Today we’d like to introduce you to LaNell Angerstein.
Hi LaNell, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began early — I started consulting professionally at 16 years old for a high-end photography studio in Dallas–Fort Worth. By 18, I had launched my first company, and by 22, my second. Building and bootstrapping in competitive markets taught me how to move fast, think strategically under pressure, and build sustainable brands from the ground up.
Now, at 33 years old, leading a larger S-Corp with 6 Degrees Media, my early years in the trenches shaped how I lead today — with resilience, pragmatism, and a deep understanding of what it takes to scale responsibly. It allows me to navigate risk with precision rather than fear and to empower both my team and our clients to do the same.
I founded 6 Degrees Media to make world-class digital growth accessible and accountable. A core part of that mission is our #Dollar4Dollar program, where every $1 a client invests with us unlocks $1 in expert marketing (sliding scale) for an eligible founder. The program fuels inclusive economic growth through digital marketing sliding-scale services, supporting founders who meet our equity criteria — including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, disabled, and first-generation entrepreneurs.
At its core, 6 Degrees Media connects creativity, data, and opportunity — ensuring every project not only drives measurable growth but expands access to it for the next generation of business builders.
Alright, 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?
The road has been anything but smooth but I wouldn’t trade those lessons for anything.
Building a company from the ground up, especially while bootstrapping, forces you to master resilience early. When I started my first business at 18, I learned quickly that talent and ambition aren’t enough. You have to understand cash flow, client psychology, and leadership long before you can afford to hire help. There were times when I was the strategist, designer, and accountant all at once and that experience taught me how every decision impacts the whole ecosystem of a business.
With 6 Degrees Media, one of the biggest challenges was proving that a women-led, bootstrapped firm could deliver enterprise-level results without traditional VC backing. We had to redefine what “growth” looked like. Not just in revenue, but in equity, access, and sustainability. That’s one of the reasons I created the #Dollar4Dollar program: to turn our client success into tangible opportunities for underfunded founders who often face the same barriers I once did.
Truth is, smooth roads don’t build strong companies or business owners. Every challenge, whether it was managing unpredictable markets, scaling globally, or earning trust in male-dominated boardrooms, built the foundation of who I am as a leader.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
6 Degrees Media is a women-led digital firm built on one core belief: digital growth should be accessible, measurable, and equitable. We specialize in helping founders, startups, and legacy brands scale through digital transformation, combining creative leadership with data-driven precision.
Our work spans industries from luxury retail and medtech to e-commerce and technology, and we’re known for helping clients bridge the gap between creative storytelling and technical execution. Every strategy we build integrates brand positioning, content, performance marketing, and conversion optimization, ensuring that our clients don’t just look great online, they grow there.
What sets us apart is our structure and philosophy. We operate like a fractional marketing department: agile, integrated, and deeply embedded in our clients’ goals. We don’t sell “growth hacks” or inflated promises; we build sustainable systems that scale with their business.
I’m most proud of our #Dollar4Dollar program, which reinvests $1 from every client project into sliding-scale digital services for eligible founders, specifically those who meet our equity criteria and are underserved by traditional firms. It’s our way of making sure that every dollar of growth we create also fuels economic development for underserved, emerging business owners.
At its core, 6 Degrees Media is a bridge between creativity and digital strategy, between founders and opportunity, and between where a business is today and where it deserves to go next.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Mentorship and networking have always played a defining role in my journey as a leader. In the early stages of my career, traditional mentorship opportunities were limited, so I focused on building relationships through collaboration. I accepted projects that challenged me, volunteered in diverse professional spaces, and stayed curious about perspectives outside my own. Some of my greatest mentors turned out to be peers, clients, or even competitors who offered lessons that reshaped how I lead.
Years ago, a North America Verizon Executive took an interest in my diverse entrepreneurial background and recognized my tenacity and work ethic. She offered me 3 months of free mentorship and training, asking only one thing in return: pay it forward. By the end of our time together, she called me “the best mentee she ever worked with.” Her guidance shaped the business leader I am today, and I’ve honored that promise ever since.
Today, I serve as a mentor through Upnotch and the PVC Business Mentor Network, dedicating set hours each year to mentor professionals at no cost. Mentorship creates a ripple effect; every hour spent sharing knowledge strengthens an entire ecosystem of entrepreneurs and emerging leaders.
Authenticity remains my best strategy. When you lead with intention, consistency, and integrity, the right people align with your vision. Build relationships before you need them, contribute first, and stay engaged. The network that grows from that approach will always be stronger, more authentic, and more sustainable.
Pricing:
- Every growth plan gives you our full suite of services and 10 day free trial. What differs between our plans is the volume of deliverables and the project speed / pace. With higher plans, we’ll need more input from you. Working together, we’ll grow your business at the pace that’s right for you.
- $1189
- $2349
- $3150
- $5250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://6degrees.media/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6degrees.team?igsh=cTZudGczNGpqZDZl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574443529746#
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/6-degrees-media-marketing/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@6degreesteam
- Other: https://contra.com/lanellangerstein/work?r=lanellangerstein
