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

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

At Grow With Meerkat Digital Marketing, supporting and elevating women isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s one of our founding principles and a key part of what makes us unique. As a women-led business, we intimately understand the challenges working women face in balancing career and family. That’s why we’ve intentionally built our business to diverge from the industry standard and be as supportive as possible for the women we employ and the women entrepreneurs we serve on a global level.

It starts with our own team culture – we offer truly flexible hours, welcome children to be present and participating, and strive to pay our independent contractors, many of whom are women in countries like Africa, India and The Philippines, well above industry standard. As a working mom myself, I want to model entrepreneurship for my kids and help normalize family-friendly workplaces.

But our commitment to women extends far beyond our internal practices. We frequently donate our services to help women-owned businesses improve their digital presence and marketing. For example, when a local woman-owned shop was facing pandemic-related shutdowns, we worked with them pro-bono to quickly get their products online and implement campaigns to drive sales, helping them stay afloat during an incredibly difficult time.

We believe that when women-owned businesses succeed, it creates a powerful positive cycle. Women entrepreneurs often design their ventures to directly address social issues facing women. The income they generate uplifts entire families and communities. And their success inspires more women to pursue entrepreneurship.

However, we know women still face systemic barriers in accessing resources to start and grow businesses. As a women-led company, we feel a deep responsibility to support other women however we can – through our services, employment practices, and leading by example. When women thrive in business, it strengthens our entire economy and society. And we’re proud to be part of making that happen, one woman-owned business at a time.

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?

I’m Stephanie Solheim, the creative force and co-owner of Grow With Meerkat, a digital marketing agency based in Toledo, Ohio. I’ve had a lifelong passion for technology and figuring out how things work online. In fact, I was even quoted in The Toledo Blade back in 1995 at age 11, saying “I think the Internet is really neat, and I’m going to try to get my mom to figure it out.” That childhood fascination has grown into a thriving career helping businesses succeed in the digital world.

At Grow With Meerkat, which I co-founded with Alex Brinkman in 2020, we specialize in providing comprehensive digital marketing solutions to strengthen businesses and help them reach the next level. Our services include SEO, web design, conversion rate optimization, content writing, local SEO, Google My Business profile management, link building, reputation management, and web hosting and security. We’ve been honored to receive the Toledo City Paper’s Best of Toledo – Best Website Designer award four times.

I believe the key to our success lies in our creative and customized approach to each client’s unique needs. I get to channel my inner “gifted kid” and nerd out over the endless possibilities of the internet while delivering real results. SEO is my favorite game of strategy, and I love the challenge of staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.

Beyond our client work, I’m incredibly proud of our efforts to give back to the community and support women in the male-dominated tech and digital marketing fields. We’ve donated websites and services to worthy causes and non-profits across the U.S. I’m also a strategic partner with Kari DePhillips in the Sisters in SEO Facebook group, which provides education and resources to help women advance in the field. As founder of Women in Marketing, a global networking group of over 75,000 women, I’m passionate about creating spaces where women can find support, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive.

I’ve had the privilege of speaking on podcasts like Search Engine Journal and Aspiring CMO about SEO, community building, entrepreneurship, and the challenges and joys of running a business while being a mom. Hosting SEO conferences and digital marketing retreats like Mastermind Mansion has been another highlight, bringing together top experts in a fun and collaborative environment.

At the end of the day, I believe your business is only as strong as its weakest link. I find it incredibly fulfilling to help businesses, especially women and minority-owned businesses, strengthen their digital presence and achieve sustainable growth.

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

When my youngest son was born prematurely, I suddenly found myself spending countless hours in a rocking chair, caring for my fragile newborn. Sleep was scarce, but rather than feeling frustrated or unproductive, I saw it as an opportunity to invest in myself and my future business.

