Mariya earned a degree in Visual Communications from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2013. She was taught the world of marketing, design, and public relations by industry leading professionals. Mariya has over 5 years experience with digital marketing and design. Over the years, she successfully managed many social media accounts, ensuring brands grow their followings over 35,000 (cumulatively) and gain sales from social media strategies. Mariya has secured press opportunities for clients in various industry publications, radio shows, and podcasts. Not only is Mariya an expert in digital marketing strategies, but she is also the creative mind behind website, video, and graphic design.
1 | Tell me about your company… What does your company do?
MBM Agency is a Southern California based digital marketing and design agency serving small businesses and personal brands with services such as digital brand design, email campaigns, graphic design, social media management, social ad management, public relations and digital marketing consulting.
2 | How long have you been in business or developing your brand?
November 2017 is officially a year since I “opened my doors” to work with clients. I spent the year before that preparing everything for MBM- my contracts, how my proposals will look like, my pricing, my workflows, etc. I wanted to make sure I had everything in place before I started working with clients.
Before starting my company I have been in the marketing world for over 5 years. I got a Visual Communications degree from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), I learned SO MUCH there! I truly believe thats were my roots for entrepreneurism grew. From there I have interned, blogged, worked for various companies, and the last 3 years I spent working in marketing for an event technology company. I started out as an administrator, and eventually became the Marketing Manager.
During this time, I had many friends who have or were starting their own businesses, and most of my friends started asking for advice on how to market their companies. I spent some time “consulting” for free. This made me realize that I LOVE helping and seeing others grow, and that I need to pursue this full-time.
3 | What are some challenges you have faced being an entrepreneur?
Time management is something that I am struggling with at the moment. Not only am I fully working from home, but I also have a toddler I am constantly running around after. With business picking up, I really have to make use out of every little moment that I have- like when he is eating or watching a show, taking a nap, or working late into the night after he goes to sleep! There is a never a dull moment around here!
4 | What type of digital assets to you curate for your clients?
I create, manage and grow social media accounts such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I create strategies with best practices to build brand awareness and create sales through social networks. I also create email marketing strategies based on the client’s goals and needs. I help clients get their name in the press. And last but not least- I help with branding, logo and graphic design. I want my company to be their one stop shop for digital marketing.
5 | What makes you unique to other professionals in your space?
I believe that I truly understand the digital space, how to grow in it, and I think that I have a knack for it! I grew up when social networks were just starting and I really saw how effective they can really be. When MySpace was still relevant- I taught myself how to create HTML layouts, and I had a “Layout Account” and website full of layouts and html codes for users. I ran that when I was in middle school and I grew that account to a couple thousand followers- which back in the day that was a lot!
When I, a Marketing/Public Relations intern, was able to get press opportunities and radio interviews for clients of the company I was working for.
I live for that feeling you get when you work so hard for a client and you see their success because of your efforts. It is so exciting!
6 | What advice can you give to your fellow millennial entrepreneurs?
Before truly going for it, make sure that you set your basics into place. Don’t learn as you go. Make sure you know what you are doing.
Create a business plan, create workflows, create a marketing strategy for yourself to follow before you “launch.” This will not only save you many headaches but you will feel much better when there is a path for you to follow.
In my lifetime I’ve tried to start a few different types of businesses. I was so excited for each one that I just wanted to go full force and launch them before I had all my basics in place. I believe that’s why they did not last- because I lost sight of my path and didn’t have a clear plan.
I believe this business is working out quite well because I took my time to learn/intern/research/work in the industry. Once I realized that this is something that I want to work on full-time as my own business, I made sure to have everything that I needed in place before I started (contact examples, proposal samples, workflows, prices, etc).
7 | Bossfidence is all about finding your bliss and building your confidence, how did you know that you needed to branch out from your comfort zone?
I think I have always known that I would eventually branch out to work on my own business. But to actually do it- I feel like it’s all just a mental challenge. I just had to make up the mind to push away the fears and doubts that I had and to just go for it!
8 | Who is your biggest influencer or inspiration?
As a marketer, I have to say Gary Vee. I rememeber watching him years ago before he became huge. It’s been amazing to watch his success. He is #GOALS.
