Reasa Selph shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Reasa, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Yes. And it came at a real cost.
When my son suffered a catastrophic medical failure following an emergency room visit at Methodist Dallas at Southlake, I was forced into a lawsuit I never sought but could not ignore. Standing up for him meant challenging a powerful institution, absorbing significant financial strain, and navigating a legal process designed to wear people down.
The impact on my business was real. Some clients and personal relationships did step away. A few were uncomfortable taking any perceived risk that might affect their relationships. I also lost friendships. That part is rarely talked about, but it is part of telling the truth.
At the same time, many clients stayed. Not out of sympathy, but because they saw how we operate under pressure. We became more disciplined, more transparent, and more intentional. I tightened systems, delegated more effectively, and focused relentlessly on results and accountability. There was no room for ego or distraction, only execution.
I would never choose this experience. But it clarified everything. It sharpened my leadership, strengthened the company, and forced me to build Selph Marketing in a way that could withstand adversity. I do not separate who I am as a mother from who I am as a business owner. Standing up for my child clarified exactly what kind of leader I am and exactly what kind of company I am committed to running.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Reasa Selph, the founder of Selph Marketing, a woman-owned marketing agency based in North Texas that works primarily with small to mid-sized businesses that want real growth, not vanity metrics. We specialize in SEO, paid digital advertising, content strategy, and community-driven marketing, helping brands become visible, credible, and sustainable in competitive local markets.
What makes Selph Marketing different is that we are built for execution under pressure. I come from a background that values accountability, systems, and results, and that approach is reflected in how we operate. We focus on clear strategy, measurable outcomes, and honest communication. If something is not working, we say it. If it is working, we scale it.
My personal journey has also shaped the business in ways I never anticipated. Navigating a high-stakes medical lawsuit while continuing to run and grow a company forced me to become more disciplined, more efficient, and more intentional as a leader. It stripped away anything unnecessary and sharpened my focus on what truly matters, for my clients and for my team.
Today, Selph Marketing serves businesses across multiple industries, from home services to healthcare to local retail, and continues to grow through referrals and long-term client relationships. At its core, the brand is about helping good businesses tell the truth about who they are, show up consistently, and build trust in their communities, because that is what lasts.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that most shaped how I see the world happened later in life. I was standing in the ICU at forty-five years old, watching my eleven-year-old son on the verge of death, and in that moment, everything became unmistakably clear.
When you are faced with the possibility of losing your child, priorities are no longer theoretical. They are immediate and non-negotiable. I understood, with complete certainty, what mattered, what did not, and what I was no longer willing to tolerate, in life, in business, and in relationships.
That experience fundamentally changed how I lead and who I allow close to me. It clarified what true support looks like and who shows up when there is nothing to gain. It reshaped how I define a friend, a partner, and a business relationship, and it made me far more intentional about where I invest my time and energy.
Since that moment, I lead with clarity rather than approval, values rather than optics, and trust earned through action. It was a painful lesson, but it gave me something lasting: alignment. And once you have that, it is very hard to live any other way.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For much of my life, the fear that held me back the most was the fear of failing, and the quiet persistence of imposter syndrome that often comes with building something visible and ambitious.
As a business owner, a leader, and a woman operating in rooms where expectations are often unspoken but very real, there were moments when I questioned whether I truly belonged there or whether I was one mistake away from being exposed. That fear can keep you playing smaller than you are capable of, even when the results say otherwise.
What ultimately forced me to overcome it was circumstance. When my personal and professional worlds collided in a very real way, I no longer had the luxury of self-doubt. I had people depending on me, my family, my clients, my team, and failure was no longer an abstract fear. It was something I had to manage, plan for, and move through.
That experience reframed everything. I learned that confidence is not the absence of fear; it is the willingness to act despite it. Today, I still respect risk, but I do not let fear make decisions for me. I lead with preparation, data, and conviction, and that has made me far more effective than waiting to feel “ready” ever did.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. The public version of me is the real version of me.
I am consistent in how I show up, at work, at home, and in difficult moments. I am driven, direct, and determined, and I do not change personalities depending on the room. I know I can appear unapproachable at first glance, my resting face has a reputation, but that is not a reflection of my values.
Underneath that exterior, I care deeply about people, outcomes, and doing things the right way. I lead with accountability and follow-through, and I invest heavily in the people and relationships that are built on trust and mutual respect. I am not performative, and I am not interested in optics for the sake of optics.
What people see publicly is exactly what they get privately: honesty, consistency, and a commitment to showing up fully, especially when things are hard. That has not always been the easiest path, but it is the one that aligns with who I am.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I believe deeply in doing what is right, even when it is costly, inconvenient, or unseen.
For me, integrity is not about recognition or praise. It is about consistency, showing up the same way when no one is watching as you do when everyone is. Some of the most important decisions I have made in my life and business were the ones that offered no immediate reward and, in some cases, came with real consequences.
That belief guides how I lead, how I treat people, and how I make decisions when the answer is not easy or popular. I am far less interested in applause than I am in knowing I acted with honesty and accountability. Over time, that approach builds something far more meaningful than validation: trust.
My decisions are guided by conscience, not approval. I have learned that external validation fades quickly, but the weight of compromising your values does not. Whether in life or in business, I choose the path that allows me to look at myself honestly at the end of the day.
If there is any legacy I care about leaving, it is that the people who worked with me, trusted me, or were impacted by my decisions know that I did the right thing, even when it would have been easier not to. I do not need support or praise to do what is right. I need to be able to sleep at night.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.selphmarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selphmarketing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/selph-marketing-llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelphMarketing/
- Youtube: @selphmarketing
- Other: https://reasaspieces.com
