Meet Josi
I’m Josi, owner and CEO of Branch Out Social! And I’m here to tell my story. I wanted to really spill the beans and get into more of the nitty gritty than any website “About” page could handle-so you could really get to know me. Keep skimming this fun read where I share bits of my past that will make you giggle, cry and be inspired.
Background in PR
When I say background, I don’t mean a few years at an agency (although I did do that), when I say background I mean we are going wayyyy back. I grew up creating campaigns to promote my many imaginary businesses. From age 6-12 I opened a restaurant, dress shop, scrapbook store, art gallery and more in the empty rooms of my grandma’s house. I started clubs and hosted events, all of which were strategically advertised for with perfectly placed flyers around the house and yard.
This love for project management and event promotion translated well when I ran for student council in high school. It was there that I found my love for sharing impactful messages. Each year my campaigns had a new theme and overall message. My first real PR experience was when I spun an unfortunate nick-name into an award-winning (cause I won the election) campaign. The nick-name you ask? Thirsty….but it was because I always had a water bottle with me, not the uh…urban dictionary definition, I swear. I could’ve been upset at the people who jokingly dubbed me Thirsty, the name that accidentally stuck, but instead I handed out water bottles with my campaign slogan, “Quench your thirst, vote Josi” and made council for another year.
When I went to college I started as a business management major, thinking I wanted to help organizations to succeed as some sort of consultant. Quickly I found those classes boring and not for me. That’s when I realized I had been unintentionally creating successful marketing and public relations campaigns my whole life. With this foundation, I changed my major and discovered an innate love for PR and the art of spreading messages.
Seeds of Social Media
I love social media for the intimate and personal way it allows organizations to connect with audience members one on one. I believe it’s a powerful tool and I strive to help individuals and organizational leaders harness that power for good, but I didn’t always feel this way.
When the most popular social media platforms came out I was not about it, I actually hated social media. I thought it was dumb and a waste of time. (lolololol if my younger self saw me now) I was a slow adapter and didn’t get my Instagram, Twitter and other accounts until long after many of my peers. I eventually came around posting a little here and there, but was not very invested.
In school I realized if I was going to be a PR professional, that included social media. It was currently a weakness of mine that I knew I had to fix. I enrolled in the class “PR in Social Media” and got to work. The class really pushed me, but overall I enjoyed it. My team’s final project, an actual social media campaign against the campus parking department, was so successful that the parking department contacted our professor to discuss our growing movement.
At the end of that semester my professor recommended me for a social media job at the arena on campus and I became the social media coordinator where I posted live for all the events on campus. A glamorous first social media job as I live tweeted and filmed stories for events from screamo concerts to Paw Patrol Live to WWE. Absolutely thrilling. But really it was great exposure and I truly did enjoy it.
Branching Out
I graduated with a degree in PR and landed my first post-college job at a boutique PR agency. I chose this so I could gain experience with a wide variety of tasks and work with many different clients, with the end goal of picking an industry and area of PR I wanted to pursue further. After almost two years at the agency, I realized social media was my zone of genius as it combines all the things I love; critical thinking and strategizing, simple graphic design and copywriting.
Throughout college all I wanted was to work in a fun corporate office, wear cute blazers to work everyday and work with clients that were making a positive impact on the world. Once I attained that goal though…I didn’t like it. During my time at the agency, I slowly learned what post-college Josi actually wanted in a career. After many chats with my wonderfully supportive boss and adjustments to my job roles to try to make it a good fit, I ultimately made the decision to start freelancing in social media management.
I started Branch Out Social to be a force for positive change and help impact organizations better the world. Since its founding in 2021, Branch Out Social has helped dozens of clients improve their social media presence and spread their messages. Starting my own business wasn’t easy, but it didn’t feel risky. It felt completely right and entirely energizing. The road from starting up to now is a story for another day.
Share this article with anyone you feel would vibe with a passionate impact organization social media manager ready to help impact organizations inspire action and create change.
Any details you want more of? Let me know and this open book can fill you in!
