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

Alright, Courtney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

From a VERY young age, I had a feeling in my gut that I wanted to own my own business. It’s something that has been in my family’s blood for years and I’m so blessed to be able to work for myself and impact businesses in a major way. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when being an entrepreneur is a mental race and quite possibly the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Courtney, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

It all started in high school. I attended a Journalism and Media Conference in Washington, D.C. at my now alma mater George Mason University. I fell in love with the idea of being a journalist, like Lisa Ling, and being on the frontlines reporting on the nation’s most pressing political and cultural issues. Fast forward to attending George Mason, and I took a class on Communication theory and groupthink. It was a course that really discussed the psychology of people, how we think, how we feel, what drives us to build connections, etc. and that’s where I found my love for Marketing and Public Relations. I switched my major from Journalism my freshman year and never looked back! I worked in The Mason Admissions Office as a social media intern and really learned about storytelling and what makes an audience identify with a brand and adopt its messaging. I was obsessed! after graduation, I worked in marketing for non-profits, fashion brands, lifestyle luxury brands, coaches and so much more. I think what makes me different is my knowledge. I prioritize learning and personal growth above all else and truly believe that there is nothing I can’t do. While I specialize in social media and digital marketing, I am a holistic marketer with over 7 years of experience in many different spaces. My clients come to me to connect to their ideal audience, start conversations and build community, and convert their audience to sustainable life-long customers. I want my clients to feel comfortable with the brand they’ve built, and I’m most proud of the connections I’ve created over the years. My clients truly feel like family and we’re growing together.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2017, at the beginning of my career, my mother passed away. My mother and I were the closest two people could be. She believed in me, encouraged me to dream big, and gave me guidance on what it means to be a great person and a business owner. When she passed, I gave up hope that I could ever truly build a business that people would resonate with. A few months after she passed, I realized that I could NOT give up and let go of my dream since childhood. I would often think about how she would always say how independent, sassy, and ahead of my time I was as a child – and realized that I would be doing myself and her a disservice if I didn’t live out my dream. I wake up every day and hope that she’s proud of the woman and business owner I’ve become because she’s the reason I’m here today.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is always to be a person/human first. People connect with other people, not a business model. I believe in letting my personality shine through and always going above and beyond for my clients. If I can’t do something, I will find someone who will, and that’s important. Another effective I have is one that I learned while working in retail, “always be pitching.” I set aside one day every week for business development. I research businesses I would like to work with, their mission, and their goals. and I spend time truly understanding how I can positively impact their business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAEnfW2B2hs/mkR5rEUloBtqW3WLkslUEA/view?website#2
• Instagram: @essencesocialsandbranding

Image Credits
@createwithdre