Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Zink
Hi Samantha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey began in the bustling world of public relations in New York City, where I worked from 2013 to 2017. During this period, I witnessed the dramatic shift from traditional media to the rise of influencers. Many brands and designers were hesitant to embrace influencers, clinging to the familiarity of traditional media even as it rapidly declined.
I found influencers incredibly inspiring and followed many on Instagram and YouTube. When I had the chance to work with them in my PR roles, I thrived. Pitching to traditional media became increasingly challenging as magazines folded and editors were laid off. This was the time I realized we needed to lean heavily into influencer marketing, but my colleagues didn’t see the necessity as clearly as I did.
One New York Fashion Week, I had an epiphany: I could manage influencers independently. That very day, I began building ZinK Talent. I created an email domain, a website, and reached out to influencers I had worked with before, offering to manage them in a non-exclusive capacity. They agreed, and through word of mouth, my clientele rapidly grew. ZinK Talent was born, transforming into a full-fledged agency.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has been both smooth and bumpy. Initially, I enjoyed the organic growth and the excitement of entrepreneurship. But the real challenges emerged in the coming years. Growing pains became apparent as I built my team and client roster. Employees and clients came and went, and changes were constant. Balancing the happiness of both employees and clients while maintaining my own well-being is an ongoing commitment.
As the agency grows, so do my responsibilities. Every entrepreneur experiences moments of feeling overwhelmed, constantly training new hires and managing various challenges. However, these growing pains are a crucial part of the journey, ultimately making the agency stronger and more resilient.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Zink Talent is a boutique agency specializing in influencer management and brand partnerships across all major social media platforms. We handle event attendance, accounting, relationship building, and help influencers grow as content creators. We pride ourselves on staying ahead of social media trends.
What truly sets us apart is our dedication to prioritizing every client, regardless of their follower count. We set monthly goals for collaborations and ensure consistent income for our clients. This commitment has allowed many influencers to transition from traditional jobs to full-time content creation.
I am incredibly proud of Zink Talent’s organic growth. Starting with just one collaboration in 2017, we have grown through word of mouth and hard work into a strong agency with an amazing team and fantastic clients. Seeing what we’ve built without external funding or investors is incredibly rewarding.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My team deserves immense credit. Having never had a mentor, I was determined to forge my own path and build an agency with no predetermined roadmap. The success of Zink Talent is a direct result of my team’s hard work and dedication. Each member brings their unique strengths to the table, whether it’s nurturing influencer relationships or driving new business.
Our clients have also played a crucial role, placing their trust in us early on and growing alongside us. Their success stories are a testament to our shared achievements and collaborative spirit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zink-talent.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthazinkovich/
- Other: https://www.samanthazink.com/
