Meet Chelsea Mae

We were lucky to catch up with Chelsea Mae recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

This is such an important question, and honestly, it’s something I’ve navigated throughout my journey and overall my career path.
The foundation for me has always been being confident in the work and skills I bring to the table. I’ve learned to trust myself, (and it hasn’t always been easy)—my expertise, my perspective, and my unique approach. When you’re the only one in the room who looks like you, there can be this pressure to prove yourself differently or second-guess your instincts. But I’ve found that my success comes from leaning INTO what makes me different, not shrinking from it.
I trust my skills because I’ve put in the work and still putting in the work. I know what I’m capable of, and I don’t wait for external validation to move forward. That self-trust becomes your anchor when you’re navigating spaces where you might feel like an outsider.
I’ve also learned that my perspective is valuable BECAUSE it’s different. I have people who tell me all the time that they like to get my opinion on something or more often, I receive messages asking for advice because people know that my perspective is different. The experiences that shaped me—the community I come from, the challenges I’ve overcome, the mistakes I’ve made…those aren’t limitations. They’re strengths that allow me to see opportunities and solutions others might miss.
And honestly… I focus on the impact I’m creating rather than the discomfort of being different. When I’m in those rooms, I’m there to serve my clients, support my community, and build something meaningful. That mission is bigger than any awkwardness or isolation I might feel. Instead of focusing on myself, I love focusing on others and that is exactly where my passion comes from.
It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that confidence isn’t about never doubting yourself—it’s about trusting yourself enough to keep showing up anyway.

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?

I’m Chelsea Mae, and I run a social media management agency in person here in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where I get to do what I love most—help small businesses tell their stories and grow their presence online. I currently have clients in Wisconsin and Illinois.
What makes my work special is that I don’t just teach social media strategy from a distance—I’m in the trenches with my community. I spotlight local businesses, share their stories authentically, and use those real experiences to educate other entrepreneurs on what actually works. So when I’m teaching someone how to create engaging content or optimize their Instagram strategy, I’m pulling from actual case studies of businesses right here in La Crosse and the suburbs of Chicago. It’s practical, proven, and rooted in real results.
What excites me most is making professional-level marketing accessible to small business owners who might think they can’t afford it or that it’s too complicated. You don’t need a huge budget to create amazing content—you need strategy, authenticity, and the right tools. That’s what I provide.
Right now, I’m in an incredibly exciting growth phase! I’m launching a new website for my agency, which will better showcase the work we do and make it easier for businesses to work with us. I’m also hiring new team members—which feels like such a full-circle moment—and expanding our services into a new state, which is both thrilling and a little terrifying in the best way.
Beyond my agency work, I’ve been deeply involved with nonprofit initiatives in the La Crosse community. Giving back to the community that’s supported me has always been important, and I love being able to use my platform and resources to make a difference locally.
I’m also growing my brand photography services, helping business owners get professional, authentic images that actually represent their brand personality—not just generic stock photos. As someone who creates content daily, I understand how crucial great visuals are, and I love helping other entrepreneurs feel confident in how they show up online.
Here’s to all the small business owners and individuals out there building something meaningful—I’m rooting for you, and I’m here to help you succeed!

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

The Three Most Impactful Qualities in My Journey:

1. Authenticity Over Perfection
Early on, I learned that people connect with real, not polished. In social media especially, there’s this pressure to have everything perfectly curated, but what actually builds trust and community is showing up as yourself—flaws, learning moments, and all.
My advice: Start before you feel ready. Your first posts won’t be perfect, your first client work might feel shaky, but that’s where you learn what resonates. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out—your audience wants to see the real you, not a highlight reel. Practice being honest about your journey, your challenges, and your wins. That vulnerability becomes your superpower.

2. Community-First Mindset
I built my business by genuinely supporting others first, not by chasing followers or trying to “go viral.” Every local business I spotlighted, every free tip I shared, every connection I made—those weren’t marketing tactics, they were investments in my community. And that community has supported me back tenfold.
My advice: Focus on giving value before asking for anything in return. Spotlight others, share what you know freely, celebrate other people’s wins. Build real relationships, not just a network. Ask yourself: “How can I help?” before “What can I get?” When you lead with service, the business follows naturally. Get involved locally—whether that’s supporting small businesses, volunteering with nonprofits, or just showing up for your community. Those connections become your foundation.

3. Trusting Myself and My Skills
This one took time to develop, but learning to trust my expertise and my instincts has been game-changing. Especially as a woman in business, and especially when I’m the only one in the room who looks like me, there’s pressure to second-guess yourself or wait for permission. I had to learn that my perspective is valuable, my skills are solid, and I don’t need external validation to move forward.
My advice: Invest in developing real skills—take courses, practice consistently, study what works, and put in the reps. But then TRUST what you’ve learned. Keep a “wins folder.” Save client testimonials, successful projects, moments when your work made an impact. When imposter syndrome hits (and it will), you have proof of your capabilities. And remember: confidence isn’t about never doubting yourself—it’s about trusting yourself enough to keep showing up anyway. Your unique perspective and experience aren’t limitations, they’re what make you irreplaceable.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My Biggest Area of Growth: Expanding Beyond My Comfort Zone
The past 12 months have been transformative for me, and honestly, the biggest growth has come from intentionally putting myself in uncomfortable situations.
I relocated and moved out of my hometown—which was a huge step. Chicago Suburbs will always be home and the heart of my community work, but moving pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. It forced me to build new connections, adapt to a new environment, (La Crosse, Wisconsin) and prove to myself that my business wasn’t just tied to one location, it could grow and thrive anywhere.
I started traveling for clients, which was both exciting and terrifying at first. It meant trusting my systems, managing my time differently, and showing up professionally in new spaces. But it also opened up incredible opportunities and showed me that my work has value beyond my immediate community.
I’ve gotten more involved with nonprofits, which has been incredibly fulfilling. Using my platform and skills to support causes I care about has reminded me why I do this work in the first place—it’s about impact, not just income.
But here’s what I’m most proud of: I’ve intentionally put myself in situations where I’m the connector. I actively introduce business owners to each other, connect individuals who could benefit from knowing one another, and create opportunities for collaboration. I’ve learned that my value isn’t just in what I know or what I can do—it’s also in who I can bring together.
This has required me to be more confident, more proactive, and more willing to step into rooms where I might be the only one who looks like me or the newest person there. But every time I do it, I get a little braver, a little more comfortable owning my space, and a little more convinced that growth happens when you stop waiting for permission and start creating opportunities, for yourself and for others.
The lesson: Growth isn’t just about building your business. It’s about building yourself into the person who can handle the business you want to have.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thecmaelocal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmaemanzano
• Other: I am building my website and will be built out by January 5th, 2026.
  I will send it to whoever if we can update that 🙂