Looking Back To The Beginning with Maria Tassi
Are you thinking of diving into the adventure of entrepreneurship by turning your vision into a business? This exhilarating journey requires courage, determination, and unwavering passion.
In ‘Build Your Digital Community’ Episode 44, our host Kristina, along with her business partner Maria Tassi, take a look back to the beginning of their business. They two co-founders get into all of the things they wish they knew, what they would have done differently, and how far they have come since then. Kristina and Maria share their tips and tricks for those just starting out and share their experience of launching a business from the ground up.
The Myth Of Having It All Figured Out
At the beginning of our journey, we felt pressure for The Social Snippet to be something it wasn’t yet and to act like we had it all figured out. However, there was a level of dishonesty and misalignment in that thinking that made it challenging to create content.
We were too focused on how people perceived us, leading us to chase followers, buy unnecessary software, and host giveaways that weren’t strategic. These investments, thankfully, worked out, but we were trying to bat at a level we weren’t at yet. Try to remind yourself that people aren’t buying your website or your social media presence—they are buying YOUR expertise and the value that comes from that.
This is why mindset and being authentic is huge. Where you’re at right now is okay. It’s all a part of the process. Remember to take the time to savor all of the smaller milestones that take place along the way to hitting those bigger goals.
A Journey Is Made Up Of Many Steps
But it’s okay if you have 50 followers or aren’t in a season to invest in your social media.
It’s okay if you don’t have a contract yet (but please work with a lawyer to protect yourself and get one ASAP)!
It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers.
It’s okay to take steps. You don’t need to have everything 100% figured out.
When you pretend to have everything all figured out and you don't, there is an obvious gap there that creates so much stress. You are left feeling like you can’t be yourself. If you lean into where you are at the moment, people will appreciate that honesty. There are so many small business supporters out there who will see the advantages of working with you.
Building Our Community
Something we are proud of is the way we went about building our community. We did this from a place of authenticity, from a need to pour into and get to know different people. We prioritized networks that allowed us to now only grow our community, but to grow our business.
So many people that we know and love so dearly now are people we didn’t even know existed a year and a half ago. You will be surprised by how willing people are to help. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask. You don’t have to navigate this alone and you don’t have to.
Social Media Is Inherently Social
There is nothing more powerful than meeting and conversing with someone face-to-face. Bringing your online relationships into the real world by taking someone to lunch or coffee can transform your business and expand your network. These offline interactions will bolster your growth online.
People often-time forget that social media is inherently social. Try taking your connections off the platform to forge deeply meaningful and personal relationships. If you go to an event or a conference, post about it. Remember, if you grow your network in real life, you’re growing your online following, too. Get in front of people and break barriers!
Adopting A Service-First Mentality
We’re all in business to make money. We all have people to feed. Owning this is fine. However, we should approach making connections with a service-first mentality versus as a way to get something in return. Pouring into others before you serve yourself will benefit you every time.
This will also make reaching out to others far easier, as you are literally asking people how you can help them. By doing this through your business, not only do you learn about your business and make connections, but it makes the world a better place. This leaves you AND your connection feeling good.
Looking Forward
As we move forward, we want to continue to pour into our audience and provide limitless value on our social media. We want to help and empower people to lean into their communities and build thriving social media presences.
We also want to get in front of new people. We are always in different groups or masterminds, and we’re looking forward to exploring more communities as time goes on. In addition to this, we want to continue to cultivate the relationships we have in our current community and clients.
Client experience is deeply important to us and we want to honour our amazing clients in this way.
Along the way of starting a business, you'll encounter challenges just as we have, but with the right mindset and a s