The Backstory of BB Branding

Hi there! Welcome to the BB Blog, a dedicated space separate from social media platforms. This blog serves as a guide and journal, storing things that don't quite fit into regular posts. You'll find a mix of my personal stories, tips, resources, and advice here—knowledge you can now make your own and apply to your business.

In this first blog post, I wanted to share some of my journey as a Social Media Manager with you all, as it has been anything but ordinary. Notably, many of you have probably had similar experiences as you will read here today. Feel free to reach out if this story resonates with you!

Let’s jump right in, and throw it back to 2021—

…

In December of 2021, I graduated with a B.S. degree in Integrated Advertising & Public Relations from the University of South Florida. I was also working two jobs at the time. One was a Social Media Management internship, and the other was a part-time job as a Marketing Coordinator. I loved both of those jobs, there was genuinely no happier time than the 2021-2022 timeframe when it came to the jobs I had. However, I ended up leaving both towards the end of 2022 to pursue what I thought would be an amazing opportunity to advance my skills.

I quickly became a cynical version of myself once I realized that this opportunity I had taken, would take a toll on me; let’s just say I was sick more in 2023 than any other year ever. I was so stressed out, and I felt like I was talking to a wall whenever there was something that needed a solution. Every day felt like a Social Media-mergency because that’s just how the job I worked at allowed clients to make us feel. 

I felt like such a failure. I felt like I was the problem… Is my new job really not working out for me already? It’s only been a few months… this can’t be. 

I started to question myself. Was it me? Or was I just trying my best with the little training, and acknowledgment I was getting? Was it me? Or was I just being micromanaged? Was it me? Or was I just being pressured to take on the numerous tasks and responsibilities that the owner didn’t want to do? Was it me? Or was I just more stressed about someone else’s business than they were?

I had looked back on 2023 with so much regret. Why did I take opportunities so quickly? I barely asked any questions going into this. I knew from then on things needed to be different…

I remember looking at my husband one day as we were driving and I had asked him if he thought I could run my own freelancing business. I’ll never forget his facial expression; It was almost as if he had been waiting for me to ask him this, or make this move. He was one of the few people who knew how miserable I was. The joy of wanting to work in the Marketing field had been stripped away almost completely, with little to no passion left. Where do I go to find something I once had? Do I keep taking these risks? At that moment, I knew I’d be taking a chance on myself by starting my own business. What better place to find something you lost than within yourself?

So, I filed my LLC under the name BB Branding, and the rest is history. Cue the credits!

Well, not exactly…

What really happened was I worked my normal corporate hours from 7:30am-3:30pm, and from 4:30pm-9:30pm, I worked on my own business. Oh, and the weekends? If I didn’t have plans, I was working on my business. This was my life for the next four months until I could land my very first client. 

I wouldn’t be telling you the full truth if I didn’t tell you that I was extremely scared, and very much in my own head. What if this doesn’t work out? What if this work is all for nothing? What if…?

One day I was fed up with the what-ifs, and the imposter syndrome I was feeling— I told myself to stop worrying, and just start putting action into the things I want. Before I start doubting myself, I need to at least TRY to succeed at the goal first.

I continued building up my social media presence and getting myself out there. I continued researching how to run a business and setting up my systems for when I would get hired by a brand. I continued adding projects to my portfolio. With each day that passed, I continued showing up.

In January of 2024, I was finally at a point where I could put my two weeks in and leave my job. Thinking about my life there made me sick to my stomach, and still does to this day. What a whirlwind it was to finally be free and give all of my energy back to my own business. Maybe this was the thing I needed all along.

You see, the story of my business is far from a perfect one, but it’s mine. It’s the experiences that showed me what running a business should look like, and it’s the examples of what running a business should never look, or be like.

So, here we are, in May 2024. I’m five months into my full-time freelancing journey with three clients of my own, and a recently accepted contract position with a SMM Agency I have been admirably following for around three years now. OH — and the slump I was in last year? It’s starting to feel less like a curse, and more like a gift with each day that passes.

If you’re reading this and you resonate with anything I’m saying, you’ve more than likely made it to the “self-discovery” era of your life. This journey is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be a slightly isolating one as a solopreneur.

Find your community, and lean on each other (more on that later!)

My final takeaway for you here is to ALWAYS ask the questions that will weed out any potentially bad jobs, and don’t take the first opportunity you see unless you know it’s truly a good one. 

I hope this helped you understand a little more about my backstory, and allowed you to find peace in knowing you are not alone in your journey as a business owner. I can’t wait to share tons more knowledge, tips, tricks, and stories with you all.

Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way on the BB Blog!