Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Halee Sprinkle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Halee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.
When I launched Czech Yourself Marketing in 2017, I did something that felt almost too simple: I sat down and emailed every single contact I had. Not a vague “I started a business!” announcement, I was intentional about it. I spelled out exactly what I was offering, who I served, and how to send someone my way. I essentially handed people a referral script and said, here, use this.
No guessing. No hoping they’d figure it out. I made it effortless for my network to become my sales team!
At the same time, I started showing up at networking events, not just to shake hands, but to speak. Getting on a stage, even a small one, does something a business card never can. It establishes thought leadership. It makes you the person in the room for what you do. People don’t just meet you, they remember you.
That combination, the deliberate email mass send plus visible, value-driven speaking, built my first client base. And here’s the part that still excites me eight years later: it’s still working! Those same people I emailed back then have followed my online presence, stayed in the loop on what I do, and continue to send clients my direction.
The first dollar I earned from someone outside my immediate circle felt like proof. Proof that the strategy worked. Proof that the brand and my business was real. Proof that showing up consistently and making it easy for others to champion you is one of the most powerful marketing moves you can make. It’s still a strategy I teach!
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.
I’m Halee Sprinkle, founder of Czech Yourself Marketing, and I often describe myself as a “Marketing Alchemist.” What that means is I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all marketing, I believe in transforming ideas, businesses, and brands into something meaningful, strategic, and uniquely them.
My journey into marketing started in the corporate world, where I spent over a decade honing my skills in brand strategy, content development, and large-scale campaigns. While that experience gave me a strong foundation, I felt a pull toward something more personal and impactful. I wanted to work closer with the people behind the brands, the dreamers, the doers, the small business owners and nonprofits who are deeply connected to their communities but often overwhelmed by how to market themselves effectively.
That’s what led me to start Czech Yourself Marketing.
Today, I work with small businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and even national brands—particularly in industries like marine/boating, home shows, and local service providers. My services range from social media strategy and content planning to hands-on training, speaking, and full-service marketing support. I also lead interactive workshops and marketing labs where I teach business owners how to confidently show up online, use tools like Canva and AI, and build a brand that actually connects.
At the core, I help people solve one big problem: how to stand out in a noisy world without losing who they are.
So many business owners feel like they’re either blending in or burning out trying to keep up. I help them simplify their marketing, clarify their messaging, and build systems that feel sustainable, not overwhelming. It’s not just about posting more; it’s about posting with purpose. Quality over quantity.
What sets me apart is the way I blend strategy with heart. I’m deeply rooted in community—both in Knoxville and beyond—and I truly care about the people I work with. I’m not here to just “run your social media.” I’m here to understand your goals, your audience, and your story, and then help you bring that to life in a way that feels aligned and effective.
I’m also big on education and empowerment. Whether I’m working one-on-one with a client or speaking to a room of entrepreneurs, my goal is always the same: to give people the tools, confidence, and clarity they need to take ownership of their marketing.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the campaigns or the clients, it’s the communities that have been built along the way. From helping grow local entrepreneurial networks to supporting long-term clients across the country, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when people feel connected, supported, and seen.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s this:
You don’t have to become someone else to market your business successfully.
You just have to learn how to show up as yourself—strategically.
That’s where the sparkle happens.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
When I first started building my audience on social media, I did what most people do—I tried to get it “right.” I focused on being polished, strategic, and informative. My content was full of tips, tricks, and helpful marketing advice, and while it had value, it wasn’t what actually moved the needle.
The real shift happened when I stopped trying to sound like a marketer and started showing up as myself.
I began sharing more of the in-between moments—the goofy side, the behind-the-scenes chaos, the wins and the “figuring it out as I go” days. I let go of the pressure to be perfect and started speaking the way I do in real life. And that’s when things started to click.
My audience didn’t grow because I was posting every day. It grew because people felt a connection. They could relate to what I was sharing, they trusted my perspective, and over time, they felt like they knew me. That kind of connection is what turns followers into a true community.
What I’ve learned is that growth on social media isn’t about doing more, it’s about being more you. The content that performs best isn’t always the most polished or the most “strategic.” It’s the content that feels real. It’s the stories, the personality, and the perspective that people can’t get anywhere else.
For anyone just starting out, my advice is simple: don’t wait until you feel fully ready or have everything mapped out. Start where you are. Talk like a human. Let your personality be part of your brand instead of something you try to filter out.
It’s also important to shift your mindset from trying to build an audience to building relationships. Social media works best when it’s a two-way conversation. Respond to people, engage with others, support your community. Those small interactions are what create something meaningful over time.
And maybe most importantly, give yourself permission to evolve. Your content will change. Your voice will refine. Your brand will grow with you. That’s not a flaw, it’s part of the process.
At the end of the day, social media isn’t just about visibility. It’s about connection. And the more you show up as yourself—even the imperfect, goofy, real version of yourself—the more naturally your audience will grow right alongside you.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Honestly, my mission is to “stop and Czech myself.” It’s my way of staying grounded and making sure I’m not just going through the motions. I don’t believe in getting comfortable with one way of doing things, because that’s where creativity starts to fade. I’m always pushing myself to rethink, reimagine, and stay open to new ideas, and I love helping others do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://czechyourselfmarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/czech_yourself_marketing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleesprinkle/
Image Credits
Tom Bell Photography
Kara Hudgens Photography
Kilian McMannes Films