Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Herren.
Hi Tyler, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As three college students with a passion for marketing, film, and entrepreneurship, we have been excited to embark on this journey of helping others and building a brand that reflects professionalism and creativity in every project we undertake. We first started as friends who got hired onto a television show produced by Kendrick Simmons Media Group in Honolulu called Finding Kate: Hawaii. We handled the post-production side as well as the marketing strategy for the project. We were able to grow the page from just a couple hundred to over 1.2k in just a few months, with over 150,000 viewers to the show itself. Once we realized that we could apply our knowledge in film, video, and content creation to social media, we decided to grow our own business, not long after the success of the television show.
We spent hours planning and deciding on what to focus on and finally we landed on the idea of Shock Social Digital Marketing, a marketing agency that focuses on helping businesses, from small to medium currently, grow their online presence via social media, website services, and email/SMS marketing. We are here to bring affordable marketing help to those who may not previously have been able to afford it. Everyone has a story to tell, and with Shock Social Digital Marketing, we ensure that your story is told beautifully across both social media and the internet.
Growing up in Gwinnett County, we’ve always been the students 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 we are since day one.However, some of my most valuable education happened outside the classroom when we began working on a stop-motion feature film Spanish Moss, and the TV miniseries Finding Kate Hawaii simultaneously. What started as a simple editing gig turned into something much bigger. We were creating pitch decks, managing social media (growing Finding Kate: Hawaii’s 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, we 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 local businesses we love in Gwinnett tell their stories and connect with their communities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business while completing 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 we questioned if we were crazy for taking this on during our senior year. The learning curve has been steep too. Going from working on a TV show with established systems to creating our own processes, searching for our first clients, and determining pricing was intimidating. We had the creative skills, but the business side required us to step outside our comfort zones and learn fast. Sink or swim. 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. However, what has encouraged us 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.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Shock Social Digital Marketing?
At Shock Social Digital Marketing, we’re not just another agency throwing around buzzwords, we’re storytellers who happen to have a diverse marketing skillset. Our sweet spot is working with small and medium-sized businesses that have heart, but request assistance 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 appealing photos, 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.
Any big plans?
Our plans for the future are very optimistic. As a new brand that is making a name for itself in this wide world of businesses, influencers, and public figures. Our plan is to become the Southeast’s most trusted digital marketing brand when it comes to performance, professionalism, and creativity in the marketing world. The biggest change that we would hope to make is expanding our network of clients, while in doing so expanding the team in order for us to be able to help people share their stories. We would love to work with clients nationally, especially with the rise of the digital age and being able to connect via Zoom or Teams. Our mission is to inform the world about the stories of people and brands rising in their industry, and as we grow as a brand, we strive to grow our clients as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shocksocialllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shocksocial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shock-Social/61577921516395/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shocksocial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShockSocialDigitalMarketing/shorts
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shocksocial.llc?lang=en
