I can barely believe it.
This month, WideFoc.us is celebrating 17 years of helping companies grow through consistent and strategic social media management. But for me personally, I’m celebrating a lot more than that.
One
I’m celebrating our team — whether they joined us for a short time or have been here for years, we wouldn’t be WideFoc.us without our peeps. Every single person has made a contribution to our longevity. The most fulfilling aspect of my job has been working with our staff and encouraging their professional development, watching as their roles evolve along with their proficiencies.
In fact: After more than six years on the team, our own Managing Editor Zach is moving on to an exciting new opportunity with a national nonprofit. Zach started with us as a part-time editor but grew into so much more — his work over the years has shaped WideFoc.us in fundamental ways. We’ll miss him, but we’re also excited to support his next big adventure.
Two
I’m celebrating the relationships we have with current and former clients. In addition to our solid performance, customers tend to stick with us for years because, not only do they value our expertise, but we are also genuinely authentic, warm, and kind. We learn to love every customer as we get to know them and the brands they represent. Many have become actual friends.
Three
I’m celebrating our evolution from a Denver-based company with a cute HQ in LoHi to a national team that serves clients across the U.S. I miss our in-person celebrations and work sessions, but I’m proud of the remote culture we’ve fostered. We can work from anywhere in the world and stay cohesive and connected. It’s awesome.
Four
I’m celebrating the changing nature of the work we do. Social media platforms are in a constant state of updates and evolving priorities, so a big part of our job is riding the wave and ensuring our customers aren’t left behind. It’s frustrating, thrilling, and ultimately rewarding to keep up with trends.
Five
I’m celebrating our introspection. Social media isn’t always the best thing for society, so my team is vigilant about the way we work and the messaging we create. We stay away from the toxicity and maintain positivity.
Six
I’m celebrating our goofy playfulness. We are a team that laughs, that memes, that infuses our own branded content with a sense of humor. Whether it’s our staff TikTok or the Easter Eggs in our online glossary, we’re odd — and proud of it.
Seven
I’m celebrating our new data tool that allows us to create custom audiences based on consumer behaviors (like product purchases and other triggers), making our paid campaigns even stronger at generating revenue.
Eight
I’m celebrating my renewed commitment to posting on my own LinkedIn profile each week, which has been increasing our brand visibility and thought leadership.
Nine
I’m celebrating our own WideFoc.us social media presence — differentiated by channel, but unified in vibe. LinkedIn is focused on CMOs and the like, Facebook is all about awareness with Gen-X and Boomers in marketing, our Instagram content is to inform and entertain, Pinterest is a resource for marketing generalists, and TikTok and Threads? Those are for fun.
Ten
I’m celebrating Alyssa, Amanda, Jenna, Katie, Kelsey, Kimberly, Molly, Paige, Shanny, (and Zach), our current rockstars, who contribute so much to our team every damn day.
Eleven
The view from my home office is pretty lovely year-round, so I’m definitely celebrating that.
Twelve
Summer hasn’t left us yet, thank goodness. And autumn promises to be epic, so I’m celebrating this liminal time of the year — which is what originally led to me deciding to do my own thing way back in August 2007, rather than working in yet another office.
Thirteen
I’m super grateful for our Denver community and am celebrating our close ties with the digital agencies, developers, PR pros, and media buyers we get to team up with to help clients experience a full suite of digital services.
Fourteen
I’m celebrating 17 years of a flexible schedule — which allowed me to be there when my daughter needed me as she grew up, and now gives me the opportunity to take a mid-day yoga class or grab a coffee with a friend. These days, it also means we have babies on laps in our team Zooms. I love how family-friendly we are.
Fifteen
I’m celebrating the digital nomad opportunities fostered by an empty nest, a trustworthy team, and our remote work situation. I can edit copy at a LoHi coffee shop, host an intro meeting from a friend’s apartment in Lisbon, guide social media strategy from my Mom’s house in California. And every member of the team is encouraged to do the same.
Sixteen
I’m celebrating only having to come up with one more thing in this blog post.
And finally, I’m celebrating the friends and family who have been a full network of support over the last 17 years. As advisors, commiserators, emotional uplifters, boosters, and believers, “friends of WideFoc.us” have been instrumental in keeping us going from the start.
I’m just so grateful for it all — the joys, the challenges, the opportunities to learn from my mistakes, the slow and steady progress of my own capabilities, and the forbearance of our team over the years, who have let me grow alongside them.
Thank you!
