When burnout meets breakthrough, magic happens – and that's exactly what transpired in Leslie Youngblood's entrepreneurial journey. As the founder of Youngblood MMC, Leslie transformed her 20+ years of marketing expertise into a mission-driven agency that's changing the game for service-based businesses. After experiencing the crushing weight of 80-hour workweeks, she made the bold decision to bet on herself, and today she partners with businesses to drive revenue growth and create lasting impact, bringing brands to life through innovative marketing strategies that align with their core values.
Hi, Leslie! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?
Youngblood MMC partners with service-based businesses to grow revenue and drive long-term profitable growth and impact.
With over 20 years of experience in advertising and marketing, content creation, and business development, we have helped transform companies from local startups to nationwide impact makers utilizing innovative marketing efforts while driving optimal business outcomes.
We excel at developing strategies that engage target audiences and convert them into devoted customers. Whether it's building a visually appealing website, executing an engaging, streamlined social media, or producing captivating content, our aim is to bring brands to life in a manner that aligns with their core values and mission.
Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.
I know the exact moment! It was my last day at a toxic job - I was working 80+ hours a week, no team to help, my family was suffering, and while I enjoyed the work it was not sustainable. I put my notice in without a plan or another job lined up. I was so burnt out I did not even have the bandwidth to think about what was next. I am very privileged to be able to quit a job without having a plan. I had worked with entrepreneurs before and felt the pull and my husband often nudged me to do something on my own, but I was not ready.
On my last day at that overwhelming job, I received an email from a friend and former freelance client. They wanted to know if I had the bandwidth to come back on board for another project, with an opportunity for a monthly retainer. It was a project that would replace half of the income I was leaving. At that moment it hit me: Guess I'm really doing this! I'm a business owner now.
Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.
As I mentioned I was working 80+ hours a week and completely burned out. But I loved that job, the team, and the projects we were working on. I felt angry that I was being forced to decide between what I'm passionate about and having a LIFE. I was on a family vacation and the entire time I was getting calls, emails, texts, etc about projects. I was also reading "The Artists Way." After spending the entire week with my family ALSO working, putting out fires, and sneaking work in when I thought no one was looking (yes, I brought my laptop and hid it from my husband. WHAT?!), I was relaxing on Friday evening with my husband after the kids were in bed. Around 9 pm I got another frantic email and text from multiple people at work. In that moment I realized I would give every last drop of my creativity, energy, and BLOOD to this company and they would gladly take it. It was truly like a light bulb moment for me. I was giving all of myself for what?! I knew I was capable, and experienced to do anything, especially what I was doing for them for myself. That was the night the true seed of my entrepreneurship story started to grow.
Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?
Not a tech tool, but something that every single entrepreneur should have: A Business Accountant! They know the game and will help get you set up for success and ensure that you are doing all of the boring things right!
We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.
I had a bad feeling about working with a client after a few months of collaborating. We had a contract, but it had not been renewed and we were working on good faith because we had friends in common. I ignored my gut and planned to unwind myself at a later time. Within two months they stopped paying me, claiming they ran out of funding. I am still waiting on those invoices.
The lesson would be to make sure you have cold hard payment specifics in writing in a contract that everyone signs.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?
I joined a business accelerator program less than one year into my business to help me scale and teach me new client acquisition techniques. A lot of creatives rely on word of mouth/referrals for business and I knew that I wanted to build a pipeline that was ongoing and consistent in order to achieve the growth and scale I am looking for.
What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?
"You do not need clarity, you need courage." This is my current favorite inspirational quote! Entrepreneurship is HARD. Nothing is guaranteed. There are huge ups and downs. That's why most people aren't cut out for it. But if you know in your gut and soul it IS for you, then you just have to act and keep going! The best and biggest success stories do not happen overnight. Show up, be consistent, and deliver your unique you and success will come. You can do it!
Want to dive deeper into Leslie's work? Check out the links below!
- Visit Youngblood MMC's website youngbloodmmc.com
- Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn: Leslie Youngblood
- Follow Youngblood MMC on LinkedIn
