Meet Katerina Erbesova | Social Media Manager & Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katerina Erbesova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katerina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It came out of nowhere. I left the Czech Republic at the age of 20. But to start from the beginning, I just graduated from high school, and I started studying at a university that felt like the right step because everyone else was doing it. However, I felt more lost than ever, and I started playing with the thought of leaving uni and moving abroad. When I talked to people about this, everyone would doubt it, which made me want to do it even more. So, I’ve decided to follow my intuition and start my traveling adventure. I spent the last six years traveling around Europe and moving around, and I quickly realized that this looks awful on your CV. Craving adventure and loving change shouldn’t come with punishment, and that is why I’ve decided to start my own business with literally zero knowledge about business or the field I’m in now. I remember it quite vividly – I didn’t allow myself to think in any way of failure. I told myself I would use my savings to invest and learn, and my first goal was to get the investments back, which I did within a few months in business. Honestly, it went all quickly. I believe anything can happen if you want it to. When I first started, I didn’t even have an Instagram account of my own, nor a laptop. There is literally no obstacle on the way if you’re sure about your goal.

What should our readers know about your business?
I work as social media manager and marketer, helping small female businesses thrive in the online space.

What sets me apart from the others?
It’s definitely my personality and my background. As a trained yoga instructor, the well-being of my clients is just as important as the results we have. I’m not your average ‘Instagram Guru’ claiming one thing to work for everyone. I like to combine strategy with a personal approach. Every business is different and so is their personality, approach, and strategy.

What am I most proud of?
Literally everything. I’m proud of all my success, and all the failure. I’m proud of every single of my client for taking the leap of faith and stepping up in their business. I’m proud of fighting through when things weren’t easy.

How did I get to where I’m today?
Hard work and a lot of investing (time into books and podcasts, research, courses, coaching programs), I believe you cannot lose when investing in something. You can only gain and grow.

Was it easy?
Not always. There is a lot that is not discussed on social media. Having your own business is amazing, but it doesn’t mean you will travel 24/7. Things can get messy, and clients can be difficult.

Some days, I spend my time with friends on the beach. Some days I close my laptop at 11 pm. The main difference is that everything you do in your business you do for yourself, and so you don’t mind spending an extra minute when it makes a difference.

How did I overcome challenges?
I have the best supporting system in my community and close friends and family. But also, every problem has a solution – so I start with analyzing if I can change the circumstances, and if I can, I look into how and make maximum to make it go away. If not, I find a professional who helps me.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
It’s not about doing everything on your own. It’s okay to ask for help.
There will always be someone who doesn’t like you. Spend no energy on this and move on. Time and energy are the most precious assets we have, don’t spend either of them on things and people who don’t bring you joy.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand?
I want you to know that things can be easy when it comes to marketing, and there is a solution for everyone. I want to make a difference and cut all the BS on the Internet about this.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Yaaay, what a lovely question!

Bordeaux (France) has so much to offer!!! I’d have a pleasant stroll in the city to feel its charming architecture. Bordeaux is a walkable city, so you can quickly get around by walking or renting a city bike.

Jardin Public – The biggest park of Bordeaux is just so beautiful, and feels like being km away from the city. Ideal to buy a baguette with jam and have a little picnic when the weather is nice.

Quai Louis XVIII. – I don’t know if you have ever been to any French city, but French people are obsessed with their walks around the river, and this promenade is just gorgeous. There are runners, people who rollerblade, families with kids, skaters. Everyone is here.

Dune du Pilat or Biarritz – These are my favorite trips within 1-2hr distance from the city. Dune du Pilat is the biggest dune in Europe and my favorite place to be. Biarritz is such a cute surfer city, very well known but must visit for sure.

There are many fantastic coffee shops, restaurants, tapas places, and art exhibitions to check as well. You can enjoy the local French wine with some cheese and freshly baked baguette, but there is much more to this city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, every person in my Instagram community and my life deserves a shoutout. Since starting my business, I’ve received nothing but love and endless support, and my community is definitely what made me stay in challenging moments and remember why I’ve started.

I am aware of being here thanks to the impact of people in my life who made me better, who made me reflect and try harder.

But if I had to give you one name to start with – start with listening to Jay Shetty’s podcast (On Purpose) or reading his book (Think Like a Monk). He is just brilliant, and I promise he will change your life.

Website: www.katerinaerbesova.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katerina_erbesova

Image Credits
Mishka Sibert