Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sydnie Long. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sydnie, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Sydnie Social is truly the brain/love child of all the hard realizations I went through in 2021 and nudges of those closest to me.
Over the course of 4.5 years of working in U.S. Senate, I’d grown in my ability to network, in my know-how on connecting people to the right “others,” and it so, being a “social butterfly” was something that I really thrived in. While it was not easy acting on behalf of a conservative politician as a black woman in America (that’s an entirely different conversation), I learned so much from my time in the Senate – skills that I can take with me anywhere I go.
At the time I left my job with the federal government, I was still working part time for a personal stylist here in Dallas as her Creative Director – so I was managing many of the creative assets and agendas, from social media to styling outfits, to mapping out ideas and content for the online membership I’d been a moderator/host for. ALLLLL while also managing my online vintage shop, Mixed Vintage, and all of the business development and marketing that came with that, too. Needless to say, I had my fingers in every pie and yet I still wasn’t satisfied or fulfilled.
To alleviate the pains of less income and no provisional healthcare (and as a lupus patient – it’s really important I have that!), I took on a remote position with an solar renewables company, while also being pressed by my best friend to consider helping people with their social media, since I was actually, not too shabby at it. I had ignored the idea and fought it for a while, kinda stunned that person after person came forth asking me for help.
Leading up to Sydnie Social, I truly struggled to find meaning in all of the “random” experiences I had in my life.
I kept wondering, “who is going to want to hire me with a resume that goes from having a veterinary medicine degree, to politics, to style and fashion, to now… solar panels? It was my own insecurities that my patchwork quilt of job experiences was a turn-off to employers, and so, I was in a mental rut. I was searching for meaning in all of the things I’d done.
I don’t know if it was the month visiting my sister in London that did it, or what… but when I came back home to Dallas, things changed. I think what it was, is that I finally let go of the idea that I had to BE my job. That my career had to mirror who I was as a person. Now – I think it can be very important to find meaningful work that aligns with your values, but… I let GO of the idea that in order to be relevant, I had to have a relevant job or to do something illustrious. Gosh – in hindsight, my whole young adult life was a series of pursuing “illustrious” jobs or titles that looked great on paper.
Now – I KNOW I can flex and backup the paper, but jobs like “Veterinarian” or “Environmental Lawyer” or “Liaison to Senator ____” always looked fancy, and yet, that’s not where my passion was found. I love animals, but couldn’t commit to the extra amount of time in school (let’s face it – there’s not much out in College Station to begin with). I cared about the environment, but 8 LSAT classes later and I knew I didn’t want to be a lawyer. And then – politics – thinking maybe I’d climb to the top of the power-hungry Capitol Hill… mmm nope.
I’ve been told I have a hard time sticking with something. I start and then I realize it’s not for me, and then I stop.
I think that characteristic has served me in great and detrimental ways, yes. But what it did, was give me the experiences so I could TRULY say, “no I don’t want to do that.” What I have always known about myself is that I rally behind high-impact causes and that I’m always willing to put in the work to get something done, and done WELL.
I have also always had a stirring inside of me to help other people on a deeper level.
I am not a “how’s the weather today, friend?” Kind of lady. I am a “are you feeling fulfilled in what you’re doing?” person. And that’s the same depth I bring to all of my friendships, my work, and my own values. When we cease to know the “why” and all of the stories that make a person who they are – we stop recognizing them as humans with their own lives, emotions, troubles.
What I am doing with Sydnie Social is in such deep alignment with that part of me. My previous two years as a Creative Director educated me on social media marketing. My four years in the federal government gave me the cajones to represent a U.S. Senator in public spaces (and often – to be the youngest one in the room doing it). My ten years plus in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine taught me social adept, knowing how to speak to pet owners, knowing what to be aware of and what details to look for.
Sydnie Social is all of the crazy things I’ve done, boiled into one. For once, I have found how all of my past experiences can truly help people!! (YAY!), all while allowing me to be the entrepreneur I’ve been raised to be. (Both of my parents owned their own businesses).
When it comes to my business, my mission is clear. I am fulfilled, and the work is in alignment with my desires to build freedom, community, confidence, and trust in ourselves and in our lives.
