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

Ebony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

Adaptability is a significant challenge to profitability in our industry. Without the ability to adapt to the economy, network effectively, understand your audience, and make necessary changes to your business structure, maintaining profitability becomes incredibly difficult. If you don’t take accountability and adjust to these dynamic factors, you risk stagnation or even decline. Being adaptable means staying relevant, meeting the evolving needs of your clients, and continuously refining your strategies to remain competitive and profitable.

Ebony, 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?

I am an entrepreneur and the proud owner of Meneur Agency & Meneur Mentorship. Meneur Agency is a content creation agency where I serve as the creative director, leading projects primarily for beauty and fashion brands looking to grow on social media. With a keen eye for how content should look on Instagram to attract attention, I specialize in engagement campaigns and marketing strategies that help elevate my clients’ brands.

My journey into this industry began with my first business, Relicious Lips, a cosmetic lip line that ignited my passion for branding and marketing. This passion led me to start Meneur Mentorship in 2022, with the aim of empowering women to build their personal brands. By 2024, I expanded my role to be the creative director behind brands seeking to create impactful content and campaigns.

What sets me apart is my dedication to understanding and meeting the unique needs of each client. I am committed to traveling the world with a media team, creating the content necessary to grow both my brand and those of my clients.

I am most proud of the community and support network I’ve built through Meneur Mentorship, helping other women succeed in their branding endeavors. My aspirations lie in providing valuable resources and guidance to help women flourish in their respective industries. Stay tuned for the rebranding of Relicious Lips and more exciting projects from Meneur Agency.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I began building my audience on social media by consistently posting engaging content that balanced my business focus with lifestyle elements. This approach made my posts more relatable and attractive to a wider audience. As people discovered my content through the algorithm and word of mouth, my following grew.

Networking played a crucial role in my growth. I made it a point to share my Instagram handle everywhere I went and encouraged people to follow me. I also followed and engaged with other women in my industry, and many of them followed me back. Through these interactions, we formed a supportive community, constantly engaging with and promoting each other’s content.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing a business is staying consistent and authentic about where your business stands. There may be times when rebranding or relaunching is necessary to improve your branding and promotion efforts. It’s important to be transparent with your audience or clients about these changes. Honesty about your entrepreneurial journey can positively influence how people perceive your business. Many people appreciate and support the struggles and are willing to wait for your success. Just be yourself, and your authenticity will resonate with your audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://meneuragency.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebonyranee?igsh=Zngxc2QzYXk1bmZi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebony.stevenson2?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ebonyranee?si=cCoa0zhFwVtQSrnU
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ebonyranee?_t=8o6YShFcA6k&_r=1

Image Credits

@mjdanielsphoto
@re.eyecu
@twoin
@thefirestationvzn
@shotsby.cielo