From social media strategy to content creation, Adelphia Lim does it all. She tells us about her love affair with social media…
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a digital networking platform (with IRL benefits) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented folks! Looking for inspiration? Check out how Adelphia Lim, the founder of For The Love of Socials, gets it done like a boss.
Tell us the story behind your business.
After working in marketing – as a freelancer, in-house, and in an agency – I just wasn’t feeling fulfilled. But I knew that I loved being creative; working on multiple projects at a time was my jam. Add in my love of social media, and For The Love of Socials was created. I also realised that the ability to have a say in who I work with means a lot to me. I have to be passionate about the brands we work with before we commit to taking them on.
What are some milestones or achievements you’re most proud of?
The growth that I experienced in just under a year blew me away. For The Love of Socials went from one team member (aka me!) to an incredible team of three in that time. My team members share the same values as I do and are passionate about serving our client roster of small business owners and solopreneurs. It can be difficult to find team members who prioritise the same values that you do, and I’m fortunate to have a team I trust.
Another major win is that we are fully booked with a roster of incredible women-led businesses in the health and wellness space. This means so much for my business, that we can have a meaningful impact on businesses owned by our ideal clients.
Share with us a setback that taught you a valuable lesson about running a business.
Can someone say burnout? The social media space is notoriously busy and ever-changing; trying to keep up with that pace can be exhausting. I was hesitant to invest in someone and kept taking on more and more until burnout became very real.
Luckily, I was able to take a step back and reflect on why I started For The Love of Socials in the first place. I wanted to help small businesses succeed with their socials, and I couldn’t do that if I wasn’t at my best. So, I took the leap, hired someone, and we’ve been able to serve our clients better ever since.
It can be difficult to know that you’re entering the burnout stage before it’s too late, so keep an eye on your stress levels, how full your calendar is, and what you can realistically get done for your clients. There’s no shame in hiring help or even taking a step back when needed!
Describe a typical day in your life and what you love most about it.
There’s no typical day and that’s what I love about it! Whether we’re styling and capturing client shoots, holding in-person or virtual meetings, attending client events or pop-ups, or getting client work in our office, it’s all a part of running an agency. Sometimes, it’s easy for people to see the fun side of working in the social media space (hello, photoshoots!), but so much more goes on behind the scenes.
On any given day, we’re creating strategy, crafting copies, or deep-diving into analytics. While each day is different, they’re all centred around giving our clients the best experience and results possible. One of my favourite things is meeting clients and hearing about their incredible businesses and what they’re up to. That’s one of the best parts of working in socials: you get to know the people behind the business and why they do what they do.
What’s your favourite book, movie, or TV show that has influenced your entrepreneurial mindset?
The podcast Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher has inspired me throughout my business journey. I love that she started with a $300 camera as a wedding photographer and pivoted into a women-led empire. It’s not necessarily the size of her business that inspires me, but the guidance she gives about believing in yourself – that you’re capable of more than you know and we can all figure it out as we go. I also like that she provides actual business tips in addition to her inspirational content.
Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Stay adaptable. You may think you have your ideal business mapped out, but I can promise it’ll change as the business landscape evolves. And that’s okay! Flexibility fosters growth; being agile in your approach makes you more likely to have longer-term success.
Continuous learning is another non-negotiable of mine. The entrepreneurial journey is full of constant education. Whether it’s learning by experience, by making mistakes, or with formal training, you’ll understand more about yourself, your ability, and your business by pushing yourself to learn more. Have a good network: you never know who will be singing your praises in the right spot at the right time!
Top tip for maintaining a good work-life balance?
Boundaries with a capital B. This means defining specific work hours and sticking to them. Make sure you block off time for your personal life and activities. Otherwise, work can easily sneak its way in.
Favourite thing to do on weekends?
I love to cycle. I also love all things water sports-related and hanging out at the beach afterwards!
Tell us one fun fact about yourself that not many people know.
I have a corgi, Mantou, our Chief Barketing Officer at For The Love of Socials. Her main deliverables are napping on my feet when I work from home, and making the occasional cameo on our Instagram.
Get in touch with Adelphia Lim online.
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