For Sydnie Social, the mission is to use social media marketing and management as the medium to empower enterprising women to take up space both online AND in person. There is so much power in self-discovery and transformation, that much I KNOW is true, as I’ve experienced it. Out of my experiences growing my own self-accountability, I help women up-level their social media presence and grow their businesses. I’m all about stepping into the unknown and ROCKING it. The internet is vast, it’s full of people and things and content we have never seen before. It IS an unknown space. And I want to help women in particular show up and show out.
There is only one YOU, there is only one ME. I knew this would work because of that.
I knew that someone else out there might have similar experiences, or could truly relate to what I’d been through, and that person was worth going the extra mile in my business for. They were worth getting this business started. If future “me” was there to tell younger “me” that this would happen, and that it would all work out – I would’ve stressed less about the titles, The WHOs I was working for, and stopped allowing what I did to rule who I was.
As a very important person in my life told me, “does a rose cease to be a rose just because it’s still in the soil or just because it hasn’t yet blossomed yet?” The answer is obviously – No! Sometimes we are just waiting for the right opportunity, for the right life lessons, for the right habits to help guide us to blooming. We’re all flowers, and we’re a product of dirt and rain. All of that is what got me here. And it’s important for people to remember that and hear that for themselves.
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 Sydnie Long, a social media marketer, women’s confidence coach in-training, style-queen, and the driver of the party-caravan! (meaning- I LOVE TO DANCE!) I am a former community outreach liaison for the U.S. Senate, and am most at home when it comes to engaging with people whom I’ve never met before. What that means is – I’m a definite social butterfly. With a mix of intrigue and curiosity for life, my joy for divulging in other people’s experiences is a result of finding my own heightened sense of self through life’s trials. I have a deep desire to be useful where help is needed, leading me to bridge the gap between brands’ stories and their audiences. I use my gifts in chameleoning my own voice to sustain the natural tone of small businesses in a way that drives their engagement. With the joy that comes from helping others manage their social media presence, as well as finding confidence in themselves, I have high hopes to commit to helping many others in this same way, too!
When I’m not slinging lively posts online or leading effective social strategies, I take to physical fitness, fashion history, world traveling, re-learning Spanish, and plotting my return to Costa Rica.
I got into my industry by sheer happenstance. I was a Creative Director for a local personal wardrobe stylist for women, and creating compelling content for both her AND my own vintage clothing shop just came naturally. So natural – that other people began to ask me to help them, too. And.. the rest is history! (not without a proper eye-roll and shrug of course – because I did NOT want to do social media as a business, until I realized, wait… I love this!)
I am truly proud of my work ethic. I am an energizer bunny and I don’t quit until a job is DONE! I am also proud of the way I help my clients find solutions.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Sydnie Social is a new business, and the audience is just beginning to grow, so I’m going to share about my previous business, Mixed Vintage (which you can still find on IG at @themixedvintage).
How I grew that was by incorporating all of the things I personally was obsessed with – fashion history, music and pop culture, and the TRUE meaning or origin of things (garments – in this case).
That personal interest is what drove my content.
At the end of the day – if YOU are not obsessed with your own content, then something’s gotta change.
I want to know that you are going back to your feed a few times just to admire it! LOL!
All seriousness though – don’t take yourself too seriously, either. The things that interest you, that make you who you are – leverage those. Write down your strengths, write down your history – how did those lead you to where you’re at?
My top tips I use as a guide for posting:
1) is this GIVING, either entertainment, education, or inspo?
2) am I being myself, or am I pretending to be someone else who I saw do something similar?
3) does this reflect my values, my mission, and my why for what I do?
If the answer is yes, then your content will be fulfilling.
And when your content is fulfilling and backed by the right kind of energy, you will inspire and invite the right audience.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me has been outreach.
I know that social media marketing can be a tool to attract your audience through meaningful content, but I am a very driven, outgoing person – and the best source of new clients for me, has always been ME reaching out, making the first move. This means emailing local businesses, or even friends sending me job postings they see online!
One thing I am not a fan of though? Cold- DMing.
Something I AM a fan of? Going out of your way to be kind, to offer something that could genuinely help someone without any intention of adding them as a client – that is another form of giving, and when YOU give, you also receive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sydniesocial.com
- Instagram: @sydniesocial
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydnielong/
Image Credits
Pendeza Styles and Megan Kaye Photography