Founder: Frank Kecseti and Alyson Kate Long
Business: Social Burro Inc.
Revenue/Month: $13K
Founders: 1
Employees: 2
Website: socialburro.com
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Founded: March 20, 2020

In an era when digital marketing agencies proliferate across the business ecosystem, Social Burro Inc. stands out with a unique proposition: harnessing social media’s full potential specifically for small businesses that push boundaries and challenge industry standards. Launched by husband-and-wife team Frank Kecseti and Alyson Kate Long on March 20, 2020—just as the pandemic was reshaping business operations worldwide—the company has quickly established itself as a vital resource for ambitious small enterprises. 

The timing of their launch, while seemingly precarious, proved advantageous. Long had lost her job just three weeks earlier amid the growing COVID-19 crisis, creating both urgency and opportunity. Together, the pair leveraged their combined two decades of experience to build a company grounded in their conviction about social media’s transformative power. 

“We didn’t start Social Burro because we thought it would be profitable,” explains Kecseti, who serves as the company’s self-described “Chief Burro” and analytical engine. “We launched because we genuinely believe social media can revolutionize how small businesses connect with their communities—especially those businesses that aren’t afraid to shake things up.” 

Kecseti’s expertise centers on the data-driven aspects of digital marketing. He analyzes metrics with precision, identifying patterns and opportunities that many overlook. His specialty lies in creating highly targeted paid social media advertising campaigns that deliver measurable results. 

“The numbers tell a story if you know how to interpret them,” Kecseti says. “Most small business owners are passionate about their products or services, but they don’t have time to become experts in engagement rates or conversion metrics. That’s where we step in.” 

While Kecseti focuses on the analytical side, Long applies her talents as Content Director, helping clients articulate their core purpose. Her approach emphasizes authenticity and clarity in messaging. 

Social Burro offers a comprehensive suite of services including detailed social media audits, team training sessions, and complete content management. This holistic approach has produced impressive outcomes: the company has guided 37 brands toward clearer purpose, stronger momentum, and more vibrant offline communities. 

The financial results validate their business model. Using a retainer-based approach, Social Burro generates approximately $13,000 monthly—surpassing what the founders had previously earned combined in their former positions. Since its inception, the company has achieved a remarkable 235.3% revenue increase. 

Behind this growth lies an unwavering dedication to continuing education. Both founders continuously expand their knowledge base, often participating in online classes that extend from late evening into the early morning hours. 

Breaking Convention: From Corporate Castoffs to Social Media Mavericks 

Career disappointments and professional roadblocks often contain hidden opportunities. For the founders of Social Burro Inc., a history of workplace friction and unexpected job losses provided the perfect breeding ground for entrepreneurial innovation—turning what could have been career setbacks into the foundation for a thriving business. 

“Throughout my corporate career, I was constantly told I was overthinking problems,” Kecseti recalls with a hint of irony in his voice. “Supervisors would say I was ‘too difficult to manage effectively’ because I questioned established protocols. What they saw as problems, I saw as opportunities to improve outdated systems.” 

Long experienced similar pushback in her previous roles. She found herself repeatedly labeled as someone who wouldn’t conform to traditional approaches, a trait that caused friction in corporate environments but would later prove invaluable in entrepreneurship. 

The couple’s journey toward business ownership gained momentum after relocating to North Carolina in 2019. When Kecseti lost his job in February 2020, what initially seemed like misfortune became the catalyst for their venture. 

“While introducing ourselves around our new community, we noticed something interesting,” Kecseti explains. “Local business owners would perk up when they heard about our marketing backgrounds, but then immediately launch into complaints about social media. The pattern was unmistakable—they needed help, but didn’t know where to find it.” 

After an exhaustive job search that yielded little success—submitting applications to over 50 positions and sending more than 2,000 emails across four months—Kecseti approached Long with a business proposition. 

“I compiled a list of social media services based on those conversations with local merchants,” he says. “Then I took the most direct approach possible—walking up and down Main Street, pitching my ideas face-to-face with business owners. Within 48 hours, we had our first two clients.” 

