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

Alright, Julie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

I started doing Pilates last summer mainly because I lived near the studio, and it was rather convenient. To be completely honest, I didn’t enjoy it at first, but I persevered. I tried out various instructors, and that’s when I stumbled upon Hannah’s classes. What sets her apart is her ability to keep things fresh and challenging, which prevented the monotony that I had experienced with other instructors. Plus, her music choices were right up my alley.

Despite moving a bit further away, I made an effort to attend her classes twice a week. It’s safe to say it transformed my life, helping me get into the best shape I’ve ever been in.

During this time, I was in the midst of a career change, studying digital marketing at UCLA. I had dabbled in creative industries many times throughout my life, trying to find my true calling. The pandemic only intensified that sense of uncertainty.

Up until then, I’d been informally assisting my actor and influencer friends with their social media, although it wasn’t my official job. That’s when I decided to kickstart my own social media management and creative direction business while I was still in school.

A few weeks later, I struck up a conversation with Hannah after one of her classes, and we decided to connect on Instagram. One day, she posted on her story that she needed some help with social media and website. I reached out, and we ended up having a discussion after the next class, eventually scheduling a meeting. We delved into how she could enhance her brand, and she became my first official client. I’ve been privileged to assist her in building her social media presence, refining her branding, and expanding her online reach. In more ways than one, you could say that Hannah has played a pivotal role in changing my life over the past year.

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.

Over the course of my life, I’ve ventured into various careers, including a substantial period in the financial industry. During that time, I diversified my skills, becoming a trained makeup artist and event planner, while also staying active in the service industry. However, when the pandemic hit, I decided to transition to a role in the Real Estate sector, primarily because it offered more virtual opportunities and didn’t require direct contact with people. Although I found it fulfilling, I sensed that it wasn’t my ultimate calling.

I’ve always had a passion for creative pursuits, serving as the go-to person among my friends for outfit advice, makeup tips, and social media insights—whether online or offline. This passion led me to enroll in a digital marketing certificate program at UCLA. Surprisingly, the material felt almost intuitive to me, and I excelled in understanding the psychology behind audience behavior and responses.

During this transformative period, I had the privilege of knowing a retired NFL player who is also an actor. Our connection evolved from a casual relationship into a friendship, and his relentless motivation inspired me. He retired from his career at my age, and being around someone so successful, yet so humble, pushed me to work harder and take myself more seriously. It was a turning point for me to recognize my own strengths, something I had often overlooked.

Two of my closest friends are highly successful actresses with a significant online presence. Over the years, I’ve had plenty of “unofficial” experience in styling them for events, helping them curate and post content for brand partnerships and events, and ensuring they capture the right moments at important gatherings. It was this background that led me to establish my own creative agency, where I offer a range of services, including social media management, personal branding, content creation, personal styling, events and creative direction for behind-the-scenes photoshoots.

Drawing from my background in events and makeup, I can provide a hands-on approach during these experiences, thanks to my keen eye for symmetry and creativity. People often wonder why I don’t focus on self-promotion, but I’ve realized that I’m more comfortable behind the scenes, directing and orchestrating the bigger picture rather than stepping in front of the camera. My passion lies in making others look and feel their best and helping them build their unique brand identities.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I’d have to say that word of mouth has been a tremendous asset for me. I’m fortunate to have fantastic friends and clients who have been instrumental in spreading the word about my services. While I’m currently a one-person operation, I’m approaching a point where I’ll likely need to bring on a full-time assistant or social media manager. This would allow me to concentrate on expanding my online presence beyond my existing network. That said, I must acknowledge the invaluable trust that builds between clients when they come through referrals. It’s a strong testament to the quality of service I provide.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe that having friends with significant social media followings and connections in the creative industries has played a pivotal role in establishing my reputation within my market. Their influence and network have been invaluable in helping me gain recognition and credibility in my field.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.agencyogd.com
• Instagram: @ogdcreative