We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paige Billings a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Paige , appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
Growing up as a dancer instilled in me discipline and focus from an early age. The rigorous training, rehearsals, and pursuit of perfection demanded commitment and resilience. Each class required me to lock in mentally, physically, and focus on details. Balancing school, practice, and performances taught me time management and perseverance. These challenges shaped my character, fostering a drive to excel and determination to overcome obstacles.
Through my adult life, I find balance in having a routine, which allows me to focus when I am most productive. Over the past eight years, I built a career from scratch while my husband served in the military. Moving every one to three years forced me to dive into the unknown and build a network to grow my business. These relocations challenged me to adapt quickly and find new opportunities. Establishing a solid routine amidst the constant change provided stability and enabled me to stay organized and efficient. This disciplined approach and determination have been crucial in navigating uncertainties and achieving success.
The skills I learned in the ballet studio have seamlessly transferred into my career. The discipline, perseverance, and attention to detail from dance training have been invaluable. The pursuit of perfection and ability to adapt to new choreography mirrored my approach to building a career, especially while moving frequently due to my husband’s military service. These foundational skills have enabled me to create a sustainable and growing business in my adult life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Paige started her journey into media in undergraduate school, earning a bachelor’s of arts in Film and Photography. During her senior year of college, she was diagnosed with celiac disease, which as an avid baker, rewrote the course of her daily life. She turned her passion for baking into a blog showcasing gluten-free recipes that mirrored those made with wheat flour, marking the start of her photography career. After graduation, Paige pursued her first job at Williams Sonoma Inc. in the e-commerce department on the Food and Tabletop team, where she learned to build websites, merchandise, create marketing campaigns and flows, and forecast for e-commerce sales.
At this time, her husband was starting his career in the military, prompting Paige to seek more job flexibility. She began taking on freelance clients and worked with Black Rifle Coffee Company to develop their blog, Coffee or Die. Developing a love for Pinterest Advertising, she turned this niche into a business, which became the catalyst for Dot Digital Media. Over the years, Paige and her husband moved over 8 times in 8 years, sometimes only living in places for partial years. She took this as momentum and continued to dive into freelance food photography, landing her first client, Health-Ade Kombucha, whom she still shoots for today.
Paige spent years in and out of full-time roles while developing her business and growing her clientele and skillset, leading her to pursue a Master of Science in Digital Audience Strategy. She brought on more clients and continued to grow their businesses along with her own roster of clients. Her expertise in digital media strategy and food photography has attracted clients like Health-Ade Kombucha, Anthem Snacks, and Stone Glacier, showcasing her ability to create compelling visual content and effective marketing campaigns for a diverse range of products.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on the past eight years, I’ve come to realize that resilience, adaptability, and a strong mind are crucial for navigating the course of your life. I have tapped into all of these traits to grow my career and stay true to my course of action.
Resilience: Facing frequent relocations and the challenges of building a career from scratch demanded a high level of resilience. This quality allowed me to bounce back from setbacks and persist through tough times.
Adaptability: Moving every one to three years required me to adapt quickly to new environments and circumstances. This flexibility enabled me to find opportunities and build a network to grow my business, no matter where I was.
Strong Mind: Maintaining a strong mind has been essential in staying focused and committed to my goals. Whether it was starting a baking blog after being diagnosed with celiac disease or developing a niche in Pinterest Advertising, mental strength helped me stay on course and pursue my passions.
For those early in their journey, cultivating these traits is vital. Embrace challenges as opportunities to build resilience, remain open to change to enhance your adaptability, and develop mental strength through consistent focus and determination. These qualities will not only help you navigate life’s uncertainties but also empower you to achieve your goals.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking for new clients to work with, consult, or talk to. There are so many incredible minds, brands, and business owners out there, and collaboration is something I truly enjoy. If you’re interested in partnering or exploring how we might work together, please reach out. I am particularly keen to connect with brands and individuals in the CPG sector, but I’m open to discussing opportunities across various industries. Feel free to contact me directly through my website, (www.dotdigitalmedia.com) to start a conversation about how we can collaborate and create something amazing together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dotdigitalmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontpaigebakes
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-billings-34623698/
Image Credits
First Photo (blue) Kimmie Geer, the rest of the photos are mine.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
