On this episode of I Hate Social Media, we're flipping the script and your normal host, Micah, will become the guest instead. And instead, our host will be the other half of M.R. Sterling, Rebecca Durling.

Rebecca and I, your hosts, are not just business partners but also husband and wife. Our journey together in the business world has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Today, Rebecca will ask me questions about our journey, and I'll answer them truthfully and in detail.

The Beginning of Our Journey

My professional career started in sales at the largest automotive marketing company in the world. Over the years, I moved from local sales to national corporate sales. Despite my success, the constant travel took a toll on me and my family. Hearing my son pray for me to get a different job so I could be home more often was a turning point. I realized I needed a change.

In 2015, while on a flight to Minneapolis, I listed everything I enjoyed and wanted to do. The desire to make movies, which I had since childhood, stood out. Technology had evolved, making it possible for an average person like me to create high-quality films. By 2016, we established Mr. Sterling Productions, and though it started slow, by 2017, we were fully operational.

Expanding into Real Estate Photography

In 2019, we bought Vivid Home Real Estate Photography from Stef Supplee. Stef had built a fantastic business but wanted to focus on her growing family. Despite having no money at the time, a miracle allowed us to purchase the business. We closed the deal in December 2019, just before the world changed in 2020.

Balancing Business and Family Life

Balancing different aspects of our business, Mr. Sterling Productions and Vivid Home, is challenging but manageable. The real difficulty lies in balancing work and personal life. Our studio, attached to our house, helps create a physical boundary. However, our youngest often comes in with stories or questions, and I fight the urge to tell him I'm too busy, knowing these moments won't last forever.

Working as a husband and wife team has its challenges, but we genuinely enjoy each other's company. Communication and respecting each other's boundaries are key. We need to ensure we don’t discuss work all the time, especially during vacations or date nights.

Building Client Relationships

Networking is crucial for developing business relationships. Being a resource for people, offering free advice, and being helpful can significantly build trust. One of our most profound relationships is with Joe Zimmerman of Summer's & Zim's. His integrity and character have been very influential to us.

The Excitement of Podcasting

Our podcast is a unique journey where we start from scratch, learn about social media, and apply it to our business, Retro Media Digitizers. Our children find it cool, and it’s a fun, evolving project. The podcast serves as an intellectual outlet for me, allowing me to process and communicate what I learn.

We aim to offer valuable insights and show a real-world case study of growing a business through social media. This transparency and authenticity are what make our podcast unique.

Final Thoughts

One crucial takeaway is understanding that social media is not just an add-on to your work; it’s essential for client acquisition. Keeping the pipeline full is vital for business sustainability. We’ve made mistakes along the way, but we've learned from them and are committed to sharing those lessons with you.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Stay tuned for more insights and stories from the chaotic yet exciting world of social media and business.