For the new VA · Marketing

Embracing Change: How I Found a Home and Thrived in Digital Marketing

The learning curve of digital marketing can be tough. For Renee, UDMA School gave her the resources and confidence she needed.

In this article
  1. UDMA School Review From a Woman Who Changed Careers After 30 Years
  2. “UDMA School has it all, and it’s been a game-changer for me.”
  3. From Stylists’ Chair to Screen: The Unexpected Challenge
  4. Discovering a New Path
  5. Taking the Plunge: Learning and Adapting
  6. Thriving in a New Career
  7. Embracing Change and Finding New Opportunities
  8. My Current Focus
  9. The Takeaway: UDMA School Helped Renee Make More Money
  10. Yes, you really can work online.

UDMA School Review From a Woman Who Changed Careers After 30 Years

Renne Puckett, a former stylist turned digital marketing maven, shares her inspiring journey of transformation. With a passion for creativity and a desire to make more money in a new career, she discovered Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School and embarked on a path of professional growth.

Her previous experience as a biz owner in the Salon and Spa industry provided her with a strong foundation in customer service and aesthetics, which she was able to leverage in her new role as a digital marketer. Through UDMA School‘s comprehensive training and supportive community, Renne gained the skills and confidence to successfully transition into the digital marketing world.

She did it and you can, too! Read her post to see how she got there. 💖

“UDMA School has it all, and it’s been a game-changer for me.”

Hello, my name is Renee, and here is my story.

In the whirlwind of 2020, as the world grappled with uncertainty, I faced my own personal challenge. Severe allergies abruptly forced me to reevaluate my career path after 32 years as a salon/spa business owner and stylist. The rug was pulled out from under me without warning, and I had to search for something that would fulfill my passion and fit my new limitations. What followed was a transformative journey into digital marketing—a field I hadn’t previously considered, but one that became my new home.

From Stylists’ Chair to Screen: The Unexpected Challenge

The escalation of my allergies becoming severe shook up my world, forcing a real deep dive into my professional path. Yup, I was a rockstar for a good three decades, so you can imagine how wobbly things felt when that chapter unexpectedly closed. But hey, every turn in the road is a chance for a fresh start, right? So, with the whole pandemic pushing us into the digital universe, I knew it was time to shuffle the deck and find a path that not only fit my new allergy-induced limitations but also lit up my fire for something new and exciting.

Discovering a New Path

In the whirlwind of everything that was happening, Emily’s Facebook group was a glimpse of hope that a new career path was possible. I was a bit skeptical at first—how could an online group really help me switch from a stylist to a digital marketer?

Emily’s way of doing things felt like a warm hug on a tough day—welcoming, real, and down-to-earth. Her free advice wasn’t just facts; it was like a toolbox full of useful tips and a sprinkle of encouragement. Her friendly tone nudged me out of my comfort zone and into the exciting world of digital marketing.

With a mix of excitement and nerves, I dove into Emily’s resources headfirst. Each piece of advice felt like a building block, helping me lay the foundation for my journey into this new field. It was like reading a good book, you can’t put it down and I wanted more. Thanks to Emily’s help, digital marketing slowly started to make sense to me and felt like the right path for my next professional journey.

Taking the Plunge: Learning and Adapting

Fueled by the incredible support from the group and the valuable advice I received, I made the leap into digital marketing with all my heart. Sure, the switch had its share of bumps. I had to figure out a whole new routine, get cozy with new tools, and wrap my head around digital strategies that felt like speaking a new language. But hey, each hurdle was a chance to learn and grow. I tackled my new career path with the same passion and creativity that had been my trademark in my previous role.

I found my first client in Emily’s Facebook group. I was so scared to send that email. I still felt like I had no clue what I was doing. But, after soaking in Emily’s training and continuous words of encouragement, I took a deep breath and hit ‘send’ as I kept telling myself, “You can’t say the wrong thing to the right person!” And guess what? Nailed it – snagged my first client and I stayed with her until she retired a couple of years later!

