Colorful Creatives: Socials in Bloom

Happy Friday!

This week’s Colorful Creatives feature is Cheyenne Huffman of Socials in Bloom. Cheyenne is passionate about helping ambitious entrepreneurs craft quality brands that help their businesses thrive! Her positive attitude and go getter attitude are infections and inspire others to take a leap of faith even when not feeling 100% confident. Cheyenne shares her journey of discovering her passion, leaving her full time job, and building her business. I hope you enjoy learning more about this girl-boss and find her to be your new business bestie! One of my favorite quotes from Cheynee:

“It really doesn’t matter if you have it all figured out in high school or not because it will come together if you don’t give up trying.”

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Cheyenne Huffman | Socials in Bloom

Website socialsinbloom.com

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1. How did you get started as a virtual Branding, marketing and web designer?

I started working right out of high school as a Pre-K teaching assistant in a child care center. At first, I absolutely loved my job, but I could always feel that there was more I wanted to do with my life I just wasn’t sure what exactly. Two years into the job I was miserable, I loved the kids, but the adults made me feel like I was back in high school and there really wasn’t much opportunity for me to grow there. The center had also begun to struggle as a whole, we were cycling through staff members and losing students at the same time, it became harder and harder to know if our jobs were secure and that had us panicking.

I met my best friend, Kya, (aka my blessing in disguise) during this time and she introduced me to the world of Copywriting and Marketing. I was instantly curious about both and started doing some research. She helped me look up online courses and get started on the right path. Fast forward through a few months of studying and I landed my first unofficial client. Her sister approached her saying she was starting her own blog and needed a website designed and some catchy content created for it and Kya introduced her to me. It was the perfect first project and I had so much fun with it.

After that, I started drifting from studying just copywriting and marketing to web design as well and soon things were feeling good. I knew I wanted to start my own business, but I was worried I wouldn’t be good enough or successful because I was so new and didn’t have much experience yet. I was afraid that because I didn’t have a college degree people would overlook me and not take me seriously. So I kept studying and doing little projects here and there and just continued daily life at the childcare center. Well, let’s just say I got my wake up call when a year later the child care center shut down and left me without a job.

I knew I could go apply for other jobs and find something, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a sign that it was time to start my business. I planned everything out and established my vision and Socials in Bloom was born! It isn’t an extravagant story but it was hard there for a while and without the help of my friend and a little kickback to reality I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have met some amazing people and continue to meet amazing people on a daily basis and I am so content and happy with that. I love what I do and the fact it gives me a chance to explore other passions along with it. I am excited about the future.

2. Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I would like to say that deep down I always knew there was more I wanted from life, I just didn’t know what it was yet. I found that I didn’t take a lot of interest in the classes at school or even career fairs, because I didn’t want a traditional job.

All of my friends were studying for these great jobs in art, science and law careers and for me, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, I knew I had a love for writing and wanted to publish a book and I also knew I loved my graphic design classes too but I never thought of them in a career setting. I’m still not sure why. It wasn’t until I graduated high school and started hearing more and more about people beginning their own businesses that really tied everything together for me. Part of me still wants to write that novel don’t get me wrong but I’m glad that things turned out the way they did because I have found my passion. So I always try to tell others that it really doesn’t matter if you have it all figured out in high school or not because it will come together if you don’t give up trying.

3. Are you full time on your business?

Yes! I am full time on my business. It honestly happened on a whim. I was in the process of researching starting a business and putting the pieces together when the center I worked for closed. I kept applying for other jobs but nothing stuck and eventually I just turned back to my business ideas and made them reality.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome with owning your own business?

Probably the periods where business is kind of slow which do happen more often than talked about. Things change so as business owners you’re always needing to switch up your strategy and find new ways to reach people. It’s hustle all the time but it’s worth it to be working for yourself and fulfilling your dreams.

5. What is your favorite & least favorite “hat” to wear as a business owner?

Gosh, I wear so many hats haha! I think that is definitely my favorite “hat” though is having the freedom to explore as many passions as you want. I definitely fall into the multi-passionate entrepreneur category and I love being able to explore my interests and try new things out.

6. How did you reach your potential clients when first starting your business?

I have reached clients through Facebook and Instagram mainly. I will find clients in groups where they are searching for specific services, through friends who recommend me, and my social media posts. It’s definitely always changing and I am learning so much on a daily basis because you never know how effective a certain method will be until you see the traction and impressions from it. I am someone who is about authentic connections and growing my business organically so I don’t invest a bunch in paid ads or anything like that. I prefer to talk with people and reach them through the content I post.

