We were lucky to catch up with Jacinta Gandy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jacinta, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

“As the owner and founder of Social Circle, I’ve shaped my business to be much more than just another brand and web design agency. With over 13 years of experience in design, digital marketing, and tech, I bring a comprehensive range of services to the table. This includes everything from branding and design to social media, sales funnels, product refinement, and even developing pricing strategies and pitch decks. My journey has allowed me to not only offer diverse services but also to build close, long-term partnerships with my clients, providing them with mentorship and strategic planning that’s specifically tailored to their needs.

What sets Social Circle apart is our growth-oriented, result-driven approach. We focus on the overall success of our clients’ businesses, not just delivering a service. This is evident in the significant growth of my business and the strong relationships we’ve built with over 150 entrepreneurs. Our commitment goes beyond business; we’re actively engaged in corporate social responsibility, working with local organizations and on projects like the Manhattan Clean Energy Hub project and working with WENYC as a mentor to create positive change.

Jacinta, 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’ve spent nearly a decade working at some of NYC”s top agencies in iconic brands like Nike and Disney. I’ve also been a huge fan of entrepreneurship and used my agency experience as an opportunity to gain as much knowledge as I can so that I can utilize this knowledge and skills to help small businesses suceed. It’s about the commitment I feel towards every small business owner I work with, and how their dreams sometimes keep me up at night. In a world where too many are caught up in quick fixes and flashy marketing, I’ve stayed true to what I believe in: real, honest support that helps other entrepreneurs grow and succeed.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Many aspiring entrepreneurs view their full-time job as a barrier to their business dreams, but I see it quite differently. To me, a full-time job is not just a means of earning a living; it’s a major opportunity, a stepping stone towards entrepreneurship. Early in my journey, I realized the potential of using the financial stability from my full-time job to fuel my entrepreneurial aspirations. When you’re employed full-time, you might be low on time, but you’re often high on resources – this is an ideal scenario to make strategic investments in your business.

One of the smartest moves you can make during this phase is to hire skilled individuals who can help your business grow. This not only accelerates your business’s development but also allows you to focus on areas where your expertise is most needed. Being risk-averse myself, I knew that I couldn’t leave my steady job without having a substantial financial cushion. This cautious approach is often overlooked in the entrepreneurial world, where there’s a lot of emphasis on the ‘hustle’ and doing everything yourself. However, I advocate for a different approach.

I believe your full-time job should be viewed as your very first investor. This goes beyond mere financial support. Your job is a learning hub where you can gain invaluable skills, understand effective systems, and build a network of connections. These are assets that you can later transfer to your own business.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

At Social Circle, our foundational principle is a client-centric approach, where every solution we provide is meticulously tailored to the unique needs of each client. This approach is not just about delivering services; it’s about demonstrating a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the specific goals and challenges of each business we work with.

By crafting solutions that are specifically aligned with each client’s objectives, we build a strong foundation of trust and loyalty. This personalization shows our clients that they are not just another account to us, but a valued partner whose success is our primary focus.

Integral to our approach is our commitment to radical honesty. This means having the courage to tell our clients not just what they want to hear, but what they need to hear for the betterment of their business. It’s about providing truthful, constructive feedback and guidance, even if it’s challenging. This honesty cements our role as trusted advisors, demonstrating that our primary concern is their success, not just their satisfaction.

Alongside this, the introduction of ongoing design services was a strategic decision to maintain continuous engagement with our clients. It’s not just about ongoing support; it’s about being an ever-present ally in their business journey. This consistency in service fosters their reliance on Social Circle for long-term business needs and cements our role as a key player in their growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: socialcircleinc.com
• Instagram: jacinta_gandy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialcircleinc
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jacintagandy

Image Credits
Shelly Xu: https://someshelly.com/