2020 brought us all so many unexpected challenges - it was truly relentless and heartbreaking in so many ways. However, I could not have imagined a more productive year for my business. I am extremely grateful and proud.
In 2020, I strengthened my relationships with my clients, expanded my marketing services & pivoted in response to COVID-19. Each month, I committed to investing in ongoing education, training, and marketing certifications to better serve my clients, and last but not least, I launched a statewide nonprofit (with my amazing business partner, Maria Bardet) to advocate for small fitness businesses throughout California!
Here are just a handful of notable accomplishments for Erica Castillo Consulting in 2020:
-Selected by the City of Sacramento to provide COVID-19 Technical Assistance to small fitness businesses. Learn more about contract scope here. Impact Report and Testimonials here.
-Identified, secured, & administered $100,000 in small business grants in partnership with the City of Sacramento via my nonprofit, CASFFA. See the full list of 35 small business grantees and impact report here.
-Identified and secured over $200,000 in grants and forgivable loans for my nonprofit clients in the mental health and performing arts industry.
-Increased local Social Media Followers, Reach & Engagement (using organic strategy) within targeted market and demographic between 30%-200+% per month for small business and nonprofit retainer clients.
-Pitched and Secured Features from the following TV Shows and Publications for my clients: ABC10, Good Day Sacramento, Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal, Sierra Oaks Magazine, Carmichael Times, and more!
-Met/Exceeded Fundraising Goals for Virtual Fundraising Events for Nonprofit Clients. Including, but not limited to: Raised $83,000 for SCSO on #BigDayOfGiving and Exceeded #GivingTuesday and End of Year Giving Goals.
-Expanded Marketing Services Scope for all of my retainer clients. (yes, post pandemic!)
-Designed and Launched 3 new small business websites in the mental health and wellness industry.
-All new client referrals were given by current clients. (the best!)
Uhm...I think that's it?!?
I am so incredibly grateful to all of my clients, colleagues, community partners, government entities, and so many more for the opportunities they have given me in the last year. I really could not have pulled any of this off without their collaboration and support.
Each client was faced with so many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they did not skip a beat when it came time to pivot! (It was really impressive to watch and gave me so much energy to keep on going) Having my clients' trust in my expertise in marketing & communications is such honor that I will never take for granted.
I hope to get into more detail about some of the inspiring stories of resilience I've seen my clients pull off in response to the pandemic in a future post. I also look forward to giving you more updates on my consulting progress and accomplishments in 2021.
Need help with your marketing & communications management? Book a free consultation at my services booking page here or send me an email at erica@comsconsultant.com.
Want to work with me? Send me your resume and cover letter outlining your experience in small biz/nonprofit marketing at my email listed above. (Freelance opportunities)
Anyway, thanks for reading and here's to better days in 2021!
Sincerely,
Erica Castillo
Owner, Erica Castillo Consulting
Co-Founder, CA Small Fitness Facilities Association
#smallbusinessmarketing #nonprofitmarketing #smallbusinessowner #entreprenuer #businessconsulting #businessconsultant #comsconsultant