We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emma Musto a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emma, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

When I first started my business in January of 2020 I was scared, like most entrepreneurs are at first! But I quit my job and took the plunge anyway because I knew I could never survive in a normal 9-5. I needed to create a lifestyle on my own terms that I would be happy with. It was the best decision I ever made and I would do it over and over again if I had to. But if I were starting over, I would invest in myself and my business WAY sooner than I did. I would hire a coach or mentor from the get-go. The saying goes “you don’t know what you don’t know.” And it’s true!
I started freelancing social media management which is my area of expertise. But there were so many other aspect of my business that I wasn’t proficient in. It wasn’t until a year later that I invested in my first business coach and I only wish I had done it sooner. I not only learned things I didn’t even realize I didn’t know, but I grew my business and doubled my monthly income in just 3 months!
I was hesitant to invest when I first started because I thought I needed to make money before that. I now realize that there’s no greater ROI than investing in yourself and your business. Had I done it sooner I would have saved a lot of time and energy trying to figure it all out myself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hi, I’m Emma! I’m a nomadic Social Media Coach, Manager, and Consultant. I’ve been working in social media for 5+ years. I started by growing my personal account and freelancing. I was later appointed Director of Social Media at a digital marketing agency where I worked with high profile clients like the Hyatt and Sotheby’s International Realty. But after some time working in an office I quickly realized that I couldn’t thrive in a 9-5 lifestyle. I was getting sick often, becoming very stagnant and unhappy, and physically felt like I just couldn’t sit behind a desk any longer. In January of 2020 I quit my job and started my own business, freelancing social media marketing full-time. In my first month of freelancing I made more than I did at my 9-5 and I’ve never looked back!

Since starting my entrepreneurial journey I’ve been able to create the lifestyle of freedom that I’ve always longed for. In 2021 I traveled around the country for 6 months in a converted van with my husband and our dog all while scaling my business and doubling my monthly income. I traveled internationally for 4 months after that, visiting South Africa, Hawaii, and Tulum while continuing to work remotely.

I always new I wanted to work for myself, on my own time, and live a nomadic lifestyle. I was able to do that by freelancing social media management and I’m so passionate about creating and living a life of freedom on your own terms that now I’m helping my clients do the same!

I’m currently offering two coaching containers. My signature Freelance Freedom container is a step-by-step coaching program to becoming a full-time freelance social media manager. In this container I help my clients start freelancing social media marketing, land their first clients, manage social media accounts efficiently, create and implement effective social media strategies to promote and grow their business. This program is for people who want to quit their 9-5, work from anywhere in the world, and make anywhere form $2k-$8K+ per month, regardless of whether you’re currently working in social media marketing or have no experience and are looking to start. I’ve taken all the knowledge, resources, and tools I wish I had when I first started 5+ years ago and created a program to help my clients expedite their journey to freelancing freedom.

My Finding Freedom coaching container is for service-based entrepreneurs who want to learn how to effectively manage their own social media in order to monetize their accounts and promote their services/business. This program is for people who want to become more proficient in social media marketing, strategy, growing and building their brand presence online, and discovering creative ways to monetize their accounts.

I also offer 90 minute strategy and consulting calls and monthly social media management packages.

The driving force behind my business and services is not money but my desire to live a lifestyle of freedom, joy, and ease. I wanted to love what I do and the life I live and my proudest accomplishment is not just creating that reality for myself but helping so many other kindred spirits do the same!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Sometimes it feels like I’ve been pivoting and changing direction my whole life! But each change and shift has brought me closer to my ideal life and career.

I graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in TV and Film Production. I moved to Los Angeles where I worked in Hollywood for a year and a half. I realized that wasn’t my calling so I decided to pivot my career and apply for a master degree in English Literature. I got accepted to all of my dream schools including the University of Pennsylvania, and I decided to attend Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. But after visiting the school before my first semester, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was a gut feeling that I’ll never forget but I instantly knew this wasn’t what I wanted. It wasn’t the right path for me. I changed course AGAIN.

Feeling defeated I moved back in with my parents and was back to square one. I felt more lost and confused than ever before. I was applying to jobs I didn’t want, not sure what to do next. My boyfriend at the time was working at a digital marketing agency that happened to have a social media position open. I didn’t have much experience then but applied anyway and to my surprise I got the job.

Getting that job was one of the most profound milestones of my life. I learned and grew so much as a social media marketing professional and it set the stage for the rest of my career. Leaving that job and starting my own business was just as profound of a milestone. Now I’m not scared to pivot because I’ve learned that change is just an opportunity for growth!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve built my social media audience throughout the years by showcasing my life in an authentic and genuine way. I share a lot on my social media and take my followers with me on my journey. Whatever it is I’m doing, wherever it is I’m going, I bring them along for the ride and I believe in doing that I’ve not only grown my audience but cultivated an intimate relationship with them that fosters trust. I have a lot of advice on building a following – niche down, stay consistent, focus on your audience, create content with them in mind, provide value, etc. But most of all be real and genuine. You don’t have to follow trends if they don’t feel good and don’t be afraid to get intimate and add your special flavor and insight to your social media. Your audience will most of all appreciate your authenticity!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://calendly.com/emmamusto
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma__musto/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamusto/

Image Credits
Branden Musto