We were lucky to catch up with Mackenzie Maness recently and have shared our conversation below.

MacKenzie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you manage your own social media?

I manage my own social media, and I strongly encourage my clients to keep social media management in-house when possible. Why? Because no one will ever care about or understand the nuances of your business the way you do. Social media is a powerful tool for storytelling and connecting with your audience, and it requires authenticity and passion to make a meaningful impact.

Too often, I see social media management companies applying cookie-cutter strategies and reusing generic templates across clients, resulting in a lack of individuality and diminished engagement. Businesses end up paying a premium for content that fails to truly resonate with their audience or convey their unique voice. Recognizing this gap, I’ve carved a niche in creating professional, impactful social media strategies for small businesses in Utah that are cost-effective and deeply personalized.

My approach starts with branding because it’s the cornerstone of every meaningful social media strategy. Branding is the art of humanizing a business—assigning it a personality, voice, and values that connect with its ideal audience. Every client I work with undergoes a thorough branding process where we clarify their mission, messaging, and marketing goals. This blueprint informs every piece of content I create, ensuring alignment with their voice and values.

To make the process even more efficient, I integrate modern tools like AI to assist with generating captions based on this strategy. Coupled with expertly designed visuals and an optimized posting schedule, this ensures consistency, quality, and engagement without sacrificing authenticity. The result is a cohesive and professional online presence that saves time while amplifying a brand’s message.

For business owners considering how to manage social media, my advice is twofold:

1. Hire an employee or team who is genuinely invested in your brand, and work closely with them to ensure your content reflects your values and voice.
2. If you choose to outsource, look for an expert who prioritizes the branding process and tailors their approach to your business, rather than someone who relies on templates and pre-set strategies.

Social media can feel overwhelming, especially for solo entrepreneurs or small businesses, but with the right tools and a strong branding foundation, it can become a manageable and rewarding part of your business growth strategy.

MacKenzie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m MacKenzie Maness, the owner of NOMADNI: Virtual Brand Experts, a company dedicated to simplifying the startup journey for solo entrepreneurs. With over five years of experience in branding, web design, and business support, I’ve made it my mission to help passionate business owners confidently launch and grow their ventures while establishing a professional and authentic online presence.

My journey into this industry began with a deep appreciation for design and storytelling. I’ve always been fascinated by the way a brand’s visual identity and messaging can connect with its audience on a personal level. Over the years, I recognized a common problem: many entrepreneurs felt overwhelmed by the branding process, often focusing on superficial elements like logos without fully understanding the strategy and research needed to make their business stand out. That’s when I realized my calling—to demystify branding and empower entrepreneurs to create meaningful, customer-focused businesses.

At NOMADNI, we provide a range of services, including comprehensive branding packages, custom web design, and business support tailored to startups. We solve two primary problems for our clients:

1. Building a strong foundation: Many business owners don’t know where to start with branding. We guide them through defining their mission, identifying their target audience, and crafting a cohesive brand that truly represents their vision.
2. Saving time and reducing stress: Entrepreneurs wear many hats. By managing their online presence and providing tools and resources, we give them the freedom to focus on what they do best—growing their business.

What sets us apart is our collaborative and personalized approach. We don’t just create logos and websites; we create connections. Every project is designed to reflect the entrepreneur’s voice, values, and passion while resonating with their audience. Additionally, we focus on sustainability—providing clients with the tools and training they need to manage their brand and adapt as their business evolves.

One of my proudest achievements is seeing my clients grow from idea to successful business. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching their confidence soar as they launch with a professional brand that aligns with their goals.

For anyone considering working with NOMADNI, here’s what I want you to know: we’re not just here to design pretty visuals; we’re here to empower you with a brand that works. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need to refine your existing brand, we’ll provide the expertise and support you need to thrive.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has been a journey rooted in authenticity and consistency. From the beginning, I focused on creating content that resonated with my audience’s needs and values, rather than focusing on the immediate sale. One of the key factors in growing my presence was building a strong brand identity that felt true to who I am and the services I offer. I made sure every post—whether it was a visual, caption, or interaction—spoke directly to my ideal clients, allowing them to see me not just as a business, but as a partner who truly understands their struggles.

My advice for those just starting out is to stay authentic and trust that your tribe will find you when you present yourself in a genuine way. It’s not about trying to mimic someone else or copy trends; it’s about understanding your unique value and consistently showing up in a way that aligns with that. Stay engaged with your community, respond to comments and messages, and offer insights that are useful and relevant to your audience. Over time, you will build an audience that trusts you and sees you as an authority in your field. The key is patience and the willingness to engage meaningfully—not just for the sake of posting, but to actually connect with others.

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

One of the most significant factors in building my reputation within my market has been my commitment to under-promising and over-delivering. I approach every project with the intention of wowing my clients—not just by meeting their expectations but by exceeding them in ways they didn’t anticipate. I always strive to go beyond what they expect, ensuring the process is thorough and the results are impactful. This commitment has allowed me to create strong relationships built on trust and satisfaction.

Clients often tell me they’ve never met anyone like me—someone who is so dedicated to truly understanding their business and brand. By taking the time to ensure every detail aligns with their vision, I create an experience that feels personal and tailored, not just another transaction. I make it a point to consistently offer value that surpasses the scope of the initial agreement, whether that’s through added services, strategic insights, or creative solutions they hadn’t even thought of. This approach has helped me build a reputation of reliability, trustworthiness, and expertise, setting me apart from others in the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nomadni.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadni.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtualbrandexperts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenziemaness/

Image Credits

Headshot by Tommy Butler of ShutterSpire Photo, a dear friend and client of mine