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

Crystal, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Growing up, my love for bold colors and all things sparkly often had people asking, “Where you going?!?” I liked to dress as if every day was a special occasion. And why not? Fashion has always been my playground, my canvas, my way of expressing myself. So, when in 2023, a marketing client asked me to style her for a boudoir photoshoot, I was thrilled!

At first, I hesitated, knowing that being multi-passionate can be both a strength and a distraction, and I wanted to make sure I stayed focused on growing my business. But my excitement was undeniable. My husband saw it too and encouraged me to embrace this opportunity. So, I did, but with a twist: I told her I would style her but only if we did it through a marketing lens.

My client had recently launched a course on squashing A.N.T.s (Automatic Negative Thoughts), and her photoshoot was a personal testament to her own journey. She had been wanting to do a boudoir photoshoot in the past but let her negative self-talk, well, talk her out of it. Now she was approaching the opportunity with excitement and joy! I saw a golden opportunity to weave her story into her brand message of self-confidence and self-love. So, I crafted a marketing plan around her shoot, selected outfits that aligned with her brand colors and brought accessories to complete each look.

On the day of the shoot, I was more than a stylist; I was her Personal Vibe Catcher, capturing video and candid photos that would bring her content plan to life. Seeing her confidence radiate on camera was nothing short of inspiring, and I felt entirely in flow. It was a moment of pure synergy, where my passions for fashion and marketing were seamlessly coming together.

After the shoot, my client expressed deep gratitude for the support I provided and the peace of mind she gained from having a strategy to leverage the photoshoot for her business. Her newfound confidence was infectious, and seeing her shine on camera was a reward in itself. This project was more than just a job, it was a turning point—not only for my client but for me as well. It was the spark that ignited my signature fashion-infused marketing service, *Market In Style*.

This project taught me a valuable lesson: when you follow your passion and use it to uplift others, you create work that’s not just meaningful but also opens doors to endless possibilities. And that’s why this project will always hold a special place in my heart.

Crystal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Well, when life handed me sushi, I served it a social media makeover! Back in 2016, while waitressing at a sushi spot with great food but not-so-great socials, I pitched a plan to transform their online presence into something more aligned with the amazing experience they provided. It worked—Yelp check-ins surged, delivery partnerships grew, and we even landed foodie features. That success sparked my transition into freelance Social Media & Community Management. I loved untangling the mess, problem-solving, and bringing fresh strategies to life.

But after a few years of hustling, I burned out—due to overdelivering, undercharging, and a lack of boundaries. So, I took a step back to feed my inner geek. You see, my career journey didn’t start with sushi and socials. It began with my obsession for fashion and tech. After learning about the integration of both while studying fashion design, I taught myself to code, and joined communities of fellow tech enthusiasts. So fast forward back to being burnt out as a social media & community manager, I pivoted to corporate tech. However, I found being the only self-taught Black woman with a technical role in a department of thousands made me feel like a miserable ball of anxiety. I was struggling to navigate in a sea of fancy degrees and people who did not look like me.

That changed in 2021 when I discovered the power of genuine self-care. I’m talking transformative wellness that goes beyond the stereotypical mani-pedi (though I love those too!). I like to call this “soul-care”. Not too long after starting this journey a friend asked me to help market her new affirmation card deck. I saw it as a fun side project and agreed. That’s when the light bulb went off. I realized I wasn’t tired of marketing—I just craved the opportunity to promote things I was passionate about and could geek out over. So in 2022, I left corporate behind, to help wellness brands like hers thrive. My mission? To elevate the visibility and accessibility of soul-care, especially within black and brown communities, like the one I was raised in St. Louis, MO. I want folks to see that pouring into themselves is always within their grasp, whether they have 5 minutes or a week, $5 or thousands to invest in themselves.

Today at Too Geek’d Marketing, we’ve grown from a one-woman-show to an agency model, crafting vibrant video content and tech solutions for introverted and camera-shy women in wellness. This dedication to our craft has earned us recognition as a 40 Under 40 Emerging Leader through the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce and help us become a recipient for HoneyBook’s Fall 2024 Breakthrough Grant!

