We were lucky to catch up with Ileen Villa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ileen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I ever took was betting on myself. As a first-generation college student, I worked tirelessly in high school to secure a full-ride scholarship, and when I achieved it, it felt like all my hard work had paid off. But sometimes, life has a way of steering you in unexpected directions.

In my sophmore year of college, I interned with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. There, I was inspired by the resilience and determination of the entrepreneurs I worked with. I saw firsthand how they poured their hearts into building something of their own. That experience lit a spark in me.

Then came 2020, a year that forced me—and many others—to pause and reflect. It felt like a quarter-life crisis. The pandemic grounded me, literally and figuratively. With nowhere to go, I had to sit with myself and confront a big question: What’s next?

Education had always been a passion of mine, especially coming from a low-income community, but entrepreneurship? That felt out of reach, even though I admired it deeply. Then, one day, I came across a TikTok of a girl who was a social media manager. Something clicked. I loved marketing, and I’d always wanted to help business owners like my parents, who worked so hard to build a life for our family. That’s when I realized this could be my path.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but I chose to take a leap of faith. I left behind the security of finishing my last year and a half at ASU to pursue my dream of starting my own business. I didn’t have a roadmap, and I knew it wouldn’t be easy—entrepreneurship rarely is. But I also knew that this journey would be bigger than me.

Building a business required courage, sacrifice, and relentless determination, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. While I don’t have the 9-to-5 stability or guaranteed income that many of my peers do, I’ve gained something far greater: the chance to create something meaningful and prove to myself that I could succeed on my own terms.

Looking back, I’m so glad I took the risk. It’s paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. This experience has taught me that betting on yourself is never a gamble if you’re willing to work hard, trust the process, and believe in your vision.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello! My name is Ileen Villa Golden, and I’m the founder of The Villago Agency, a boutique social media management and content creation agency based in Phoenix, Arizona. As a proud Latina and first-generation college student, my journey into this field has been shaped by resilience, hard work, and an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling.

Growing up as a little girl, I always dreamed of building a legacy—something that could inspire and help others, especially young girls like me. Coming from a low-income community, it often felt like the odds were stacked against us when it came to success or having a bright future. But even then, I knew I wanted to break through those barriers and create opportunities—not just for myself, but for others who might feel the same way I once did. That desire has always been a driving force in my life and remains a deep passion of mine.

I got my start in social media management at 18, working in corporate settings where I honed my skills in branding, marketing, and communication. At 24, I decided to take the biggest risk of my life—I left the security of a 9-to-5 to become my own boss and turn my passion into a business. I was inspired by my upbringing in a family of hardworking entrepreneurs and fueled by a desire to help businesses, especially those in underrepresented communities, showcase their unique stories.

The Villago Agency offers a full suite of social media management services, including content creation, strategy development, paid ad management, and community engagement across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. My team and I create tailored strategies for each client, producing organic and professional content that resonates with their audience. We also focus on helping businesses refine their brand identity, connect with their target customers, and grow their online presence in meaningful, authentic ways.

What sets my agency apart is the heart behind the work. I deeply value communication, work ethic, and family, and these principles guide every decision I make. I believe in building strong relationships with my clients, understanding their vision, and delivering results that not only meet but exceed expectations.

Beyond my work in social media, I’m passionate about setting an example for young girls—showing them that no matter where you come from, success is possible with hard work, determination, and belief in yourself. I want to be the person I needed growing up, proving that it’s not about where you start but where you’re determined to go.

I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had on my clients’ businesses and the trust they’ve placed in me to bring their vision to life. From real estate teams and med spas to law firms and boutique brands, I love helping my clients tell their stories, connect with their audience, and grow their businesses. Beyond the services I provide, I’m passionate about educating my clients so they can feel empowered and confident in their marketing strategies.

At the end of the day, my goal is to show that with creativity, strategy, and collaboration, businesses of all sizes can thrive online. I want potential clients and followers to know that The Villago Agency is here to elevate their brand with a personal touch and a deep understanding of what makes them unique.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes, back in 2023, I experienced a pivotal moment in both my business and personal growth. I had set a goal to scale my social media management agency, and in just two months, I went from managing two accounts to ten. On paper, it sounded incredible—the income was great, and it felt like I was finally hitting my stride. However, I quickly learned that success isn’t just about how many clients you have; it’s about the quality of the relationships and work you deliver.

The rapid growth came with significant challenges. I had taken on more clients than I could handle, and without a team to support me, I found myself stretched too thin. I overpromised, believing I could manage it all on my own, but it became impossible to deliver the level of quality and attention my clients deserved. Unfortunately, I lost several of those clients, and it was a hard lesson to learn.

In that moment, I had to pivot. I decided to let go of seven clients and focus on doing fewer things better. While it was heartbreaking to scale back after working so hard to grow, it gave me invaluable insight into what truly matters in business. I realized that in order to scale sustainably, I need the right team and resources. I learned to take on only as much as I can handle and, most importantly, to say “no” when the timing or fit isn’t right.

This experience taught me the importance of underpromising and overdelivering. It reshaped my approach to my business and made me a better social media manager. Today, I’m focused on delivering exceptional results for my clients while building a foundation for future growth. One day, I’ll reach that goal of managing ten accounts again—but next time, it will be with the support of a capable team, a clear vision, and the systems in place to ensure success.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

One of my favorite marketing stories involves my client, Tortas Manantial. When I was hired to manage their social media, I made it clear—as I do with all my clients—that I can’t guarantee specific results, but I can promise consistency in posting and engagement. However, from the start, I saw immense potential in their brand, particularly with their TikTok account, which had about 5,000 followers at the time but was being underutilized.

Initially, my client was the one planning the content shoots, and I wasn’t as confident in taking charge. But I knew we needed to step up our TikTok game to tap into a wider audience. I started posting more regularly, and while the content initially averaged around 10,000 views per video, I felt there was room to do so much more.

During our second content shoot, my client couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, so I decided to step up and take full creative control. I filmed content based on what I thought would resonate with viewers—and it worked! The videos I shot performed even better than our earlier ones. My client began trusting me with all the content shoots, giving me the freedom to bring my vision to life.

Then, it happened: one of our Instagram videos went viral, racking up an astonishing 23 million views. That moment was a game-changer, solidifying the power of consistent posting, thoughtful content creation, and taking risks.

Another pivotal moment was when I noticed their head chef, Karla, who is incredibly talented and camera-ready. I suggested featuring her in a video, and when we posted it, their social media engagement skyrocketed. The response was overwhelming, and Karla became a key part of our content strategy.

This story stands out to me because it’s a testament to trusting your instincts and seeing potential where others might not. If I hadn’t stepped up to take charge of the content or believed in my ability to grow their presence, we wouldn’t have achieved the incredible results we see today. Taking that risk not only helped Tortas Manantial grow but also showed me the impact I could make when I fully trusted my vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://villlago.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevilllagoagency/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileenvillagolden/

Image Credits

Zara Photography