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

Candice, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

Her Social Brand was actually born in a salon chair! I was getting my hair done by my stylist when she asked me what I did for a living. I was working in corporate marketing for a private IT company at the time, so I told her I was a social media manager. That’s when she asked a question that started everything: ‘Have you ever considered freelancing for other businesses?’

That conversation stayed with me, then about six months later, the pandemic hit. As we headed into the summer of 2020, a coworker approached me and asked if I’d be interested in managing social media for her dance studio. It felt like the perfect opportunity, so I decided to take the leap. From there, I started promoting my services to family and friends, who referred me to other women business owners. Slowly but surely, word spread, and before I knew it, I was fully booked with clients across various industries and cities, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, DC, Orlando, Portland, and more.

As my business grew, I started to see how much business owners – especially women – needed support navigating the ever-changing world of social media. That need gave me the confidence to move forward and start working directly with clients to make a real impact, and Her Social Brand has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of today.

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

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication – Media from NC State University and a Master of Arts degree in Communication from Queens University of Charlotte. My journey into the world of social media began at NC State right as platforms like Instagram were starting to pick up steam. I realized social media was more than just fun – it was a powerful tool for connection and communication. I began exploring opportunities to grow my skills, including roles as a Social Media/Marketing Intern and later as a Social Media Coordinator for NC State’s Alumni Association.

After graduation, I spent over seven years in corporate marketing, running social media for a private IT company in Charlotte, NC. During that time, I successfully grew the company’s social media presence while supporting the executive team with thought leadership and social media strategy. I also earned a Master Social Media Strategist certification from The Social Media CEO in 2023, further sharpening my skills in strategy development and content creation.

Today, I offer a range of services, including full social media management, custom social media strategy development, social media consulting, and content creation. I help busy, high-achieving women business owners post more consistently and confidently online, create better content, and grow their brand awareness while attracting their ideal clients.

My creativity, collaborative process, and ability to turn my clients’ unique voices and personalities into recognizable online brands are what set me apart. I’m really big on helping them achieve their goals and create content that feels intentional and authentic while getting them tangible business results, like increased engagement, new leads, and, ultimately, more sales.

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

The best source of new clients for me has undoubtedly been referrals! I’ve been incredibly blessed to have family and friends who believe in my work and have referred my business to people in their network. I’ve also gotten referrals from other social media managers, strategists, and consultants in the industry who have seen and appreciated the quality of my work as well.

Beyond referrals, social media itself has been a powerful tool for attracting new clients. I’ve generated many leads from Instagram and LinkedIn, whether through potential clients searching for social media managers or discovering me through the content I share.

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 of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that I don’t have to run my business like everyone else. Coming from a corporate environment, I was used to following someone else’s blueprint, bringing their vision to life, and working toward their goals. When I started my own business, it was challenging to break free from that “employee mindset” and focus on what I wanted to do and the goals I wanted to achieve.

At first, I followed what I saw others doing because I lacked the experience of running my own business. But that approach quickly led to burnout and a business that didn’t feel aligned with who I am. It was a tough realization, but I had to step back and redefine what success looked like for me – on my own terms.

Now, I’m learning to run my business in a way that reflects my values, priorities, and personality. I’m thankful for programs like Cornell University’s Women Entrepreneurship certification program, which gave me the tools and confidence to build a business that feels authentic and fulfilling. The journey hasn’t been easy, but creating something that truly represents me is worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hersocialbrand.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hersocialbrand/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hersocialbrand/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-bruinton/
• Twitter: https://x.com/hersocialbrand
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hersocialbrand

Image Credits

The Slim Creative/Creative Camp Studio