Krystal Childrey’s Journey to Founding a Boutique Ad Agency

Hi, Krystal! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

Krystal Childrey is the founder of Soulwave Digital, a boutique advertising agency helping purpose-driven eCommerce brands scale profitably with Facebook and Instagram ads. Her agency takes a holistic approach to advertising and loves helping brands better understand their numbers, making sure that our ads not only drive revenue but actually contribute to the company’s bottom line – profit!

Who are your customers?

Purpose-driven eCommerce brands – primarily health and wellness brands!

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

About 4 years ago, I was working in the tech industry and completely hit rock bottom. I was depressed and full of anxiety, feeling completely disconnected from myself and my career. I knew there was a better, more fulfilling life waiting out there for me, even if I couldn’t see it clearly yet. After years of sacrificing my mental health, I finally put in my notice at my full-time job with absolutely no idea of my next steps. I took time to focus on rebuilding my mental health, and 3 months later decided to go all in on starting my own business!

What an incredible journey! Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Not at all! I was raised to believe that success looked like achieving good grades in school so I could attend a good college, earn a degree, and then work my way up the corporate ladder. It was only after burning out in my full-time job that I realized I craved the freedom to work on my own terms and be my own boss.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

You’d think I would have known better as a marketing professional, but when I started out, I didn’t have a solid plan to find leads and clients. However, I was dedicated to making my business work, and my first client came through networking via Facebook groups. From there, I’ve continued to expand my business through organic marketing, word of mouth, and referrals.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

I’ve experienced the ups and downs of business where sometimes there’s an abundance of clients, and other times it’s scarce. It’s important to remember to keep marketing yourself and your business even during those busy periods. Having a continuous stream of leads in the pipeline will be invaluable when current contracts come to an end. Plus, it helps keep your nervous system in check!

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

It might not sound like a big deal to some, but as someone who deals with social anxiety on the regular, public speaking has always been a huge fear of mine. So, when I took the leap to be featured on a podcast and talk about my experience achieving work/life balance as an agency owner, it was a very proud moment for me!

That takes a lot of courage! What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Right now, I’m focused on growing a small (but powerful) team, and stepping back from day-to-day tasks so I can take on the CEO role fully. I’m also looking into ways to support smaller businesses outside of my higher-ticket services, and who knows – maybe I’ll even start my own eCommerce brand in the future!

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I’m very intentional about taking breaks throughout the day, whether that’s walking outside, doing a bit of yoga, or even just taking a few deep breaths to reset my mind. I make sure to close the laptop on weekends and I (attempt) to journal on a regular basis. It’s important to make sure I’m not getting too consumed in my work, and that I’m still finding time to enjoy my hobbies outside of work, like hiking and reading.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

Don’t underestimate the value of building strong relationships. You never know where a conversation or connection might lead.

What’s the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

I hate to admit it, but for personal life, I’d have to go with UberEats. Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking or even leaving the house. For business, probably Slack so I can keep up with communications on the go.

We totally understand both of those choices! What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

I’m loving Loom! I hate unnecessary meetings, so I’m all about efficiency, and this video messaging tool provides just that. It’s perfect for sending quick video updates to my clients each week, making communications smooth and hassle-free!

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