Kecseti brought considerable social media credibility to their new venture. Between 2015 and 2018, he had built a substantial following as an influencer in the power tools industry, accumulating over 100,000 followers across various platforms. 

Long initially kept her distance from the business, uncertain about her potential contribution. She opted instead for part-time employment at a grocery store to supplement their savings while channeling her experiences into essay writing. 

“I wrote a piece called ‘Thank You for Firing Me’ that unexpectedly struck a chord with readers,” Long notes. “But it was the sequel—’Thank You for Firing My Husband’—that became my most-read work to date. People connect with authentic stories about professional reinvention.” 

By October 2020, Social Burro had expanded significantly, with content management demands requiring additional leadership. Long began contributing behind the scenes, and by January 6, 2021, she officially joined as Content Director. 

“I bring what I call a ‘Yes and…’ approach to client requests,” Long says. “It’s an improvisational mindset I developed through years of creative problem-solving. When clients come with an idea, rather than shutting it down or merely agreeing, I build upon it, enhancing both their satisfaction and the final product.” 

From Bootstrap to Breakthrough: Building a Social Media Powerhouse 

In the high-stakes world of digital marketing, the difference between success and failure often comes down to two critical factors: the courage to specialize and the discipline to grow strategically. For Social Burro Inc., these principles have guided their evolution from a shoestring operation to a thriving agency with a distinctive market position and loyal client base. 

“We started Social Burro with almost nothing,” Kecseti recalls with a hint of pride. “Literally a $12 stock icon, a hosting plan, and a single-page website. That was it—our entire launch investment.” 

His initial vision centered exclusively on organic social media content creation and scheduling services. One of their earliest and most counterintuitive business decisions was learning to decline potential revenue—a terrifying prospect for any new venture. 

“Turning away paying clients when you’re just starting out feels like financial suicide,” Kecseti admits. “But we recognized that specialization would ultimately serve us better than trying to be everything to everyone. This disciplined approach allowed us to build profound expertise in social media that helps clients strengthen their brands in ways that genuinely resonate with their customers.” 

As client needs evolved and social platforms expanded their capabilities during global lockdowns, Kecseti immersed himself in mastering audience targeting, tracking mechanisms, and measurement techniques. 

“The learning curve wasn’t always smooth,” he says with a laugh. “We had this white-labeled ‘listening’ tool that completely failed to distinguish between our client and a B-list actor with the same name. Not exactly what you want to report to a paying customer.” 

These learning experiences, however frustrating at the time, led to their breakout success with paid social media advertising. The company now operates under what they call a “mostly organic” social media philosophy. 

“We maintain that brand positioning and voice should take precedence over fleeting trends,” Long explains. “Our core belief is that consistent, audience-tailored content outlasts any temporary fad. At the same time, our understanding of multiple target audiences enables us to craft precisely targeted advertisements that deliver genuine value while helping clients convert casual engagement into lasting loyalty.” 

A significant operational milestone came in October 2020 when they signed a client with sensitive data requirements. To enhance protection for both parties, Kecseti worked with LegalZoom to transform Social Burro from a DBA (Doing Business As) to an S-Corporation. 

“That $700 in legal fees represented a major investment just six months into operations,” Kecseti notes. “But it yielded substantial returns through tax benefits and enhanced peace of mind.” 

The following July, they commemorated their anniversary by unveiling a new logo created by Logarhythm Creative in Asheville, NC—a design that captures Social Burro’s playful yet dependable personality. 

The company’s launch phase was defined by urgency and necessity. With Long recently unemployed and a pandemic looming, failure simply wasn’t an option. They allocated $1,000 from personal savings to float the business, establishing a 90-day repayment deadline. 

“Remarkably, startup costs consumed less than 20% of our initial investment,” Long points out. “And the business generated enough revenue to cover expenses within six weeks.” 

Both founders frequently reflect on how different their trajectory might have been without the pressure of those extraordinary circumstances. 

“As self-described ‘champion overthinkers’ who appreciate meticulously crafted branding, we recognize that without that sense of urgency, Social Burro might have remained an expensive aspiration,” Long says. 

While their launch was understated, their activity level was intense. Kecseti personally canvassed Main Street, engaging any open business and distributing service lists. 

“Despite frequent declarations of social media hatred from potential clients, persistence paid off,” he says. “We secured two clients within 48 hours. The subsequent month was dedicated to gathering, editing, and scheduling content.” 

Simultaneously, he distributed carefully vetted cold emails, identifying social media job postings on LinkedIn and positioning Social Burro as a company with over 20 years of experience available for less than the cost of an entry-level employee. 

“Despite widespread skepticism about remote work viability, several initially reluctant prospects returned within six months requesting proposals,” Kecseti says. 

Meanwhile, Long balanced her time between grocery store employment and freelance work to stabilize cash flow, while enhancing her skills through online courses. 

“I took this course called ‘The F*CK IT Formula to Content Marketing’ by Demi Kotsoris,” she recalls. “It was an Australian course that began at 2 AM Eastern time. That’s the level of dedication we brought to improving our skills.” 

A key growth factor was Kecseti’s active participation in business organizations, challenging conventional wisdom about networking groups. 

“People told me Chambers of Commerce were populated by out-of-touch ‘old people,’” he says. “I joined chambers in three adjacent counties anyway, which gave us immediate access to virtually every business owner within a 75-mile radius.” 

Rather than simply applying logos to products and expecting immediate returns, Kecseti volunteered in-kind services for membership drives, networking events, and outreach initiatives. Impressed local business organizations subsequently invited him to host educational sessions. 

Their growth journey included valuable lessons about the proposal process. They now incorporate a formal proposal stage with clear expiration dates, customizing recommendations that address specific client challenges and goals. 

“Our meticulous onboarding process includes proposal expirations indicating when we will no longer reserve calendar space for that work,” Long explains. “These procedural steps have saved countless hours otherwise lost to schedule adjustments, timeline revisions, and rushed work.” 

Since launching, their client attraction and retention strategy has centered on personalized service, transparency, and clear expectations. 

“We educate clients about industry standards—such as the benchmark 2% engagement rate for ‘good’ content—while emphasizing quality over superficial metrics,” Kecseti says. “This education process can be challenging, particularly when clients discover their 10,000+ followers generate less than 0.5% engagement.” 

Their willingness to decline opportunities remains a cornerstone of their success. They advise aspiring entrepreneurs to question their knowledge gaps rather than simply accumulating superficial information. 

“Drawing from years of freelance experience, we structured Social Burro around 6- or 12-month retainers with built-in checkpoints,” Long says. “These allow for scope adjustments and progress discussions. While we offer consulting agreements selectively, we enthusiastically provide free workshops for community programs like GoLocal Asheville, helping business owners address immediate issues or envision broader possibilities despite limited resources.” 

Beyond the Bottom Line: Growth, Impact, and Personal Fulfillment 

The true measure of entrepreneurial success extends far beyond financial statements. While profitability creates sustainability, the most meaningful business journeys transform both company performance and personal wellbeing in tandem. For Social Burro Inc., this dual evolution reveals how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can revolutionize professional achievements while simultaneously enhancing life satisfaction and personal growth. 

“Our financial trajectory tells a pretty remarkable story, especially considering when we launched,” Kecseti says. “During our abbreviated first ‘year’—just nine months amid peak COVID uncertainty—we generated nearly $53,000, which actually exceeded my previous in-house compensation.” 

The company’s growth continues to accelerate. For 2022, they projected year-end revenues surpassing $170,000, while maintaining an impressive 75% client retention rate and keeping operating costs contained at just 20%. 

“With several significant opportunities materializing in Q4, we’re genuinely excited about our forward momentum,” Long adds. “The growth curve has been steeper than we initially projected.” 

The company has begun exploring partnerships with municipal governments, recognizing untapped potential in how local administrations connect with constituents. Social platforms, which now enjoy substantial adoption across demographic groups, remain underutilized as tools for bridging the gap between communities and their governing bodies. 

“Our expertise in this arena was validated through a collaboration with a mayoral candidate who won her election despite limited campaign resources,” Kecseti explains. “We employed hyper-localized targeting—sometimes narrowed to just a one-mile radius—to deliver key campaign messages to the most receptive audiences.” 

This precision strategy yielded remarkable results: visibility approximately three times higher per eligible voter within the district. 

Among their most fulfilling projects, the #VeryMerryMemories holiday series for a senior caregiving client exemplifies their philosophy of meaningful engagement over superficial metrics. 

“We conducted more than 30 interviews with residents across the state,” Long says, “ultimately reaching 47,719 people without any paid promotion during a six-week period.” 

The human impact of this work became particularly evident when one featured resident passed away shortly after participation. 

“Family members requested the artwork for display at her memorial service,” Long recalls, her voice softening. “It was a poignant reminder that thoughtful social media content can create lasting value beyond business objectives. In that moment, metrics became completely irrelevant compared to the human connection we’d helped facilitate.” 

The entrepreneurial journey has yielded profound personal insights for both founders. They prioritize daily gratitude practices, especially during challenging periods. 

“While it might sound sentimental to some, we recognize that the flexibility and financial security provided by Social Burro represent significant improvements over our previous circumstances,” Kecseti admits. “Despite the numerous expectations that accompany entrepreneurship, we’ve experienced substantially improved health, happiness, and even marital strength.” 

Their current focus includes implementing a four-day workweek and maintaining what they call a “company policy” that reserves at least one weekend day exclusively for shared recreational activities. 

“Our competitive advantage stems largely from an intrinsic love of learning,” Long points out. “Aligning our careers with genuine skills and interests—rather than arbitrary corporate performance metrics that often fail to address core competencies—has proven far more valuable than lingering in unsatisfying roles.” 

Continuing education has been integrated into their budget from inception. They frequently utilize platforms like Udemy and General Assembly for efficient skill enhancement. 

“In 2021, I completed Digital Brand Management coursework through Ohio State University’s online campus,” Kecseti notes, while Long adds, “I’m currently pursuing Brand Management certification through e-Cornell. The investment in our skills pays dividends in client results.” 

They distill their accumulated wisdom into two straightforward recommendations for aspiring entrepreneurs. 

“First, recognize that self-employment differs fundamentally from business ownership—mental preparation for difficult decisions is essential,” Kecseti advises. “Most people think they want to own a business, but what they actually want is self-employment. The distinction becomes crystal clear the first time you have to make a tough call that affects someone else’s livelihood.” 

Long builds on this thought: “Second, allocate time specifically for strategic business development rather than exclusively operational management. Constant immersion in day-to-day details prevents recognition of broader patterns and emerging opportunities. You need perspective to spot the next big opportunity, and you won’t find that when you’re buried in execution tasks seven days a week.” 

The Entrepreneurial Toolbox: Hard-Won Wisdom from Social Burro’s Journey 

Behind every successful startup lies a collection of practical insights that rarely make it into business textbooks. These are the real-world lessons—sometimes mundane, often unexpected—that can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving. For Social Burro’s founders, these hard-earned insights reflect their pragmatic approach to business while highlighting their understanding that entrepreneurship is fundamentally a human endeavor, not just a financial one. 

“Our journey has taught us things you won’t find in MBA programs,” Kecseti says with a laugh. “For example, our top health recommendation for anyone working in digital: invest in blue light-blocking glasses. Even inexpensive ones from Amazon can prevent the chronic headaches that plague people who stare at screens all day.” 

This seemingly simple advice exemplifies their holistic approach to business—one that protects personal wellbeing alongside company growth. 

Long nods in agreement. “We’ve learned to trust our instincts, especially when it comes to people. No one will ever match the founder’s investment in the company’s success—that’s just reality. This understanding should guide how you manage both team members and your own expectations.” 

