Hey there, if you’re an early-stage social media manager looking to stand out online & live the laptop lifestyle, this podcast is for you!
I’m Shannon, and I’m here to provide you with practical + actionable strategies to help up-level your social media presence, craft a strong personal brand online, & most importantly help you build your Social Media Management business around your dream lifestyle, not the other way around.
Let’s Dive into My Story
Growing up, I had no idea that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. Heck, I don’t even think I knew what that word even was when I was younger. It was always drilled into my head that I had to follow a certain path, get good grades, go to a reputable college, & climb the corporate ladder. That was the “socially acceptable” thing to do.
After high school, I ended up getting accepted into UC Santa Cruz and at that point in time, I thought I was going to go down the marine biology route and become a dolphin trainer. Yup, I wanted to play with dolphins for a living (I mean who wouldn’t), but I was repeatedly told that the pay + job itself was not as amazing as I had been envisioning – shocking I know.
So fast forward to class enrollments where I thought I was going to be signing up for marine biology classes I remember randomly turning to my mom and saying “nope never mind I’m actually going to do business instead”. I still have no idea to this day why I changed my mind. Maybe it was because my mother told me that being a dolphin trainer included cleaning up crap for a living, but there I was now signing up for business classes.
A Facebook Ad that Changed Everything
During my freshman year at UCSC, I ended up meeting my then-boyfriend (yes this will be relevant). He was a few years older than me and I fell head over heels in love with this guy and I thought he was “the one”. We dated all throughout college and towards my senior year, he decided to join the Coast Guard which, to be honest, I was not thrilled about. I knew at this point in time I did not want the military life as I knew it involved months of being away for non-stop trainings, moving from place to place every few years, & just having little to no control over his life. But, we still decided to make it work so while he was off at Bootcamp, I was finishing up my last few quarters.
One night I ended up scrolling mindlessly on FB (probably when I was supposed to be studying for finals) but I came across a FB Ad of two women who built an online service-based business together, they were traveling the world, & they were teaching other women how to do the same via their courses. I immediately bought their courses and that was the day everything clicked for me and I realized there was this alternative to climbing the whole corporate ladder.
Navigating Through Uncertainty: From Real Estate to Social Media
March 2018 marked my graduation from college, a quarter early, and a move to San Diego. My then-boyfriend had been stationed on the East Coast, which was unexpected for me, but we decided to make the long-distance thing work. I applied to numerous jobs, unsure of what direction I wanted to take with my business degree or what online business I truly wanted to start. Eventually, I landed a sales position at a real estate investing company.
My job involved making countless calls to potential clients, pitching various real estate investing packages. This role opened my eyes to the dissatisfaction many people felt in their jobs, their financial struggles, and their regrets about not pursuing their dreams earlier in life. After six months, I realized I couldn’t continue working in a job that didn’t align with my values and aspirations.
My interest in social media marketing led me to apply for a position at an Instagram Marketing company, despite lacking experience. I immersed myself in learning everything about Instagram marketing and provided consultations to small business owners. However, I grew disillusioned with the superficial focus on metrics rather than authentic connections. One difficult phone call with a client became a turning point, prompting me to pursue my own online business.
Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
Putting in my two weeks’ notice was daunting, but I took the leap, moving 3,000 miles to Virginia to support my boyfriend’s career with the Coast Guard. However, just days before Christmas Eve, I discovered his infidelity. Encouraged by my sister, I booked a one-way ticket to Bali – a dream I’d harbored since college. Arriving in Bali in January 2020, I felt lost and alone, but it marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Building a Business in a Pandemic
Leveraging my skills, I offered free Instagram consultations to build my brand and credibility. As the pandemic unfolded, I made the bold decision to stay in Bali, and launched my own Social Media Management business.
Sharing The Ups & Downs
My entrepreneurial journey hasn’t been smooth or linear. I’ve pivoted my business multiple times, realizing my passion for helping female-led brands market themselves online. Through The Tropical Social Podcast, I aim to share my knowledge, experiences, and the realities of entrepreneurship. My hope is to inspire others to pursue their dreams, embrace change, and harness the power of social media to create their own version of the laptop lifestyle.
If you liked today’s episode on The Tropical Social Podcast, don’t forget to leave a review & subscribe!
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Episode Links + Resources
Grab my Social Media Manager Notion Template HERE
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