Meet Alisha Kumar - Seattle Business Babes Chapter Leader
Meet Alisha Kumar! Owner of The Social Project Inc. - a full-service digital marketing agency. Alisha is also the Chapter Leader of Seattle Business Babes, the Seattle chapter of Business Babes Collective.
Alisha is a social media and digital marketing expert, with 10+ years of industry experience, and is the founder of a digital marketing agency, The Social Project. Alisha works with the globe’s most innovative & forward-thinking brands and implements marketing strategies to increase organic growth, and convert followers into paying customers.
Eager to learn more about Alisha? Check out the interview we did with her below!
How did you get started in your business?
After 8 years in marketing, PR, and events, I knew I wanted more from the industry than what was being presented to me through the opportunities present. So I decided to disrupt the white male-dominated industry and start my own marketing agency. Yes, I show up to events in leather pants and sneakers, but I'm really dang good at what I do. Success doesn't only look like pantsuits and perfectly coiffed hair anymore, it's 2020.
Favorite hobbies or passions outside of business?
Traveling. I will do anything for travel! Also a wannabe wine connoisseur (or just really great at drinking it).
What keeps you inspired?
My parents. They are truly my biggest inspiration and the hardest working people I know. They came to Canada as immigrants, working two to three jobs to build a dream life for themselves and us and I never want to do anything besides make them proud. Also, innovation. The marketing industry changes every day! I love being able to work with our clients and create out of the box campaigns and brainstorm ways to explode their businesses online! Lastly, the community keeps me inspired. I see women of all different backgrounds really reach for their wildest dreams and accomplish incredible things, it always inspires me to keep going!
What is one of the most challenging hurdles you've faced in business?
For me, it's always mental blocks. Especially imposter syndrome. Going from corporate to full-time entrepreneurship is no easy feat. I'm always questioning if I should be charging what I'm charging, if I should be on the podcast or have the speaking opportunity, or be in the same room as people who have done this for much longer than I have. Imposter syndrome has a funny way of creeping up and what I continuously deal with.
How has COVID affected your business and how have you pivoted?
COVID has been interesting for marketers. While a lot of people did nix their marketing budgets, a lot of other businesses took advantage of the low ad costs and booming numbers of people online. So it was a mix of losing some clients but also amping it up ten-fold for other clients. In terms of Seattle Business Babes, we had to completely pivot our entire business plan. I remember sitting there thinking "what the..." when we had to cancel our event 24 hours before it was set to happen. We have switched to online events, workshops, building relationships with the community online, etc. and a few surprises we have coming up (I don't even know if I can tease this yet...Sorry, Danielle!)
Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?
I swear the answer to this changes every single time I'm asked because of how much evolves overtime. At this point, in 5 years, I am hoping to be a disruptive leader in the marketing industry. I am hoping to have a successful business - both financially and impact-wise to all sizes of business across the board. Oh, and to buy my parents their dream cars.
What do you do to educate yourself as an entrepreneur? (Books, podcasts, courses, etc.)
I'm a sucker for a good book or podcast - a few fave books are Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk and Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz! For podcasts, my go-to is The GaryVee Audio Experience and The Ed Mylett Show. I have also always invested in a business coach since before I even launched my business.
What are your top 3 tips for business owners who are just starting out?
1. Invest in yourself - it's the best investment.
2. Failures are lessons. We all go through them. How you navigate with what you've learned from those lessons will be key to your success and growth.
3. Take risks. We all started with 0 followers, $0, 0 clients. I truly believe the best entrepreneurs are those who are willing to take risks, try something new, and open to learn and grow.
Interested in learning more about Alisha and her business The Social Project Inc.? Head here to learn more today!