We recently connected with Sammi Bivens and have shared our conversation below.

Sammi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I began my journey of entrepreneurship back in 2011. My first business venture was called Tainted Rose and I sold women’s jewelry, handbags, and clothing. I was very young when I started the business and I had no real goals for it and I honestly did not nurture it in a strategic manner. I had plenty of success, after shipping to almost all 50 states and several countries before retiring from the business in 2019. I decided to pivot to my current business, Digital Marketing Maven and Associates in late 2019, after working with one client who solicited my services. After helping her launch her boutique, I felt so much more in alignment with my true purpose – which is to be who I needed. I knew that helping others was it for me!

I use to wonder where I would be today if I had the mindset that I have now, back then in 2011. However, I’ve come to realize that I started my business right when I was supposed to for so many reasons. One reason is that now I have the skill and drive to not only build a successful business but the maturity to nurture and maintain it properly.

Another reason is that I officially launched Digital Marketing Maven and Associates in January 2020, right before we knew about COVID-19 and the global pandemic that was to follow. During this time, a lot of individuals were laid off or chose to leave their jobs – with many deciding to pursue the business idea that had been in the back of their minds. Fortunately, I was there to help many individuals get started in the right direction.

Sammi, 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?

Digital Marketing Maven and Associates is a full-service business development and digital marketing agency. We specialize in helping aspiring entrepreneurs launch their businesses the right way. We not only help them build their brand identity via established brand colors, logo, and website design, but we help them start their business the right way with the right legal entity, licenses, and other key foundational elements. We also offer ongoing services such as social media and email marketing to existing business owners to help them attract more clients or customers.

I have a small but mighty dream team that consists of graphic and web designers, copywriters, video editors, and social media managers. What sets us apart is that we are all experienced marketers and/or entrepreneurs. I have personally owned a business since 2011, I’ve worked for a global corporation as a Marketing Manager and I also have an undergraduate degree in Marketing and an MBA. Most recently I was selected to participate in the very selective and competitive Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small businesses initiative. I combine my education and work experience to help my clients take their businesses to the next level.

I also own a gift shop that was curated for women in business. I believe that starting a business or receiving a promotion at work is a life milestone and is worthy of celebrating. The Maven Shop has journals, totes, and many other items that help celebrate women who are killing it in their professional lives.

I am most proud of the fact that through Digital Marketing Maven and Associates, I’ve been able to help over 100 individuals launch or improve their businesses! I started this business to help others bring their dreams to reality and I am so blessed to have been able to do this for so many.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I have three tips for managing a team and maintaining high morale:

1. Set proper expectations from the beginning. As a leader, you must take the time to clearly let your team know what you expect from them as well as what they can expect from you. I would also highly recommend establishing SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), from the beginning so that there is never a question of what the company standards are.

2. Have clear lines of communication with your team. Ensure that you have set time weekly or bi-weekly with each team member so that you can discuss projects, deliverables, and generally assess their needs. Doing this creates accountability, builds trust, and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.

3. Lastly, keep growing as a leader. You will not always get it right and you will be in uncomfortable situations, this is normal. However, you should be investing in your own growth so that you can be an effective leader and team player. You can grow by attending leadership classes/conferences, reading books, listening to podcasts, and also by requesting feedback from your team.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve built my social media audience by being authentic. I have taken my followers on a very transparent journey of building my business over the years. I am not afraid to share some of the things I’ve struggled with and had to overcome. I believe that authenticity and transparency are key in building any type of relationship, including the relationship you build with those who choose to follow you on social media.

My advice to anyone who is looking to start building their social media presence is to stay true to you. Yes, you will have to step out of your comfort zone but that doesn’t mean that you have to start doing things that are not natural to you. One key to success on social media is to capitalize on trending themes, I would advise you to find your own unique way to participate. The key ingredient to success is YOU. You are the secret sauce – no one can do you like you, remember that and you will always connect with the audience that is right for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://digimarketingmaven.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digimarketingmaven/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigiMarketingMaven/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-marketing-maven-and-associates/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdY7Xq-xDF2yYoagB5XCE9A
• Other: Google My Business https://g.page/digitalmarketingmaven

Image Credits
Whitney Jordan