Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is social media and digital marketing pro Emily Baillie, who we caught up with to find out what inspired her career, where she sees herself in five years, and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
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WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I’m a digital marketing entrepreneur at Compass Content Marketing and social media marketing teacher at Humber College. Follow me on Twitter!
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I always found the 9 to 5 office life confining and I felt like there was more out there for me. I’ve done a lot of travelling over the years, and a few years ago I started blogging about places I had visited around the world. I worked as a content marketing manager at a luxury travel company in Toronto, then I decided to launch my own business, Compass Content Marketing. We help travel and lifestyle brands maximize their digital marketing through social media and digital content. Recently we partnered with Humber College to launch a brand new Social Media Certificate program.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Becoming a social media teacher at Humber College. I’d always dreamed of teaching college or university, but I didn’t expect that it could happen so early in my career. I’m thrilled to get into the classroom and share my expertise with my students. I learn a lot from them too.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
In five years, I’ll be teaching, working with top travel brands, and travelling twice yearly. The digital marketing world is evolving rapidly and I think that my career will evolve with it.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
You spend most of your time working, so make it count.
Take your career into your own hands and design one that you love. If you’re struggling to find the job of your dreams, keep trying. Reinvent yourself. Find a successful person in your industry and emulate them – or, better yet, make friends with them. Think big and don’t let the fear of failure stop you from chasing your dreams.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I donate to Kiva.org and give loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. I love browsing the website and choosing the person I’m supporting. Showing a photo and description of their small business fosters a more caring connection.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Shyness is a challenge for me. I’m not a naturally outgoing person (I am a writer, after all!) and networking and really putting myself out there in a business setting is something I’ve had to work on. There’s no quick fix, I just have to get out there and do it.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
A notable person is one who is living their true fulfillment, and their career matches their values. When you meet these rare people, you can feel positivity and inspiration radiating from them.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Dakota Tavern’s Bluegrass Brunch makes a great start to a weekend. When I have guests from other cities I often bring them there for mimosas and live music.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
I’m addicted to Songza. I’m also addicted to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Go figure.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
I follow @ThinkGrowProsper on Instagram to get motivational quotes throughout the day.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
I lived in Ireland for a year in my twenties and I will probably always have a soft spot for that country. I plan to visit New Zealand next.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Regretting risks that I didn’t take.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
I watch Keeping Up the Kardashians. That show is PR genius. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s hard not to be impressed with success.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I’ve spent a lot of money on travel over the years, and I’ve never regretted any of it. I’m getting to the stage of my life where I’d like to own my own home, though, so I’m working on that.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
I’m reading Tim Ferriss’ Four Hour Workweek and it’s super inspiring. I think that if you have a career that you love, and still have lots of free time for the things that make you truly happy, then that’s success.
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