Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Debbie Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Debbie, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
My pleasure. I know this is such a tricky experience. During my final year of college, I began an internship that unexpectedly led me to discover my passion for marketing and shaped my entire career path. This internship primarily involved managing the online presence of a destination marketing organization, just as social media was beginning to transform the business landscape.
After I graduated, my internship turned into a full-time position. For the next three years, I poured myself into shaping the digital identity of this organization. However, an eventual organizational restructuring meant I would be laid off. Thankfully, I was quickly able to secure a new position at a marketing agency with whom I had collaborated as their client during my previous role.
I reached out to my network for advice as I transitioned into this new phase of my career. One piece stood out – the idea of creating something that was mine. It struck me that while I had achieved recognition within the framework of my previous job, I lacked a personal brand to carry forward. This led to the creation of “Social Hospitality,” a blog that focused on marketing strategies tailored to the hospitality industry.
Through this platform, I began to connect with an array of individuals. I received a variety of messages: appreciation of the value of my content, folks proposing guest posting collaborations, and businesses seeking my expertise in crafting their online presence. Encouraged by this growing resonance, I cautiously dipped my toes into freelancing in addition to my full-time agency role. Over time, this became not only a fulfilling side hustle but also a financial cushion.
Gradually, Social Hospitality evolved from a blog into a full-fledged digital marketing venture. My dual career journey persisted for six years as I supported both the agency’s clients while nurturing my brand on the side. Finally, in early 2017, I bid farewell to the other agency and leaned into running Social Hospitality full-time.
In doing so, I launched into a chapter of entrepreneurship. As I focused on my blog-turned-business, the challenges and victories were mine alone. The path was demanding yet resonant with the kind of life I wanted.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My work revolves around the dynamic world of digital marketing and communications. I specialize in helping businesses and individuals establish strong online presences, connect with their target audiences, and build meaningful online relationships. Whether it’s through social media, email marketing, content creation, or website optimization, I’m passionate about crafting compelling narratives and strategies that resonate with people.
The ever changing nature of the digital landscape is exciting. Technology and trends are constantly changing which provides endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. I love staying ahead of the curve, experimenting with new tools and platforms, and adapting strategies to meet the evolving needs of my clients. It’s a fast-paced and exhilarating field that keeps me on my toes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I launched my brand, Social Hospitality, initially as a blog. It then transitioned into a side hustle, and finally, a full-fledged marketing agency. In today’s digital age, it’s not just about promoting products or services; it’s about creating genuine connections and fostering a sense of community.
The name “Social Hospitality” embodies the dynamic fusion of social media and the art of hospitality. It represents the seamless integration of two powerful forces that revolutionize the way businesses interact with customers.
In the digital age, social media is essential for connecting and engaging with audiences on a global scale. It provides businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their brand personality, build relationships, and create memorable experiences. Hospitality, on the other hand, is rooted in the art of making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.
Combining these two concepts, “social hospitality” emphasizes the importance of leveraging social media to deliver exceptional experiences to customers, fostering a sense of connection and warmth in the online realm. It goes beyond simply utilizing social platforms as marketing tools and dives deep into the realm of customer-centricity, community-building, and personalized interactions.
Brands can cultivate a digital presence that reflects their values, engages customers authentically, and leaves a lasting impression. This powerful approach enables businesses to tap into the limitless potential of social media and harness its influence to deliver unparalleled experiences, customer satisfaction, and business growth.
In summary, I am passionate about digital marketing and communications because it allows me to embrace constant change, fuel my creativity, and practice social hospitality to create meaningful connections online.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey were:
1. Adaptability: Being adaptable allows you to navigate through unexpected challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.
Advice:
• Embrace change: Don’t fear change; instead, see it as a chance for growth and learning.
• Stay curious: Continuously seek new experiences, ideas, and perspectives to broaden your adaptability.
• Develop problem-solving skills: Cultivate your ability to analyze situations and find creative solutions.
2. Endurance: Endurance helps you stay committed to your goals and overcome setbacks, which is vital for achieving success.
Advice:
• Set clear goals: Define your objectives and break them down into manageable steps to maintain motivation.
• Build resilience: Understand that setbacks are part of any journey. Learn from failures and use them as stepping stones.
• Practice self-care: Ensure you have a balanced life with proper rest, nutrition, and stress management to sustain your endurance.
3. Humbleness: Humbleness fosters positive relationships, encourages continuous growth, and prevents arrogance or complacency.
Advice:
• Listen actively: Pay attention to others’ perspectives and feedback, and be willing to accept constructive criticism.
• Cultivate a growth mindset: Understand that there is always room for improvement and that nobody knows everything.
• Help others: Offer your assistance, share your knowledge, and be a team player. It fosters a sense of humility and camaraderie.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always looking to collaborate with new clients and partners. My ideal clients are small to medium-sized businesses looking to take their digital marketing presence to the next level. One of the beautiful things about what I do is that there’s so much opportunity for collaboration. I’ve partnered with a variety of other agencies (who, on the surface, may seem like competitors) to provide support to their clients in the areas on which they don’t focus. There’s more than enough business to go around and nurturing relationships is always a win/win.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://socialhospitality.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialhospitality/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialhospitality
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-hospitality
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sochospitality
Image Credits
