Meet Vannesia Darby | CEO & Lead Consultant

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

Hi Vannesia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
“I can’t retire from here.”

It was the third day working at my dream company when I figured out that my plan of climbing the idolized corporate ladder in the Gospel music industry was crumbling – quickly. It had only been 72 hours and I already bumped into a few glass ceilings and red tape at the second largest music conglomerate in the world. I stood in my office realizing that I signed a year long lease in my brand new apartment. I did not have any money to break a lease and resolved that I would be working at the job for at least a year. I ended up staying for two years, but that single thought was the seed that would eventually grow my faith into believing that I could start my business.

Starting a remote marketing and consulting company was never the goal. It was more-so believing that God had more for me than I ever envisioned for myself. If you ask any entrepreneur, they’ll tell you that growing into the person who has to carry the weight of a business on their shoulders is a tough, ongoing process. Me thinking “I can make more money,” “My time is up here,” and “I don’t want to be at this job anymore,” where subtle inclinations that if I could take accountability for my talent while working for someone else, I could help others do the same in my own business.

I started MOXIE Nashville in graduate school and it was supposed to be a temporary transition. I was already working in digital marketing and always freelanced on the side, but I did not know the language of consulting. I just knew that after people talked to me, they would leave empowered and ready to work on their businesses. It took me a while to find the business model that worked for me.

Seven years after my initial realization in my office and five years running a business full time, I know how imperative it was for me to transition into entrepreneurship in order to help others. I absolutely love the opportunities my business affords me and I’m grateful for my time working full time in the Gospel industry. I truly believe that THIS is a business I can retire from.

What should our readers know about your business?
MOXIE Nashville is a consulting agency specializing in business strategy and social media.

We particularly service clients in the faith-based entertainment industry such as Sony Music Entertainment’s Gospel, Contemporary Christian, and Film/TV division, independent artists, First Lady Serita Jakes’ home decor line (Serita Jakes Home), and churches.

Additionally we’ve worked alongside incredible clients in tech industries, higher education fields, and most recently – the intersection of faith and leadership. I am very proud to partner with clients in sharing their stories and through various mediums – podcasts, videos, music, marketing, etc.

At MOXIE, we believe in making hard business stuff easy. At the core of that is client development and nurturing customers. Every customer is different, but one challenge is the same across the board: how can a creative person express themselves outside of their specific art form?

For our customers, we have the Get Your Business Together™ program – an online program giving you the tools to start your business in one day. The program is a 7-part series which walks you through how to start a business in less than 90 minutes from paperwork to your marketing starter pack.

For clients, we offer a variety of services – including our very popular Clarity Call which is a live brand development workshop tailored to the needs of the client. We also offer Social Media Management and our premium Consulting on Demand service where we integrate with an existing team to share their story online.

One of the challenging aspects of working in marketing and in digital marketing specifically is that it’s very easy to compare yourself or your clients to others. Even I, as the leader of the agency, get caught up in comparison sometimes! During those times, I always remember when I started MOXIE. I worked as if no one was watching. I recorded videos, I hosted webinars, I pivoted campaigns that weren’t working, etc. I remained very childlike in my marketing rather than talking myself out of potential ideas.

Being more experienced, I don’t have to try every idea that comes to mind with a client. However, when starting from the ground floor, I always encourage my clients and team to “try, test, and repeat”. Analytics (and the comments section!) will tell you if a marketing idea translated well to an audience or not.

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?
Nashville has so many places that are interesting! There’s almost too many to name.

We’re a brunching city – so I would have to take you to Biscuit Love at least once (or twice!) in the Gulch area. Located in that same area is Sambuca – a great place to catch some live music and appetizers. For dinner, we would definitely go to one of my favorite spots – Monell’s! It’s a family style restaurant where you pass the plate and eat with total strangers.

At some point, we would also have to go downtown to 5th and Broadway and check out the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). The culture there is so rich! Additionally, we would take some pictures next to the murals down there.

If it’s a Friday night, we would head down to the historic Jefferson St. and swing by EG&MC before going to the First Friday Art Crawl. Before you leave, I would take you to grab some Slim & Husky’s!

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?

Tracey Artis, CEO of I Hear Music, Inc.

Tracey was the very first person to ever give me a paycheck in the Gospel music industry. I worked as a Marketing Assistant in her marketing and promotions firm. A legend in her own right, she taught me promotions and politics while demonstrating faith and leadership. She offered my a job after I randomly messaged her on Facebook. I’ll be forever grateful that she checked her DM!

Larry Blackwell, Jr.
Larry was my intern boss and eventually my boss at the job I left prior to starting my own business. During our last evaluation, he shared his vote of confidence that I could start my own business and be a force to be reckoned with. I always appreciated his honesty in that conversation.

My Family
My parents and sister supported my crazy moves – then and now. I wouldn’t be where I am without them (even though they probably still have no idea what I do!).

Urban League Young Professionals of Middle Tennessee and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The members within both these organizations are phenomenal and provided tons of encouragement.

Website: http://vannesiadarby.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdarby/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vannesiadarby

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vannesiadarbyllc

Other: BUSINESS: https://www.instagram.com/moxienashville/ https://www.facebook.com/moxienashville https://www.linkedin.com/company/moxie-nashville

Image Credits
Danielle Shields Photography Christy Shaterian Dux