From Depression to Serial Entrepreneurship: Vivian's Journey with Goalry Digital and ProMotion

Welcome back to the Maven Club interview series, where we bring you invaluable insights from top founders and GTM leaders to help you excel in your roles. Today, we had the privilege of sitting down with Vivian, the inspiring entrepreneur behind Goalry Digital and ProMotion. Vivian shared her journey of breaking barriers as a female entrepreneur, her unique approaches to digital marketing and influencer community building, and her secret sauces for achieving business success. Here are the highlights:

Who is Vivian?

Vivian is the founder of Goalry Digital and ProMotion with five years of experience running her own business. Coming from a background in an all-girls secondary school, she has broken barriers as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated field. Vivian's journey is a testament to resilience and determination, and she has become a beacon of inspiration for many aspiring business leaders.

What Do Goalry Digital and ProMotion Do?

• Goalry Digital is a marketing agency serving SMEs and large enterprises, offering comprehensive digital marketing services. They work with notable brands like Mannings to enhance online presence and marketing strategies, building deep, trusting client relationships.

• ProMotion is a sports-focused influencer marketing agency that connects sport brands with influencers. They offer services such as influencer marketing strategy, social media management, event sponsorships, and sports community engagement. ProMotion leverages their extensive experience in sports community management to foster active participation and build brand loyalty.

How Do They Grow the Business?

"The key is to show understanding to other founders, build rapport, make them trust you."

• Relationship Building: Vivian emphasizes the importance of showing passion and understanding towards clients. By genuinely caring about clients' personal and professional challenges, she builds long-lasting and loyal partnerships.

• Client Referrals: Most of Goalry Digital's SME clients come from referrals, showcasing the trust and satisfaction they inspire.

• Delivering Results: Vivian positions herself as an in-house marketing director and delivers small wins within the first two months to gain clients' trust and loyalty.

How Does Goalry Digital Differentiate from Other Marketing Agencies?

"Build your own community can be key, as it provides a lot of interesting connections."

• Unique Storytelling Approach: By crafting compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences, she ensures that each brand's unique story is effectively communicated, leading to stronger emotional connections and increased brand loyalty.

  • Example: Vivian has helped one of her clients to achieve 20x growth within 6 months by finding a new storytelling approach and engage with the client’s ICP. 

• Community Building with ProMotion: Vivian also runs ProMotion, a vibrant sports influencer community. This unique aspect allows Goalry Digital to engage with big sports brands and create unique marketing opportunities.

  • Example: ProMotion's community includes many founders, leaders, and professionals, making it easier to connect with and engage prominent sports brands.

How Do They Grow the Community with ProMotion?

"Create memorable experiences through fun and engaging activities."

• Consistency: Weekly events for four years have been fundamental in building and maintaining the community.

  • Example: ProMotion's consistent engagements have created a vibrant, active community.

• Non-Business Context: Focusing on non-business-related activities helps in making meaningful connections beyond professional interactions.

  • Example: Events that are fun and engaging have attracted a diverse group, including NGOs and professionals.

• High-Quality Photos and Fun Activities: These elements help in creating an appealing and memorable community experience.

  • Example: High-quality photos from events help in promoting the community and attracting new members.

What Makes Vivian a Successful GTM Leader? What’s Her Secret Sauce?

"Entrepreneurship is all about trial and error, overcoming hardships."

• Resilience: Vivian has faced deep depression and even suicidal thoughts but has overcome these challenges, giving her unique strength and perspective.

• Personal Branding: She has successfully used personal branding to build trust and secure meetings with senior executives, particularly in the corporate sector.

  • Example: Vivian shares personal stories and professional content on Instagram and LinkedIn, positioning herself as a leader and building rapport with clients. She discovered that founder-led content is key to securing initial meetings with high-profile clients, especially international entrepreneurs.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Vivian effectively manages the KPIs of various stakeholders by understanding their individual needs—whether they prioritize speed, quality, or other factors.

  • Example: She investigates why marketing managers seek agency support and tailors her approach to meet their specific requirements, ensuring alignment and satisfaction.

• Delivering Early Wins: By focusing on quick, tangible results, Vivian gains clients' trust and loyalty early on in the relationship.

  • Example: Providing small wins within the first two months has been key to securing long-term client relationships.

We hope Vivian's insights and the story of Goalry Digital and ProMotion inspire you as much as they did us. By emphasizing relationships, community, and delivering results, Vivian showcases the transformative potential of dedicated entrepreneurship. Stay connected for more interviews and insights in our next edition, where we continue to spotlight industry leaders driving change and making a significant impact in their fields.