Alexandra Labarr of Xandra Marketing on Betting on Herself...and Succeeding
July 7, 2023
Hello Alexandra! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
Xandra Marketing & PR Firm is a boutique agency that offers a full suite of marketing services, both ala carte and full-scope. Xandra Marketing, brings a unique approach to the traditional marketing agency business model. Xandra, not only guides businesses through the core marketing functions, but prides itself on diving deeper into the brand story to help business leaders truly hone in on their differentiators, the story that makes them.
So Alexandra, what excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?
Making new connections!
What made you take the leap to start your own business?
I was working in a high-speed corporate company, and I decided one day to bet on myself. I decided to take a leap of faith and launch my marketing firm after 20 + years. When I made that decision, I did not have a customer in mind, however, I did have a marketing plan. I knew what my niche was and who my target audience would be. I started as a full-service marketing firm specializing in digital marketing and business development. We’ve expanded our services by adding website design, SEO, contact creation, and lead generation. Our company goal is to help businesses grow from every touch point. The lead generation side of the business right now is producing very well. I quickly realize how important it was for companies to have a lead machine working to help them build their pipeline. With our lead generation program, we feed their sales team, so they never have to worry about where their next business is coming. We are constantly building; we become part of their company and their business an extension of the team. I’m getting ready to celebrate my 4 year anniversary, and I’m beyond proud and excited for the future of Xandra Marketing & PR Firm.
What was your background prior to starting your own business?
Marketing.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
Yes.
As a marketer by trade, take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out?
I started my business a few months before the pandemic hit. I could not believe it however being a natural fighter for what I want I immediately pivot. What I did as a company with my team was decided to quickly go online and start helping businesses get opportunities. I first created a digital marketing plan. Secondly, I provided coaching & online mastermind class to help those that we’re struggling to reach out to the customers being that we cannot see them in person. This plan took off and I have to say I helped a lot of businesses during the pandemic; what a blessing. However internally we learned what the customers needed was a lead-generating machine which we later created as part of our services.
Entreprenistas overcome daily challenges. What have you learned so far from overcoming challenges?
Things are always changing and you have to be ready to pivot
As an entreprenista, you have lots to celebrate! What are you most proud of to date?
I'm really proud of where my business is as a whole.
So Alexandra, do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?
I don't think it can all be balanced at the same time, but I believe in paying attention to the things that are important to you and making sure it's all in alignment- for example these are my top 5:
1. Health
2. Being a good wife and mother
3. My business
4. Being a good friend
5. My family
Not in any particular order, I wake up and check in with myself and look at these 5 things - sometimes I need to pay attention to one more than the other because perhaps I've been so busy with my workload that I've neglected home a little so I immediately stop and get that part in order... This keeps me accountable but more importantly focused on the 5 Pillars of my life.
What's a piece of advice you can share that you wish you'd known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?
1. Listen to your customers.
2. Things will change, so be flexible and open to change
3. Stay focused on the big picture and keep moving forward.
What have you achieved recently that you'd like to celebrate with our community?
A three day mastermind class - X MASTERMIND. In this three part video workshop, we focus on mastering new skills that will help you generate leads, master the art of Networking, and prospect new clients. From goal-setting and action planning to time management and mindset, it’s everything you’ll need to help you become successful in your business. This is a deep-dive learning program where we focus narrowly on three topics at a time so you can master it — and apply it immediately to your business and how you show up in your marketplace.
What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
I will be completing my book!