Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lezlie Swink. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lezlie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
About 15 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom, and while I loved being home with my kids, I’m the type of person who always needs to stay busy. So, I picked up sewing as a hobby—something I used to do with my mom when I was little. Before long, I found myself starting a children’s boutique, designing and hand-making items to sell. I had a booth at a local vendor mall and an Etsy shop. The sales at the mall were great, but online was trickier. When Facebook pages first became popular, I thought, “Why not give it a try?” I created a page, connected with other business owners, and soon enough, I was making sales across the country and even internationally.
As much as I loved my boutique, I was just overwhelmed trying to do everything myself. When I decided to close the shop, I didn’t realize that it was because I was doing all the work—everything from the product design to marketing to shipping. It wasn’t until later that I realized the key to growing a business is having help. You can’t do it all on your own, and that’s where I went wrong.
Years later, once my kids were older, I felt this strong desire to do something again. I knew I wanted to help people in a meaningful way. That’s when I realized how much I enjoyed the social media marketing side of my boutique, even though it was difficult to keep up with everything. And that’s when it clicked: I wanted to take everything I’d learned from my experience and help other business owners who were feeling that same overwhelm. I didn’t want them to experience what I had, so I created a business to support them, helping them scale without burning out. What I thought was a failure actually became the foundation for what I do now.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Lezlie Swink, founder of Swink Social Co., and I help interior designers turn social media into a lead-generating tool without the stress, second-guessing, or endless content overwhelm.
When I started my business, I knew firsthand how powerful social media could be when done strategically. But I also saw so many incredibly talented designers struggling to connect with their audience in a way that actually led to business growth. They weren’t short on content—their projects were stunning—but they were exhausted from keeping up with trends, algorithms, and constantly wondering if what they were posting was even working.
That’s why I created Swink Social Co.—to make social media easier, more intentional, and actually effective for designers. My approach isn’t about chasing trends or posting just to post. Instead, I focus on a strategy-first approach that aligns with the designer’s brand, speaks to their ideal client, and turns their content into conversions.
What’s New & What’s Next
Right now, I’m focused on growing The Design Social Membership, a monthly resource created specifically for interior designers who want to streamline their content while still showing up consistently and effectively. This membership provides customizable content strategies, caption templates, marketing power hours, and a library of resources to help designers master social media in a way that works for their unique brand.
I also recently wrapped up The Ultimate Pinterest Blueprint for Designers, a training program that helped designers leverage Pinterest as a long-term marketing strategy. I believe Pinterest is one of the most untapped marketing resources for designers. While Instagram is fast-moving and requires constant updates, Pinterest allows designers to create content with a long shelf life that continues driving traffic and inquiries over time.
At the end of the day, my biggest goal is simple: to take the stress out of social media for interior designers. It should be easy, efficient, and enjoyable.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
First, never stop learning. Social media and marketing are constantly evolving, and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Staying informed, testing new strategies, and refining my approach has been key to staying ahead. For those just starting out, invest in education—whether that’s through courses, books, or simply observing what’s working in your industry. The more you know, the more confident and strategic you’ll be.
Second, be an early adopter. Every major platform shift creates new opportunities for growth, and those who embrace change early often reap the biggest rewards. I’ve learned that waiting to see if something works before jumping in usually means getting left behind. My advice is to stay curious, experiment with new features, and find ways to make them work for your brand before everyone else does.
Finally, build real connections. Success doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The relationships I’ve built—whether with clients, industry peers, or mentors—have opened doors, provided invaluable insights, and created opportunities I could have never predicted. If I could give one piece of advice to those starting out, it would be to engage, collaborate, and put yourself in rooms (both virtual and in-person) where conversations are happening. Social media is a powerful tool, but nothing replaces genuine connections.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
That’s a great question, and I firmly believe it’s best to go all in on your strengths. When you lean into what you’re naturally good at, you’re not only more productive, but you also enjoy the work more—which leads to better results.
Of course, there will always be areas where we’re not as strong, but that doesn’t mean we need to spend all our energy trying to master them. Instead, the key is recognizing what you can do and what you can’t—or don’t have time to—so you can bring in the right people to fill those gaps.
For example, I could probably develop a website if I sat down and took the time to learn it. But would it be great? Probably not—at least not compared to a professional web developer who already has the skills, experience, and eye for it. By hiring someone who excels in that area, I free up my time to focus on what I do best.
The most successful people I know aren’t trying to be great at everything. They’re focusing on their strengths and surrounding themselves with the right people to handle the rest. That’s how you build a sustainable, thriving business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.swinksocialco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swink.social.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swink.social.co/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lezlie-swink-b06a8234/
Image Credits
Walnut Tree Films
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