“My journey from a business owner and stylist to a digital marketer proved that adaptability and seizing new opportunities in times of change are vital for success.“

Related Podcast- 3 Traps to Avoid as a New Virtual Assistant #175

Listen to this Unicorns Unite Podcast episode if you’re starting out. Don’t rush into a niche as a brand-new VA. Build your skills first and become a jill of all trades, master of none… but a really good one!

Thriving in a New Career

I ran with this for a year and a half. I knew I would be losing my first steady client to retirement on the first of the year, I felt like I was getting thrown off the horse. Even with all the experience I had gained working with her, I still had lots of doubts and felt like there was so much more to learn. It certainly wasn’t easy starting over.

Despite the treasure trove of free resources at my fingertips, each learning curve felt like an uphill climb. Every task seemed to stretch out in time, testing my patience at every turn. I always remembered the golden rule: growth requires constant learning and training. UDMA School – an essential reminder on the road to improvement!

At this point, I not only wanted to find a new client, but I also wanted to charge higher rates, and I felt it was necessary to take the course to feel confident to do so!

That’s when I decided Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School was a must! I needed that extra boost of confidence, resources, and support I could rely on, and a community that provided continuous learning. UDMA School has it all, and it’s been a game-changer for me.

Udma school blog graphic

Embracing Change and Finding New Opportunities

My journey from a business owner and stylist to a digital marketer proved that adaptability and seizing new opportunities in times of change are vital for success. It was a tough transition, but luckily, I had Emily’s resources to help me weather the storm.

Despite trying other marketing training, I always found myself returning to Emily because of her unparalleled passion for helping people succeed. Thanks to her guidance and inspiration, I learned to embrace change, seek out new resources, and take calculated risks that opened doors to unexpected and rewarding paths. I love the connections, and the feeling like you are not alone in this market, and I know that the support of this group is priceless.

Today, I have the confidence, the skillset, and a network to continue to grow my path in Digital Marketing. I love the flexibility this path brings, allowing you to shine with the skills that you do best! I have increased my rates, and stand more confident knowing what I can bring to the table to help clients. No matter what career you had in the past, everything gives you experience to bring to the table. Matched with the skills and resources you learn at UDMA School is invaluable.

My Current Focus

While I continue to explore various areas of digital marketing, my true passion lies in being a Pinterest Manager. I love diving into video editing, copy, trends, creating visual content, analyzing analytics, managing Pinterest ads, and all the creativity involved with Pinterest management.

The Takeaway: UDMA School Helped Renee Make More Money

Renee struggled with the steep learning curve of digital marketing when she started out. She needed good clients and wanted to make more money. UDMA School provided all the extra support, resources, and confidence that she needed to overcome these challenges and thrive in her new career.

If you’re looking to transition into a digital marketing career or level up your existing skills like Renee, UDMA School can help you get there! The course offers comprehensive training, a supportive community, and practical guidance to help you set up your business and achieve your goals. Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Take the leap and sign up for UDMA School today! I believe in you! 🦄

— Emily, Digital Marketing Consultant and Implementer

Yes, you really can work online.

Feeling overwhelmed about how to start working from home or build your own digital marketing business? Take a deep breath — you can do this!

Start with my list of 10 in-demand tasks that online business owners are constantly asking for help with. These are the exact skills clients look for when hiring a virtual assistant. Grab your free download now, update your VA toolkit, and see where you might want to grow next as you build your freelance business with confidence and purpose.

Download: Online tasks you could be doing as a work-from-home digital marketing service provider
Download the services you could be doing from home here.

Written by

Emily Reagan

Emily Reagan is a mom of four, board game pro, freelance digital marketer and Marketing Assistant Mentor who has helped over 450 go-getters, including military spouses, stay-at-home moms, and professional women learn in-demand skills and find flexible remote work as digital marketing assistants and specialists. She’s shared 3,000+ job leads with her freelancer community The Digital Marketer’s Workgroup.

Ask her any questions over on IG @emilyreaganpr

More about Emily

3 ways we can work together

  1. Listen to The Marketing Freelancer podcast, where I talk shop with the marketers who make online businesses run. 290+ episodes and a 5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts.

  2. Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you’ll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else.

  3. Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I’ll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.