Meet Ginna Counterman

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ginna Counterman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ginna , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a common struggle for many, including myself. When I started my journey into social media a year ago and picked up my first camera six months ago, I faced it head-on. Running a social media management and content creation business amplified these feelings, especially in the early months.

Despite picking up skills quickly, I was still learning and often compared myself to mentors and role models. This constant comparison and self-critique made me feel inadequate. However, over time, through consistent practice, using my camera regularly, and doing free work, I began to improve.

A significant shift in my mindset occurred after reading an email from a filmmaker’s subscription that discussed the 80/20 rule. This principle highlighted that:

1. **80% of Your Output Won’t Be Popular**: Many creators, including famous artists like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, produce a lot of content that doesn’t become hits. The key is consistent output rather than perfection every time.

2. **Get It 80% There, Don’t Stress On The Final 20%**: Trying to perfect every piece of work is unrealistic. Focusing on getting projects to 80% and not stressing over the final details helps in producing more content without compromising creative standards.

3. **It’s Okay to Lower Your Daily Standards on Occasion**: Balancing work and personal life is crucial. It’s important to recognize when to focus on personal moments and not be overly critical about not meeting high work standards all the time.

This rule alleviated a lot of my stress and helped me understand that consistent effort is more important than perfection. Along with continuous learning and self-improvement, it helped me manage my imposter syndrome. I still have moments of doubt, but embracing the idea that improvement comes with time and practice has been crucial. This approach is valuable for any entrepreneur. Being too self-critical can hinder growth, so it’s essential to balance self-improvement with self-compassion.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Hi, my name is Ginna, and I’m a 19-year-old entrepreneur. I run The Modern Social, a social media and content creation business.

In September 2023, I had a near-death experience while running my first half marathon. Despite not being an avid runner, I wanted to take on this challenge and complete the 13.1 miles. After months of training and preparation with my parents for the Lap the Lake marathon, the race day arrived. Even though I felt under the weather, I pushed myself to run.

Unexpectedly, I collapsed at mile 11 and woke up several days later in the ICU, surrounded by wires, doctors, and worried loved ones. I was immediately intubated and sedated, with a fever of 105°F. During my hospital stay, I was diagnosed with hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, DIC, encephalopathy, and acute liver failure. I was transferred to SLU for extensive ICU care, where they prepared me for the possibility of dialysis and a liver transplant. Thanks to the dedicated doctors and a blessing from God, my condition slowly improved. The cause of this dramatic chain reaction is suspected to be a virus, though it’s still unclear.

This experience made me realize how short life is, the importance of living fully, and most importantly, God has a plan for you. Growing up in St. Louis, surrounded by entrepreneurs, I always had a passion for social media management. Many small business owners I knew struggled to tap into the vast potential of social media due to a lack of time or knowledge. This inspired me to start The Modern Social to help these businesses grow.

Since launching my business, my clients have seen significant growth within just six months, attributing much of their success to my services. I love seeing passionate entrepreneurs thrive and their businesses succeed.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three things that were most impactful in my journey were:

1. Just Start: One of the biggest challenges aspiring entrepreneurs face is the desire for perfection. Many dreams are left unrealized because people hesitate to launch until everything is flawless. When I started my business, I balanced my 9 to 5 job while taking on small clients to refine my approach. The initial months were all about trial and error. Even now, I’m still learning and evolving. My advice is simple: just start. Don’t overthink it. The first step is always the hardest, but it’s crucial to begin somewhere.
2. Faith: While not traditionally seen as a skill or quality, my faith has been a cornerstone of my journey. I trust in God’s plan for my business every single day. Despite facing numerous rejections in the first two months, I held onto my faith, knowing that something better was ahead. This belief has kept me resilient and optimistic, even when things didn’t go as planned. For those starting out, finding a source of inner strength and belief can be incredibly empowering.
3. Being Social: In today’s world, networking and building connections are essential, especially in the social media and content creation industry. Being social isn’t just about having a presence on platforms; it’s about engaging with people, understanding their needs, and building genuine relationships. This has been one of the biggest selling points of my business. So, my advice is to get out there, connect with others, and don’t underestimate the power of a strong network.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful lesson my parents taught me was the importance of having a strong work ethic. They always emphasized that if I wanted something, I had to work for it. From the age of 15, I consistently held 2 to 3 jobs at a time. To teach me financial responsibility, my parents introduced a budgeting system using envelopes labeled with categories like shoes, clothes, hygiene, and school supplies. Each month, they would give me a modest amount of money, usually between $5 and $20, to allocate to these envelopes. If I overspent, I had to use my own earnings to cover the difference.

This approach profoundly shaped my financial discipline and work ethic. Thanks to my parents’ guidance, I developed a drive and determination that allowed me to start my own business. In the early days, I worked 10 to 12 hours daily, fueled by the same relentless drive my parents instilled in me. Their lessons in hard work, money management, and perseverance have been invaluable, enabling me to achieve my goals and manage my finances effectively at a young age.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themodernsocial.org/
• Instagram: themodern.social; ginnacounterman_
• Facebook: themodern.social; Ginna Coounterman

Image Credits

The Modern Social