Meet Natalie Matesic

We were lucky to catch up with Natalie Matesic recently and have shared our conversation below.

Natalie, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?

I’ve learned that being in this industry, putting myself out there, and sharing what I have to offer naturally comes with both a healthy dose of admiration and a steady stream of judgment. It’s part of the deal.

People will project. They’ll misunderstand you, distort your intentions, and try to poke holes in things they secretly wish they had the courage to create.

But I’ve learned that I can’t build an iconic brand by being agreeable.

I’ve made peace with the fact that being magnetic means not everyone will get me. That’s not the point. The point is to be crystal clear for the ones who do. And that’s what keeps me going in the midst of chaos, negativity, and online haters. I’m here to call in the people who are truly meant for what we do, which is help brands show up online authentically and successfully.

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 Natalie, the founder of 52 Card Social, a high-end, strategic social media agency helping bold brands and creators grow with content that actually converts. Our clients are the ones who refuse to play it safe and are ready to be unforgettable online.

We specialize in turning powerful brand voices into scroll-stopping, highly profitable digital identities. What sets us apart is the way we fuse strategy and seduction. It’s not just about pretty content or surface-level virality. Everything we create is rooted in clarity, conversion, and creative direction that feels elevated and deeply aligned with our client’s essence.

What’s most exciting right now is that we’re scaling fast and have been expanding our offers to support more magnetic brands with full-service content, marketing strategy, and creative direction.

Whether someone’s launching something new, pivoting into a more luxe personal brand, or finally investing in strategy after years of DIY-ing, we help them show up online in a way that feels unapologetic, irresistible, and high-converting.

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?

Passion, resilience, and a thirst for knowledge.

If I didn’t have the passion to do what I was doing, the resilience to get back up during hard seasons, or the thirst for knowledge in order to understand how to get to where I am (and beyond) – I wouldn’t be where I am.

Passion is what kept me in motion when no one was clapping. It gave meaning to the late nights, the risks, the pivots. And trust me, there were many.

Resilience was what allowed me to show up again and again, even after quiet seasons or moments where I questioned everything. I refused to let the doubts make the decisions.

And curiosity was the quiet superpower. I’ve never stopped being a student. I always ask, “What don’t I know yet?” and search to learn more about it.

If you’re just starting out, I encourage you to stay passionately connected to the why behind your work. It’s the fuel that keeps things alive when the results take time. And never assume you know everything.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been leaving the freelancer mindset behind and fully stepping into my role as a CEO.

For over 8 years, I was a freelancer doing everything myself, wearing all the hats, and operating like a one-woman show. When I launched my agency, 52 Card Social, I knew I wanted to build something bigger than me, but I had to unlearn the habits that kept me stuck in survival mode.

Last year, I was still running the business entirely alone – client work, marketing, operations, sales – all of it. This year, I’ve built a real team: 3 powerhouse women added to my team, plus a team of coaches and mentors to support my personal and professional growth.

As a result, my business isn’t just busier, but it’s becoming scalable, sustainable, and aligned with the impact I want to make long-term. This year has been the turning point between hustling to keep up and building to lead. And we’re only getting started!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Lindsay Berndt
Lizz Rinehart

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