Nearly ten years ago, I wrote this as a personal business journal entry during one of the biggest transitions of my life. I had stepped away from running my mobile and e-commerce boutique, was learning what it meant to be a full-time marketer and was also navigating life as a new second-time mom.
I recently found this entry again while cleaning out old files and realized how much of it still applies today.
This post is part reflection, part reminder, and part encouragement for anyone trying to grow a business while juggling real life.
You are a business owner. You have a family, friends, responsibilities, and maybe even another job. So where are you supposed to find the time to keep up with a website- much less social media and everything else the business requires of you?
Running a business today means having an online presence but navigating it can feel overwhelming. You scroll through social media and see engagement announcements, baby photos, and beautiful vacation pictures flooded with likes and comments. Then you post about your product… and it’s crickets.
What gives?
The truth is- babies and beach vacations are a little more exciting than a new t-shirt. But with consistency and genuine connection, your business can build an online presence that truly competes.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you see big brands thriving, but your success doesn’t have to look like theirs. Never compare or try to follow someone else’s exact footsteps. Do what you love and run with it.
Build relationships with your customers through live sales, comment conversations, modeling your own products, and showing up as yourself.
When new clients join me, they often ask,
“What do I need to do differently?”
This is what I told them then- and what I still believe today:
Be consistent.
Whether you post twice a day or twice a week, consistency matters more than perfection. Pick your rhythm. Weekly live sales. New arrival days. Story posts. Whatever your thing is, stick with it.
Be engaged.
Reply to every comment. Yes, everyone. Like them. Respond. Build relationships. The algorithm follows connection.
Brand yourself.
Branding is more than a logo. It’s your colors, your style, your attitude, and your voice. A consistent look and feel builds trust and helps customers recognize you instantly.
Use real photos.
There is no single “right” way to photograph products. Just stay away from stock photos whenever possible. Some brands shine with professional images. Others succeed with mirror selfies. Find what works for you and lean into it.
Advertise yourself everywhere.
Make sure your pages are updated and easy to navigate. Your website should work. Your links should work. Every profile you own is free advertising. Use it.
Rep your own brand.
If you sell it, wear it. Snap a photo. Tag your business. Customers love seeing real-life outfits and complete looks. This naturally leads to higher ticket sales when they see how pieces work together.
Connect all your platforms.
Guide website visitors to your social media and social media followers to your website. Marketing works best when everything works together.
Use hashtags and keywords strategically.
Hashtags still help new customers find you, and keywords now work much the same way. Visibility matters.
Above all… be you and have fun.
When I read this journal entry again, what struck me most was not how much social media has changed- but how much it has stayed the same.
People still want connection.
They still want authenticity.
They still want to feel seen and supported by the brands they buy from.
This reflection reminded me why I started 25th Hour Business Solutions in the first place:
To help business owners navigate marketing without losing themselves in the process.
If you ever feel like marketing isn’t your strength or you just need someone to brainstorm with, my inbox is always open.
I started this business after nearly a decade as a boutique owner because I understand the daily struggles, questions, workload, and pressure that come with running a small business.
Today, I help brands with email marketing, SMS, social media, virtual assistance, product and site management, growth planning, and more. Advice will always be free, and support will always be here.
Inside the 25th Hour is where I’ll be sharing reflections, strategy, lessons learned, and real-life business growth- from the early days to now.
If you are building a business in the middle of real life, you are in the right place. 🤍