Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Cleverly.
Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I used to yearn for a corner office in a major marketing agency in the big city and I got a taste of that life while living in London and working with brands like Chanel and Burger King. It had all the glam and excitement I thought I wanted. But it didn’t take me long to realize my success was going to look different than I originally planned.
When I moved back to the states and had my boys, motherhood changed my view of success again and family became my number one priority. This new outlook changed my career focus and I knew I wanted to find people like me- the movers and shakers, the dreamers, the people who were building their businesses from the ground up and realizing their dreams. The corporate world was exciting and fast-paced but it felt empty. Working with small businesses and helping them reach their goals, celebrating their wins, and overcoming their roadblocks felt personal.
That’s what success looks like for me now. Helping the businesses that build my community grows.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I haven’t met a single entrepreneur who hasn’t had struggles along the way, and I know this is going to sound cliche, but every bump and hiccup and setback has been a learning experience for me and my business. The biggest piece of advice that I followed when I started my business was to admit I don’t know it all. I learned quickly to ask questions, seek advice, and find mentorships from people in the industry who are where I want to be. I’ve surrounded myself with people who motivate and educate me and it’s been critical for my growth.
I would say one of my biggest struggles was setting boundaries. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my business and I had a hard time saying no, or not answering calls or texts or responding to emails 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a business owner, there is no real off switch- you don’t get to clock out. I had to work really hard to find a balance so I could make sure my family was getting as much of me as my clients.
I still haven’t mastered it, but a year in and I am definitely getting better and more secure with setting healthy boundaries.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Magnolia Black?
Magnolia Black is a long-time dream that has finally been given wings. I always knew I wanted to start my own digital marketing business so last year the stars aligned and I knew it was time.
I know marketing is sometimes considered a dirty word. It’s normally the first thing to get cut when the budgets are low and the last thing to get credit when business is good. But I’ve seen how valuable a good strategy can be for business-especially in the digital space.
We’re slowly emerging from a pandemic, and people are desperate for connection and authenticity. Social media has trended away from picture-perfect Instagram lifestyles to raw and real videos of people’s lives. This is true for brands too- consumers want to get a peek behind the curtain and hear the stories that make the business unique.
I want to help you tell that story. My heart is with the small business owners, the dreamers, and the people who have put their heart and soul into their businesses. Those are the stories I love to tell.
I am so pumped to be building an incredible team of creatives that can help you reach your audience in a real way- in a way that connects and not only gets customers but builds relationships and community around your brand.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Authentic connections make me happy.
I live in the digital space for most of my day-to-day work and it can be hard to find real authenticity on social media.
So, whether it’s sitting with my boys and hearing a story about their day or talking to a business owner about the story behind their brand or meeting a stranger and listening to a random story they felt compelled to share with me, I genuinely feel most happy when I’m able to make connections.
I am one of those people whose face is often buried in a screen, partly because of work but also partly because it’s a huge part of life now, so when I find real-life in-person connections, I cherish them.
Also, ice cream makes me pretty happy too.
Contact Info:
- Email: heather@themagnoliablack.com
- Website: themagnoliablack.com
- Instagram: @themagnoliablack
- Facebook: facebook.com/themagnoliablack
- Other: Tiktok: @themagnoliablack
Image Credits
Ryan Cook Lauren Hubbard