7. Do you feel you need to educate people on what you do?

There are definitely times when I have to educate others on what I do. It’s mostly family and family friends because a lot of them are not familiar with social media management, but it’s honestly not a big deal to me at all. I love talking about what I do, it’s my passion so I feel privileged when I get the chance to share what I do with others.

8. How do you stay motivated?

It can be hard to stay motivated at times but I have some incredibly supportive people around me who inspire me and pick me back up when I am feeling a little lost. Other than that, I always make sure I am staying productive and caring for my mind. Personal development is essential as well as resting your mind. It’s really good to take breaks and just have some time to do something you enjoy and be with loved ones.

9. What are you working on right now?

Oh my gosh, I have some incredible projects in the works right now! My best friend and I actually just launched a project together on International Women's Day which went incredibly. We decided to start a Facebook community for female entrepreneurs and business owners called Flourishing Forward. It’s basically a community that teaches us as women how to not compare and contrast but how to link arms and step into the women were meant to be, together. It’s all about supporting one another and inspiring growth while still offering a bunch of business tools and resources to learn from. We have a lot of ideas in the works so I can promise you it’s definitely going to be different than any other community out there so we’re thrilled to see it take off and meet some incredible people along the way.  

10. Where do you look for inspiration?

I look for inspiration all around me. I guess it depends on what is happening that day and why I am in need of inspiration because my best friend inspires me a lot, I also like to browse Pinterest to find some things that inspire me and just reading/ listening to podcasts!

11. Where is your favorite place to work?

My Favorite place to work is actually at the beach. Weird right? I love vacationing but being able to catch up on some work while staring out at the ocean and feeling the breeze is the best.

12. How do you start your Monday?

I like to start my Monday off with a cup of coffee and reviewing my plans for the week and make any changes I feel are necessary.

13. What are some colors you are connecting with right now?

I am currently obsessed with rose gold, blush pink and peach!

14. What are some of your favorite textures/ materials?

I would have to say marble is always my go-to

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world for inspiration, where would it be and why?

Probably Montana or Hawaii. I know two completely opposite places. But I have always wanted to visit both and for me, I love scenery and nature so it would be nice to escape to somewhere and be out in nature to regroup. I also love photography so I’d love to photograph some locations out that way. And for Hawaii. I am obsessed with the beach and that has been the beach I’ve always wanted to go to. Both would inspire me in different ways but spark incredible adventures and memories!

16. What’s your favorite season and why?

I would have to say Spring is my favorite season because there is so much happening in those months. The air is getting warmer and clearer, the skies are brighter, flowers are sprouting and blooming and it just feels like a fresh new beginning. I love that feeling.

17. What is something you could not live without?

Hmm, That is a tough one. I am going to sound totally cliche but I would probably have to say my computer or phone if we’re talking about objects. Because, it’s where I do most of my work at and I really don’t go anywhere without them.

18. What’s your favorite thing to do in Virginia?

I actually have three favorite things to do in Virginia. I love going to the drive in movie theater, going to bookshops and I really enjoy going to basketball/hockey games!

19. As a busy business owner, how do you avoid burn out?  

I make sure that I am taking breaks throughout the day and not overworking myself. It’s so easy to get burnt out on things and I always find if a certain project is stressing me out I will pause and regroup or work on something else for a while. I also like to read motivational quotes and listen to music to give my mind a break for a bit.

20. What are you looking forward to in 2019?

I am looking forward to seeing the heights my business can reach this year and the places I can go. I love helping other entrepreneurs and their businesses strive so I can’t wait to see the incredible people I get to work with this year. Other than that I am just excited for the possibilities of growth and change and discovering who I am each day.

21. What is a piece of advice you would tell your past self on the first day you started your business?

I would remind myself of the excited, empowering feeling it gave me to finally have made my dream become a reality and then I would tell myself to always carry that feeling around and never let go of it. Because business can be hard, it can be discouraging and it can be exciting but if you can hold onto what it felt like on that first day it will help you to keep going. I want to wake up every day feeling excited and empowered and know that I am making a difference in the lives of others.

21. Any inspirational books you recommend?

Absolutely! Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

22. Anything I missed that you want to share?

I just want to thank you for the incredible opportunity to speak with you about my journey. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you and your business and sharing a bit about mine.