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

Terrell, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Garden Grown Social was created from firsthand experiences working in spaces in the advertising industry that claimed to celebrate my culture but often fell short in practice. Throughout my career in advertising and social media, I’ve seen how much of the industry is shaped by Black culture, Black creatives, and Black innovation—we’re the ones setting the trends and making things cool long before the world catches on. But too often, when it comes to the big decisions—budgets, campaigns, brand direction—our contributions aren’t given the recognition they deserve. Being one of the few—or the only—Black people in the room was isolating. It was knowing that even if my ideas were used or recognized, my name wouldn’t be mentioned or broadcasted anywhere. It was watching my work set industry standards while my worth was still up for debate. It was being told that I was essential but never being positioned as indispensable.
And beyond race, there’s also age. Corporate environments aren’t built for young people, especially young Black professionals. The system is hierarchical by design, meant to keep us playing our role, waiting for permission to advance. The expectation is that we sit, listen, and earn our way up—often beholden to the whims of older, whiter counterparts who get to decide when and if we’re ready. Meanwhile, in social media, youth isn’t a limitation—it’s the engine. We drive the trends, create the language, shape the engagement strategies, yet we’re expected to wait our turn while executives who barely understand the platforms make the final calls.
That disconnect—the gap between who holds the power and who actually drives the culture—is what pushed me to create Garden Grown. Our vision is to amplify the creators and originators of yesterday and today—the voices that have been reduced to viral sounds, catchy phrases, and fleeting trends when, in reality, they represent access to a new world. The proof is everywhere. Hulu’s Black Twitter documentary rightfully defines how viral culture began, showing how we have always been at the helm of worldwide trends—whether in linguistics, fashion, music, or pop culture at large. Yet, time and time again, we see our influence co-opted and repackaged with no recognition of where it started.
Another perfect example of erasure is how the only Black person featured in Netflix’s The Social Dilemma—a documentary about social media’s impact on the world—was interviewed for over four hours but was only included for seven seconds of the film. That’s the pattern. We are the architects, yet rarely the owners or historians.
With Garden Grown, I wanted to change this all too common narrative in relation to social media and popular culture in general. Garden Grown bridges the gap between influence and ownership, ensuring that the voices shaping culture are finally the ones leading the conversation and that those with rising stories understand how to properly incorporate their story into their social media efforts while still focusing on the brand.
For me, this wasn’t just about starting a business. It was about ensuring that the next generation of creatives, strategists, and cultural architects don’t have to fight the same battles I did. Garden Grown is my way of creating the space I wish I had when I was coming up—one where our value isn’t just recognized but respected, nurtured, and amplified.

