We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anne DiVitto a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Anne, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from a mix of personal loss, family values, and faith. In 2015, I lost my dad to a short but intense battle with cancer. At the time, I was juggling a demanding job in healthcare IT and raising two small kids, and trying to keep going like nothing had changed. But it had. I realized I wanted more meaning in my work and life, so I left my job without a plan. Growing up in a “West Michigan Dutch” household, my father instilled a strong work ethic in me — show up, do hard things, not care what people think, and keep going. That foundation gave me the courage to take on Word Out Influence and continue its growth. To me, resilience means showing up, staying focused, and not letting setbacks define you.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I own Word Out Influence, a boutique marketing agency that helps small businesses grow through smart social media campaigns and authentic influencer partnerships. After 20 years of launching complex software systems in the manufacturing and healthcare industries, I shifted my focus locally — where my heart is — to help small business owners show up consistently online. Through Word Out Influence, I pair brands with aligned micro influencers to deliver creative, engaging content that actually moves the needle. I also manage websites and social media for local businesses, nonprofits, and solopreneurs, and write blog content for various industries — from wellness consultants to college prep experts. I’m also one half of Grand Rapids Girl, a lifestyle brand and local content creator platform.
Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding Word Out’s initiatives to create a vibrant influencer community in the Grand Rapids area.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities that have made the biggest impact on my journey are resilience, resourcefulness, and the ability to take rejection without letting it stop me. When you’re building something — especially a business — things won’t always go your way. People will say no. Emails will go unanswered. Ideas won’t land. You have to be able to hear “no” and not take it personally. Developing a thick skin is essential. My advice to anyone early in their journey: don’t attach your worth to every outcome. Keep showing up. Learn to pivot, try again, and trust that consistency will take you further than perfection ever could. “Done not perfect” is my mantra!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We’re always open to collaboration! At Word Out Influence, we’re continually adding micro and nano influencers to our roster and love meeting new creators in person to build real relationships. If you’re an influencer who loves working with local businesses and creating authentic content, we’d love to connect.
We partner with brands and small businesses looking to boost awareness through thoughtfully managed influencer campaigns. Additionally, we support social media managers by helping them execute influencer campaigns for their clients — from scouting and outreach to content coordination. If you’re interested in collaborating, reach out via wordoutinfluence.com or find us on Instagram @wordoutinfluence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wordoutinfluence.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordoutinfluence/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordoutinfluence
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/word-out-influence/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
