We recently connected with Midori and have shared our conversation below.

Midori, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

Gosho Creative started as a one-woman operation—just me, a laptop, and a single client. I initially positioned myself as a freelancer, offering organic social and influencer marketing services. But as I delivered results, word spread, and my first few clients came entirely through word-of-mouth referrals.

For the first few years, I was doing everything—client strategy, execution, sales, admin work—until I hit a point where I realized I was the bottleneck. I couldn’t scale if I was trying to do it all myself. In 2024, I made the shift to an agency model, bringing on contractors and specialists to help execute client projects. Now, I couldn’t grow Gosho Creative and serve clients without my team of amazing contractors!

If I were starting over today, I’d hire sooner and invest in systems and processes earlier. Documentation is KEY for training and scaling.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Looking back on my childhood, I was always surrounded by creativity. My mom was an art director at an ad agency and my dad was a freelance photographer. I think their passions for artistry and creative fields were the start of my love of creating.

I started my career in marketing at Tableau, where I worked in community growth and advocacy programs. From there, I transitioned into growth marketing at Amazon Music. I later worked in influencer talent management, overseeing campaigns with brands like Marriott, Hyundai, and UNIQLO and working with a variety of creative talent.

Seeing the power of community-driven marketing, I knew there was an opportunity to blend organic social, personal branding, and influencer amplification into a unique, results-driven agency—and that’s the blueprint for Gosho Creative.

Gosho Creative today, a full-service marketing agency that specializes in GTM strategy, influencer marketing, social media, and content. We primarily work with tech companies and startups looking to establish thought leadership, brand presence, and authentic audience engagement.

What sets us apart now is our expertise in LinkedIn-first marketing for tech brands. While most agencies focus on Instagram or TikTok, we help companies leverage LinkedIn for thought leadership, social listening, and community engagement. Our goal is to ensure brands aren’t just posting content but are actively engaging, building trust, and making an impact in their industries.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Early in my career, I thought success was linear—climbing the corporate ladder, earning the next title, landing a role at a recognizable company. But over time, I realized I wanted more creativity, more autonomy, and the ability to build something of my own.

Starting Gosho Creative required a huge mindset shift.

I had to unlearn the idea that growth had to be fast and linear. In a service-based business, some months bring big wins, while others are slower—and that’s okay. Slow doesn’t mean failure; it creates space to think, refine, and build with intention. I also had to redefine productivity—it’s not about working longer hours but about working smarter, surrounding myself with the right people, and leaning on my community for support.

Now, I measure success differently. It’s about creating work I’m proud of, building a business rooted in community, and having the freedom and flexibility to enjoy life’s moments—both big and small.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Reading is a huge part of how I grow as a business owner (My goal this year is to read 52 books – an average of one a week!).

I love finding new perspectives on efficiency, brand strategy, and scaling a business intentionally. Reading helps me get in my creative zone. A few books that have deeply influenced how I approach entrepreneurship:

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller – I think one of the best marketing and branding books I’ve read in a while! Every founder should read this. It’s a game-changer for anyone struggling with messaging, storytelling, or brand positioning.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – This book isn’t traditionally business-focused, but it’s been essential for unlocking creativity throughout the years. It’s one I always go back to!

Built to Sell by John Warrillow – This book completely shifted how I think about building a business that can run without me. Even if selling a company isn’t the goal, the core lesson is about creating a business with repeatable systems, processes, and scalable offerings.

P.S. If you have any book recommendations, please connect… and let me know if I should start a marketing book club! :)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goshocreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goshocreative/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/midoring

Image Credits

Madeline Down: https://www.madelinedown.com/