Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michaela Fox. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michaela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Yes, I am happier as a business owner—most days! I run two small businesses, The Digital Fox and The Grazing Fox, which let me blend creativity, storytelling, and food while working my own hours. That flexibility has been everything, especially as a mum of four busy daughters.

That said, I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a stable, full-time salary. A few weeks ago, I was prepping a big grazing order at 6am after staying up late finalising a client pitch. I had cheese in one hand, my phone buzzing with emails in the other, and I thought—Wouldn’t it be nice to just clock off at 5pm?

But then I remembered: I chose this. Because despite the chaos, it fills me up. I get to create, be present for my kids, and build something that’s mine. And every time I flirt with the idea of a “regular job,” I come back to that sense of freedom and purpose—and I know I’m where I’m meant to be.

Michaela, 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?

Sure! So, I wear a couple of creative hats—I’m the founder of The Digital Fox, a boutique digital marketing and social media agency, and The Grazing Fox, my charcuterie and event catering business. On the surface, they might seem like very different worlds—but both are grounded in creativity, storytelling, and connection.

I actually started my career in marketing and communications in the corporate world. I loved it, but when I took maternity leave with my first daughter, something shifted. I realised I wanted to be more present at home, and that led me to freelance writing and content creation. Around that time, social media was really starting to boom—and suddenly, all the things I loved (writing, visual storytelling, engaging people) came together in this exciting new space. I leaned in, learnt everything I could, and The Digital Fox was born.

Funnily enough, I was once told as a student that I should spend less time socialising and more time studying. And now? I’ve made a whole career out of being social. Go figure.

With The Digital Fox, I help small brands and businesses tell their stories in an authentic, strategic way online. From content creation and strategy to social media management and digital campaigns—I help brands cut through the noise and connect meaningfully with their audience. It’s about building community, not just gaining followers.

Then there’s The Grazing Fox, which kind of found me. I’ve always loved entertaining, food styling, and making cheese platters that are a little bit extra. What started as making boards for friends quickly turned into something bigger—now I create custom grazing tables, platters, and event catering that combine flavor and design in a way that’s really joyful. It’s food, but make it art.

What sets me apart? I think it’s that I bring heart to everything I do. Whether it’s curating a digital campaign or arranging a grazing table, I’m always thinking about the story it tells and the experience it creates. I work closely with my clients, and I care about their success like it’s my own.

I’m most proud of building two businesses that allow me to do what I love while still being present in my daughters’ lives. That balance is everything to me. And what I’d love people to know is: I’m not about cookie-cutter solutions. Whether you’re launching a brand or throwing a party, I’m here to help you make it memorable, and meaningful.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When my kids were little, I started a parenting blog—just as a creative outlet at first. But it quickly grew into a beautiful, supportive community. I shared openly about motherhood: the highs, the heartbreaks, the sleep deprivation, the joy. And what made it resonate, I think, was that I wasn’t trying to be polished or perfect—I was just honest. I took the time to reply to comments, chat in DMs, and really listen to what other mums were going through. That experience taught me so much about connection, and it became the foundation for how I approach social media to this day.

Since then, I’ve gone on to help build and nurture communities for other brands—using that same human-first approach. For me, connection is everything. It’s not just about growing numbers, it’s about growing trust.

Social media has definitely changed—it’s more crowded, more curated, and sometimes a little more performative. But I still believe that if you show up with authenticity and a genuine desire to connect, people feel that. And that’s where community—and brand loyalty—can grow.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest piece of advice is this: don’t try to be everything to everyone. Be yourself. Know your audience, speak to them, not at them, and focus on adding value. Whether that’s through information, inspiration, humour or just solidarity—it matters. And don’t underestimate the power of consistency and small interactions. That’s where real connection begins.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Honestly, it’s all about people. I believe brands don’t do business with businesses—they do business with people. Building genuine connections, nurturing trust, and showing up with warmth and integrity has been the most effective strategy for me. Strong relationships lead to referrals, repeat clients, and a real sense of community around my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://girlsthriving.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girls.thriving/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Image Credits

I have rights to all images