Boss' Day Q&A with Erin, Pinckney Palm Founder & CEO
Hey, y’all! Ryann here, Pinckney Palm’s Social Media Coordinator. Because today is Boss’ Day, I thought it would be fun to sit down and do a Q&A with our fearless leader and Pinckney Palm’s Founder and CEO, Erin!
Erin, tell us a little bit about your journey to founding Pinckney Palm.
I found my love for social media way back in 2008 (old for social media 😉) when a professor at Clemson University made me start an account on a little something called Twitter and a blog on Wordpress. It was love at first tweet, and I didn’t slow down from there! I gained experience doing social media for clients like Le Creuset and BMW agency-side before working for Fortune 120 company Capital One in D.C. If you want to hear the full story, check out this post on my personal blog when I announced that I was going full-time with Pinckney Palm back in 2017!
Why the name “Pinckney Palm”?
When I started hunting for the perfect name for my new business, I started looking at Charleston history books. I discovered the story of Eliza Lucas Pinckney, who brought indigo to the US and ran three homesteads in the 1700s, all under the age of 16. A true #boss before her time.
Combine her last name with the South Carolina state tree (the palmetto) and the palms found all around Charleston, a city I love so much, and you’ve got Pinckney Palm!
What does your typical workday look like?
I’m usually up by 5:30am so I can fit in a workout, journaling my gratitude for the day, and then getting my 4-year-old up and ready for school before I’m out the door too. Then it’s off to meetings or in my office for the day. Nothing is ever typical from there :). One day I could be directing a photoshoot for a client and then next I could be at my desk strategizing a new fun and creative social media campaign for a client. My day wraps up when I pick my girl up from school at 5pm and head home for dinner and the bed time routine. I’m big on being in bed by 10pm with a book, my pups, and no screen!
What are some of your favorite things about owning and running Pinckney Palm?
The small business clients we work with! We have an incredible roster of business owners who are all a pleasure to work with, it’s neat to connect with people from California to DC to right here in Charleston. I also love being able to call the shots and flex quickly so we can meet our clients right where they need us most. When I was at larger companies you didn’t have that ability because of all the command chains.
What are some challenges that come along with running Pinckney Palm?
I’m so passionate about our work that it’s sometimes hard to turn it off when I get home or try to take a vacation. I find so much inspiration from other brands and places that I can’t wait to implement into my clients’ strategies. I also wear a lot of hats as the business owner - from being a manager to our fabulous Ryann to managing contracts to creating exciting new client campaigns on social. It’s a lot to juggle, but it makes for an interesting day every day.
What are your top 3 go-to songs on Spotify currently?
One that never moves from the top for me is Whitney Houston’s “Dance with Somebody” and my daughter and I are both really into Taylor Swift’s “London Boy” at the moment. Another favorite I play all the time is “Cabin by the Sea” by Dirty Heads (I may have a little hippy in me :)).
What is your favorite Charleston restaurant?
Obstinate Daughter! Technically on Sullivan’s Island, but I’m a sucker for salty oysters and dry rosé and they have a great selection. Plus, they also have great pizzas so it’s family friendly too.
What is one big dream you have for Pinckney Palm?
To be the go-to social media agency for women-owned agencies. When a woman-owned business decides to look for social media support, I want them to think of us immediately. A dream client would be Draper James!
How can a potential client get in touch with you?
Feel free to shoot me an email at erin@pinckneypalm.com. I’d love to talk about how Pinckney Palm can provide your business with a no-stress social media solution!
Happy Boss’ Day, Erin! Thanks for all you do for the Pinckney Palm team and clients. We are so grateful for you!