly mundane afternoon, I was scrolling TikTok when a video about social media management caught my attention. Having run social media for my high school clubs, where I’d fallen in love with Canva and content creation, I was instantly intrigued. The idea that I could turn what I was already passionate about into a career seemed too good to be true.

That Friday, instead of my usual escape to Phoenix from Flagstaff, I had a mission. I spent hours in parking lots across Scottsdale and Glendale, researching businesses’ social media presence before walking in. My strategy was simple: check their Instagram, note their inconsistencies, then walk in with a direct question – “Are you interested in having someone run your socials to bring you in more clients?”

The first no came from a boutique owner who barely looked up from her register. The second from a coffee shop manager who seemed interested until I mentioned pricing. A bike shop owner laughed and said social media was pointless. Each rejection came with a different reason – too expensive, not interested, already had someone, didn’t see the value. But with each no, I refined my pitch a little more.

By the seventeenth rejection, I was exhausted but had developed a rhythm: park, research, walk in, find the owner or manager, explain how social media could help their business grow. I was heading back to Flagstaff when I spotted a small nail salon near ASU in Tempe. Their Instagram hadn’t been updated in months – perfect potential.

The owner was at the front desk when I walked in. When she actually showed interest, I almost didn’t know what to say – I’d gotten so used to hearing no. We set up a meeting at a boba shop nearby (hilariously, one that had rejected me earlier that day). I spent that entire week creating my business Instagram, taking every online course I could find, and preparing for my first real client meeting.

During our meeting, I was upfront about being new to this. I showed her my ideas for her salon’s social media, drawing from my PR experience and everything I’d learned that week. When I nervously quoted $200 per month, she said how about $100/month plus $100 toward monthly nail services – of which was a bargain price that felt huge to a college freshman – we agreed and got to work. She became my first real client and, more importantly, opened the door to believing this could be a real career.

A week later, momentum hit: a running coach in Flagstaff found my account and wanted help attracting college athletes through social media. Suddenly this TikTok-inspired idea wasn’t just an idea anymore. Fast forward after my first year of in-person college (and yes I still continued to drive to Phoenix every weekend), I switched to online classes, moved back to Alaska, and graduated in three years with a Business bachelor’s degree (emphasis in Marketing) to focus full time on what had become Nove Media Co.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Jasmine Nove, founder of Nove Media Co., a social media agency focused on turning expertise into authentic online presence that converts. Working directly with clients nationwide from my base in Alaska, I help service providers build genuine connections with their audience that translate into real business growth.

My journey into social media began during my freshman year at NAU. I discovered social media management through a TikTok video. Having managed PR for my high school clubs, where I’d developed a love for content creation and design, I decided to test if this could be real. That first day of pitching in Phoenix – seventeen rejections before finally getting a yes from a nail salon owner – showed me that authenticity resonates, even when you’re just starting out.

What sets my approach apart is the focus on human connection. I believe people want to connect with people, not just consume content. When someone feels like they know you or your brand personally, they’re more likely to become not just a follower, but a loyal supporter and client. My strategy goes beyond creating aesthetically pleasing feeds – I help my clients showcase their personality, expertise, and behind-the-scenes moments that make their audience feel part of their journey.

Building a community, rather than just an audience, is at the core of everything I do. I’ve seen firsthand how engaged communities naturally lead to business growth. My clients don’t just get seen – they develop genuine relationships with their followers that translate into growing business opportunities.

Every strategy I develop focuses on authentic connection. Whether it’s showing the person behind the brand, sharing the reality of day-to-day operations, or celebrating client successes, I help my clients create content that invites their audience into their world. This level of transparency and authenticity naturally attracts the right clients – ones who connect with not just what you do, but who you are.

For potential clients, it’s important to understand that we’re not just creating content – we’re building relationships at scale. My strategies help you show up as yourself online, creating genuine connections that turn followers into clients and clients into advocates. This approach stems from my own entrepreneurial journey, starting with that first client who took a chance on a college freshman with big ideas about social media. Now, I help dozens of service providers transform their social media from a broadcasting platform into a community-building tool that drives real business growth.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my social media audience taught me a crucial lesson about overthinking. As creatives, we get stuck questioning everything – ‘Is this story aesthetic enough?’ ‘What if no one engages?’ ‘Should I rewrite this caption again?’ Those hesitations keep our best content ideas trapped in our notes app.

The reality is, if your content could help someone who’s just starting out in your target audience’s position, it needs to be shared. If you know exactly who would find value or entertainment in your post, and you’re passionate about the topic – push that post button. The likes and comments aren’t what matter; it’s about getting your knowledge to the people who need it.

Sometimes your posts won’t get engagement. That’s just part of being on social media. But when you’re consistently showing up, sharing valuable insights, and being authentically yourself, the right audience finds you. They’ll resonate not just with your content, but with your perspective and approach.

The turning point in my growth came when I stopped creating only what I thought would perform well and started sharing what I knew would help my audience and make them feel connected to my brand. Those content ideas waiting in your notes app? If they could help even one person in your target audience understand something better or feel less alone in their journey, they deserve to be shared.

My advice for those starting out is simple: focus on value over perfection. Engage with accounts whose content inspires you. Share the topics that fire you up, especially the ones you wish someone had taught you when you were starting. The right audience will find you when you’re being authentically yourself and consistently providing value.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My strategy has evolved organically since my early days of going door-to-door in Phoenix. Those first pitches to potential clients of checking their social media presences and offering to help them improve has taught me invaluable lessons about understanding each business’s unique needs.

Now, growth comes from consistently showcasing both strategic and behind-the-scenes aspects of social media management. I engage authentically with brands I admire and share the reality of content creation, strategy sessions, and campaign management. Instead of just highlighting successes, I show the complete process of how social media impacts business growth.

The most effective strategy has been letting my work speak through transparency. I share valuable insights about what works in social media, break down strategies, and give potential clients a genuine look at what it’s like to not only work with me but how their business can grow through showing my client’s results. This approach naturally attracts clients who connect with my methods before they even reach out.

By focusing on authentic content and real results rather than traditional marketing tactics, I’ve built a sustainable way to attract clients who align with my approach to social media management. The transition from those early door-to-door days to now having clients find me through my content and community has really shown just how authenticity in business can naturally attract the right opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.novemediaco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novemediaco/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminenove/

Image Credits

Photographer: Skye | So Creative Co.