We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stefanie LaHart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stefanie below.

Stefanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

Forget the corporate ladder, I took the yogi’s leap! My career path pirouetted from web designer to digital marketer, but my final pose landed me in the sweet spot: brand-building ninja with a lead-gen superpower.

Starting out, I was lost in the client jungle, wondering who to work with and where to find them. Then, during a particularly deep downward-facing dog (namaste!), inspiration struck. Yoga magazine. Business ads. BOOM! My target audience was right there, mat in hand. A quick, strategic ad later, and – poof! – 3 happy clients landed in my lap.

This taught me a valuable lesson: traditional methods, with a twist of passion, can be your online biz BFF. When you offer pro services, seek out communities where you can build genuine connections. Who knows, your next client might be meditating next to you!

So ditch the desk job, embrace your inner guru, and remember: sometimes, the best clients are found in the most unexpected downward dogs. Namaste!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Boomtown Marketing wasn’t born from just an ambition for success, but a passion for empowering businesses of all sizes to achieve it. Witnessing countless frustrated entrepreneurs and startups drowning in DIY marketing tools, I saw a critical need: clear, focused strategies accessible to everyone. Enter the 7-step Marketing Matrix: a system designed to maximize Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) while minimizing Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). It’s a blueprint for sustainable growth, not just fleeting trends.

But Boomtown is more than just results. It’s about the impact we create. We align our creativity and expertise with a profound mission: collaborating with brands dedicated to a better future for humans and animals. We believe every marketing action should contribute to a healthy planet and thriving future generations.

This year, we boldly affirmed our core values: ethics, sustainability, and compassion. We’re not just marketing experts, we’re changemakers, helping conscious brands connect authentically with their audiences. With every campaign, we strive for triple-bottom-line outcomes: success for our clients, progress for society, and a healthier planet.

It’s not just about marketing, it’s about marketing with purpose.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building a social media following isn’t about overnight magic, it’s about authenticity and consistency. For me, it all started with passion. Sharing content I was truly excited about, whether it was industry insights or tips for fellow entrepreneurs, attracted a like-minded audience. Engagement was key – I responded to comments, participated in discussions, and showed genuine interest in my followers. It wasn’t just broadcasting, it was a conversation.

But passion and engagement alone won’t do. Consistency is crucial. Regularly posting valuable content (think informative, entertaining, or inspiring) kept my audience engaged and coming back for more. I also experimented with different formats, from videos to live streams, to find what resonated best.

Now, for my fellow business owners: don’t be afraid to be yourself! Let your personality shine through, connect with your audience on a human level. Offer value, share your expertise, and be helpful. Engage meaningfully, respond to comments and messages. Post consistently, even if it’s just a few times a week. And experiment to find what works for you and your audience. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Build relationships, have fun, and watch your community grow!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the early days, my digital marketing agency was a scrappy, passionate team huddled around laptops, crafting bespoke websites line by line. We were the alchemists, transforming code into online gold for our clients. Then, the whispers started: “WYSIWYG website builders? Anyone can make a website now!” Panic gnawed at me. Were we obsolete? Would clients ditch our expertise for drag-and-drop simplicity?

One day, a potential client walked in, eyes gleaming with a DIY website they’d built. It was…functional. But it lacked the unique spark, the SEO-optimized structure, the conversion-driven design that we delivered. He saw the doubt in my eyes and chuckled. “Look,” he said, “You guys are the storytellers. We can build the stage, but you write the play, right?”

A lightbulb flickered on. WYSIWYG builders empowered clients, not replaced us. We doubled down on our strengths: content creation, strategy, conversion optimization. We became the invisible hand guiding their DIY efforts, weaving magic into their basic templates.

One client, a bakery, had a beautiful website built on a free platform, but their sales were flat. We crafted compelling product descriptions, optimized their keywords, and implemented a targeted email campaign. Orders soared. They became a loyal client, a walking testament to the power of synergy.

Years later, we’re thriving. We partner with clients, not compete with them. We’ve embraced new technologies, offering managed website services and advanced marketing solutions. The DIY wave didn’t drown us; it made us stronger, more adaptable.

Resilience isn’t just surviving the storm; it’s using the wind to propel you forward. That’s the story of our journey, a testament to the power of embracing change and finding opportunities in disruption. So, the next time a new technology throws you a curveball, remember: it might just be your chance to rewrite the game.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://boomtownmarketing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialmediaproacademy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boomtownmarketing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanielahart/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoomTownBiz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/boomtownmarketing

Image Credits
Credit: Stefanie LaHart