Meet Ellen

Greetings and welcome! I’m excited you’re here! 

As I’m sure you’re aware, networking – both in person and on social net working sites – is a key to your success. If you’re a confused and overwhelmed entrepreneur or small business owner, seeking support to figure out how to monetize your networking opportunities and understand social media marketing, I can help you!!

My Personal Story

I grew up in Shelby, North Carolina. I went to school at the University of South Carolina and double majored in Finance and Management. I moved to Boston, MA after college and got a job at Merrill Lynch. I worked hard to become a Certified Financial Planner and Assistant Vice President with the company. I specialized in estate planning, diversification of concentrated stock positions, and portfolio management and analysis. In 2003, after 11 years with Merrill, my second child was born. I decided that it was time for me to be a full-time mommy to my 21 month old son and newborn daughter.

Major Changes!

In 2004, my husband and I moved to Charleston, SC. In 2005, we separated. Now imagine this – new home, no family, few friends, no connections, no job and 2 little children to support. Fortunately, I was approached by someone about starting a home based business and it got me thinking that I could somehow work from home and still be there for my children. Little did I know that making that first step would take me on a journey of growth, learning and opportunities that I could have only dreamed of.

How I Got Started Networking

Back in 2006 when I started building my home based business, I decided to join a networking group, BNI. I stayed with this group for 2 years and learned a tremendous amount about “how” to network and the spirit of giving to others. I also found a women’s networking group that I fell in love with. It is there that I realized how powerful it is to volunteer and be a part of leadership. I served on the Steering Committee for 3 years, as the Vice President for a year and as the President for a year.

Then one day, the idea hit me that I could start my own networking group. And not just any networking group, but an idea that had never been created in Charleston before. This group would harness the power of the internet and combine the power of face-to-face networking with social media networking. This is when my baby, The Lowcountry  Business Network, was born. LBN has been one of the most fulfilling, rewarding experiences of my life. In just over a year, we have grown to 247 members. I have new friends, new resources and the best business synergies and collaborations that I could ever ask for. And what’s really cool is that we raise money for local charities, The Charleston Basket Brigade and Toys for Tots at each event. I can’t wait to see where LBN goes in the future!

How I Got Started In Social Media

I’ve been deeply immersed in social media since 2008 when I first got on Facebook to connect with people for my 20 year high school reunion. As reconnected with old friends and started connecting with new friends, I realized the power of this tool that I had in my hands! It hit me that I could take all those networking skills that I had learned in my groups and apply them to my social media sites. I could reach out and connect with people all over the world, with the click of a button! Then I signed up for Twitter and Linked In. I scoured the internet to find the most successful internet marketers that could educate me on how to build a following. I took course after course, learning and understanding strategies and tools. After applying the skills I had learned, my connections on all 3 sites quickly jumped into the thousands and I have several fan pages with thousands of fans.

There are basic strategies to using these all of these sites. Facebook is my favorite because it’s very personal and you can express who you are and foster your unique brand. You can build relationships that will last a lifetime. You can also set up your fan page where you can grow your email database, drive traffic to any website or blog, engage and educate your customers and sell more products and services! Twitter is where most people will enter your network and Linked In has a more a of business focus. It’s so important for businesses today to strategically utilize these sites!

Speaking

Speaking is my passion! It’s interesting that I was very shy as a child and feared public speaking in school. I took courses in my early twenties and really got comfortable speaking after years of participating in my networking groups. I’ve been speaking on networking, social media success and attitude since 2008.

How To Work With Me

I am available for hire as your social media business coach. After applying my proven Social Marketing methods, my clients typically experience a significant increase in traffic, subscribers, clients and strategic alliances . My company also develops websites and helps your company get noticed through SEO and Social Media Marketing. Please click here for more information. 

Please click here for more information on The Lowcountry Business Network.

I am available to speak at your next event. For more details, please click here.

I look forward to meeting you soon! Please connect with me on my Social Media Sites by clicking here!

Yours In Success,

P.S. – Come write on my Facebook Page!

P.S.S. Make sure you subscribe to get my Secrets of Power Networking ebook!