Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in advertising services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lissy Perera, Founder of SoFlo Branding, located in Miami, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
SoFlo Branding is a Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach county serving Marketing agency, with growth and expansion plans to serve the rest of the US in the coming years. We serve any small to mid-size business looking to grow their brand via digital and traditional Marketing avenues. Some of the services we provide our clients are Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Web Development, Graphic Design, Press & Media Relations, Content Creation, and Marketing Strategy, but really we can work in any scope of Marketing that best serves their business and what they are trying to achieve with regards to exposure and growth.
Zero to CEO is a brand extension and is a program I'm developing to help take you (with a dream and an idea but no clue how to start a business) from zero to CEO. More than a "business coaching" program, it also includes the design of your logo and the creation of your value ladder; we work together on developing your offers, etc. I'm really excited about what's to come with Zero to CEO.
Tell us about yourself
As cheesy as it sounds, I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I just never really knew what I wanted to do. In college, I stumbled upon Marketing and fell in love with the industry. I added it as a second major and started a full-time role in corporate with Movado. After about three years, I knew corporate life wasn't for me, and I started looking for more hands-on roles. I freelanced and worked as a contractor for a bit until the pandemic in 2020 halted everything. I put my nose to the grindstone and really pushed myself to pick up freelancing gigs. Suddenly, everything took off, SoFlo Branding evolved from that quickly and organically in the next few months. Only God could move like that. I knew I was headed in the right direction.
Faith is a huge part of why I show up every day. We are called to do all things in excellence, and while I'm not perfect, I definitely do my best to make myself, my clients, and God proud every day I show up to work.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Just being here and doing this on my own is honestly such a huge accomplishment. Being born to immigrant parents that believed the best and most secure thing you could do for your future was study, get a degree, and get a good job, just being able to "make it" in business is a huge accomplishment. When I turned down a promotion to transition out of working in corporate for a huge, international company and headed the route of entrepreneurship, it was terrifying for them (and also for me.) However, going into 3 years of business now just shows I can really do anything I put my mind to, and my parents are so proud of me for that.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I think one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is uncertainty. The world is always shifting, and not knowing what the next big thing is or if the world will plummet into a recession is hard. You have to be ready to shift and pivot, or else you risk becoming obsolete. So I'd say managing the ever-shifting dynamics of the business, economy, and trends is definitely one of the greatest challenges in running a business, but it can also be a fun challenge and opportunity to grow if you let it be.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The biggest advice I can give is: Just do it. Just start, even if the time doesn't seem right or if you feel like you're not ready. You will never feel 100% ready, and that is ok. Your time is right now; trust yourself.
Another huge one for me is to remain consistent. You've taken the leap, now commit. One of my new favorite Bible verses is Psalms 126:5, which says, "Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy." Basically, even when it's hard... do the dang thing! Eventually, you'll see the results of your own actions and be so grateful you didn't give up on yourself. Consistency is biblical, and it's key in any business or industry.
Lastly, give yourself some grace. Every day isn't going to be perfect. Every client isn't going to be easy to work with. Just show up every day, give it your all, and be kind to yourself when things don't go as expected - we're all still learning in this crazy place called life.
Where can people find you and your business?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soflobranding/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soflobranding/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pereralissy/
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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