Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Courtenay-Mann.
Erica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Whilst I was pregnant, I realized that I was going to leave the world of CLO (collateralized loan obligations) and I was going to leave corporate trust banking. I needed a new skill set where I could leverage my technical skills and love of everything social. I began to study algorithms and trends in Social Media. Thus, it became my passion. Ironically, in high school, they called me the “mouth of the Southside of Chicago.” I’ve always had the “gift of gab.” So, my social media management/graphics company is in-fact called @TalkativeMedia. I now use my advanced social media and tech skills to help small business owners increase their exposure on the internet. Truly, in my heart of hearts, I really love to “talk people up.” It is my sincerest hope that using my divine gift of being a “cheerleader” helps entrepreneurs I work with shout boldly about their business/brand.
I’m not a mogul by any means, but I am very happy working with a diverse group of small business owners and organizations in the local Houston area. It brings me great joy to do something that keeps me intrigued, as social media is an ever-changing digital beast.
The one thing I reflect upon is that I am in fact a small business myself, so I am always humbled when people have faith in my skill-set, my business and in me. I don’t take those business interactions lightly. They are always a Blessing.
Couple all that with being a badass SuperMom, writer of bad haiku, and a very transparent Mom blogger — I’m a bit of a quirky, weirdo, Renaissance woman who has definitely dubbed herself a “New Age Technical Quasi-Polymath.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The one thing I want to tell every person becoming an adult and every person wanting to be an entrepreneur — wait for it — life never goes the way you picture it in your head. You’ve got to be clever, adaptable and patience enough to navigate the “Mario Kart course” that is in-fact REAL LIFE. My most honest and heartfelt advice to entrepreneurs: plan out your path to success. Study your plan. Commit to your plan. Adjust your plan when needed. Be truly prepared to take setbacks on the chin, with a smile, rest, regroup and get back in the game. You cannot reap any rewards from your passion or talents if you have no skin in the game.
A lot of my struggles stemmed from “lack of consistency and time”. Being a divorced, working Mother – YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO EXTRA TIME. I need about 28.954 hrs per day. There are only 24. Apparently, I need to sleep. Like that’s a whole thing for entrepreneurs and working Mothers after age 35. Therefore, I struggled to see real progress or even consistent progress in both my entrepreneurial pursuits and my blogging brand because I had little to no time in which to dedicate myself.
For my young or well-seasoned women entrepreneurs, I beg of you to put SELF CARE FIRST. Listen to your mind, your body and also the “frequency of your fervency”. If you know that writing that business plan would be better in the morning after a cup of joe, then write it in the morning. Busy work versus productive work is a “slow kill” to a great dream. Listen to your internal voices as you approach your project. Don’t compare your progress to the highlighted story of others around you. Run your own race at your own pace and enjoy the beauty of consistency and “small wins.” Big triumphs consist of small wins. Please remember that along with your journey.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Y’all want to know more about what I do? Truly? I’m happy to share!!!! I do so many things. Professionally, I’m known for accounting systems. That’s what I do. I crunch numbers and whisper to relational database programs to process said numbers properly. I’m practically a wizard! Ha!
Outside of that I’m known for: 1) blogging, 2) graphics and 3) social media management. ALL THINGS SOCIAL. I frequently tell my “Future CEO” – I’m your Momma and I am the whole internet.
Talking up brands, events, foods, wines, comic conferences, movies… that’s what I’m known for in various circles and then the other piece is helping people create their brands and push it out to a bigger audience. This is actually what I am working on now. I am working with 4 local Houston businesses and 2 small organizations in Chicago. I have rehashed their graphics, remixed their brand awareness strategy and I handle their social media management. I am always working behind the scenes to help get the word out about businesses and products I believe in.
I’m most proud of the lovely Houston “go-getters” I’ve worked with on my journey. It makes me beam with pride that I can connect with people who make my local and social community great. Connecting with superstars that are pouring their talents back into Houston makes me love what I do.
Undoubtedly what sets me apart from the rest is that I’m not trying to “hard sell” who I am or what I do. I engage in knowledge sharing and helping people because it feels good on my soul. I’m not a fit for every project, but every project I accept I am invested in personally because I want to see my clients WIN.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
In marketing and social media, the biggest barrier to female leadership is the fact that some clients, liaison, and peers make you feel like you have something to prove to them in order for them to respect your credentials, empirical experience, and your story. In addition to the work that you have to do, having people marginalize your skill-set is very disheartening. Then couple that with being a Black American woman and it’s like people put up a wall towards you before realizing you are there to innovate, share ideas and improve their brand awareness. I usually get a dose of sexism and racism when I walk into a room or submit a proposal. Guess what? I don’t let it stop me. Those who are worthy of me will engage, those who aren’t won’t. And that’s why I hold fast to being a kind leader who revels in being an intelligent, enthusiastic and vivacious Black American woman.
Pricing:
- #VoyageHouston special – Branding or Event graphics (6 count) for $45.00
- #VoyageHouston special – One page website design with vanity URLs & 3 months maintenance for $250
- #VoyageHouston special – Social Media Asset Review & Basic Social Media Marketing Plan for $150
- #VoyageHouston special – Blog Review with recommended upgrade / update suggestions $75
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TalkativeMedia.com
- Phone: 937-75-MEDIA
- Email: TalkativeMedia@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkativemedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkativeMedia/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkativeMedia/
- Other: www.EfabulousHB.com
Image Credit:
Image credits @EfabulousHB (2018-2019)
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
