We had the good fortune of connecting with Bethany Michaels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bethany, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I didn’t really have one. Notoriously, many people have a grand plan and strategy, but I stand by the fact that my business actually found me. I had been praying for months and months, stuck in an office job with dim lighting and even duller company culture. It was hard to shake, and I constantly yearned for deeper purpose in my career. The stars eventually aligned. I was “let go” due to unforeseen circumstances while simultaneously suffering the loss of my fiance. All hope had flown out the window. I spent time on the beach near my home in Orange County, staring at the waves and questioning my next move. Thankfully I received unemployment pay, and it was during the quiet hours alone that I rebuilt myself and found the courage to step into the unknown. Like I said, I had been praying for months, so it didn’t feel as daunting as I thought to start small and take on little projects. I began freelancing, writing blogs and managing some ex co-worker’s social media accounts. I started little by little, bit by bit. I didn’t bite off more than I could chew. I was providing quality work for people who needed exactly what I was delivering. After acquiring several clients, my services began to grow, I was able to charge more, and eventually I decided for tax and legality purposes, to create a business. Not the sexy story you may have hoped for, but it’s real.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m a woman-owned business, with a stellar team who delivers consistent, quality work. Our mission statement: We deliver seriously good work, without taking ourselves too seriously. As an employee, the one thing that suppressed my creativity and dampened my energy in the workplace was a stale, bland atmosphere. Working for other people for over 10 years, I was able to determine all the things I DIDN’T LIKE as an employee. That’s why I’ve spent so much time and effort to cultivate a positive work environment for myself and my team.

Other than creating a culture that I’m proud of, I think what sets us apart from other marketing firms is our transparency. If we’re unable to deliver exactly what you’re looking for, we will not accept your business. We are very particular when it comes to who we work with – because we know we aren’t for everybody. We don’t care about making big bucks, we care about making a BIG impact. So if we’re not a good fit, we will let you know, and let you go. We’re always happy to provide potential customers with other resources to solve their particular needs.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, funny you ask. My best friend just paid a visit and we spent time unplugging from our phones, relaxing, taking naps, playing with my two purrrrfect cats, and eating very tasty things. We visited the ocean in Corona Del Mar, and enjoyed the sound of the waves. But first, we stopped for brunch at my favorite eatery called Zinc. They have the best, fresh salad bar. After such a healthy morning, we made up for it by visiting Sidecar Donuts in the afternoon. Get the Huckleberry or Butter and Salt if you visit. Their flavors melt in your mouth quite literally. I love how they’re served fresh and warm, right out of the oven!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am SO thankful for every soul who has supported me along the way. My friend Channéll is a fellow business owner. We’ve spent hours on the phone venting, sharing challenges, and asking for feedback during the early stages of business. If I didn’t have this outlet, I don’t think I would be as healthy in my business as I am now. Thank you to Jaime with Bottleneck Distant Assistants. He is my mentor, my coach, and friend. He helped me set up my business systems and processes to support the lifestyle I wanted. And probably most importantly, thank you to my family and friends who have believed in me since the beginning. My two brothers Jason Michaels and Keith Michaels have spent so much time helping and supporting me. Jason’s words of encouragement over the years are worth more than any diamonds or gold. (And his beautiful wife Megan too!) Keith and his good friend Bob even bought me my first Mac book, where all my work has transpired. And of course my mom and daddy Dave. Thank you for standing by me and celebrating my successes.

Website: contentsocialmediaqueen.com
Instagram: instagram.com/bethanymichaels and instagram.com/contentsocialmediaqueen
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/content-social-media-queen-costa-mesa

Image Credits
Evan Ranallo

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.