Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddie Profilet.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I wholeheartedly believe the Universe only gives you what you can handle. After seven years in the tech-space most recently at cut-throat start-up’s, I had to give the dream of being my own boss a try. So far, everything has fallen into place.
Madhouse Media, my full-service marketing agency, is REAL! Though it took over a decade to come to fruition.
Honestly, I wasn’t one of those people who just knew what they wanted to be when they “grew up”. No joke, I could only be described as a heathen in high-school. Thinking a job would keep me out of trouble, my aunt literally had to push me out of the car (no one believes this, but I was amazingly shy!) at The Bead Shop in Rice Village right when I turned 16. And I’ve been working since then. Auntie knows best. It was the best job, teaching people how to create jewelry or working on intricate repairs! Recently I’ve started making pieces again.
When it was time for college at St. Edward’s, I actually had to work. It’s a liberal arts school so there was plenty of writing. Give me an 8-page paper, and we’re fine – if you couldn’t tell.
The skill gave me the best internship in town. To this day, I’m thankful for the amazing, thoughtful, and inspiring women at ECPR. And to a stylist, Leah Webb, at a salon where I was a receptionist, who trusted little ole me with her marketing and PR when she opened her first salon, Spruce. The former helped me get a consultant job with Wyatt Brand (recently acquired by ECPR); the latter recently sold Spruce Salon and opened another. This is also why I am HUGE on helping others. I have been a Big Sister to Little Sis Tina through Big Brothers Big Sisters for three years, and man, to see how she has grown despite some major set-backs is inspiring. She’s stronger than almost everyone I know.
This is when I KNEW what I wanted to do – over a decade ago. The goal: to be my own boss. It runs in my blood. My mom and aunt both owned their own companies.
Social marketing was just beginning in 2010. As an intern, I pitched the idea to Elizabeth but it wasn’t the right time. Guess you could say I was ahead of the curve, and not the last time I was. When it comes to social, whether directly managing then later advising, it’s played an integral part of my career in every organization. Twitter taught me to write concisely; I saved one company $60k by bringing social back in house.
Working in such different environments helped me grow, showing what I was GOOD at: digital marketing, events, writing/editing, and partnering with others. After spending 5+ years doing the tactical stuff and teaching others, I had to ask… what’s next? Really, it came down being more strategic.
So I moved into Field Marketing, basically the “glue” between sales and marketing. It was great. So much time to think about strategy, with an ABM-focus, some fab sellers, TONS of travel, and never-ending budgets that I was accountable for. A lot of work and long days, but what else did I have to do?
In my first Field Marketing role, my region’s hosted events were the only ones not canceled one quarter after a major shift in sales strategy because my Inside Sales Rep and I worked so well together, which led to a change in the team’s sgoals and reporting-structure. At my last company, I was responsible for $1M of the $2.5M user conference budget as Lead of Expo & Registration, overseeing everything from concept and cross-collaboration to build-out and staffing of over 80,000 square feet of conference space. It was a lot of work. Seeing the space filled was beyond worth it. It’s amazing how much amazing-ness was accomplished in a short amount of time.
Unfortunately, those wins-on-wins-on-wins place you on a pedestal. Some won’t like this. In no way do I want to sound full of myself. I simply know other young, strong women who are going through or will go through this. It’s not fair; life isn’t. That’s why as women, we need to lift each other up. Whether its taking someone under your arm – or simply being nice. You will have so much more success.
Anyway, throughout this, I was consulting part-time. Mainly for local businesses. Working on the plane ride back from San Fran to Houston at ungodly hours. Losing my social life to developing Madhouse Media. Helping my Lil Sis Tina thrive. Joining the fundraising committee for a local non-profit, Animal Justice League after rescuing a dog chained up 24/7 and abandoned next to Tina’s house. Becoming an Airbnb Plus host. Hustlin’ ain’t easy😉.
Interior design is my thing. So many ask if my place is professionally designed; does that mean I can call myself a professional? Wink wink. When I was gone more times than home, I put my beautiful townhome up on Airbnb. Counter-intuitive? Maybe. It’s a lot of work, a lot of laundry, yet I enjoy playing host. Airbnb Plus recognized that. So my home is “only the highest quality with hosts known for great reviews and attention to detail.”. It helps, especially as I build the business. I hope one day to expand, making this another branch of Madhouse.
I love what I do. I love setting my own schedule. I love working all hours and keeping every cent. I love being able to help others. I even love the struggles. Most of all, I love that I am making my own destiny. Me, myself, and I.
Has it been a smooth road?
Has anyone’s road been smooth? Talking about the bad times – being vulnerable – makes us authentic. That’s all Brené Brown talking.
Let’s go with one of the biggest – my “quarter-life crisis” as I lovingly refer to it.
After leaving a “Bad Bosses” situation at 23-ish, I went to Sydney for Christmas. I had rushed through college, graduating early after taking summer school classes. Oh man, I wanted to get into the real world. Please, laugh all you want! I can laugh at it now.
