We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariel Gamarra. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariel below.
Mariel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
The story of how I got my first “real” client -someone who wasn’t a friend, family member, or referral- feels like it happened just yesterday. It all started when I realized that COVID-19 had forced so many businesses to pivot online, and many of them didn’t have a strong digital presence. I saw a huge opportunity, but I needed to find those businesses and offer them my help.
At that point, while I had the skills to help businesses transition online, I wasn’t yet in a position to run paid advertising, which I knew could be really effective. My online platform and community were still in the early stages, and I realized I needed to keep building my own presence if I wanted to truly scale and attract clients through digital channels. It was clear to me that in order to grow my business long-term, I needed a strong online foundation, something that could help me reach more people and generate inbound leads, but at the time, that wasn’t yet an option.
So, I took a more hands-on approach. I started researching local businesses on Google, specifically looking for ones that either didn’t have websites or had outdated ones. I spent hours diving into search results, creating lists of leads, and then I started going door-to-door. It felt a bit daunting, but I knew this was my shot.
I remember the first time someone actually said “yes”. It was a retail business that had been in the market for over 20 years. They had built a strong reputation locally but didn’t have a solid online presence, and their website was outdated and didn’t reflect the quality of their services. They were skeptical at first, but after talking through the value I could provide, they agreed to hire me to redesign their website.
To keep track of everything, I created my own makeshift CRM using a simple spreadsheet. I’d log every business I contacted, set follow-up dates, and keep track of every conversation. I was relentless with follow-ups, sometimes weeks or months later, those same businesses who initially said “no” or “maybe” would call me back, saying they were finally ready to get online.
But when I got that first paid client? That was a rush I’ll never forget. I still remember the feeling of getting that first check. It was more than just money, it was validation. It was the moment when I realized that all my hard work, the cold calls, the follow-ups, and the hustle had paid off. That first dollar was proof that what I was doing mattered and that people were willing to pay for the value I was offering. It was the first step on a much bigger journey, and it filled me with excitement and energy to keep pushing forward.
Mariel, 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 Mariel, the founder of Bees Media and Integrated Marketing Agency, and my journey into this line of work started out of a simple realization: a lot of businesses around me didn’t have a solid online presence, or any presence at all. They were running great businesses, but when it came to the digital side of things, they were lost.
I’ve always been someone who likes to help others and solve problems. I went to college and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, followed by a degree in Marketing, which gave me a solid foundation in understanding how businesses and people connect. After realizing there was a real gap in the digital space, especially for small businesses, I decided to start helping them build websites and get online. In the beginning, it was just me, learning on the go, and diving into everything I could about digital marketing. I wanted to offer not just a way for businesses to be found online, but a way to help them thrive in the digital space.
I’m constantly updating my skills, too, attending workshops from big names like META and Google to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies. That way, I can make sure I’m always offering the most relevant, up-to-date strategies for my clients.
Today, we specialize in digital marketing consulting, web development, digital advertising, brand positioning, and social media strategies, all integrated with traditional approaches to create a comprehensive and effective plan. But what we really do is make sure that the businesses we work with can compete online, even if they’re just getting started in the digital world. We work with businesses that may not know where to start or who feel overwhelmed by all the digital noise out there. Our goal is to break things down in a simple, clear way that makes sense to them, whether it’s creating a new website, improving what they already have, or helping them get their name out through online marketing. We don’t just do the work for them, we work alongside them, taking them by the hand and making sure they understand every step of the process, so they feel confident and empowered in their digital journey.
What sets us apart is that we take the time to really understand our clients. We know that most small-medium business owners are busy running their business, and they don’t always have the time or energy to figure out digital marketing on their own. That’s where we come in. We make the process as easy as possible for them, and we take pride in speaking plainly, without any tech jargon. We treat every client like a partner, not just a project, and we’re focused on getting them results that matter to their bottom line.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built with our clients. We’ve worked with businesses that had no idea where to begin in the digital world, and now they’re reaching more customers and growing their businesses in ways they never thought possible. Watching them succeed is what makes it all worth it.
For anyone who’s thinking about working with us, here’s what you should know: we’re not here to sell you a bunch of flashy services you don’t need. What we offer is practical, down-to-earth help to get your business online and keep it there. We’re here to make sure you have the right tools to succeed in the digital space, and we’ll be with you every step of the way, making sure it all works for you and your customers.
At the end of the day, we’re all about making sure small businesses don’t get left behind as everything moves online. If you’re a business owner who knows you need to strengthen your digital presence -whether that’s through a new website, digital marketing, or something else- but aren’t sure where to start, or if your online presence isn’t getting the job done, we’re here to help. No fluff, no complicated jargon, just real, straightforward solutions that work.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been building relationships—both online and offline. Early on, I realized that word-of-mouth and personal connections were invaluable, especially for a business like mine that thrives on trust and results. So, I focused on really understanding my clients’ needs, delivering great work, and ensuring they felt supported throughout the entire process. As a result, many of my clients have referred me to others, which has helped me grow organically.
In addition to that, targeted ad campaigns have been a rocket for my growth. By running carefully planned ads, I’ve been able to reach exactly the right people, business owners who are actively searching for help with their digital presence. Whether it’s through social media ads or Google ads, these campaigns have helped me connect with potential clients who might not have found me otherwise. It’s been a great way to scale up while still targeting businesses that really need what I offer.
Finally, I think a big part of my success has been focusing on providing exceptional value and not rushing the sales process. I take the time to really understand what each business needs and offer tailored solutions that make sense for them. When people feel like they’re being heard and that you’re genuinely trying to solve their problems, they’re more likely to return and recommend you to others.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
Keeping in touch with clients and fostering brand loyalty is all about consistency, communication, and providing value beyond the initial project. I focus on building strong, long-term relationships with every client by staying engaged and offering support even after the work is done.
One of the key ways I stay in touch with clients is by providing regular follow-ups. Whether it’s checking in on how their website or digital strategy is performing, offering advice on new opportunities, or just making sure they feel supported, I make it a point to keep the lines of communication open. I’m always available for calls or emails if they have questions or need help with anything. This helps build trust, as clients know they can reach out anytime and get quick, thoughtful responses. I also make sure to celebrate milestones with them, whether it’s hitting a key marketing goal, or achieving business growth. It’s about celebrating their successes as much as my own.
I believe in offering ongoing value, too. That means I don’t just walk away after a project is completed. I’m always looking for ways to help clients grow, whether that’s suggesting new digital strategies, recommending tools that can improve their workflow, or helping them stay ahead of industry trends. At the end of the day, brand loyalty comes from trust, transparency, and a genuine desire to see clients succeed. When clients feel supported and see that I’m truly invested in their growth, it turns into long-lasting relationships where they not only continue working with me but also refer others to my services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beesmedialab.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beesmedialab/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beesmedialab
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bees-media-lab/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bees-media-marketing-agency-north-richland-hills
