We had the good fortune of connecting with Isabella Sanchez Castañeda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Isabella, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Graduating college in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, set me up to see that there was no secure career path. I was fortunate to get a job right after graduating, but within two weeks of starting, I saw half my team laid off, and I got furloughed a few months after that. While it was rough to have the post-grad optimism bubble burst so quickly, I’m grateful that’s how it happened. As I started realizing that the place I was working wasn’t aligned with my values or vision, I felt okay with making an exit strategy. Not having the illusion of safety actually made it easier to bet on myself and decide to start my business. I was working on digital media in journalism, so transitioning to marketing on social and podcasts felt like a natural next step.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Isa Media Inc is a digital marketing agency currently focused on creating sales-generating podcasts for small businesses using our signature process, IsaGoodPodcast. Getting here wasn’t simple or easy. I started doing social media management since I had a lot of the skills from my previous role as a digital editor for a magazine. I tried workshops, done-for-you packages, and one-off intensives before really hitting a wall. I didn’t want to let go of that first focus out of embarrassment.

I had to learn not to be afraid to pivot. I felt a lot of frustration and embarrassment whenever I’d decide to change my offer or my focus. Once I allowed myself to experiment and iterate, I started to feel like a path forward was possible. Once I fully pivoted my focus to podcasting, I had to learn the next lesson: to focus on doing the boring work well. I’m still constantly reminding myself to stop chasing instant gratification, ignore the shiny opportunities, and stick to the plan. As annoying as it sounds, it really is the daily actions of showing up, selling, tweaking, and pushing through that add up.

Isa Media Inc does podcasts completely tailored to entrepreneurs. Are the core of our strategy is helping prospects go through a sales process and make a buying decision. Unlike passion project podcasts meant to entertain or bring on friends to chat, our podcasts focus on providing the information listeners need to know to make a buying decision. The business owners we work with are powerful personal brands and thought leaders in their industries who use podcasting to amplify their message and get more clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend were visiting Philadelphia, we’d be doing a lot of walking and exploring. I love picking a part of the city and moseying around without a specific plan. If they’re new to the city, I’d definitely take them to Rittenhouse Square to walk around the park, visit the shops, or sit for a quick bite at a restaurant.

Taking a trip to the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts or the Barnes Foundation is also an amazing way to spend an afternoon.

On a day when the humidity isn’t too high, I’d take them on a hike through the Wissahickon, a beautiful nature center right in the heart of Philly. When you’re in the thick of the trail, you’d hardly believe you’re right in the middle of a major city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents are my obvious first choice. We emigrated to the United States from Colombia, and they became entrepreneurs because they had to. They bet on themselves by coming here and by showing up for all of us no matter, and that instilled amazing self-trust in me. As soon as I decided to start my own business, they were immediately on board.

My friends and partner also supported me from the beginning, sitting down with me to come up with a name, set up a plan, and brainstorm wild ideas. I’m grateful that I didn’t have a lot of people putting doubts in my ear and instead had a support system rallying around me always.

Website: isamediainc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isamediainc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-sanchez-casta%C3%B1eda-818b38120/

Other: Email list sign up: https://isamediainc.ck.page/ltb1 Visible with Isa Media Inc (Podcast) on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/visible-with-isa-media-inc/id1605236307 and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/657uZ9GXNqwiYvd0ackhWT

Image Credits
Gabriela Barrantes Photography

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