We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sydney Kofron a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sydney, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
After five years in the marketing industry, I knew it was time to take the leap and start my own business. I felt confident in the expertise I had developed in social media, SEO, and web design, as well as the professional growth I had achieved along the way. Starting my own company had always been a dream, but the idea of leaving the financial stability of my 9-to-5 and taking that first bold step was daunting. Ultimately, I knew that growth required risk, and I was ready to embrace the challenge.
To set myself up for success, I spent countless nights and weekends building my marketing website, refining my portfolio, and nurturing the professional connections I had cultivated over the years. These steps gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to take the risk of stepping into entrepreneurship.
By focusing on what I could control—my skills, relationships, and work ethic—I learned to approach risks as opportunities rather than obstacles. I am in control of my future and each of my actions will help me get where I need to be.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hi! My name is Sydney, and I am a Digital Marketing Consultant as well as the co-founder of a skincare brand, Emmeline Skin.
Two years ago, I took the leap to leave my 9-to-5 job and launch my own marketing company, SK Marketing Consulting. I’ve always been passionate about digital marketing, with expertise in social media, web design, and SEO. Beyond wanting more freedom in my day-to-day life, I also aimed to expand my earning potential and create space to pursue another dream—bringing my skincare brand to life.
Today, I’m incredibly proud to celebrate two years of running SK Marketing Consulting and six months of Emmeline Skin. These businesses represent not only my professional ambitions but also my personal growth and resilience. At SK Marketing Consulting, I focus on helping businesses of all sizes amplify their online presence through tailored strategies and creative solutions. Whether it’s designing a visually captivating website, optimizing search engine performance, or crafting engaging social media campaigns, I take pride in delivering results that help my clients thrive.
With Emmeline Skin, I’ve combined my love for wellness and beauty to create a brand that prioritizes natural ingredients and empowers individuals to embrace their best skin. Launching this brand has been a labor of love, and seeing it come to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
Looking ahead, I’m focused on expanding both businesses. For SK Marketing Consulting, I’m working on offering new services and creating resources for small business owners looking to navigate the digital landscape. For Emmeline Skin, I’m excited to launch our third product and get into more med-spas & retail spaces.
These past few years have been transformative, and I’m grateful for the challenges and successes that have shaped me. My journey has reinforced the value of taking risks, trusting the process, and staying true to your passions.
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?
Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were resourcefulness, resilience, and adaptability.
1. Resourcefulness
This quality was essential when starting my own business. I didn’t have a clear roadmap or all the answers—I had to figure out how to turn my ideas into reality with limited time and resources. For example, I used platforms like LegalZoom to handle the technical aspects of setting up my business, such as forming an LLC and drafting contracts. These tools made the process more accessible and allowed me to focus on growing my business. Resourcefulness also meant seeking out mentors, leaning on my network for guidance, and learning how to make the most of what was available to me.
2. Resilience
Starting a business comes with challenges, and there were moments when things felt uncertain. I experienced situations where I felt discouraged or tempted to give up. While it’s okay to take a moment to feel upset or doubtful, what truly matters is how you respond. Whenever I made a mistake or faced a setback, I reminded myself of why I started, how fortunate I was to have these opportunities, and that I had the power to make changes. That mindset helped me push forward, learn from challenges, and grow stronger with each experience.
3. Adaptability
The marketing landscape evolves constantly, and staying ahead requires flexibility and a willingness to pivot. Whether it was adjusting strategies to meet client needs or honing new skills to remain competitive, adaptability has been a cornerstone of my success. I make it a priority to stay educated by listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, and following updates on social media trends, SEO changes, and industry shifts. Being open to change and seeing it as an opportunity to innovate has set me apart and allowed me to deliver exceptional results for my clients.
These three qualities—resourcefulness, resilience, and adaptability—have shaped my journey as a business owner and continue to guide me as I grow. For anyone starting out, embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, focus on what you can control, and never stop investing in yourself.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I went into 2024 feeling incredibly overwhelmed. I was in the second year of my marketing business, gearing up to launch my skincare brand, and planning my wedding—all while working 60+ hour weeks. It felt like I had no time to breathe, and the weight of it all was heavy.
The second I recognized this, I knew I had to take action to regain control. One of the first things I did was start chunking things out—breaking down my tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This helped me stop feeling buried under everything and made it clear what needed immediate attention versus what could wait. I also made a conscious decision to create short-term and long-term to-do lists. I’d focus on the immediate steps while reminding myself of the bigger picture to stay grounded.
Another strategy I found incredibly helpful was listening to relaxing lofi music while working. It helped calm my mind and allowed me to focus on the task at hand without getting distracted by the overwhelming pressure.
I also started writing down my accomplishments each day in my journal. This practice was a game-changer because it helped me reflect on the progress I was making, no matter how small the victories seemed. It was so easy to get caught up in everything I hadn’t done, but this daily habit allowed me to celebrate my wins and maintain a positive mindset.
By implementing these strategies, I was able to manage the overwhelm, focus on the present moment, and regain some much-needed balance in my life. It’s a process that’s still ongoing, but recognizing when I’m overwhelmed and taking proactive steps has allowed me to continue moving forward without burning out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sydneykofron.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sydneylynnrogers
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-kofron/
- Other: https://emmelineskin.com/
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