Our mission is to empower our clients to authentically connect with and educate their audience while embracing their true nature. This is done using introvert and camera-shy friendly methods such as documentary style filming and leveraging Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses to make video content as simple as having a conversation with a friend. I love helping my client focus on their passion while we geek out on ours, making sure their wellness message reaches those who need it the most.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My side hustle in social media marketing absolutely turned into my full-time business, though it’s been a winding journey to get here. It all started in 2016 while I was a waitress at a restaurant. Despite having no formal marketing experience, my then five-year career in the food and beverage industry plus my lifelong love for food gave me the confidence to pitch myself as their social media manager. I believed I could showcase the restaurant in a fantastic light, and I did!

My next step was an internship with a branding and marketing company. I seized this opportunity by pitching myself when they sought assistance in their Facebook group, where I was a member. This role was instrumental in honing my skills in community management and content repurposing, which are now key pillars of my business.

Although the role lasted less than a year, it exposed me to a diverse range of entrepreneurs who later became my clients, thanks to the stellar work they saw me do in the private Facebook groups I managed.

I freelanced on the side for several years, taking flexible jobs like waitressing and Uber to make ends meet, until burnout hit in 2018. I briefly returned to waitressing and then tried a corporate role in 2019, but I kept finding my way back to marketing. In 2021, I took on a side project with a client in the wellness space, and the experience was transformative. Working with them opened my eyes to how much I connected with the wellness industry—it energized me in a way no other client work had.

As I prepared to leave my corporate job, I knew I had to make some major changes in how I ran my business. Up until then, I’d been operating more like a employee, working hourly and taking on any tasks clients asked of me, even outside my interest, like customer service and email campaign creation. In 2021, I shifted to a package-based model with a clearly defined scope of work, marking an empowering moment in my journey. This change not only allowed me to increase my rates to reflect my expertise but also enabled me to focus on what I truly enjoyed.

In 2022 I started working in my business, Too Geek’d Marketing full time, and today I’m able to leverage my network and pitching skills to build my business, while using online marketing to grow my email list and reputation with a wider audience. It’s been a journey of many lessons and incredible growth. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my community—my husband, business friends, clients, supporters, and anyone who has allowed me to pour into their businesses while making my own dreams a reality.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A major lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that I had to navigate this business journey alone. I’ve always been a go-getter, the type who lives by the motto, “I’ll figure it out.” That attitude took me far—I didn’t have a degree, but I was constantly learning through books, classes, and workshops to build my skills. Early on, I absorbed the message that success meant working *your* butt off on your own, and I didn’t fully understand how vital support systems were to building a sustainable business.

I found myself in large online group coaching programs, filled with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of participants. Because of the size and my introverted nature I didn’t bother to form connections in these groups. And while the content was useful and true, a lot of it wasn’t what I needed at the time. But I didn’t know, what I didn’t know. I thought the more I consumed, no matter the order, the better my business would become.

The turning point came in 2021 when I began investing in my business community. I reached out to fellow entrepreneurs, forming genuine connections and learning that most successful business owners had mentors or coaches. This realization led me to join my first intimate group coaching program in 2023, a hybrid setup with a cohort of about ten people, focusing more on business than marketing.

This experience was a wake-up call. I had mastered my craft, but there was still work to do on the business side. The program provided a practical roadmap for my business, eliminating guesswork in areas like sales and processes.

The main takeaway from this? Don’t hesitate to seek guidance. Even when you think you don’t need it. Problem-solving is a valuable skill for a business owner, but knowing when to seek support is equally important. I believe I could have progressed faster with personalized guidance from the start. If you’re worried about affording a coach or finding a mentor, there are numerous free resources available. From your local chamber of commerce to small business development centers and online connections, there’s help out there. All you have to do is ask.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crystaltoogeekd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystaltoogeekd/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystaltoogeekd/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrystalTooGeekd
• Other: Freebie: www.StopOverthinking.Video
  Breakthrough Grant Article: www.honeybook.com/blog/breakthrough-grant-winners-fall-2024

Image Credits

Breakthrough Grant Graphic: HoneyBook
Boudoir Photoshoot: @allthingsboudoir/@glimmerofkat