I began spending those quiet middle-of-the-night moments learning everything I could about digital marketing and SEO. I joined (and started) Facebook groups, Reddit communities, and industry forums, soaking up knowledge from experts around the world. But more than just learning, I started actively participating and helping others whenever I could.

If someone had a question about SEO, I’d jump in with an answer or a resource. If a fellow marketer was struggling with a technical issue, I’d offer my troubleshooting tips. If a business owner needed advice on their digital strategy, I’d share my insights and suggestions. I wasn’t trying to sell anything or promote myself – I simply wanted to be useful and make a positive impact in these online spaces.

Looking back, those sleepless nights spent engaging in online communities were some of the most valuable hours I’ve ever invested in my business. Without even realizing it at the time, I was building a reputation as a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and generous expert in my field. People started recognizing my name and associating it with helpful, high-quality contributions.

Over time, those online interactions blossomed into real relationships and partnerships. The people I’d helped started referring their colleagues and clients to me when they needed SEO or digital marketing services. They knew they could trust me to deliver excellent work and a great experience, because they’d already seen my expertise and character in action.

Some of my most fruitful business partnerships have grown out of those early days of networking and helping in online communities. And it all started from a rocking chair, with a tiny baby in my arms and a desire to make the most of a challenging season.

So to anyone looking to grow their business or build meaningful professional connections, my advice is simple: show up consistently, be genuinely helpful, and focus on giving value freely. Don’t worry about selling or self-promoting. Just be a kind, knowledgeable, generous presence, and trust that the relationships and opportunities will follow.

That approach has been integral to the growth and success of Grow With Meerkat, but more than that, it’s taught me the power of showing up with a servant’s heart, even in the most unlikely places. You never know how the seeds you plant in tough times will grow into something beautiful down the road.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

At Grow With Meerkat, our team is the heart of everything we do. As a leader, my top priority is creating an environment where every person feels valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. That starts with treating people like people, not just employees or resources.

I believe that everyone deserves to be treated the way they want to be treated. That means taking the time to understand each team member’s unique needs, preferences, and motivations. I recognize that while my business is my personal passion, I can’t expect everyone to share that same level of intensity. Instead, I focus on helping each person find fulfillment and balance in their own way.

One of the key strategies we use to maintain high morale is setting clear expectations and maintaining open communication. We have well-defined processes in place so everyone knows what’s expected of them and has the tools they need to succeed. But just as importantly, we foster a culture of feedback and collaboration. I constantly encourage my team to share their ideas and insights, because I trust their expertise and value their contributions. After all, they’re the ones in the trenches every day, so they often have the best solutions and improvements.

I also work hard to respect the diversity within our global team. We have contractors from different countries and cultures, each with their own traditions and priorities. I make sure to accommodate their respective holidays and family commitments, because I know that life outside of work is just as important as the job itself. I love when team members share photos and stories about their loved ones and celebrations – it helps us build real human connections and understand each other on a deeper level.

At the end of the day, my management philosophy boils down to this: put people first, always. Treat them with empathy, respect, and a genuine commitment to their well-being. Give them the clarity, tools, and autonomy to do great work, and then trust them to deliver. Celebrate their successes, have their backs when things get tough, and never stop looking for ways to make their jobs and lives better.

It’s not rocket science, but it does take consistent effort and heart. The payoff is worth it, though. When your team knows you care about them as whole people, they’ll move mountains for you. And more importantly, they’ll find real joy and meaning in their work, which is the foundation of any thriving business.

I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built at Grow With Meerkat and the culture we’ve created together. It’s not perfect, but it’s authentic and rooted in a deep respect for every person who contributes to our mission. I truly believe our success is a direct result of putting people first, and I’m committed to continuing to lead with that value at the forefront.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://growwithmeerkat.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growwithmeerkat/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growwithmeerkat/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-jean-solheim/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/solheimsteph
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/grow-with-meerkat-toledo
• Other: Current Press and News : https://www.pressadvantage.com/organization/grow-with-meerkat-digital-marketing