We were lucky to catch up with Debbie Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Debbie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken is starting my own business. I Iaunched Social Hospitality as a blog in 2011, grew it into a side business around 2014, and then finally, a full-fledged digital marketing agency in 2017. In addition to developing and owning the brand, I had to learn to run a business, save money, and balance my finances, plus learn how to retain and acquire clients. I did that “on the side” for six years till I was comfortable enough to make the leap and commit 100%.

Overcoming fear was one of my biggest difficulties throughout the process. There was a personal evolution that took place over time. I used to be incredibly shy when it came to speaking up. I spent a lot of years lacking confidence and feeling almost “unworthy” of having my own business.

Earlier in my career, a former coworker made an interesting point to me, after a meeting in which I was silent. He asked, “Why didn’t you speak up in the meeting?” and I responded, “I didn’t feel qualified” (being around much more experienced business peers). His response was, “Do you know how incredibly selfish that is?” That stuck with me and helped me approach my expertise from a different angle. Now, ten years later, I’m comfortably able to regularly talk about digital marketing topics and everything under the umbrella of the professional expertise. I ultimately came to accept that my knowledge and experience gives me something valuable to offer others.

Debbie , 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?

Hi! I’m Debbie Miller and I’m thrilled to share a bit about what I do and what makes it so exciting.

My work primarily revolves around the dynamic world of digital marketing and communications. I specialize in helping businesses and individuals establish strong online presences, connect with their target audiences, and build meaningful relationships in the digital realm. Whether it’s through social media, email marketing, content creation, or website optimization, I’m passionate about crafting compelling narratives and strategies that resonate with people.

What truly excites me about my role is the ever-evolving nature of the digital landscape. Technology and trends are constantly changing, offering endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. I love staying ahead of the curve, experimenting with new tools and platforms, and adapting strategies to meet the evolving needs of my clients. It’s a fast-paced and exhilarating field that keeps me on my toes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I launched my brand, Social Hospitality, initially as a blog. It then evolved into a side hustle, and finally, a full-fledged marketing agency. In today’s digital age, it’s not just about promoting products or services; it’s about creating genuine connections and fostering a sense of community.

The name “Social Hospitality” embodies the dynamic fusion of social media and the art of hospitality. It represents the seamless integration of two powerful forces that revolutionize the way businesses interact with customers.

In the digital age, social media is essential for connecting and engaging with audiences on a global scale. It provides businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their brand personality, build relationships, and create memorable experiences. Hospitality, on the other hand, is rooted in the art of making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.

Combining these two concepts, “social hospitality” emphasizes the importance of leveraging social media to deliver exceptional experiences to customers, fostering a sense of connection and warmth in the online realm. It goes beyond simply utilizing social platforms as marketing tools and dives deep into the realm of customer-centricity, community-building, and personalized interactions.

Brands can cultivate a digital presence that reflects their values, engages customers authentically, and leaves a lasting impression. This powerful approach enables businesses to tap into the limitless potential of social media and harness its influence to deliver unparalleled experiences, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

During my final year of college, I began an internship that unexpectedly led me to discover my passion for marketing and shaped my entire career path. This internship primarily involved managing the online presence of a destination marketing organization, just as social media was beginning to transform the business landscape.

After I graduated, my internship turned into a full-time position. For the next three years, I poured myself into shaping the digital identity of this organization. However, an eventual organizational restructuring meant my layoff was imminent. Since this had been my first job out of college, it was a substantial and awkward period, contemplating spending my days in a different atmosphere than the one to which I’d become accustomed in my only post-school experience. Thankfully, I was offered a job at a marketing agency with whom I’d partnered at my previous gig, so I started working there the month after I was laid off.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

After I was laid off from my first post-college job, I reached out to my network for advice as I transitioned into this new phase of my career. One piece stood out – the idea of creating something that was mine. It struck me that while I had achieved recognition within the framework of my previous job, I lacked a personal brand to carry forward. This led to the creation of “Social Hospitality,” a blog that focused on marketing strategies tailored to the hospitality industry.

Through this platform, I began to connect with an array of individuals. I received a variety of messages: everything from appreciation of the value of my content, folks proposing guest posting collaborations, and businesses seeking my expertise in crafting their online presence. Encouraged by this growing resonance, I cautiously dipped my toes into freelancing, complementing my full-time agency role. Over time, this became not only a fulfilling side hustle but also a financial cushion.

Gradually, Social Hospitality evolved from a blog into a full-fledged digital marketing venture. My dual career journey persisted, with six years spent nurturing the agency’s clients while nurturing my brand on the side. Finally, in early 2017, I bid farewell to the other agency and leaned into running Social Hospitality full-time.

In doing so, I launched into a chapter of entrepreneurship. As I focused all my energies on my blog-turned-business, the challenges and victories were mine alone. The path was demanding yet resonant with the kind of life I wanted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://socialhospitality.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebigdebowski/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialhospitality
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiemiller53/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebigdebowski