Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in branding and marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Morgan Overholt, Owner and CEO of Morgan Media LLC., located in Miami, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My company is Morgan Media LLC. I am a freelance graphic designer, a virtual freelance coach, and a six-figure blogger who runs multiple websites that attract millions of views every year, including HeyOrlando.com, TheSmokies.com, MiamiTake.com, and of course, MorganOverholt.com.
Tell us about yourself
After a decade in corporate America left me feeling overworked and considerably agitated, I rage quit in 2017 and left it all behind to regain control over my own life. I decided to turn my then side-hustle – freelance graphic design – into a full-time career which, within just two years' time, grew into a digital agency that was producing 6-figures a year in revenue. In 2020, I decided to pivot part of that graphic design freelance empire from client work to in-house work. Using the skillsets I had learned over the years – like WordPress development, writing, and design – to launch my first travel blog, TheSmokies.com.
TheSmokies.com was such a success that I later launched HeyOrlando.com, MiamiTake.com, and MorganOverholt.com to follow in my original site's footsteps.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is creating jobs for my friends and family in the middle of a pandemic when career uncertainty was at a global peak.
I employed my little sister for two years before she and my husband became a partner in the blog business. Today, the blog business also employs my mother (who serves as our virtual assistant), my brother-in-law (who handles our voiceovers), and a handful of friends who, as freelancers, help us produce content every week. It's been life-changing for all of us.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Honest answer ... taxes. They are so complicated and annoying!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't overthink it. Far too often, I see aspiring business owners fail before they even make it off the ground due to overthinking and perfectionism. I didn't even have a business plan when I launched my first company – nor did I anticipate the mini-media empire it would become. There is no amount of planning that will prepare you to take that first leap of faith, and trust me; you'll learn as you go.
- Think of your business as an investment in yourself. It's going to take a lot of hard work upfront, and that's OK. Just keep your eye on the prize. When I first started, I probably worked 60 hours a week almost every week. But today, I'm making more money than ever before, and, really, my weeks are probably hovering at around 20-30 hours at the moment. I work at a leisurely pace and enjoy what I do.
- Don't skimp on a great CPA – you're going to need it!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://morganoverholt.com/
Website: https://www.thesmokies.com/
Website: https://www.heyorlando.com/
Website: https://mitchandmeltakemiami.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganomedia/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/morganomedia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganomedia/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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