Turning A Side Hustle Into A Brand

In this episode of The Friday Habit, host Mark Labriola II interviews Emma Tessler, founder and CEO of NinentyFiveMedia, a digital marketing agency. Emma shares her journey from a side hustle in interior design to leading a successful remote team specializing in social media strategy and brand storytelling. The conversation covers the importance of building a strong company culture, the challenges of scaling a business, and the evolving landscape of video content in the age of AI. Emma emphasizes the significance of authenticity in marketing and offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their brands.

🧠 Takeaways:

Emma Tessler transitioned from a side hustle to CEO of 95 Media.
The importance of community engagement in social media marketing.
Building authority online is crucial for trust and sales.
Consistency in content creation leads to better results.
Hiring for will over skill can enhance team dynamics.
Video content should reflect authenticity to stand out.
Niche down in services, but not in target audience.
A remote team can provide flexibility and access to diverse talent.
Scaling requires effective delegation and teamwork.
Building a strong company culture is essential for remote teams.

Resources & Links:
Connect with Emma and NinetyFivemedia!
Website: Ninetyfivemedia.co
Instagram: @Ninenty.Five.Media
Download the free Friday Habit Guide: https://thefridayhabit.com

00:35 Introduction to The Friday Habit
01:47 Meet Emma Tessler
04:15 Emma's background
06:08 Building 95 Media: From Side Hustle to Success
07:13 Humble Beginnings
11:28 Building NinentyFiveMedia
21:59 Creating Company Culture
23:19 Navigating Remote Work
34:34 Advice for Hesitant Business Owners
26:01 Staff Structure
29:04 Video Content Strategy
32:45 Building Authority Online
34:31 Working On, Not In Your Business 
35:47 Is there Riches in the Niches?
39:52 Planning For The Future
41:02 Actionable Steps to Scale Your Brand 
41:41 Outro