Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Lytle.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been in the corporate world for ten years, but I knew I always wanted to work for myself. I have worked since the day I turned 15, sometimes two or three jobs at a time. I prefer my income be based off how hard I can work instead of rely on another company to determine my worth. I actually had a wonderful job with amazing people, but I decided it was the right time to start my own business. I created Handle Social Advertising in hopes I could help some small businesses maximize their small budgets and increase their exposure during a time when they were hurting the most. My goal with Handle has always been to increase small business sales through paid and organic social media strategy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, I decided to move to a new city and start a business in the middle of a pandemic, so to say it was a bit bumpy would be an understatement. However, it has been a very successful venture and I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out. My family and I were living out of an Airbnb while we were house hunting and I was jump-starting this business. I had to really network and meet new people and earn client trust. I will say I was very privileged to have previous employers hire me right out of the gate based on their prior experience with me, which carried me through. The hardest part of it all was working long hours and not being able to spend as much time with my daughter. The mom’s guilt hit me hard when she asked why I was always working. The only answer I could muster was because I was trying to build a solid foundation for her. As a parent, finding that work-life balance will always be a bit of a struggle; however we get better and better at it every day. She is really thriving in the new city and I actually get to spend more time with her now that I am settled in my business and working full-time from home.
We’ve been impressed with Handle Social Advertising, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am not an agency. I am not an influencer. I am a small business helping other small businesses turn their social media into sales. Handle Social Advertising is a small business solution for social media advertising and social strategy consulting. I offer hourly consultations for businesses who want to learn more about social media best practices and organic social media strategy. However my “bread and butter” is really social media advertising. I conceptualize and implement the best digital ad to represent your brand. Then I build and optimize the ad on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube and more. I also have a network of freelancers I work with directly for content creation. I can maximize your exposure and engagement and convert your audience into customers with a comfortable budget. So, whether you need someone to audit your paid and organic social strategy, train your team on the best practices, or you need someone to build customized and highly efficient targeted ads for your business — Handle is the solution.
What are you most proud of?
If you were to look at my own social media pages, you would be curious as to why I rarely post on my pages or why my following isn’t in the thousands. Well, it is because all of my time and energy goes to my clients. The proof is in their pages. I was able to increase a recent client’s engagement by 1200% in the first three months of working with their paid and organic strategy on Facebook and Instagram. What am I most proud of as a human? Being a mom to my kick-butt kid, Marley. She is a six-year-old girl who loves tutu’s and tiaras, plays hockey, and whose favorite singer is Ozzy. She is just a kind little human and I love her pieces.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom deserves an immense amount of credit. When I was growing up, she worked six nights a week and worked a ton of overtime as a nurse to provide for us. She would leave the house around 10 p.m. to go to work. I know she had really difficult nights at the hospital, but she never complained, at least not in front of my brother or me. She had such a dedicated work ethic and I am always going to be impressed by her and what she has done for people.
My dad for staying home with us nut jobs. I remember we couldn’t afford to send me to the all-star cheer gym I tried out for. When I made the team, he asked if he could come and paint the entire gym (which was HUGE) for my tuition. He would drive us an hour to the beach just so we could ride our bikes in the sand for 30 minutes. Both of my parents gave me compassion and a willingness to do whatever it takes to give your kids a better life.
My mentor, who doesn’t really know he is a mentor. I won’t name his name because I haven’t asked permission, but he is the CMO at a company I used to work for. His guidance as been really crucial, not only for starting my own business but for balancing responsibilities with work and as a parent. It has been so valuable to have someone to brainstorm with but also gives genuine feedback, honest criticism and praise when deserved.
My husband who ran with my crazy idea of moving our family to a new town and starting my own business during a pandemic. He never doubted that I could be successful in this business and his support has been unwavering. Not every man would uproot their comfortable life to pursue their wife’s business venture. He didn’t blink. He just said OK. I think I am still in shock about it. (haha)
Contact Info:
- Email: Mary@handlesocialadvertising.com
- Website: www.handlesocialadvertising.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MaryBethLytle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HandleSocialAdvertising
Image Credits
My current clients include ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, TheHumidor.com, American Victory Ship, The Kitchen Hack and more.
