Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Holly. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Holly, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

One thing I do differently from the industry standard is how hands-on and all-inclusive my approach is. I’m essentially a one-stop shop for social media and content creation—depending on what my clients need. I don’t just hand over a content calendar or send a list of ideas and expect them to take it from there. I show up. I come to their space, capture the photos and Reels myself, write the captions, and handle the posting. That way, none of the creative burden falls on them—unless they want to be more involved.

I also build my offers with small, local businesses in mind—because I know how hard they’re working behind the scenes, and that not everyone has the time, staff, or budget for a big agency. I try to make social media feel possible, approachable, and sustainable for small, local business owners who are doing amazing work that absolutely deserves to be seen and shared, but already wearing too many hats. I hear time and time again from potential, current, and past clients that they just don’t have the eye or the time to produce the quality of content that I can get from just one content day. That’s why I do what I do. To help the underdogs.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Holly Van Akkeren, the founder of HVA Social. I’m a social media manager and content creator based in Sheboygan County, working almost exclusively with small businesses in the area. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and strategy, which led me to earn a degree in advertising from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After a few years in the corporate world, I started my own business to support the kinds of brands I genuinely believe in—small, local businesses doing incredible things but often lacking the time or resources to market themselves online.

At HVA Social, I offer everything from full-service social media management to Reels packages, content strategy sessions, and on-site content creation days. I don’t just write captions or plan posts—I show up, camera in hand, to create scroll-stopping content that actually reflects the heart of a business. My goal is to take social media off your plate without taking your voice out of it.

I’m proud to run a woman-owned business that supports other small businesses. I’ve built my offers to meet people where they are—because I understand what it’s like to juggle it all and still want to show up well online. What sets me apart is how personal my work is. My clients aren’t just another account on a roster—they’re partners I get to know deeply so we can create content that feels true, clear, and impactful.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s this: social media doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or performative. Done right, it’s a tool to connect with your people—and I love to help folks do just that.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Right before COVID hit, I had finally reached a point where I felt ready to take my business full-time. I was about to leave my part-time job, had enough great clients, and felt like I was on a solid path. And then… the world flipped upside down. I don’t need to explain what that felt like—fear, chaos, and so much uncertainty about the future. Social media certainly wasn’t at the top of anyone’s priority list, and understandably, several of my clients hit pause on their content packages.

It was a scary time. I didn’t know how long it would take to build things back up—or if I even could. But instead of sitting in that fear, I decided to use the time to reinvest in myself and my business. I took online courses, sharpened my skills, and focused on learning everything I could about content, strategy, and storytelling. That season of uncertainty became a turning point.

About a year after the uncertainty of COVID, I was able to walk away from my part-time job—with even more clarity, stronger skills, and the kind of dream clients I had been hoping for. That pivot taught me how resilient I could be and reminded me that slow growth is still growth.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what’s helped me build a strong reputation in my market is the kind of relationships I form with my clients. Because I work almost exclusively with small businesses, I take the time to really get to know each one—not just the business itself, but the people behind it. Over time, those professional relationships naturally turn into real friendships. I learn about their goals, their families, their wins, and their hard seasons, and I treat their business with the same care and attention I’d want someone to give mine.

That kind of depth and personal connection just isn’t something you usually get with a larger marketing agency, and I think it shows in the content we create together—and in the trust we build. The services and strategy matter, of course, but at the end of the day, my business has grown because of the people who’ve said, “You’ve got to work with Holly,” or answered “Who does your social?!” with my name. I’m so grateful for every client who’s mentioned me in rooms I haven’t stepped into yet—that kind of word-of-mouth support has meant everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hvasocial.co
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollyvanakkeren
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/hvasocial
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/hvanakkeren/

Image Credits

Photos of me are by Eclipse Photo Co.

All other photos/design work are by me