Empowered by her passion for digital sales and marketing, Gidget Pugh founded Socially Focused; a digital marketing firm providing local business owners with cutting edge marketing strategies to compete with the aggressiveness of a Fortune-500 company in this rapidly growing world of digital marketing. Read our interview with the lovely Gidget below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
For over 20 years, I used my innate sales and marketing skills to develop and implement diverse revenue streams that significantly increased companies’ bottom lines. These were great accolades but I wanted more, I wanted to be a part of something truly fulfilling, I had a burning desire to see small businesses owners win. So I said goodbye to Corporate America and hello to the pursuit of the “Empowerment” of small business owners. I launched Socially Focused with the vision of empowering small business owners with the resources and expertise needed to compete on a grander scale at a rate they could afford.
Tell us about your business.
Socially Focused provides small businesses with the same marketing strategies and reach as global brands. You may not be a Fortune 500 company, but we’ll make you look like one. We create social media marketing campaigns guided by strategy and best practices. Our social media campaigns start with the development of a strategy based on objectives, KPI’s and tactics unique to your goals.
Where is your business based?
We are based in Oakland, California.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I prayed for God’s guidance to build a marketing firm that would propel small businesses to unthought of growth. With the following words in mind, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” I created a business plan, had it reviewed by a few industry thought leaders, partnered with LegalZoom.com and from there Socially Focused was birthed.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Local networking events have been the most effective way of raising awareness and acquiring new customers.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Starting off as a one woman shop, my biggest challenge had been keeping up with customer demand. I knew there was a need, however, I didn’t realize how open business owners accustomed to traditional marketing were ready to plunge into the digital transformation movement! Good problem to have, right?
How did you overcome these challenges?
We were able to overcome this challenge through an acquisition. Based on our fast growth, Socially Focused was approached by Digital Astronauts, a larger digital marketing firm based in Austin, TX. Through this acquisition, we were able to provide a full-stack digital marketing strategies, at an affordable cost. This has created a win/win for our company and most importantly the small businesses that depend on us to equip them with a world class marketing team.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My motivation comes from the small business owners I serve. Keeping in mind, my expertise is paramount to the growth of each business owner I work with. I am truly making a difference.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Socially Focused has over 20 years of experience working in and around Silicon Valley’s high tech environment, with the mission to see local business owners compete with the effectiveness and aggressiveness of leading companies at an affordable cost. Our passion trumps corporate greed.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
“Do what you love and you will never work a day.”
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Don’t start something you won’t want to do in five years. Because if you are successful, you’ll still be doing this in five years.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
Hootsuite and Hubspot.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Twitter @gidgetpugh_007
Instagram @TheRealCaliforniaGidget
Facebook www.facebook.com/sociallyfocused
Website www.digital-astronauts.com/socially-focused
Email gidget.pugh@sociallyfocusedllc.com
Hashtags #digitaltransformation #letsgetsocial #sociallyfocused
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goals for the next few months includes speaking engagements for small business owners, workshops and webinars on the importance of digital transformation.