We were lucky to catch up with Emma Boshart recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Emma, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
I was let go from my full-time role as CCO inside of my only client’s business out of nowhere in the spring of 2022. I was asked to hop on a Zoom call to discuss upcoming projects and got a bomb dropped on me that effective immediately I would no longer be receiving my monthly retainer. I was given the option of working on a per project basis, but would need to submit a quote for each going forward. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was so fully unprepared to carry on in my business that I almost went into a trance. During my time with this client, I’d neglected to keep a presence for MY business anywhere online, or continue to make connections within the industry. I felt as though I’d experienced a set back I might not come back from.
I let myself freak out for the next week and sat in the terror of what the future might hold for me, and then I started to make a plan. I reached out to those in my network that I’d kept in touch with over the last two years and let them know I was back “open for business,” I hired a business coach for three months to reposition myself and do a deep dive into my business, and I slowly crawled back online. To be honest, the hardest part of the entire ordeal was the blow to my self-confidence and my ego. I truly believed that it must have been something about my character or my skills that meant I could be so disposable. In order to heal from that, I’ve spent a lot of time on my mindset (reading, podcasts, coaching) as well as asking for support when I need it. I was eventually able to see that experience as the growth opportunity it was – I left with a tool kit of skills I could use to grow my own business to a new level – and make sure to never put all of my eggs in one basket again.
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 a Fractional CMO who helps small to mid-size, digital-first businesses grow their brands. Essentially, I connect the dots between marketing + business goals with strategies that get results. I like to work where creativity meets data.
The reason I’m so excited about what I do is because it allows me to combine all of the skills I’ve picked up since my very first day of work! Prior to starting Creative Uproar in 2015, I did everything from leading teams at Great West Life to being the Key MUA on TV sets to working in high-fashion. When clients work with me they get more than just a skilled marketer, they get a growth partner, a messaging + story expert, and a strategist who’s just as excited about their business as they are.
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?
The three qualities that were most impactful on my journey were resilience, kindness, and trustworthiness.
For me, resilience, is super important not just in business — but in life. I love to challenge myself physically and find this is an incredible way to build my mental resilience. You have no idea how capable you are until you push your limits, and when you do, you find out that it’s always your mind that is holding you back. So, I’d encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and try to see what it feels like to push outside their limits. When you realize how strong you can be physically and mentally it boosts your self-esteem/confidence more than you’d ever believe.
Kindness has been one of the greatest qualities for me on this journey and it’s also how I’ve been able to build a network of incredibly supportive peers, mentors, and friends. It takes so little to show your support for those around you – but it means a lot to them. Whether it’s sending a quick note to congratulate a peer on a launch, or voice note when they’re struggling — this is how you make genuine connections with people.
And finally, being trustworthy. It’s staggering how psyched someone is when you show up on time, deliver what you said you would, or just keep your word. These seem like small things, but they’re often overlooked. So, my advice is that you put systems in place so you can stay organized and meet your obligations.
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?
As an online business owner, I know how important visibility is to my growth — and yet I find myself stuck when it comes to putting myself out there. Particularly on social media. I’ve struggled with participating on apps that are designed to reward us with dopamine hits and as someone who grew up without Instagram/Facebook, I’ve seen the change social media has had on society. There’s also the fact that I’m someone who thrives creating strategy, analyzing data, and creating copy for others, but immediately draws a blank when I need to create a Reel or come up with something pithy for my own account. It may be imposter syndrome, but I find myself wondering why I should contribute to an already noisy space — who’s really going to benefit? Now, I understand that’s head trash, but it can be debilitating. So, I’m really trying to be realistic with myself and post when I feel as though I have something important to share, find new ways to become visible, and shift my focus to building connections and relationships with people — rather than just shouting into the void.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creativeuproar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_uproar/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/emmaboshart
Image Credits
Studio Aviva
