Today we’d like to introduce you to Tirzah McFarland.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tirzah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My heart was torn in two directions. From 2011 to 2015, I was drawn to what I thought at the time were two distinct and incompatible careers, goals, and directions: The Creative versus The Community.
See, I come from a mission-focused family. Since childhood, I joined in on many mission trips and local initiatives to give back to the world/community and serve underprivileged orphans and women in underdeveloped countries. This lit my heart on fire, but I couldn’t help but feel that I could do more! MORE? “What could be better and more noble than mission work?” you may be asking yourself.
I wasn’t a nurse, a teacher, a builder… or good at anything service-related. In fact, it seemed I was drawn in an opposite direction. I loved the arts/creative world ~ fashion, hair, makeup, photography… and had a knack for combining my creativity into marketing, to build brands in the service of business.
Then, I discovered that these two passions (Missions and Marketing) could actually work TOGETHER, benefiting each other.
Is there a way to build up women, to contribute to good missions financially, to equip and train nonprofits in areas where they lack (marketing, networking, digital world) while also being able to incorporate my passion for marketing and creativity?… YES!
So from 2016-2018, I began to chase positions that addressed both my desire for creativity while also giving back. I worked with several non-profits, coordinating and directing teams … building their digital marketing from the ground up, creating graphics, designing email templates, structuring teams & job descriptions, launching digital fundraisers, and teaching leadership how to connect with online communities through Facebook LIVE (believe me, some people still don’t know this exists), etc.
After working with these local non-profits, achieving some important goals (like securing a down-payment for a new building, bringing in more than one million dollars in funding for a charter school, re-branding a website, launching a podcast, you name it) … I still felt that I could be doing more.
Was there a way for me to serve more non-profits (meaning, really, impact more people for good)? This question and passion pointed the way to where I am today.
Today, I own my own small marketing company where I provide digital/marketing services to select non-profits and small-business owners. My specialty within this vast field is honing in on content creation and digital advertising.
Instead of working for just a few local non-profits, I am stretching toward a greater goal of training as many nonprofits as possible in these important skills. I can do so through online courses which empower entrepreneurs and individuals through tools they need, scaling up what they are already doing well.
Another aspect of my mission is to incentivize partnership opportunities for my “for-profit” business clients. They can benefit through a monthly service discount from me if they opt to donate 10% of the normal monthly service fee to one of the vetted non-profits on my partner list. This offers my clients a tax break even as they enjoy that additional discount on my professional services. At the end of the day… WE ALL WIN.
In offering this incentive discount, I hope to inspire businesses to do well as they do good, opening doors through which they might benefit the world.
Through online marketing training which majors in actionable, simple strategies… both the for-profits and nonprofits can chase their dreams, grow their audiences and customer bases, brand themselves, and impact the many they are already influencing online… all the while changing the world for good.
My daily grind consists of branding styled shoots (working with local vendors and business owners to cross-collaborate and promote), writing email sequences, strategizing sales funnels, building and then optimizing Facebook and Instagram ads, preparing trend and market research, all the while throwing in FREE marketing tips and training points for my own online community.
Recently, I’ve been exploring product development so that I can assist two non-profits (pro bono work) with outside-the-box thinking, beyond the traditional fundraising methods towards a direct-sales business plan.
Life isn’t a BOX: You don’t have to choose this over that. Consider breaking out of the mold, choosing a This AND That mentality. You really can live out your dreams, combining your passions, talents, and efforts to achieve amazing goals… while impacting your community and the world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Someone once told me: Life isn’t a sprint… it’s a marathon. I don’t know if you’re a runner, but it takes work to complete a long-distance run. There are doubts to overcome and new disciplines to develop. There are times you will have to say “no” to some fun… in order to say “yes” for some early morning conditioning.
Oh, and typically… a marathon is outside, so forget SMOOTH! You are praying you don’t break your ankle in a hole, and that it doesn’t rain!
Sometimes, I think we can map out BIG DREAMS, and focus so much on the end goal (finishing the race with that trophy in hand) that we forget to enjoy the moments, the little things, the well-beaten path, the fresh air and the strength we are discovering inside during the long race.
My encouragement (more to myself than anyone else) is to stop once every day… to think about one thing you are doing today to get you closer to reaching your goals… and celebrate that one thing! That way, when you achieve your goal (which you WILL), you’ll be able to look back at all the little things, memories, choices, sacrifices, and moments that got you to the finish line. Smile with satisfaction that you lived for the journey and not just the destination.
Please tell us about Tirzah McFarland Marketing.
Today, I own my own Boutique Agency – Fort Marketing Co.
Where I serve Businesses and Organizations that SERVE others. At Fort Marketing Co. we strategize, scale, and create content for leaders with passion and purpose.
I specialize in branding, content creation, and digital advertising. Branding: design and strategy. Content creation: brand Shoots, photography, videography, graphics, and calendars. Digital advertising: Facebook and Instagram ads, and soon adding Pinterest.
I’m most proud of the heartbeat of my brand ~ the why behind what I do, the reason I get up and deliver 110% every day: It’s for my clients and the impact we collectively make together in shaping and helping our world. There’s a bigger and more meaningful purpose behind the copy, behind the product, behind the sale.
What am I known for? I bring motivation to the table.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Several things – but two come to mind:
1) I went on several mission trips; the experience of meeting the children, seeing the environment, realizing my perception of life wasn’t an everyday reality for many around the world. It was seared in my mind that one day I would grow up and make a difference for people – specifically orphans in third world countries and women, and children victim to trafficking. The memories of childhood – have impacted who I am today and the goals I have set for my life and business.
2) My father – when I was 3; my dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said “A superstar!” – and he hasn’t let me live that down.
He pushes me, encourages me, and reminds me often of that authentic desire/dream I had as a child to do BIG THINGS when I grow up. I’m still growing up, I think we all are — but I hope we never forget or give up on our childhood dreams.
Pricing:
- Beginner Package = $1,800 Month
- Signature Package = $2,500 Month
- Premium Package = $3,200 Month
- Styled Shoot Package = Contact for Pricing and Application
Contact Info:
- Email: fortmarketingco@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/tirzahmcfarland/ and https://www.instagram.com/ fortmarketingco/ - Other: linktr.ee/
tirzahmcfarland
Image Credit:
The first MAIN image (orange sweater): annetteambrose.photos
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