Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew King.
Hi Andrew, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Gwinnett County, I’ve always been the kid with a million ideas and the drive to make them happen. From drawing comic books with friends to building elaborate Lego creations, creativity has been woven into who I am since day one. That entrepreneurial spark really ignited when I started my own gaming YouTube channel. Suddenly I was diving deep into video editing, learning graphic design, and figuring out what makes content truly engaging. I’m currently a senior at Georgia State University studying media entrepreneurship through the CMII program, which has been the perfect blend of my creative passions and business mindset. But honestly, some of my most valuable education happened outside the classroom when my friend Tyler Herren reached out about a TV show called Finding Kate Hawaii. What started as a simple editing gig turned into something much bigger. We were creating pitch decks, managing social media (growing their Instagram from 200 to over 1,500 followers in just a few months), and helping get the show onto local networks like KHII and KHON2. Seeing 150,000 viewers tune in was incredible, but more importantly, it showed us what we could accomplish when we combined our different skills. After that project wrapped, Tyler, Sebastian Soler, and I looked at each other and thought, “Why not bring this energy to our own community?” That’s how Shock Social Digital Marketing was born. We’re now four months in, and every day feels like we’re building something that truly matters as we’re helping the small businesses we love in Gwinnett tell their stories and connect with their communities.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business while finishing college has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. Time management became this constant puzzle, balancing coursework, client deadlines, and the endless tasks that come with building a company from scratch. There were definitely moments where I questioned if I was crazy for taking this on during my senior year. The learning curve has been steep too. Going from working on a TV show with established systems to creating our own processes, finding our first clients, and figuring out pricing was intimidating. We had the creative skills, but the business side required us to step outside our comfort zones and learn fast. One of the biggest challenges has been establishing credibility as young entrepreneurs in a competitive market. When you’re passionate about something and genuinely believe in what you’re offering, it can be frustrating when people dismiss you based on age rather than ability. We’ve had to work twice as hard to prove ourselves, but honestly, that’s only made us more determined to deliver exceptional results. The encouraging thing about all of this though has been the overwhelming support and approval of what we are doing. Every customer, consultant, or business owner that we have talked to has told us that we are going in the right direction and we are on to something. Some of our best reactions have been after they see the work we’ve made for them, which is really fulfilling to us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Shock Social Digital Marketing, we’re not just another agency throwing around buzzwords, we’re storytellers who happen to be really good at marketing. Our sweet spot is working with small and medium-sized businesses that have heart but maybe need help amplifying their voice in the digital space. We handle everything from social media management and content creation to video production and graphic design. What sets us apart is our background in entertainment and storytelling. When we create content for a client, we’re not just posting pretty pictures, we’re crafting narratives that make people stop scrolling and actually care about what that business has to offer. Video content is where we really shine. Whether it’s creating engaging social media videos, promotional content, or helping businesses establish their visual brand identity, we bring that same energy and attention to detail that we learned producing Finding Kate Hawaii. We know how to make even the smallest local business look and feel premium. We’ve helped businesses increase their social media engagement, and build genuine connections with their communities. What I’m most proud of is how we’ve been able to support the businesses that make Gwinnett County special. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping a family-owned business see their faces online and actually have people relate to it.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Curiosity drives everything I do. I’m constantly asking “what if?” and “how can we do this better?” Whether I’m editing a video, developing a marketing strategy, or brainstorming with my team, I approach every project like it’s a puzzle waiting to be solved. This curiosity keeps me learning and growing, which is essential in an industry that changes as fast as digital marketing. Authenticity is non-negotiable for me. In a world full of fake and pushy content, I believe the most powerful marketing comes from genuine storytelling. When we work with clients, we dig deep to find what makes them unique and real, then amplify those qualities. People can smell inauthenticity from miles away, so we focus on helping businesses be the best, most genuine version of themselves. Resilience has been crucial, especially as a young entrepreneur. There have been plenty of moments where things didn’t go as planned, clients who changed their minds, projects that took longer than expected, or ideas that just didn’t work. But I’ve learned that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. Every challenge has taught me something valuable about business, about myself, or about what our clients really need. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at Shock Social. Working with Tyler and Sebastian has shown me that the best ideas come from combining different perspectives and skills. I’m always looking for ways to bring out the best in my team and our clients. Success isn’t a solo competition, and I genuinely believe we create better work when everyone feels heard and valued.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ShockSocialLLC.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shocksocial
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-b-king
Image Credits
MTS2PHOTO
