We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelsey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelsey below.

Kelsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I started my business in 2020 right after graduating with a theology degree, expecting to work in worship ministry. But with COVID shutting everything down, that path was no longer available and I quickly saw how many churches and small businesses were scrambling to figure out the digital world.

Two churches I had interned with reached out for help with social media, and those early conversations sparked an idea. I realized I could offer real support in a time of need. What began as a temporary way to make money soon turned into a new passion.

From the start, I treated the business like a full-time job. I followed my husband’s work-from-home schedule – clocking in when he did, spending every day building my brand, learning the landscape, and preparing for future opportunities. I think this was the biggest factor to my success: treating it like a full time job/business long before it made me any money.

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?

I’m Kelsey Santana, the Owner and Founder of KJS Socials, a social media marketing business that serves small businesses across the country. I specialize in helping wedding professionals – planners, photographers, venues, and more – build a confident and consistent presence online. But I also work with small businesses across countless industries!

I started my business in 2020 during a time when so many people were trying to navigate an increasingly digital world. What began as a temporary solution quickly turned into a career I love. Social media had always come naturally to me, but I realized the need was bigger than just posting pretty content – business owners needed real support, someone who could understand their voice, their vision, and help them show up online in a way that felt true to them.

Today, I offer a range of services including full-service social media management, as well as consulting for business owners who want to manage their own platforms but need professional guidance. Whether I’m handling strategy, creating content, or simply being a support system, I’m always working to make social media feel less overwhelming and more effective for my clients.

Most of my clients come to me feeling stretched thin or unsure how to keep up with the ever-changing social media landscape. What sets KJS Socials apart is the way I approach each client relationship – with genuine care and curiosity. Social media is personal, especially for small businesses, so I take the time to learn what makes each brand special and ensure that shows up in everything we create.

One of my proudest milestones was going 100% full time in 2022. Being able to contribute to my family with a business I built from the ground up still feels surreal and it’s something I carry with so much gratitude.

Above all, I want potential clients and followers to know that my work is about partnership. I’m not here to just make your feed look good. I’m here to support your business in a way that feels aligned, strategic, and true to you.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation was built on two things: intentionality and consistency. From day one, I’ve made it a priority to truly understand each client’s business before I ever begin creating content. My clients know that I don’t just plug their brand into a template – I take time to learn what makes them unique so their social media reflects their voice, values, and vision. That attention to detail is something they notice and appreciate.
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Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media started with a lot of intention and trial-and-error. From the beginning, I knew I didn’t want to just post to post. I wanted my content to actually resonate with people. So I focused on four core pillars that still guide my strategy today: inspiration, education, community, and entertainment.

Each piece of content I shared served a purpose. Some posts were meant to teach: offering tips or insights for small business owners navigating the world of social media. Others were meant to inspire or create a sense of connection and support. And then there were posts that were simply fun, lighthearted, or relatable: because people want to engage with a person, not just a brand.

Over time, that consistent balance helped me build trust and attract an audience that felt aligned with the heart of my business. It wasn’t overnight. It took showing up regularly, evolving with the platform, and listening to what my audience responded to.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjs.socials/?hl=en
• Other: podcast interview – https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UzdVTpHGO0cpYqyWIZZgc?si=vsZbL-8DQySxxeqhmxUe_Q

Image Credits

Leah Margulies Photography