We recently connected with Haley Ingram and have shared our conversation below.
Haley, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
For me, dealing with imposter syndrome is more of a continuous process than a one-time victory.
The first thing I’ve learned is to stop comparing myself to others. Everyone’s on their own unique journey, right? So, comparing my progress or where I am in my career with someone else’s just doesn’t make any sense.
Next, I try to keep things in perspective. I’m here to bring what I’ve learned to the table and hopefully help others along the way. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t have all the answers.
And speaking of not having all the answers – that’s something else I’ve come to realize. Nobody does! We’re all figuring this stuff out as we go along. That thought really helps me take some of the pressure off.
In a nutshell, that’s my strategy. It’s not perfect, but it helps me keep that Imposter Syndrome in check, which allows me to do my job more confidently.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
In college, I got a job as a marketing intern for a real estate brokerage. That experience led me to get my real estate license, and shortly after I moved to Saint Petersburg planning to begin my career in real estate. As a new real estate agent, I was struggling to get in front of more clients as a younger agent and new resident. I knew I needed to get creative and tap into another skillset to get in front of more potential clients. I started an Instagram account for my real estate business and started receiving the majority of my leads from this. Soon, other agents were reaching out to me asking for help. I started helping agents one-on-one and creating templates to sell on Etsy. Around this time, I met a personal trainer who created a subscription service for her one-on-one clients. They received a weekly workout plan and access to a Facebook group so she could coach everyone in a group format. This inspired me to create a subscription service for my clients and Coffee & Contracts was born!
Coffee and Contracts is a subscription service for real estate professionals. Each month, our members receive a content calendar with a social media post template for each day, Instagram reel ideas and prompts, branding tools, Instagram stories, email newsletter templates, marketing guides for their clients, and more. We offer training and support to help our members utilize the tools and grow their social media presence.
In 2023, my goal is to not only continue to help real estate agents grow their business online, but more small business owners as well as anyone who wants to start an online subscription business.
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?
Reflecting on my journey, I would identify three key elements that really shaped my path: creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
Creativity: This was pivotal when I started my Instagram account for my real estate business. It was all about finding fresh, new ways to connect with clients and stand out in a crowded marketplace. My advice here would be to never stop experimenting and to always keep an open mind.
Adaptability: This became crucial when I transitioned from one-on-one assistance to a subscription model for Coffee and Contracts. I was inspired by a personal trainer and how she managed her clients, and I thought, “Why not apply that to real estate?” So, my advice would be to stay flexible and be open to inspiration from unexpected places. You never know where your next great idea will come from.
Willingness to Learn: When you’re starting out in any business, there are going to be aspects that are completely new to you. For me, understanding the ins and outs of running a business like managing LLCs and taxes was a steep learning curve. But I tackled it bit by bit. It gets easier over time, especially if you reach out and get help when you need it. My advice would be to always stay curious. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out new knowledge.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The main challenge we’re currently facing at Coffee and Contracts is staying on top of the ever-changing social media trends and algorithms. We are constantly adapting our membership to stay on top of it and make sure our members get the best results and understand what changes are happening on social media.
We invest a lot of time in learning the new social media trends and changes to keep our knowledge fresh. It’s challenging with the constant changes, but it’s also what keeps our work interesting. We’re committed to making sure our members can navigate these changes and grow their social media presence.
Contact Info:
- Website: coffeecontracts.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/coffeecontracts
Image Credits
Kimberly Romano
