Meet Madison Heck | Student Entreprenuer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madison Heck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madison, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my business has taught me is the value of passion and purpose in achieving work-life balance. Over the last two years, as I’ve managed two startups alongside a rigorous college curriculum and involvement in various extracurricular activities, I’ve come to realize that when you’re genuinely passionate about what you do, it doesn’t feel like work—it becomes a source of joy and fulfillment. (Not to say I haven’t been extremely stressed a few too many times.) My startup, AthensUpdate, for example, has not only brought me personal satisfaction but has also allowed me to witness its positive impact on the Athens community, which motivates me further. Seeing my businesses as opportunities rather than obligations, has been transformative in maintaining a balance between my professional and personal life. They have given me the opportunity to learn hands on what it is like to run every aspect of a business, which has enhanced my learning and knowledge tremendously. This experience has reinforced my determination and motivation to work diligently, with the ultimate goal of working for myself and achieving my long-term aspirations.

What should our readers know about your business?
My journey in the world of entrepreneurship began in the summer of 2021 when my partner, Lee, and I created an Instagram account that would keep the Athens, GA community informed about local events, food specials, live music, and more. Little did we know that this humble initiative, called Athens Update, would evolve into a thriving platform with over 10,400 dedicated followers within just two years. Our success has been a testament to the power of consistency and patience in fostering growth. What began as a labor of love soon transformed into a full-fledged marketing agency. As a testament to our ambition, we recently launched four new accounts, namely Alpharetta Update, Update Media, Outdoors Update, and soon-to-be New Haven Update. What makes me immensely proud is that we embarked on this journey purely for enjoyment, without any initial intentions of generating revenue or building a business. The fact that it has organically transformed into such a successful venture is a source of great pride. Beyond the business aspect, the true essence of running Athens Update lies in the sense of community it fosters. We receive messages from grateful community members who rely on our updates, and that sense of being a valuable resource is profoundly rewarding.this journey has reaffirmed that a combination of passion, adaptability, community engagement, and seizing opportunities can pave the path to both personal fulfillment and entrepreneurial success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This question was made for me!

if I had a friend visiting town, I would make sure they came on a gameday! The energy of Athens on a gameday is surreal, and I think everyone needs to experience it once, especially while the dawgs are killing it! My first game in sanford stadium, I got the chills as the students called the dawgs for the first time. The other MUST is to attend a concert at the Georgia theater! The GA theater is a great spot to visit because it is small enough to be intimate, while giving a big concert feel. The rooftop is also beautiful to grab a drink at sunset.

As for food a drink, I would get condor coffee, and go to marker 7 for brunch and get a bloody mary with crab cake benedict. My favorite lunch/dinner options to go to would be Thai spoon, FIVEbar, Chuck’s fish, or Taqueria Tsunami. We would end the night getting drinks around town, using Athens Update’s deals of course. The best drink I would recommend to them is the Blueberry buck at Blue sky bar. We would bar crawl around Athens insane amount of bars, and maybe even stop by Eddie’s calzones for a late night snack 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to two remarkable individuals who have played pivotal roles in my journey. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my business partner, Lee Evans IV. Without Lee’s unwavering dedication, brilliance, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness, our businesses would not have thrived as they have. Working hand in hand with Lee has been an inspiring and rewarding experience, and his commitment to our shared vision has been instrumental in our success. I’d also like to acknowledge my father, Robert Heck, whose incredible achievements in building his company, Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery, have left an indelible mark on me. Since joining the company in 2002, he has tirelessly dedicated himself to its growth, culminating in its recent acquisition by Aesthetic Partners. Witnessing his remarkable journey has instilled in me the belief that hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment can lead to unparalleled success. My aspiration to be as successful as my father drives me to work tirelessly in building our businesses. I hope to show him, as he has shown me, that dedication and hard work can indeed pave the way to greatness.

Website: https://athensupdate.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athensupdate/ & @maddyheck33

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-heck/

Image Credits
Myself