Both founders advocate for generous tipping of service industry workers, acknowledging the shared experience of working in demanding customer-facing roles. 

“Financial intelligence has been crucial to our survival,” Kecseti emphasizes. “We recommend ‘buying margin’ by outsourcing energy-draining tasks. Our laundry service provider, Tom at SudShare, has been a game-changer. We’ve embraced the concept that a 24-hour day has finite capacity, and strategic outsourcing creates space for higher-value activities.” 

Similarly, they stress the often-overlooked importance of professional financial guidance from the start. 

“Hire a CPA before tax season arrives,” Long advises firmly. “Expert knowledge of business expense strategies proves essential for maintaining positive cash flow. That’s money that stays in your business rather than going to the IRS unnecessarily.” 

Their relationship-building philosophy emphasizes generosity and community engagement. They recommend offering free coffee consultations to potential clients. 

“Consider the modest $8 expense worthwhile for evaluating potential long-term compatibility,” Kecseti suggests. “That small investment helps you avoid partnerships that would cost thousands in frustration later.” 

This approach extends beyond client relationships to broader community support. Kecseti developed r/AshevilleBeer as a platform where Western North Carolina craft breweries can connect with enthusiasts and promote themselves without cost. 

“Industry visibility should be a priority for any new business,” Long points out. “But rather than cold calling, which rarely works anyway, join professional organizations like Chambers of Commerce and contribute value through volunteering before seeking business. This approach has consistently opened doors while establishing credibility in target industries.” 

Perhaps most insightful is their observation about competitive positioning. “Perception is your biggest competition,” Kecseti says thoughtfully. “We’ve found that market position often depends less on actual capabilities than on how those capabilities are perceived by potential clients. You might be the best at what you do, but if clients can’t see that clearly, it doesn’t matter.” 

Their final recommendation reveals a deeply human understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. 

“Create a list of everyone who has ever vouched for you,” Long advises. “This simple practice serves as a powerful reminder of your unique value proposition during inevitable moments of self-doubt. We all face those dark nights of questioning whether we’re good enough—having tangible evidence that others believe in you can be the difference between giving up and pushing through.” 

Collectively, these insights reflect Social Burro’s distinctive blend of practical business savvy, technological expertise, and genuine human connection—the same qualities that have propelled their remarkable growth from pandemic-era necessity to thriving digital marketing agency. 

“The truth is, building this business has taught us as much about ourselves as about social media marketing,” Kecseti reflects. “The most valuable lessons often come from the most unexpected places.” 

Success Factors: Why Did Social Burro Inc. Succeed? 

• Disciplined specialization – Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, they made the difficult decision to turn away paying clients to focus exclusively on social media expertise. This specialization helped them build deeper expertise that ultimately better served their clients. 

• Adaptability with core principles – They maintained flexibility to adjust to changing client needs and platform capabilities while staying true to their fundamental belief that “consistent, audience-tailored content outlasts any temporary fad.” 

• Low overhead launch strategy – Starting with minimal investment ($12 stock icon, hosting plan, and a single-page website) allowed them to become profitable quickly while limiting financial risk. 

• Urgency as motivation – The pandemic circumstances and Long’s unemployment created a “failure is not an option” mindset that prevented overthinking and pushed them to take decisive action. 

• Strategic networking – Kecseti’s approach to joining Chambers of Commerce in three counties and volunteering services before seeking business positioned them with access to virtually every business owner within a 75-mile radius. 

• Continuous education – Both founders invested heavily in skills development, taking courses (even at 2 AM) and pursuing formal certifications that enhanced their service offerings. 

• Structured business processes – Implementing formal proposals with expiration dates and 6-12 month retainers with checkpoints created predictable revenue while saving time otherwise lost to schedule adjustments. 

• Focusing on meaningful metrics – Educating clients about industry standards (like the 2% engagement benchmark) rather than superficial follower counts helped set realistic expectations and build trust. 

