Meet Marly Broudie: Founder and President of SocialEyes Communications Inc.

Marly Broudie is the Founder and President of SocialEyes Communications Inc., a digital marketing and business development consulting firm based in Toronto. Marly’s career started in 2011 at a downtown litigation firm as a legal assistant. There, she transitioned into Business Development and Marketing where she honed her skills in social media marketing, content creation and Business Development strategy. Marly launched SocialEyes Communications in 2015 to help businesses and professionals broaden their opportunities through the power of online marketing. Marly’s goal-oriented approach and ability to help clients develop a vision to drive growth is her fuel for success and consequently, the success of her clients. As a young female entrepreneur with a vision and passion, and as a mother of 2 very young children (1 and 2 years old), Marly’s moto remains: “There are enough hours in a day to accomplish growth and success…there just needs to be a method to the madness.”

My first job ever was… I moonlighted as a telemarketer back in high school. More than anything, being a telemarketer taught me tact and tenacity. In the world of windows and doors, booking a consult is like winning the lottery. “No” is simply status quo. You hear the dial tone? You pick that phone right back up until someone says “yes.”

It also taught me patience and empathy. I try to give everyone the time of day. My 16-year-old self has worn those shoes into the ground. We all have a job to do. As a business owner, and as a human, you should never lose sight of that.

I decided to be an entrepreneur because… I live for the hustle. There is something about waking up in the morning knowing that each day is a blank canvass to write my own story, to empower my clients to dream bigger, to motivate my staff to work creatively within the confines of a flexible corporate culture. This brings me joy.

My proudest accomplishment(s) is… Being a mother of 3 babies and watching them all grow and develop.

• My one-year old daughter
• My two-year-old son
• My three-and-a-half-year-old business

They each require love, attention, care and lots of work!

My boldest move to date was… Leaving my secure, salaried job one month after getting married.  My husband had just split ways with a business partner, our finances were in flux and our plans were precarious. But I knew in my gut that there was no better time than the present. We didn’t have kids, we lived in a small one-bedroom apartment and our bills were manageable. I knew that if I was ever going to make a move and build something big – it needed to be now. That was my boldest move. It also turned out to be my best.

I surprise people when I tell them… That my oldest of two is two and that my business is bustling!

My best advice to people starting out in business is… Living in a perpetual state of contemplation can be a real career killer. Make the decision to make a change. Own your choice. Challenge yourself. Fail. Get rejected. Persevere. Overcome. Just go for it. And then keep going for it.

My best advice from a mentor was… Time block every single day for research. Dedicate one out of every twenty-four hours to trend-spotting and environmental scanning. Stay on top of the latest industry insights. The more informed you are, the more information you can pass on.

“Dedicate one out of every twenty-four hours to trend-spotting and environmental scanning. Stay on top of the latest industry insights. The more informed you are, the more information you can pass on.”

My biggest setback was… About two months before launching SocialEyes, I dealt with some heavy family issues that sent me off the grid. Following my honeymoon, one of my immediate family members underwent some mental health issues that affected my every waking moment. It consumed me. But that experience also gave me uncompromised clarity and perspective. It forced me to assess the constructs of a satisfying, rewarding and fulfilling life and career. I don’t think I would be where I am today without those enlightening moments of reflection.

Fortunately, we managed to rise above the challenges — and we’re all stronger because of it.

I overcame it by… Speaking to a professional. There is no shame in that!

Talking out my feelings, struggles and devising an action plan led to some incredible milestones. I stopped letting fear prevent me from making life-changing decisions, like launching my own company. Within two weeks, I had registered my company name. Within two months, I had a company website and 6 clients. Within one year, I had 14 clients and a trio of digital marketing experts on staff.

Never be afraid to ask for help.

Working in the legal sector help me… Working in the legal sector provided me with several critical skills that have allowed me to build the business that exists today. I learned to be extremely analytical and detail-oriented. I also learned how to put together a client-winning proposal (thanks to a fantastic mentor). Grammar, spelling and formatting errors are big no-no’s when working with lawyers – and an even bigger no-no when running a digital media shop like SocialEyes.

I went into Communications because…I believe that most business owners today know the value of being on social media and optimizing their digital presence, but do not have the time or know-how. There is nothing more gratifying than putting together a communications action plan for a client, and seeing it come to fruition. I get a real high from reporting on growth, reach and exposure!

To me, Social Media is… Opportunity! The power of social media is unparalleled – everyone is on it; your clients, your prospects, your competitors. It’s a medium to communicate with all of the above – to sell your services, tell a story, inspire people and promote greatness! The reach is exponential and the opportunity for exposure is vast.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… I suffer from anxiety. It takes a lot of work to train your mind to cope with anxiety effectively. One key phrase that I repeat daily is: “Let’s trust what is, not what if.”

I stay inspired by…

• My husband who is my #1 cheerleader and my partner
• My children who push me to be the best me
• All of the inspiring women out there who continue to empower women, ignite change and make a difference in the world.

The future excites me because… Every day brings about new opportunities for growth and development — for me, for my team and for our clients.