Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Huddleston.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a kid, I had big entrepreneurial dreams and was always coming up with fun ideas for businesses. In my early 20s, halfway through college, I co-founded a P&C insurance agency in Rome, GA. Not one of my more fun ideas, but it was a real opportunity and an exciting one.
The timing, however, was rough. The stock market crashed that same year, and after a fallout with my business partner, I quit school to run the business full time. Three years later, stressed out and burnt out, I sold the book of business and moved to Savannah, my birth home.
With my confidence a bit shattered, I traded my CEO hat for an office management job. Eventually, I got bored and started thinking about what I had actually enjoyed when I owned my agency: marketing.
So I dusted off those old college credits and finished my marketing degree, graduating in 2018. That same year, I moved to the beautiful medieval walled city of Cittadella in Northern Italy. I spent the next two and a half years traveling around Europe and freelancing as an online marketer and digital strategist, before eventually returning to the States—and making my way back to Savannah in 2022.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is a smooth road even worth traveling? I wouldn’t know!
Our lives are so multi-faceted—there’s always going to be something taxing us mentally or emotionally. And unfortunately, life comes with its devastating losses. For me, that loss was the passing of my mother when I was 30.
But there’s joy, too. And even when you don’t see it yet, there are good things on the horizon. In the midst of my grief, I had no idea that just a few years later, I’d meet my husband-to-be—hands down the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
That’s why you have to hold on to hope, always. You never know what’s ahead. That goes for our personal lives and our professional ones.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Step Up Marketing (aka SUMSocial)?
When I named my business Step Up Marketing, it was inspired by a dream I had—one of those vivid ones where you’re trying to move but can’t. I was stuck on a staircase, unable to climb, until someone ahead of me reached down and helped me up.
That dream stuck with me because it’s how life often feels. And business too. I never wanted to be someone who was only focused on my own success. I wanted to be the one reaching back and helping others struggling to move forward.
That’s the spirit behind my work. I support small business owners, solopreneurs, and service providers who are working hard to grow but need someone to take marketing off their plate. I help them get to that next level so they can stay focused on what they love.
One thing I’m proud of is how lean and intentional I’ve kept my business. It’s mostly just me, and I like it that way. I bring in help when needed, but I’ve built systems that keep everything running smoothly. That means I can keep costs reasonable and stay fully present for my clients.
I’m also not someone who believes in one-size-fits-all marketing. My services are flexible and custom.
Want to hand over the reins completely? Great.
Prefer to stay in the driver’s seat but have an expert riding shotgun? I’ve got you.
I meet people where they are and build a strategy that actually works for their business and budget.
I’ve worn all the hats. I know what it’s like to feel like marketing is just another task on an endless to-do list. But it doesn’t have to feel that way. You don’t have to do it all. I’ll take on that hat for you and make sure you look great while I’m wearing it.
Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or overly polished. It can be clear, fun, and effective. That’s what I bring to the table. Along with social media marketing and paid ads, I also offer email marketing, because a strong strategy doesn’t stop at the scroll.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so – who are they and what role did they play / how did they help?
My best mentors have been my clients.
Since I started this work, I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing people—therapists, artists, founders, non-profit organizers—and every client I engage with has a story to tell and an impact they’re making in the world and in their communities.
One past client I’ll mention is Katherine Berg of Will & Atlas. All of her products are sustainably sourced and fair trade (not to mention gorgeous!). The passion she pours into her business and the obstacles she’s persevered through are truly inspiring.
I’m also the Director of Social Media and Marketing for Coastal Georgia for Democracy, and the team I work with in that organization is another huge source of inspiration. Their dedication and focus on creating real change remind me why this work matters.
Collaborating with purpose-driven people—whether clients or teammates—is what keeps me excited about what I do every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sumsocial.agency
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sumsocial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sumagency
- Other: https://www.coastaldemocracy.org
