Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Collins
Dominique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From the moment I decided to go to college, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in marketing. I was fortunate to have this clarity early on and was able to pursue it right away. During college, I had a couple of internships in media relations and marketing/communications, which set me up for success post-grad. After graduating from the University of Toledo, I landed a job at a local mortgage company. This company had never had a marketing position before, so I had the unique opportunity to forge my path. Unfortunately, after a year and a half, the newly created position was eliminated. This was my first taste of the cut-throat culture of the corporate world, but it wouldn’t be my last.
Soon after being let go, I packed up my one-bedroom apartment and, with one of my closest college friends, drove a U-Haul nine hours to Atlanta to start a new life. I expected to find a job quickly, but life had other plans. My first role in my new city was briefly working on the social media team for Kasim Reed’s re-election campaign. After that, I joined the Atlanta Dream Women’s Basketball social media team, which was exciting since my goal at that time was to work in sports. Despite the great experience, I couldn’t secure a full-time job in sports. I then started managing a friend’s social media for her swimsuit boutique.
When the pandemic hit, my creativity flourished, and I started two businesses: a PR/social media agency and a handmade skincare company. This was my first experience running a business, and it was quite an adventure. I funded everything myself and managed all the marketing campaigns and branding. During this time, I also worked as a waitress to pay my bills, which was another unexpected turn in my life. It was eye-opening, and I always say if you have the opportunity to work in the service industry once in your life, do it. You learn to talk to strangers easily and deal with many different personalities in a fast-paced setting.
I was still craving stability and a consistent paycheck, so I applied for an entry-level role at an advertising agency and received an offer quickly. Ironically, this was the same place I had interviewed with years before and was turned away. This experience taught me that sometimes you just aren’t ready, and God’s timing is impeccable. I spent three years at the agency in a unique dual role of PR and digital marketing. I dove in and soaked up everything like a sponge, quickly getting promoted and taking on more responsibilities. At one point, everything was smooth sailing, and I loved the job. However, midway through my second year and second promotion, I began to experience burnout. Despite pushing through the frustration, I eventually felt pushed past my limits. I was let go in January of this year and felt an instant wave of relief.
The constant stress and pressure were gone, and I was excited for my next adventure, Dominique Simone Freelancing. My thought process in starting my own business again was driven by the desire to have control over my livelihood rather than giving employers the power to cut it off. I have been actively running my business since mid-January, and while it hasn’t been easy, nothing in life worth having comes easy. And that goes for everything.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Challenge after challenge! My first experience with a client came soon after I started in January/February. Eager to work, I compromised some of my boundaries to get the contract signed and begin services. I managed this client’s social media for one month, but after that, I was ghosted and told my services were no longer needed, essentially breaching our contract in the worst way. Initially, I took it extremely personally, but I had to be objective, take it as a loss, and learn from the experience. For a moment, I questioned my ability to continue, which caused me to experience a bit of imposter syndrome. However, I was able to bounce back and push forward.
Since then, I’ve had many calls and chats with potential clients without securing anything. The uncertain economy isn’t helping, as people are hesitant about where they put their money and how they spend it. My main struggle is convincing businesses that they should invest in marketing because it will bring them the brand recognition and ROI they need. When things become uncertain, usually the first thing companies cut off is their marketing efforts, which isn’t wise because consistent marketing is crucial for maintaining visibility and attracting customers, especially in challenging times.
As you know, we’re big fans of Dominique Simone Freelancing . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Dominique Simone Freelancing is a service-based marketing business specializing in social media, digital marketing, brand design, and strategy building. My goal is to work with clients looking to freshen up their content and branding. Marketing is often underrated, and my goal is to reignite business owners’ excitement about creating an impactful online presence and brand footprint.
What sets me apart is my strategy-first approach. Instead of immediately posting low-quality content, I develop comprehensive strategies that assess the current state of social channels, identify what’s working and what hasn’t, and offer future recommendations. My services are customizable based on client needs and I do not offer one-size-fits-all solutions. My clients are guaranteed to work with a well-experienced expert who isn’t just interested in taking their money but in becoming a collaborative long-term partner committed to brand growth.
I am most proud of my ability to bounce back and not give up on my dream of being my own boss. Despite numerous challenges, my determination to pursue my passion has always kept me going. I believe the defining factor of a business owner is not being afraid to take risks and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is when my parents surprised me with a dog in sixth grade after I had been begging them for years. I vividly remember the day we went to pick him up and brought home a three-pound Chihuahua puppy.
As an only child, I was always fascinated by animals, especially dogs. I was the kid who spent hours reading about different breeds, watching shows about dogs on Animal Planet, and daydreaming about the day I would have one of my own.
Jordan lived a long, full life and passed away at 14. He will always be remembered as my first doggy love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dominiquesimonefreelancing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquesimonefreelancing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561076902412
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dominiquesiiimone