• Strategic outsourcing – “Buying margin” by outsourcing energy-draining tasks to create space for higher-value activities improved their efficiency. 

• Personal wellbeing integration – Implementing policies like reserving weekend days for recreation and moving toward a four-day workweek helped maintain health, happiness, and prevented burnout. 

• Value-first community approach – Creating free resources (like r/AshevilleBeer) and offering pro-bono workshops for community programs demonstrated their expertise while building goodwill. 

• Hyper-targeted advertising expertise – Their precision in targeting specific audiences (sometimes as narrow as a one-mile radius) delivered exceptional results for clients, particularly in their municipal government work. 

Key Lessons to Learn 

1. Embrace constraints as catalysts – The founders turned career setbacks and pandemic challenges into opportunities, using urgency as motivation rather than an obstacle. Their $1,000 initial investment and 90-day repayment deadline created productive pressure. 

2. Specialization beats generalization – Their willingness to decline potential revenue to maintain focus on social media expertise ultimately created more value than trying to be everything to everyone. 

3. Trust your instincts about misalignment – Being labeled “difficult to manage” or “overthinking problems” in corporate environments signaled strengths that would later become competitive advantages in entrepreneurship. 

4. Strategic networking trumps cold outreach – Instead of mass cold calls, Kecseti joined Chambers of Commerce and volunteered services first, gaining immediate access to virtually every business owner within a 75-mile radius. 

5. Formal processes prevent waste – Implementing proposal expiration dates, structured onboarding, and retainer models with checkpoints saved countless hours otherwise lost to schedule adjustments and timeline revisions. 

6. Education is an investment, not an expense – Both founders continuously upgraded their skills through courses and certifications, treating learning as a core business function rather than an optional extra. 

7. Distinguish business ownership from self-employment – They emphasize the mental preparation needed to make difficult decisions that affect others’ livelihoods, a key distinction many aspiring entrepreneurs miss. 

8. Make time for strategic thinking – Constant immersion in day-to-day operations prevents recognition of broader patterns and opportunities. Dedicated time for business development is essential. 

9. “Buy margin” through strategic outsourcing – Recognizing that a 24-hour day has finite capacity, outsourcing energy-draining tasks creates space for higher-value activities. 

10. Perception may be your biggest competition – Market position often depends less on actual capabilities than on how those capabilities are perceived by potential clients. 

11. Balance metrics with meaning – Their #VeryMerryMemories project demonstrated how social media can create lasting human value beyond business objectives, serving as a reminder that impact sometimes transcends numbers. 

12. Create systems for combating self-doubt – Their recommendation to keep a list of everyone who has vouched for you provides a practical tool for those inevitable moments of entrepreneurial uncertainty. 

Opportunity Matrix 

Founder Background 

• Frank Kecseti: Self-described “Chief Burro” and data enthusiast with expertise in analytics and paid social media advertising 

• Alyson Kate Long: Content Director focused on helping clients articulate their fundamental purpose 

• Combined 20 years of marketing experience 

• Both were considered “difficult to manage” in corporate settings for questioning established protocols 

• Kecseti built a following of 100,000+ as a power tools influencer (2015-2018) 

• Both known as “champion overthinkers” who appreciate meticulous branding 

Problem Identification 

• Small businesses expressing frustration with social media management 

• Local business owners lacking expertise to leverage social platforms effectively 

• Disconnect between business goals and social media implementation 

• Traditional employment not valuing innovative thinking and questioning of established protocols 

• Businesses struggling to adapt to digital-first environment during COVID-19 pandemic 

• Superficial metrics (followers) being prioritized over meaningful engagement 

Market Opportunity 

• Launch timing coincided with COVID-19 pandemic (March 20, 2020) 

• Businesses forced to pivot to digital channels due to physical restrictions 

• Small business owners who are “pushing boundaries and challenging industry norms” needed specialized support 

• Untapped potential in municipal government social media communications 

• Opportunity to offer expertise at lower cost than hiring in-house social media staff 

