Meet Emily Allard | Nationally published author, SEO/Social Media consultant and owner of the Socialbuzzhive blog.

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

Hi Emily, how do you think about risk?
Risks have played a major role in my life and career for many years now. As a business owner, a writer, a consultant, a mother, a wife and a friend.

For any entrepreneur heading into business, regardless of the niche they’re in, risk taking plays a major role in so many ways.

Think way back in 2004, when Mark Zuckerberg was still creating the beginnings of the now-behemoth Facebook, now Meta. PayPal co-founder and Facebook investor Peter Thiel told Zuckerberg a piece of advice that will always stay with him:

“In a world that’s changing so quickly, the biggest risk you can take is not taking any risk.”

If you want to go out on your own and start a business, you need to be comfortable with taking risks.

There will be rocky seas to manage as well as some time smooth sailing, but without a doubt more of the former.

You must be comfortable with both scenarios. As the saying goes, “smooth seas never made skilled sailors.”

When I began Socialbuzzhive, I had taken a huge risk in leaving my steady corporate job along with moving from my home state of CT. to FL with my daughter who was only a junior in High School.

Personally, it was an internal calling. I knew I was the type of person who would never be satisfied working for someone else.

I felt I had a fire in me to share my experiences, passions and knowledge of what I had learned both in business and life and through my own research and education that would be helpful to creators, business owners and entrepreneurs alike.

Was it scary? Absolutely! But I never dwelled on the option of potential failure. A strong mindset is crucial to have when you take calculated risks.

Some risks can be impulsive so it’s important to weigh risk with reward before diving in headfirst. Especially since half of small businesses only survive 5 years.

In my experience I made decisions from a reward perspective and not so much a risk-perspective. Not to say I never took any impulsive risks that ultimately didn’t turn out in my favor!

I feel there are definitely some key aspects to having an entrepreneurial spirit that aligns with risk-taking behavior.

One of the main ones is being adaptable along with having a somewhat stubborn nature. If you’re not comfortable with change it’s not likely, you’ll be happy embracing an entrepreneurial lifestyle.

As far as being stubborn, this trait tends to push you to persist despite setbacks.

For instance, when I started my business, I left a full-time job with a steady salary and benefits. I used personal savings with no guarantee of returns or profits. I had to master a huge learning curve in some aspects of software for instance that required me to educate myself on my own.
I had to put my trust in outsourcing certain services and sometimes got burned.

Most of all I worked harder than when I worked for someone else, losing sleep, sacrificing personal interests, and devoting all my time to growing the business.

Despite all this, the personal satisfaction and creative freedom I experienced was all worth it to me. And more so, I really enjoyed it!

Some characteristics I believe to being a successful risk-taking entrepreneur are the following:

Having the ability to think outside the box, not conform to what everyone else is doing and create your own solutions.

Rather than viewing problems as negative roadblocks, think of them more as positive challenges that help you grow.

As an entrepreneur it’s critically important to set both short term and long-term goals.

Not knowing what you want to accomplish with your business leaves you lost and spinning your wheels. A goal setting strategy is vital for whatever it is you want to achieve. Both personally and professionally.

Stay focused on your goals, but also have a plan B and C in place tucked away in case you need to pivot.

Continue to take smart risks. Don’t let yourself get discouraged, limit distractions, be persistent, don’t compare yourself to anyone else and believe in yourself 150%!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Hello! I’m Emily Allard, a nationally published content creator and digital marketing specialist and strategist in South Florida.

My passion is helping small businesses and individuals in South Florida and worldwide, leverage the power of digital technology, social media and content creation to reach local and virtual markets.

I’m very proud to provide small businesses and individuals with customized digital consultations and audits in order to help build a larger presence and awareness online, to accelerate growth, create future success, showcase business products and services online, in order to increase profits.

I also am very excited to provide digital creators with ways to help monetize their content online, get publishing opportunities, provide tools for entrepreneurs and offer remote work resources with companies hiring around the world.

I started Socialbuzzhive in 2018 knowing that digital technologies would rule the success of businesses looking to forge ahead.

As a single mom in the past, working from home and having flexibility in ones work schedule is becoming more vital for everyone, and especially parents!

It wasn’t easy starting out in the beginning. Growing a clientele, advertising, and promoting my services, learning new skills and writing daily content for my blog as well as for other companies.

However, I love what I did, the people I met along the way and developing vital knowledge.
I knew I could never go back to working for someone else in a corporate environment and this realization helped me overcome any doubts or challenges.

Some of the lessons I learned along the way are;

• #1 believe in yourself. Doubt will kill more dreams than failure ever will.
• Don’t overthink things. Take risks.
• Be committed to your dreams, your business or your brand.
• Stay focused and don’t let ‘shiny object syndrome’ derail you.
• Take personal time for yourself so you don’t get burned out.
• Embrace your victories no matter how small.

I get a special satisfaction helping others succeed in building their businesses and obtaining their dreams.
Anyone can master the special strategies necessary to boost their brand, blog or business online in a highly competitive landscape. Or enjoy a creative, flexible, and lucrative career working from home just like I did.

Reach out and connect with me anytime on the blog or on social media!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Living in South Florida there are an endless number of sites, activities and goings on that anyone can savor and appreciate!

Luckily some of my most favorite things to share are right where I live which is where a lot of people come to vacation.

I’m fortunate enough to live a hop skip and jump away from popular Las Olas Blvd. where you can easily spend a week enjoying picturesque waterways, take a gondola ride with delectable sushi or Korean fusion from Casa Sensei, dine on your favorite type of cuisine at my faves like the newly renovated Timpano and the glorious Lobster Bar Sea Grille. Visit unique and luxurious shops, experience eclectic galleries, stroll along viewing the famous art shows, exotic car displays, or just sit and people watch while sipping on your favorite cocktail or iced latte.

It’s always fun to take a ride through the intracoastal on the ever-popular Jungle Queen boat where you’ll zoom past sprawling mansions, get jelly over the megayachts and have an all you can eat buffet and live spectacle.

Venturing out a bit further in Coconut Creek is a favorite of thousands of folks and families at Butterfly world.
This place houses the largest butterfly house in the planet! Close to 20,000 butterflies of over 50 species call this place home.

Stop and grab a delicious lunch and a glass of vino at Cooper Hawk’s Winery right in town.

We can’t forget the beach of course! Enjoy the sun and surf, snorkel, or just hang out and relax!

Miles along A1A and parallel to the beautiful Fort Lauderdale beach try out some of the fabulous restaurants like; Takato, El Vez, Casanova, tasty gelato cafes, experience the elegant hotels like the Atlantic, the Concord, the Pelican Grand known for its amazing brunch, and check out the B Ocean resort for a live mermaid show.

A week isn’t long enough to experience all the sights, sounds and attractions but you can certainly fit in some of your favorites!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to all the incredible supporters of my blog over the years. I’m very thankful especially to the people who stuck with me especially when I was just starting out, These dedicated people are diligently working towards expanding their knowledge, growing their businesses and sharing their purposes and passions online. They have provided me with excellent feedback, encouragement and vital communication throughout the years which is of tremendous value. One of the highlights of my day is hearing back from my supporters because it helps me to level up and create the best content available on subjects they are interested in the most. These creators have helped me strive to work towards increasing my own awareness and consistently encourage me to provide content and news about trending topics in the entrepreneurial field that help not only themselves, but others succeed every day. And that’s what it’s about.

Website: https://www.socialbuzzhive.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialbuzzhive

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-standley-allard-b939a853/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialbuzzhive

Image Credits
https://www.pixabay.com/