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

My journey with social media began long before it became the industry powerhouse we know today. Back in 2012, I had already curated a following of 10,000 on platforms like Instagram. These early years weren’t about following trends but about connecting with others and carving out space for myself in an ever-evolving digital world, especially as I developed my identity as a queer Black man.
At the University of Missouri, I received a degree in Strategic Communications with minors in African American Studies and Multicultural Studies from the renowned and first school of journalism in the world, the Missouri School of Journalism. There, I had the honor of serving as Communications Chair for the Legion of Black Collegians, the only Black student government in the world. Additionally, I was Vice Chair for the Big XII Council on Black Student Government, a national collegiate organization founded in 1977 by my alma mater to unite and support Black student governments across the nation.
During college, I also sought out opportunities to challenge myself professionally. I was selected for the 4A’s Multicultural Advertising Internship Program, chosen by Edelman, the #1 PR agency in the world, from over 200 fellows. This experience deepened my understanding of advertising’s role in shaping culture and set the foundation for my work with brands that champion inclusivity and authenticity. Around this time, I was also 1 of only 2 digital fellows chosen by The Creative Collective NYC, the leading community for marginalized creatives, who powers CultureCon. This role allowed me to combine my passion for advertising, digital/social media, and culture, further shaping my path.
After graduation, I joined BBDO, where I worked on large-scale social media management and tone-of-voice efforts for Champion. A standout project was the “Reverse Renegade” campaign for Champion, which garnered awards from Cannes Lions, The One Club for Creativity, and D&AD. That drive led me to freelance, where I began working with both local brands as well Fortune 500 companies. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of award-winning campaigns, blending my deep understanding of social media and culture to push brands forward in ways that were both strategic and meaningful. One of my proudest achievements came from my work with Wieden+Kennedy Portland’s social arm, Bodega, for DoorDash’s “DoorDash-All-The-Ads” 2024 Super Bowl campaign. So far this work has been awarded almost 30 times, including the Titanium Lion at Cannes Lions, arguably the most coveted award in the advertising industry.
These awards are a testament to the work we’ve done in driving cultural conversations, creating viral moments, and challenging the status quo and ultimately reflects the reason I’ve created our tailored list of services at Garden Grown to help businesses thrive in the with the expertise of someone who has worked at the highest level of social. At Garden Grown, we provide the following:
Strategic Consulting (Hourly or Retainer) which is support for startups and established businesses that need expert guidance in navigating the social media landscape. Whether you’re building your social media systems from scratch, optimizing your strategy, or need help managing your social presence on an ongoing basis, we provide the expertise to help you thrive.
Our A La Carte Services are customizable, on-demand services perfect for businesses that have a clear vision and just need expert support to execute specific initiatives. From social media audits to content calendars and campaign strategies, we provide targeted, flexible help when and where you need it. We also provide packages that are a bit more cost effective than our a la carte options.
We also offer bespoke Creative Direction services like photoshoot and campaign ideation, creative concept development and pitch deck creation where we help bring your brand’s vision to life. Whether you’re planning a digital campaign or need on-the-ground creative direction, we ensure your messaging is impactful and cohesive.
Once we spotlight the core services we offer, event curation takes center stage as a natural extension of our work. Beyond offering traditional consulting and digital strategies, Garden Grown’s event curation is a key part of our mission to build community and amplify culture.
We curate workshops, social gatherings, and networking events where attendees can learn, collaborate, and recharge—creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. By curating these unique spaces, we’re able to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and industries, sparking collaboration and encouraging the exchange of ideas.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was the corporate environment structure and the idea that I wasn’t enough where I was at because of my cultural experience. Despite all the accolades and opportunities, I had to unlearn a lot. Being in those spaces made me realize that, while I was surrounded by the best of the best, I was often made to feel like my cultural perspective was secondary or less valuable. I had to let go of the traditional corporate hierarchies and structures that didn’t allow me to fully express myself, and instead embrace the idea that I didn’t need to conform to be successful. Being laid off in 2022 from my first corporate job, a place where I had invested so much time and effort, made this lesson painfully clear. It forced me to confront the reality that my worth was being defined by a system that didn’t fully recognize my value or the richness of my cultural perspective despite the amazing work.

It took unlearning generations of messaging that told me—and my culture—that we weren’t good enough to own our own ideas or carve out spaces for ourselves, especially at a young age. I had to let go of that traditional corporate hierarchy and figure out how to define success on my own terms. I had to learn to trust my own expertise, not based on external labels, but rooted in my lived experience, creativity, and vision. It wasn’t an easy journey, but it was one that led me to embrace entrepreneurship, and to build Garden Grown—a space that thrives on culture, inclusivity, and real ownership.
In the end, that layoff became a catalyst for unlearning and growth. It taught me to step outside of that old structure and realize I was more than enough to create something meaningful and lasting on my own.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been the power of intentional networking—both digitally and physically. Networking has always been at the core of how I build relationships and expand my reach. Whether it’s engaging with like-minded professionals on LinkedIn, creating meaningful conversations on Instagram, or attending in-person events like conferences, workshops, or community gatherings, the key is always intentionality.

In both online and offline spaces, I’ve made it a priority to connect with people who align with my values, vision, and the work I do. By taking the time to understand their needs, goals, and challenges, I can offer value upfront, whether through advice, insights, or collaboration. That genuine, thoughtful approach to networking has naturally led to opportunities to work with new clients, because people appreciate an authentic connection over transactional interactions. Networking in this way has been a game changer in building lasting, meaningful business relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF-MqhJ8E8/fkKZSYmQy6hYlr9cTZ748Q/view?utm_content=DAF-MqhJ8E8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h80c637cfbc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardengrownsocial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrellstanley