We were lucky to catch up with Leighton Hart recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Leighton thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

In 2014, I was very unhappy in my job. I started offering ghostwriting and social media management as a side hustle and booked a client who paid well.

At the time, I had young kids and the idea of leaving my 9-to-5 (with its benefits, 401k, paid vacation etc.) was too intimidating. So I never went all-in on that business, and when my client didn’t renew his contract, it was all over.

In 2020, I was able to start a business producing podcasts and media content for businesses, which set me up well to once again enter the world of social media marketing. Now I’m booked up (with a waiting list) and I’m thrilled to be doing what I love.

At this point, I know more about how to sell these services and how B2B decisions get made, which makes my small agency much more effective at signing new clients.

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?

Market Street Media has two big strengths going for it.

First is my background in journalism and blogging. Put simply, I’ve put in a LOT of time becoming an effective writer. Knowing how to craft messages in creative ways is incredibly important.

The second big strength is that we LOVE social media. Not only do we spend a ton of time on social media, but we’re constantly studying the game itself to learn how to play better.

I always love delivering great results for my clients, but the best compliment is when they say, “I love that we don’t even have to think about social media anymore, because we know Leighton has it handled.”

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

In late 2021, I pivoted my business away from podcast production. My company basically had a monopoly on podcast production in our area, but I knew that service wouldn’t take me where I wanted the business to go.

I found an up-and-coming podcast producer in the area and transitioned my clients over to him. It felt great at first, but then I spent about six months having an identity crisis for my business. I tried launching a few other services, but nothing got any traction.

Then, in the last quarter of 2022, I ramped up social media management services, and my business has exploded.

I wouldn’t want to re-live the six month identity crisis, but I’m thrilled with where we are now.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I spent most of my career in an industry that was highly competitive and scarcity-minded.

Starting my own business a little later in life, I decided I was going to play the game my own way. I bring an abundance mindset to my work, and I try to do what I would have wanted someone to do for me earlier in my career.

The result is that I’ve built a reputation in my market as someone who’s knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and generous.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marketstreet.media
• Instagram: @marketstreet.media
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/marketstreetmediajc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leightonhart/