We recently connected with Michelle Arias and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, 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?
Getting let go was the push I didn’t even know I needed. Don’t get me wrong, it was a gut punch in the moment. But once the dust settled, I realized it was actually a blessing in disguise. I had been pouring so much energy into building someone else’s business that I ignored the little voice in my head saying, You could do this on your own.
Getting let go gave me the space to finally listen. I stopped waiting for permission and started betting on myself. That’s when Socially Set was born, a way for me to support wedding pros with strategy, intention, and a whole lot of style behind the scenes. Now I get to partner with the most talented creatives in the industry, streamline their workflows, and give them the freedom to actually be the CEO.
Being let go didn’t break me, it built the foundation for something better.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Socially Set is all about helping creative business owners run the back end of their business with strategy, intention, and ease. I partner with planners, photographers, and other creatives to take tasks off their plate like content creation, social media management, blog writing, and admin systems, so they can focus on what they actually love doing.
What makes this work so special is that it’s never one-size-fits-all. Every creative business is different, so I build custom service bundles that meet them exactly where they’re at. I’m not just here to check off a to-do list, I’m here to be a true partner in their growth, making sure their business supports their lifestyle, not the other way around.
Right now, I’m shifting away from fixed packages and fully embracing a customizable model. My clients can mix and match support depending on their season, whether they’re scaling, simplifying, or somewhere in between. It’s more flexible, more aligned, and way more impactful.
At the end of the day, I’m here to help creative business owners reclaim their time, move with intention, and confidently step into their role as CEO, not the assistant.
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?
Three things that have been the most impactful in my journey: resourcefulness, relationship-building, and mindset.
Resourcefulness – I didn’t have a team, a business coach, or a 5-year plan when I started, just drive, Wi-Fi, and the will to figure it out. I learned to be scrappy and self-taught, which made me more confident and creative along the way. If you’re just getting started, stop waiting for the “right time.” Start where you are, with what you have.
Relationship-building – Referrals and networking have been everything. Some of my best clients came from a single conversation or someone mentioning my name in a room I wasn’t even in. Being intentional about building real connections, online and offline, has opened doors I couldn’t have planned for. My advice: prioritize people. Be helpful, be genuine, and follow up. The right relationships can take you further than any ad strategy.
Mindset – When you’re doing it solo, mindset is your biggest asset. I’ve had to quiet the noise, stop comparing, and remind myself that slow growth is still growth. I’ve learned to build my version of success, not someone else’s. For anyone starting out: protect your energy, stay focused on your why, and don’t be afraid to do things differently.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is a creative business owner who’s incredible at what they do but drowning in the backend of their business. They’re booked out, in demand, and constantly juggling a million moving parts. They know they need help, but they’re not looking to micromanage—they’re looking for someone they can fully trust to take the reins.
They value intentionality, care about the details, and want support that’s strategic, not just surface-level. They’re not hiring me to just check boxes; they want a partner who can help them run things smarter, smoother, and in a way that actually supports their lifestyle.
Whether they’re in weddings, design, content creation, or something totally different, the common thread is that they’re ready to stop being the assistant in their own business and start fully owning their role as CEO.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesociallyset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesociallyset/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesociallyset/
Image Credits
Andrea Del Salto Photography
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