We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Drea Welty a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Drea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.
Around 2019, I decided to take the leap and venture into the online space. I shifted from wanting to create a blog to becoming a birth doula, and then I discovered I was interested in social media marketing. I had an opportunity to work for my business coach at the time to create social media graphics, which then turned into becoming her social media manager. My vision then became to develop a social media agency. I made a 3-year plan in which I could generate my first $10k per month.
I was always a go-getter, and I was proud of my hard work ethic. When I worked in retail during my early college years, I moved to supervisor and management positions. “I can do it all,” I believed. Because, hey, I’m the type of person who always figures out a way out of no way. I’ll work late hours and go above and beyond.
However, there was one problem: I was a new mother and wife, and I needed to learn how to manage a home and a business. What I could once work over 10 hours a day became interrupted by diapers, midnight wake-ups, and spit-ups, not to mention the tension that built between my husband and me because I was too busy for a small chat and felt annoyed that he didn’t understand my vision.
In 2021, I was able to hit half my goal. I made my first $6k month managing people’s social media accounts and doing small projects as a contractor. From the outsider’s perspective, I was doing great. I had comments from friends saying, “I don’t know how you do it! You are working at home and raising your kids! I wish I could do that.” I felt like a fraud because the truth was I was heading toward a divorce and was guilty of the fact my son watched more than 6 hours of TV a day so I could get things done. I was also starting to miss deadlines for clients and was feeling the pressure of their expectations needing to be met.
I hit a wall, and I couldn’t do it anymore.
When I learned I was pregnant again in 2022, I knew it was time for a change. My body was tired, and I missed the joy I once had with my husband. I saw how quickly my first son was growing up, and I didn’t want to go through my second being spent so disconnected. So, I ended my client work, and I decided to stop chasing the dream of a social media agency. I felt like a failure because I had heard so many success stories from other moms who had built social media agencies, but I couldn’t do it.
What I’ve learned in retrospect now that it’s been over a year since I quit is that the journey of being a mother and online entrepreneur is okay to look different than others. My 3-year plan is now a 10-year plan. I’ve found more peace now in focusing on my own brand and sharing about the things I’m learning as a new mother. The irony of quitting a “hustle” form of business into a slower-living pace is that I’ve gotten my first collaborations with some of my favorite brands, including the formula we use for my baby. My family life has also blossomed.
Sometimes, what we think is our destination in our journey is a step towards what we are really meant to land in.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Andrea Welty, but I go by Drea. I’m a Latina motherhood content creator and call myself a hippie homemaker. I am passionate about nature, holistic living, and faith.
After a failed attempt at trying to start a social media agency, I found myself at a crossroads of what it was I was meant to do. I discovered the joy in sharing bits and pieces of my life. I started my blog to explore the intersection of holistic living and faith and share what I’ve learned (and still am learning) with other moms on the same journey.
My preferred platform of use is Instagram, but you can also find me on TikTok, where you can find me sharing inspirational messages for mothers inspired by the beautiful scenery in my home, Washington State. I also share my favorite brands and tips in my broadcast channel called the Homemaker’s Corner. Some of my recommendations include herbs for the family, how to maintain structure in a household, how to live more frugally, and more.
One upcoming project I’m working on is creating my YouTube channel, where I will share more in-depth lifestyle videos and tips focused on the different seasons of the year. I am also re-opening up my Etsy Shop, where I will have nature-based printables with lessons and activities for early childhood years.
My vision is to share the possibility of having a slower lifestyle and helping new mothers (and parents from all walks of life) learn the things I wish I had known when I first became a mother.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
One of the things I am a big advocate for is authentic connection through social media. Your current audience matters even if you are at 500 or 100k followers.
So often, we get stuck in the loop that we have to grow grow grow with little to no results.
If you’re looking for what’s missing in the gap, my advice is always to connect and engage with your current audience.
We forget this is called “social” media for a reason.
I’ve always seen it as the HEART of social media because what a gift it is that we get to build beautiful connections with people worldwide. Some of these folks may end up your future clients if you show that you indeed show up or may become great friends for a lifetime.
And give gratitude to those who currently follow you. When was the last time you said a thank you to someone who enjoys your content and your vision?
The ways I have connected with people is always through the DM’s. Start by thanking people for following you and asking how they found your page. I have had connections through the DM’s with people who have stuck around even through all my niche changes. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and if they don’t respond, it’s okay! Some people are more shy.
The following way I have connected is by always responding to all comments because this makes people feel appreciated and seen. Also, commenting on posts of new accounts you have found that you enjoy. You don’t know where that one comment may lead you, and this is great for networking.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I decided to quit building a social media agency, it left a distaste in my mouth for all things social media. I unsubscribed from all of my favorite social media marketing gurus because it kept triggering my feelings of being a failure. Not only that, but I unfollowed everyone I was following on Instagram and TikTok because I wanted a clean canvas as I figured things out.
I could have taken my failure as a reason to never get on social media again and hide, and trust me, a big part of me wanted to. However, after a 5-month pause, I reconnected with my ultimate vision. I loved to create content, and I cared deeply about the online connections I had made throughout the years. I pivoted and decided to take all the knowledge I had built from building other social media accounts into building my brand, sharing the things I love, and reflecting on the season of motherhood I am in.
I can now create content that doesn’t feel stressful and brings light into my life. Even if my pace of growth is slower because I have to schedule in time to plan, film, and edit around raising my two boys, it still gives me joy that I can be a homemaker and a content creator without sacrificing one or the other.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: dreawelty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011742429744
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dreawelty
- Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DigitalDreaStudios
Image Credits
Brighter Sky Photography