Maria Brannon helps creatives find their voice on social media. As the owner of Lightning Flash Creative, she and her team create inspired social media marketing campaigns for small businesses suffering from “social overwhelm.” But cultivating audiences on social media isn’t the only beat of this creative heart.
Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, Maria was surrounded by creativity and entrepreneurial prowess. Her mother, an artist, and her grandmother, an entrepreneur, imbued her with artistic talent and grit. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Maria’s penchant for performing arts drew her to Manhattan to pursue a career in musical theater. In between auditions and performances, Maria started her first business making bespoke bridal headpieces. It was during that time that Maria discovered the power of marketing.
After ten years, Maria moved back to Little Rock to pursue music full time and started performing at venues across the U.S. Maria leveraged the marketing experience she’d honed promoting herself as an actress and bridal milliner to promote her shows and gain a following. Digital marketing was a more affordable alternative to expensive traditional mediums, so Maria set out to master it.
After four years on the road, Maria was searching for someplace to put down roots. With a growing creative scene and a star-studded musical past, Nashville was the perfect fusion of the things Maria loved. So, in 2009, the “tour bus” stopped in Nashville for good.
“Community over competition!”
Settled into her new normal, Maria’s creativity flourished, allowing her to easily plug into the creative scene locally, where she’d begun using her digital marketing experience to help friends manage the social media for their businesses. “I loved helping others see the strengths of their business and promoting it in ways they hadn’t thought of,” says Maria. After a year and numerous referrals, she realized that the work she was doing was viable, and Lightning Flash Creative officially launched.
While Lightning Flash Creative primarily helps creatives build and manage their social media presence, Maria has worked with many types of businesses, bringing her natural ability to see the most vibrant color in the dullest gray. “Regardless of your industry, we can all use creativity to bring our brands to life.”
Since founding Lightning Flash Creative, Maria admits that one of her biggest challenges has been delegating. “I had to figure out what to give up, then commit to doing it.” As a result, she has developed a great team of staff and partners to provide clients with the experience they deserve.
On staying grounded, Maria says, “My husband, Beau, keeps me grounded, along with creating art. As a digital marketer, a large part of my day is spent online. I need to get out of my screen. So, creating art (painting doodles) provides the creative outlet for me to do that,” says Maria.
Having started a few businesses, Maria has learned that it’s important to be present where ever you are; to fully bring yourself to the table. “Don’t believe in the scarcity mindset. There is more than enough business to go around, so I always consider community over competition.”
For business owners just starting, Maria shares this advice: “Don’t try to go at it alone. Stop spinning your wheels trying to reinvent the wheel. Have a group of mentors (like NAWBO).”
Written by: Jacqueline Hayes, Crayons & Marketers