Today we’d like to introduce you to Mick Lambuth.
Mick, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to Los Angeles from Denver, CO to pursue my dreams as an actor. Little did I know, the only way to get even the most basic of days jobs LA is by already having years of experience. So I guess I’ve always been scrappy when it’s come to survival jobs.
Through a series of events, I started working at a party entertainment company performing as superhero-type characters. The company was part of a fencing studio where I also started to work as an instructor for young kids. Eventually, I took over working the front desk and then I became the studio manager. Through that position, I worked to grow the stage combat classes we offered into a full program and ran that for a few years. This is relevant because in that time I remember having discussions with the owner and he would refer to “when you have your own business,” which I insisted I would never do. I also learned a lot about business working there both things to do and also lots not to do. Mind you, I never took any business classes in college, against the very good advice from my parents, who are small business owners themselves. For various reasons, I decided I needed to part ways with the studio and program I created.
After leaving, I started freelancing and catering, trying to figure out what kind of job I could be happy enough doing that would also be flexible and allow me to go to auditions and pursue acting. News flash, it’s not easy to find. With the growing importance of social media, I saw an opportunity for a job that didn’t required set hours and paid well. Not only that but I saw the growing importance of having it for my own acting career and I started to educate myself through ‘Google University’. I had been helping a friend with her cocktail catering company and offered to run her social media for free so that I could practice and learn the ins-and-outs of different platforms. The original intention was to find a job at a company. Well, a year later, another friend started a business and hired me to do her social media, then another business hired me and BAM, I accidentally started a social media business, Scrappy Lamb Media.
Great, 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?
A lot of the bumps in the road have been due to some of my own resistance. There is definitely a sense of imposter syndrome and self-doubt that comes and goes. Especially because I didn’t go to school for this or to business school so for a while, I felt like I was constantly playing catch up. It can be frustrating a times trying to keep up with the ever-changing climate of social media and managing the expectations of clients. Though, unlike acting, there is more control over the success of Scrappy Lamb Media, which is a little terrifying as well. But I’m learning to take everything as it comes along and ignoring that pesky little fear of success. Seeing the progress and growth of my clients has been great, definitely helps put it all into perspective.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Scrappy Lamb Media – what should we know?
Scrappy Lamb Media is a social media management and branding company. We specialize in running accounts for growing businesses and personal branding. Social media can be very confusing and is becoming extremely important for actors and artists. It’s essentially your resume and portfolio if you are pursuing a creative career. Having been there myself, I understand how overwhelming and frustrating it is to feel forced into doing Instagram on top of everything else you need to do for your business. And I hated it.
What I’m most proud of is the approach to Instagram I use to coach clients for growing their personal brand and I think it’s also what sets me apart. I started treating Instagram like it’s a game. Each time I post something, my likes and comments are points and I’m able to look at it objectively. It helps frame it in a way that not only protects one’s mental health but makes it more fun to do and less obligatory. When you think of engagements as points, your ego isn’t tied to whether or not people like you and it’s easier to decide what kind of content your followers respond to.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Listening. One of my biggest frustrations is dealing with people, personally and professionally, that don’t actually listen. It’s somewhat tied to having a deep sense of empathy but by listening to understand, I’m able to see opportunity and fulfill needs. I think my training in improv and acting is what has made me good at adapting and knowing how to talk to people. Honestly, everyone should be required to do improv, it teaches you how to listen and read situations.
Pricing:
- Personal branding – $150, 1-2 hour consultation
- Personal branding and guidance – $500, 1 month guidance & personal brand growth
- Personal branding and guidance – $1000, 3 months guidance & personal brand growth
- Full service – starting at $2,500/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/ScrappyLambMedia/
- Phone: 818-813-1977
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @micklambuth
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