We recently connected with Liza Belka and have shared our conversation below.

Liza, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I often tell people that my digital marketing agency, Bloomshine Media, is a purpose-driven business at its core. The story behind creating Bloomshine came from my experiences working in corporate environments and a strong belief that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of ethics or relationships.

After years in the corporate world, I noticed how easy it was for businesses to get caught up in chasing metrics and profits, losing sight of the human connections behind every decision. While I believe financial success is important for any business — because, let’s face it, we all need to make a living — it’s not everything. I wanted to prove that you can build a successful, profitable business while staying true to your values, doing right by your clients, and being a positive force in your community.

For me, Bloomshine is about more than hitting financial targets; it’s a reflection of my personal values. It’s about bringing humanity back into marketing and working with purpose-driven brands that want to grow in ways that align with their values. I believe you can thrive financially while still creating genuine connections and leaving a positive impact. In fact, I think that’s the secret to long-term success — being intentional about both profit and purpose.

At Bloomshine, we aim to build partnerships with businesses that are passionate about their missions. Our goal is to amplify those missions in ways that are not only strategic but authentic to who they are. This balance of purpose and profit is at the heart of everything we do. Yes, we want to help our clients achieve results and grow their businesses, but we also want to make sure they’re doing it in a way that feels right.

For me, that’s what it’s all about — showing that you can be successful, make money, and still do good in the world.

Liza, 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’m Liza Belka, the Founder and Owner of Bloomshine Media, a digital marketing agency focused on helping businesses and purpose-driven ventures thrive. My path into digital marketing wasn’t exactly linear — I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and I’m currently pursuing a Master of Science in Digital Marketing and Design at Brandeis University. My journey into this industry began with a deep love for storytelling and analysis and a deeply rooted passion for community and helping others communicate their unique value to the world.

Very early on, I realized that marketing, at its core, is really about creating meaningful connections between brands and the people they serve. That’s what naturally drew me to this field. After working in corporate environments and on campaigns with partners like NASCAR and American Express, I decided to take my experience and launch Bloomshine Media. I wanted to create a business that brought both strategy and heart to the table — something I felt was missing in a lot of the larger corporate settings.

At Bloomshine, we offer a range of services, including digital and social media strategy, email marketing, search engine marketing, web management, and content creation. But more than just services, we provide strategic, data-driven solutions with a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of heart! We work with small-to-medium businesses, creatives, and purpose-driven ventures to help them grow their online presence, engage with their audience, and build brands that truly blossom and shine. Whether it’s simplifying the technical side of digital marketing or creating campaigns that resonate, we aim to take the stress off our clients so they can focus on what they do best.

What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and partnership. We’re not just about numbers — we care about the “why” behind what our clients do. It’s important to us that we align with our clients’ missions and their communities, helping them grow in a way that stays true to their vision. I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been successful — clients appreciate that we’re in it for the long haul, supporting them at every step of their journey.

On a personal note, I’ve learned that success comes from being unafraid to hear the word “no” and using it as a chance to pivot, redirect, and grow. I strive to live a life of authenticity and continuous growth, enhancing my skills and learning both as a professional and as a human being. This mindset shapes how I approach both my business and life, allowing me to stay true to my values while pursuing success.

I’m especially proud of the relationships we’ve built with our clients and the community. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with some incredible nonprofits, and that sense of giving back is a huge part of what we stand for. We believe that businesses can be successful and still do good in the world.

We love meeting new people, chatting about digital marketing, sharing the latest social media buzz, or even swapping gardening puns (yes, we’re those people). So, even if you’re reading this and not quite ready for a project, that’s cool, too! Feel free to drop us a note anytime — whether you’re looking for marketing strategies or just want to connect over good vibes, we’re all about community and connection.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Digital marketing began as my side hustle — a passion project that slowly blossomed into my career! While many people initially raised their eyebrows in disbelief at all the random opportunities I would take, I’ve been in this field for over a decade, all while balancing other jobs that paid the bills. My journey kicked off when I met a local influencer through a job I was working and offered social media management services to her as she needed help with her rapidly growing online community. That initial gig opened the door to even more opportunities and set me in motion to continue freelancing my services.

As I transitioned into other full-time marketing roles, I continued to freelance, which allowed me to further hone my skills. During this time, I continued to expand my services. I embraced any project that piqued my interest, and each new experience taught me valuable lessons about the industry and what clients truly need.

Then, in 2022, everything shifted. After a particularly inspiring moment, I had this wild thought: “If they can do it, why can’t I?” That epiphany ignited a spark in me, prompting me to finally take the plunge, level up from freelancing, and start making plans to launch my own business, Bloomshine Media. It felt like a pivotal moment — a leap of faith into the unknown, fueled by my passion, my crazy dreams, and determination.

Key milestones along the way include working with a diverse portfolio of brands and collaborating with incredible organizations that share my commitment to making a difference. One of my favorite memories from my corporate experience was working on the NASCAR 2022 Daytona 500 Sweepstakes. Each achievement not only validated my decision to pursue this path but also fueled my ambition to keep growing and evolving in the digital marketing space.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Like many in the creative world, I’ve faced my fair share of rejection — those gut-wrenching moments when you hear “no” more times than you can count. At first, each rejection felt disheartening, like a personal blow. But instead of letting it keep me down, I learned to pick myself back up and redirect my energy. I vividly remember one instance where I was chasing an opportunity I believed could be a game-changer for my career. I closed my eyes and clicked “send” on an email, reminding myself of the mantra: “You miss all the shots you don’t take.” (I even wrote something to that effect in the email!).

This experience reinforced a crucial lesson: the only person who can truly hold you back is yourself. As cheesy as it sounds, I’ve learned to chase my dreams relentlessly, no matter how daunting they may seem. It’s all about embracing resilience, dusting myself off after each setback, and blindly believing in myself and my vision.

I’ve also come to appreciate the importance of carving out my own space at the table. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come my way, I started creating them. Whether it meant networking, seeking mentorship, or pitching ambitious ideas, I learned to advocate for my vision. That mindset has not only bolstered my confidence but has also turned obstacles into stepping stones on my journey.

And hey, as a proud cat lady, I often joke that everything works out in the end — like a cat, I always seem to land on my feet!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bloomshinemedia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomshinemedia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomshinemedia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizaruanbelka/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomshine-media
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Jane Robles