Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Xanthe Appleyard, Co-Founder of Oh Sierra, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Oh Sierra is a multi-faceted brand that collaborates with creative entrepreneurs and service providers who are passionate about authentically leading and growing their communities both online and in person.

Tell us about yourself

I am a Content Strategist, Educator, Creator, and co-founder of Oh Sierra alongside my husband, Frank. Oh Sierra specializes in content marketing and brand image consulting, hosting collaborative events, sharing education, and cultivating creative spaces – from unique rental properties to their online membership community, The Table. Personally, my passion + purpose lies in collaborating with aspiring creative leaders who are ready to show up fully as the face of their brand and embrace the potent power of leading authentically, bravely, and strategically in the social media space.

While my career has taken many turns, the common threads to tie it all together are creativity and community. Former titles have included (but certainly aren't limited to!): Public Relations Graduate, Brand Agency Founder, Marketing + Messaging Strategist, Cute Food Brand Enthusiast, Helicopter Dog Mom, Amateur Bartender, Boutique Rental Host…And I've been creating content and managing social media for businesses since Instagram was invented (which was 13 years ago, by the way). We started Oh Sierra 5 years ago, but there was a pivotal moment in our second year of business that has informed everything we've built since. I decided to be authentically present on our brand's social media account, treating it as an extension of my business instead of just another task on my to-do. I consciously chose to step IN FRONT of the identity we'd created for our brand and not just be another online business owner but take OWNERSHIP of our business online.

When I consider the opportunities that have opened up since that day — relocating our life + business to two new countries, dream collaborations, monetized brand partnerships, hosting our own membership platform, and launching our first Airbnb destination — it comes down to one essential ingredient: Authentic Content Marketing.

The connections it creates, and the community it calls in. My version of social media success doesn't include viral videos, thousands of followers, trending sounds, or strict scheduling. It's about community, relationships, ease, pleasure, and genuine excitement for showing up to share. Owning my voice, my story, my perspective, and my personality are what allowed us to grow this account from under 1000 followers to a beautiful group of over 15K FRIENDS over the last three years. A connected, engaged, thriving community of people who we support through our content and who support us in every shift, season, and celebration.

I'm passionate about showing other business owners that you don't need to cheat, hack, outsmart, or even keep up with the algorithm in order to grow an engaged, loyal community. You CAN become an industry leader, community cultivator, and prolific, emboldened creator without it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

By and large, my biggest accomplishment is the community we've built, online and in real life. It began as a local network of supporters in our hometown and has grown to be a worldwide community of thousands of brilliant business owners, collaborators, and friends. I am continuously amazed at the way they show up, not just for us but for themselves and for each other. We are constantly hearing stories about folks fostering friendships with people they've met through our community, and watching it evolve has been the most rewarding experience of my life.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Trusting yourself. There is SO much self-trust required to push through challenging seasons, trusting in your vision, trusting in your ability to carry it through, trusting in your ability to lead a community. It takes a lot of deep work to recognize your worthiness and lean into your unique gifts rather than comparing yourself to others or constantly trying to 'keep up.'

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. The community truly is EVERYTHING. Build your community before your brand. Even if you don't have a product yet, or a plan for how to start, begin fostering and building a network of supporters.
  2. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Our dreams don't exist in a vacuum, so start thinking about (and fostering!) the relationships that will support you in your journey.
  3. Invest in resources that can help you reach your goals and empower you to show up more confidently. We don't know what we don't know – and sometimes, it's simply the KNOWING that lies between who we are now and the version of ourselves who has achieved our goals.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ohsierra.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohsierracreative/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xantheappleyard

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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