Meet Samantha Zink | Founder and CEO of Zink Talent

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

Hi Samantha, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
While the social media and influencer industry may solely appear glamorous from the outside, there’s a common misconception that it’s a space of luxury experiences and effortless cash flow for creators. While there are undoubtedly fantastic opportunities and events, the reality is that being an influencer involves a considerable amount of unseen work and challenges.

As a manager in the industry, a significant amount of effort goes into managing various aspects on behalf of our clients. This includes outreach, handling inbounds, negotiating rates, creating and red lining contracts, developing content plans, vetting brands, creating media kits, and tracking collaboration details – just to name a few. It’s a meticulous process that involves a lot of back-and-forth and time.

Another notable misconception is the belief that brands simply hire an influencer, pay them thousands of dollars, and let them post whatever they want. In reality, there’s not as much creative control as one might think. Brands typically provide detailed briefs that must be followed, and many times, creators are given direct scripts and guidelines to adhere to.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Honestly, the journey to where I am today was about enjoying every step without rushing anything. Every achievement and milestone unfolded in divine timing. I worked hard throughout the years, and each milestone I hit fills me with gratitude. I never rushed the process; instead, I embraced patience.

My approach involved being grateful, loving the journey, constant learning, and ongoing self-education. I am always meeting new people, and I never drop the ball. I hire when needed, striving to do my best. The work never stops, and I’ve never reached a point of complete comfort. Unlike the notion of “making it,” I believe there’s always more to achieve and bigger things to do. I’m in a constant state of evolution.

The journey, hitting milestones big or small, has been instrumental in getting me to where I am today. Ultimately, hiring my team became a crucial factor. You can’t grow without hiring skilled individuals who believe in your vision. It’s about teaching and building a team of individuals who support the agency—a collection of mini-me’s contributing to the growth.

When facing challenges in my business, the key is not to let them affect me emotionally. As a business leader, it’s crucial to view challenges objectively and focus on finding solutions rather than getting bogged down by emotions. I approach it with a mindset of action items—how can I fix this, and how can I move forward positively?

Challenges are inevitable; they will always pop up, regardless of how long you’ve been in business. However, reacting emotionally or letting challenges dictate emotions can get in the way of resolution. It’s a fight-or-flight scenario. Identifying the issue, quickly resolving it, having necessary discussions, and putting it in the past are essential steps.

Learning from each challenge is crucial for growth and improvement. As a business leader, it’s about thinking clearly, resolving issues promptly, and communicating like a pro. While challenges vary, the approach remains consistent—clear-minded thinking, swift resolution, and communication.

Even if it means working late into the night, it’s a conscious choice made to address the challenge. Communicating transparently with the team and clients is vital. Letting them know how the challenge was resolved and outlining preventive measures ensures assurance.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way revolve around approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Instead of viewing challenges as negatives, I see them as opportunities for growth. Whether it’s losing clients or facing other setbacks, I accept them and move forward, asking myself, “How can I turn this into a lesson?”

Every challenge becomes a stepping stone, not the end of the world. It’s a chance to evolve and grow as a leader. I consciously choose to see challenges as positives because I believe they happen for a reason—to propel my company further and teach me how to be the best business leader possible.

In navigating the industry landscape and observing other companies, I’ve come to recognize the unique position of being a business owner. Having started my business young, what I want people to know about myself and my brand is that age shouldn’t be a barrier to pursuing your dreams.

Whether you’re 21 or 45, it doesn’t matter. If you have a dream, go for it. Everyone’s journey is different, and the key is to take action and start working on it. I want to inspire others to follow their dreams, regardless of age, with confidence, a positive mindset, and the right connections.

As for my brand, I’d like people to recognize us as a diverse agency. We operate as a boutique, embracing a family-style approach. Doing things the right way is essential for me, prioritizing employee and client satisfaction over quick success or financial gains. I want my employees and clients to be happy.

We have exciting plans for the future and are definitely an agency to watch in 2024.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Absolutely, I’ve got the perfect itinerary. Here are some of my all time favorite spots in the city:

1. Disneyland: A day of pure magic and nostalgia.
2. Laugh Factory: A night filled with laughter and entertainment.
3. Melrose Rooftop Movie Theater: Enjoying films under the stars on the rooftop of EP and LP.
4. Erewhon: A unique market that never fails to impress.
5. Sunset Tower (or Tower Bar for lunch): Chic and upscale vibes for a delightful meal.
6. Casa Madera: An upscale Mediterranean restaurant with Mexican influence.
7. Edition rooftop for drinks: Evening drinks with breathtaking views.
8. Jeffrey’s in Malibu: A relaxed dinner spot to cap off the week.

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?
Taking a chance on myself and embracing the risk to build what I have today has been a journey of self-discovery. My mindset and belief in my abilities played a crucial role. However, the journey to starting my business wasn’t an overnight success, and I didn’t have the resources I needed from the get-go. It required years of experience, working for other agencies. Shoutout to those agencies for the invaluable experience I gained, even though it wasn’t always easy, and I faced some rocky experiences with work over the years.

Believing in myself propelled me forward, but it’s important to acknowledge the PR agencies and individuals I collaborated with over the years. While they may not have been consciously helping me start a business, the lessons and insights I gained from them are immeasurable.

Website: https://zink-talent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthazinkovich/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-zink-3408a664/

Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-told-by-zink/id1648610931