Competitive Landscape 

• Competitors primarily applying logos to products and expecting immediate ROI 

• Many agencies lacking deep specialization in social media 

• Few agencies focused specifically on boundary-pushing small businesses 

• Perception often matters more than actual capabilities in this market 

• Remote work skepticism creating initial barriers that later became advantages 

Market Research 

• Informal conversations with local merchants revealed pattern of social media frustration 

• Direct canvassing of Main Street businesses provided immediate market feedback 

• Active participation in three county Chambers of Commerce provided access to business owners 

• Social media job postings on LinkedIn revealed hiring costs and requirements 

• Ongoing analysis of engagement benchmarks (2% being “good” engagement) 

Business Model 

• Retainer-based model (6 or 12-month contracts with built-in checkpoints) 

• Initial focus on organic social media content creation and scheduling 

• Evolution to include paid social advertising with precision targeting 

• Operating costs maintained at approximately 20% of revenue 

• Selective offering of consulting agreements alongside retainers 

• Complementary workshops for community programs like GoLocal Asheville 

Initial Capital 

• $1,000 allocated from personal savings with 90-day repayment deadline 

• Startup costs consumed less than 20% of initial investment 

• Business generated enough revenue to cover expenses within six weeks 

• Bootstrapped launch with minimal investment: $12 stock icon, hosting plan, single-page website 

• Long worked part-time at grocery store during initial launch phase to stabilize cash flow 

Product/Service Development 

• Initial focus exclusively on organic social media content creation and scheduling 

• Expanded to paid social media advertising after learning audience targeting and measurement 

• Developed “mostly organic” social media philosophy prioritizing brand positioning over trends 

• Service portfolio grew to include comprehensive social media audits and team training sessions 

• Hyper-localized targeting capabilities (sometimes narrowed to one-mile radius) 

Marketing Strategy 

• Direct canvassing of Main Street businesses with service lists 

• Strategic cold emails to businesses with social media job postings on LinkedIn 

• Active participation in three county Chambers of Commerce 

• Volunteering in-kind services for membership drives and networking events 

• Hosting educational sessions for local business organizations 

• Creating free resources like r/AshevilleBeer for community building 

• Offering free coffee consultations to evaluate potential client compatibility 

Milestones 

• Founded March 20, 2020, three weeks after Long lost her job 

• Secured first two clients within 48 hours of launch 

• Generated nearly $53,000 in abbreviated first “year” (9 months) 

• Converted from DBA to S-Corporation in October 2020 (6 months post-launch) 

• Long officially joined as Content Director on January 6, 2021 

• New logo unveiled July 2021 (created by Logarhythm Creative in Asheville, NC) 

• Projected 2022 revenues surpassing $170,000 

• Successful collaboration with mayoral candidate who won her election 

• #VeryMerryMemories campaign reached 47,719 people without paid promotion 

Scalability 

• 75% client retention rate indicating strong foundation for sustainable growth 

• Formalized proposal and onboarding process creating operational efficiency 

• Strategic outsourcing of energy-draining tasks to create capacity 

• Continuous education and certification enhancing service capabilities 

• Moving toward four-day workweek model while maintaining growth 

• Exploring new market segments (municipal governments) for expansion 

Potential Risks and Challenges 

• Work-life balance in entrepreneurial environment 

• Managing growth while maintaining service quality 

• Potential industry consolidation 

• Platform changes affecting social media strategies (algorithm updates) 

• Economic downturns affecting client marketing budgets 

• Competition from larger agencies with more resources 

• Burnout due to continuous learning requirements 

Key Performance Indicators/Metrics 

• Revenue growth (235.3% increase since inception) 

• Monthly revenue ($13,000 approximately) 

• Client retention rate (75%) 

• Operating costs (maintained at 20%) 

• Campaign engagement rates (benchmark of 2% for “good” content) 

• Campaign reach (e.g., 47,719 people for #VeryMerryMemories) 

• Client portfolio growth (37 brands guided toward clearer purpose)