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

Nina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I began my career in the insurance industry. At just eighteen I obtained my health and life insurance license, mainly because my parents were in the insurance industry and encouraged me to get my license as a “Plan B,” in case I didn’t know what I wanted to pursue career wise. After obtaining my license, I worked for a financial planner and an insurance broker. But as I spent my days cold calling, I couldn’t help but feel that there had to be a better way to sell than this repetitive routine.

I began educating myself on different ways to sell and immersed myself in the idea of social media marketing. I found that social media marketing approached marketing differently than other traditional ways- it built trust with the potential client first!

The insurance broker I was working for at the time allowed me to be an insurance producer and market for him on social media. After some time, I found that more sales were coming in from posting about his business on social media than cold calling and going door to door to sell.

While still working in insurance, I built my own business step by step. After college, I Ieft the insurance industry and took the leap to go full-time into social media marketing!

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

I’m Nina Velez, founder of True You Social located in Franklin, Tennessee. I founded True You because I know first-hand the cost small businesses can pay for neglecting social media. True You Social provides Social Media Management and Business Coaching for entrepreneurs and small business owners who know their message is meant for more. We offer customizable social media solutions for LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, including full-service content management, business and marketing coaching, done-for-you content creation, and educational workshops and trainings.

My mission is all about empowering business owners to find their voice and make a real impact through social media marketing. I believe in the power of authenticity and providing a platform where businesses can genuinely connect with their audience and share their unique stories.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media has become a vital tool for businesses to reach their target market. However, it’s not just about posting random content and hoping for the best. It’s about crafting a strategic approach that reflects your business’s true identity and values.

That’s where I come in! My goal is to help you market your business in a way that stays true to who you are as a brand. I want to give you the tools and guidance to showcase your products or services with confidence and purpose. Together, we’ll create a social media presence that captivates your audience and leaves a lasting impression.

With my support, you can expect personalized attention and tailored strategies that align with your business goals. We’ll dig deep into your brand’s story, understanding its essence, and translate that into compelling content. By staying authentic and transparent, we’ll foster genuine connections with your followers, turning them into loyal advocates for your business.

But it’s not just about posting pretty pictures and catchy captions. I’m here to provide practical advice and hands-on assistance. From curating engaging content to managing your social media channels, I’ll be your reliable partner every step of the way. Together, we’ll navigate the ever-changing social media landscape, leveraging trends and analyzing data to optimize your results.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

From a young age I have always been a “Type A, Perfectionist,” and being a business owner has taught me that being a perfectionist doesn’t always fly. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It just doesn’t work. it’s not always rainbows and sunshine. There will be moments when you stumble, fail, or feel completely clueless. and I have learned that it is perfectly normal!

I have had to unlearn that the moments of uncertainty and challenges do not mean that I am a failure, but they are opportunities in disguise. They’re chances to grow, learn, and make those necessary pivots.

I won’t pretend that I’ve mastered this whole “embracing challenges” thing myself… I’m still figuring it out as I go. But one thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay to not have all the answers. It’s okay to take risks, learn from failures, and embrace the unexpected joys that come with being a business owner.

Entrepreneurship is a beautiful mess and it doesn’t have to be perfect because perfectionism is not real anyways!

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

It’s a journey that takes time, patience, and some good consistency. I remember that jittery feeling when I posted about my business for the first time. But it was a risk worth taking, because it allowed me to share my story and put my business out there.

If you are looking to build your own social media presence patience is key. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a flourishing social media presence. See this as an opportunity to grow, connect, and build valuable relationships with your audience. It’s not about chasing follower counts; it’s about making an impact on those who engage with your content.

Fear can creep up when it comes to sharing your story and your business on social media. But you have a story that’s worth sharing, and the world needs to hear it. We all have something unique to bring to the table, and social media is the perfect platform to unleash it.

So just do it! Don’t get stuck in the perfectionism trap. Instead, show up day after day, and be unapologetically you. Post that real post, share that photo, create that eye-catching graphic. Keep showing up, because you have something special to offer, and people out there are craving to hear it.

As someone who’s been there and done that, building an audience on social media is all about embracing your story as a business owner and letting your authenticity shine.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.trueyousocial.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/trueyousocial
• Facebook: True You Social
• Linkedin: Nina Velez

Image Credits
Photographer: Shannon LeBlanc