Today we’d like to introduce you to Marla Ivanna Encinas.
Hi Marla, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 2020, when Covid forced my new boutique store, Valmare Boutique, to close for a couple of months, I wanted to figure out a way to keep promoting my store and drive more online sales as well as local deliveries. With my Boutique’s Instagram account, I noticed I was able to keep up with sales just by constantly posting what we were offering. With this being said, I started a new Instagram account called @SanDiegoBiz and began promoting all my favorite local restaurants and shops. As a business owner who knew the struggle, I wanted to help and support my community. My main goal was to showcase what businesses were offering during the time, such as outdoor dining, pickups, and deliveries. Soon after, I started getting invited to visit local shops and try their products and services, followed by posting my honest opinion of my experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was a quick start from the beginning. In 20 days of posting, I gained 1,000 followers. However, it was a little overwhelming how fast the account grew and how much traction it was getting. One of the main struggles was keeping up with the requests I was receiving daily. I began to scale back and focus on shops and restaurants that were having a slow start as a new business. As I figured out how to manage my time while operating my own boutique, I confidently started accepting more requests. I love making new friends and learning about their businesses and how they started. Overall, helping my community gives me extraordinary joy as well as satisfaction by seeing new businesses thrive.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The name of my business is called @SanDiegoBiz as of now; it’s only on Instagram. The main focus of the account is to promote new and existing local San Diego Businesses and feature anything that is unique and eye-catching, whether it is a new dish, interior design, or something that’s going to be a new crowd-pleaser. I love visiting new shops and restaurants, so please let me know how I can help to promote your business with my followers. I’m always on the lookout for something new and fun.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
If you’re a local San Diego business of any type, please follow my account @SanDiegoBiz and send me a message! I would love to promote your local business and share it with fellow San Diegans and tourists. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/sandiegobiz
