For many entrepreneurs and small businesses, social media can be an absolute game-changer! All it takes is one viral post and a business can suddenly take off.
At Like A Voss Social Media, we’re highlighting local businesses and entrepreneurs who are killing the online game. This week’s spotlight is on Brianne Hanson, the Founder and CEO of Cheer District.
Cheer District is a cheerleading specific training app, backed by science. We offer workouts based on athletes age and level, built to increase performance and reduce risk of injury. Cheer District has also brought individual and team analytics to cheerleading, as well as offers educational content from nutrition, to mental training, sleep advice, & more.
Our girl Madison interviewed Brianne about her secret to success in business and in life. We also got some awesome insights into what they think makes social media such an effective tool in business.
A Little Bit About Being a Female Entrepreneur
1: How long have you been in business for?
We founded Cheer District in October 2017.
2: What made you decide to break away from the 9-5 and start Cheer District?
Cheer District actually started as a small project with myself and my now co-founder, who was my then boss. It became much more than just a small project, and turned into the business it is today. It was a natural progression into entrepreneurship, and now that I am here, I would never go back!
3: What do you love most about being a female entrepreneur?
I love getting to learn every single day. Every day I am pushed out of my comfort zone and I am forced to face a new challenge and find a solution. Some days it’s small, some days it’s big, but every day is rewarding.
4: What is the hardest thing you have had to overcome as a female entrepreneur? Something you did not foresee when you decided to start Cheer District.
The hardest thing I had to overcome was my extreme lack of confidence, which particularly as a young female, was something I knew was going to hold me back based on how people would perceive me. I was very shy and didn’t have any confidence in myself. If I wanted to be successful I would have to invest in my personal development and build my confidence. So I did, and it’s been an incredible journey. I can confidently say I am a completely different person than I was 3 years ago.
5: What is one thing about working in the cheerleading industry that people would be surprised to learn?
For most people (the general population), the cheerleading industry is completely new to them in the first place – so lots of people are surprised to learn the level of athleticism it takes to be a cheerleader. Cheerleading was provisionally recognized as a sport by the Olympic committee in 2016. People are often also surprised at the size of the market. There are over 1.5 million cheerleaders in North America alone.
And Now Onto The Social Media Questions!
6: Do you have a favorite social media platform? Why?
My favourite social media platform is Instagram because of all the different ways you can share content, engage with content and build your community.
7: What made you decide to start using social media as a way to promote your company?
Social media has been a part of our strategy since the very beginning, as our target market are females ages 8-18, the vast majority of which spend hours a day on their devices, and on social media.
8: How has social media impacted your business? Would you say that it’s an effective marketing tool?
Social media allowed us to create a global presence and brand very quickly. It is absolutely an effective marketing tool if used properly.
9: What advice would you give to other businesses and entrepreneurs who want to use social media as a way to connect with customers?
I would say, what are you waiting for? Social media has become such a huge part of our everyday lives, it is the first place many go before they try a new product, it is where they discover new products, and where they talk about new products. You are missing out on huge opportunities to connect with potential customers if you are not on social media.
Connect with Brianne
Know Any Voss Babes?
Do you know a female entrepreneur who loves social media as much as we do? Contact us today – we’d love to tell her story!
