Interview with female Entrepreneur Sonya from Scribe and Social

Sonya created Scribe and Social because she witnessed many business owners struggling with social media. With the experience and success of her blog, Sonya Styling, moving into this industry felt like an extension of what she was already doing, comfortable and exciting to her. Sonya recognized she could help take the stress out of social media for small businesses.

Because of her success with Sonya Styling, she often found herself having coffee dates with friends who wanted how and what she was doing? Her friends with businesses wanted to know all the little tricks and insights... she recognized the possibility of her natural skill set to be a generative business.

Being the naturally kind and sharing person she is, this task was one Sonya didwillingly. She genuinely wants everyone to do well and succeed, this is what welove so much about Sonya and why we wanted to ask her a few questions.

Q. Can you tell me the back story? Why did you start Scribe and Social?

A. The story actually starts back in 2013. My day job as an Executive Assistant had gone from challenging and interesting to not what I had signed up for, thanks to a corporate takeover.

While I was figuring out what to do next, my husband suggested I start a blog as a creative outlet. I was a prolific blog reader at the time, commenting on all my favourites every single day. And so, I decided to give it a go.

Sonia Styling came to life in October 2013 and grew organically, turning into my passion project, my side hustle.

In January 2016, I started a new role at a new organisation and knew instantly that this was one of those ‘career stepping stone’ moments (ie: I would not be staying for as long as I did in my previous job). I set myself a time limit of 18 months. I have no idea why, that was just the number that popped into my head!

I launched Scribe and Social in 2017, after deciding that I wanted to try working for myself… but wasn’t quite sure what that would look like.

(Are we picking up the theme of “winging it” here, or what?!)

Countless coffee dates with friends who are business owners helped me identify that my “brain picking” topic was social media. So, I quietly took on one client. And then another. And another. And another. All while working full time.

After five months of working all hours of the day (and night), seven days a week, it reached tipping point and I handed in my notice and stepped into the big wide world of business ownership.

Q. Can you comment on the creative process you have created?

A. Honestly? I really feel like I’m only just coming into my own creativity like, now. It’s a noisy world online and it’s easy to be swayed and influenced and to tell yourself what you think you should be and do.

I’ve now stopped paying attention to what others in my industry are doing because we are all so different as people and we have different skillsets and passions and things to offer.

Instead, I’m really tapping into what’s on my heart. What I’m feeling or going through or what I feel like people need to know.

Sometimes that’s the nuts and bolts and stats of social media. Other times it’s about being a woman in business and all the things that go along with that. Or simply being a woman!

Don’t get me wrong, I have a list in my Notes app a mile long of all the topics I want to post about and I’m generally pretty organised when it comes to scheduling my social media, but if there’s something on my heart that needs to be shared, that gets top priority.

Q. What is the Scribe + Social unique approach?

A. I’m all about social media with substance, style and soul. I believe in organic strategies that create heart-led content and authentic connections.

I’m a natural born storyteller, so I’m super passionate about helping my clients discover their unique stories and empowering them to share those stories in their own voice and in their own way, as well as giving them the confidence to show up, stand out and be seen.

Oh, and showing them that you can have fun and build a successful business on social media simply by being yourself!

Q. Can you share some lessons you have learned along the way?

A. Prioritise yourself and your business! I fell into workhorse mode very early on and only dragged myself out of it earlier this year. I now allocate time each week to work on my business and myself. Allowing that time and space to experiment, learn and grow makes me a better service provider to my clients and a joyful, inspired person.

Also, realise (quickly) that you can’t do it all. Stick to your strengths and what you’re passionate about and outsource what you can, when you can. At the moment I have an accountant and a graphic and web designer on Team Scribe + Social.

Q. What has been a big win for Scribe + Social and/or you?

A. There have been so many little wins along the way, which I think are super important to acknowledge and celebrate, especially when you work for yourself.

One of the biggest wins this year has been launching my first online group coaching program, Elevate Your Instagram.

I set myself good (6 people), better (12 people) and best (20 people)goals and exceeded my best by having 26 amazing women sign up for the program!

I’m now in launch mode with Round 2 set to begin soon and I’m so excited about working with a new group of incredible entrepreneurial women!

Q. The biggest challenge?

A. Figuring this whole owning your own business thing out! No one hands you a manual or gives you lessons about how to run a business or what you should or shouldn’t do. You literally have to figure everything out as you go.

Also? Work/life balance doesn’t exist. When you love what you do, it’s part of you. So, you have to throw all the guilt and other garbage that doesn’t serve you out the window and just own the fact that your business is you and you are your business.

Q. As Scribe + Social has grown, have you sourced funding?

A. No. I took the leap from the corporate world to the entrepreneurial life when I was in a financial position to do so. Since then, I’ve been able to grow and evolve through the offerings that I have, speaking and presenting opportunities, and client work.

Q. What is Scribe + Social main marketing channel?

A. It’s no secret that Instagram is my favourite social media channel! It’s where I feel most at home and where I spend a lot of my time. I also use Facebook and communicate regularly with my mailing list.

I know there’s more I can be doing (LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest…) but I’d rather do a few things really well until I’m ready to move on to the next thing.

Q. Can you tell us what the future looks like for Scribe + Social?

A. Well, for the rest of this year I’ll be running another live round of Elevate Your Instagram (in October) and I’m also launching a membership for graduates of my program, which offers them continued coaching and learning at a time when they need it most – when they’re out there in the big, wide digital world, implementing everything they’ve learned.

Plus, I have speaking and presenting gigs lined up, I’ll be hosting my own in person workshops and … who knows what else? I’m open to any and every fantastic thing the universe has in store for me!