A month down under in summer. I lived five blocks from Bondi Beach. It was enough to convince me. I never wanted to leave. I was hypnotized. Sydney is magical; the beaches, the people, the food, the bays. I’m an Aquarius. Impulsive, though I’ve toned it down as I’ve gotten older. A recruiter got in touch because a mobile food app developed by a Blackberry founder wanted me. Even better, I’d be able to travel back to the States. It was perfect. Did I mention the fab apartment overlooking the bay in Potts Point – that cost 3 times my US rent for much less space? And a salary I couldn’t even believe; none of which I saved. Keep racking up those lessons, kids.
So where’s the struggle? The biggest financial backer pull out a few months in. Not wanting to head home tail between my legs, I made it work. The beautiful apartment went first. Next up, my dignity. I got a job as a Nanny in a stunning house in Darling Point (think Nicole Kidman, yacht clubs, and high-priced real estate). However, life as a Nanny is not what I set out to do. I also make it sound much more glamorous than it is, living in someone else’s house makes you “theirs” in all sense of the word. Without a full work visa, it was hard to find a full-time job. I dated a professional Rugby player, whom the family introduced me too. (That relationship is a story for another time.) Let’s just say it wasn’t the healthiest.
Nor was I. My family who was usually no more than a three hour drive away was on the other side of the world. And I was facing severe medical issues alone. This was the first time I truly knew what depression felt like. I went/escaped to Bali with the guy I was dating and friends for two weeks; it was a relief to be away. Not for my family, who could sense something was up. They booked me a ticket home. Thank Gawd!
When people ask me about living in Australia, I always pause. Insert the well-known Shakespeare quote. But the bad times are what make us who we are. And once you’ve been through Hell, you know you can get through it again. There’s a new appreciation for life. The little things simply don’t matter. When the big things come up, you just know with all your heat it will all be ok – eventually. And that new struggle will make you even stronger, darling.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Madhouse Media – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Why thank you! Consider Madhouse Media your new Chief Marketing Officer.
We’re all about attracting, engaging, and converting customers for businesses of all sizes. As a boutique, full-service marketing agency, we specialize in everything from branding and messaging to all-things-digital including web design, social and content marketing to targeted ABM campaigns and events.
Clients love us because they can focus on what they do best; we handle the rest. It’s all about understanding who specializes in what, right? I would never walk into a dentist’s office and try to take control! Nor would I expect them to be able to market themselves in the best way possible.
With a personalized approach, every client receives the white-glove treatment. Regardless of scope of work, getting to know each client, their brand, vision, expectations, and so much more on an authentic level is essential. Yes, it’s requires more time on both sides. Ultimately, better results are undeniable.
Believing in the magic of life, of connection, and of a little bit of madness, well, we are far from typical. It’s an advantage.
We see the big picture, pin-point priorities, and then get to work! A strong understanding of the buyer’s journey combined knowing what strategies work in what regions has given us an undeniable record of building customer journeys with the right mix of field events and programs.
Copywriting and an eye for design underscores all.
This helped longtime client Janelle Alexis Salon turn a profit after their first year of opening, which is almost unheard of in the salon industry. Prior, client Spruce Salon was named as ELLE’s Top 100 Salons.
This does not include the many accomplishments Maddie Profilet, Principal & Founder, has seen throughout her career serving enterprise corporate clients. Like an overbooked “Dodgers & Data” event with $7.1M bookings and $4.1M of open pipeline in room. We had a 100% show-rate and two new opportunities to expand share of wallet at Hulu and Sempra Energy.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The people make H-town! For the most part, I grew up here so it was only natural to come back “home”. You will not find a nicer group of people.
If you were here for Harvey, you saw it. My fam was in the Bellaire/Meyerland area; I was up a tiny bit higher in Memorial. As soon as the streets weren’t flooded, everyone headed out (unless they had already in boats). Driving down the street to my aunt’s house, where she had 12 people staying in her brand-new home, there was no room to park. Cars and trucks of volunteers just lined each side of the streets. You’d walk into a stranger’s home, ask what they needed, and get to work. People came by with boxes. Others volunteered at the shelters. In the wreckage, there was something else…. a sense of love for our community.
For the bad, I wish we could better address the homeless population. This is something I worked with Healthcare for the Homeless on. Check them out if you haven’t! They offer medical services to the homeless in literally a modern clinic, including medications. Mental illness, though not often spoken about, is why most are on the street. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, I will tell it to you straight. Getting someone on the right medications can change a person’s life. Just throwing that in there. If someone successfully completes the program after three years and needs it, they will get a new set of teeth. You can’t imagine how much confidence is restored!
I’d also say the streets and potholes, but.. wait I just did😉.
Pricing:
- Free consultation
Contact Info:
- Phone: 7133066739
- Email: maddie@madhouse-media.
com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/maddieprofilet/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/madhousemediallc/ - Twitter: @maddieprofilet
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
