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Shanna Tells All! Running a Business Without Social Media – Season Three Kickoff (Part I)

APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY Consider the Wildflowers the podcast is officially back for season three! Keeping tradition with our season kickoff episodes, we’re turning the tables a bit—Rhiannon Bosse is here to interview me about something that has profoundly shaped my personal and professional life: running a business without social media. If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping […]

Photo of Shanna Skidmore, founder of The Blueprint Model, in cream sweater.

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Hey, I’m Shanna Skidmore. Former Fortune 100 Financial Advisor turned Business Consultant. For the past 15 years I’ve worked in finance helping entrepreneurs around the world make more money and then manage it well. During that time I’ve unlocked the blueprint to building a profitable and sustainable business designed to align with the life you want to live.

Here’s the thing—the "business side of running a business" can be hard, and it’s not everyone’s best skill—but it *is* mine. I would be honored to come alongside you on your business journey.

Shanna Skidmore

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APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY

Consider the Wildflowers the podcast is officially back for season three! Keeping tradition with our season kickoff episodes, we’re turning the tables a bit—Rhiannon Bosse is here to interview me about something that has profoundly shaped my personal and professional life: running a business without social media. If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping the endless scroll and reclaiming your time, this episode is for you.

A few months back, I interviewed Rhiannon about her own floral design business on the podcast. Following the interview, Rhiannon’s curiosity was piqued when she asked if I’d ever talked about my journey with social media on the podcast, and to her surprise, I hadn’t. This sparked the idea for our deep dive today.

In this episode, Rhiannon interviews me about my journey of leaving social media behind, exploring the reasons, the process, and the aftermath as well as my tips for transitioning off social media. This is a topic near and dear to my heart and it felt like the perfect way to kick off season three!

Press play for the full interview or keep reading below!

The Early Days

Let’s travel back to when social media was a staple in my life. Facebook and Instagram were my go-to platforms, mainly sharing personal moments and my work with florals. But as my business evolved, so did my struggle with maintaining an aesthetic that matched my high standards while my sweet spot was dealing with numbers and spreadsheets.

By 2014-2015, Instagram had become a significant driver for my business, accounting for 70% of my website traffic. Despite the success, I struggled with the pressure of creating visually appealing content that aligned with my work in finance and spreadsheets. The disconnect was palpable, and it was challenging to blend beauty with numbers.

A Trip of a Lifetime

Fast forward to 2016, Kyle (my husband) and I celebrated major milestones with a three-month road trip. This trip was supposed to be joyous, but I found myself constantly frustrated by the need to document it all on Instagram. Kyle, my voice of reason, questioned why I needed Instagram so much. His outsider perspective made me realize how much joy it was stealing from our trip of a lifetime.

It wasn’t an overnight decision to leave social media. By early 2017, I felt a strong nudge—one I believe was from God—to let go of this platform that was causing so much stress and anxiety. I documented the numbers, planned the transition, and finally decided to take a social media detox, which I initially thought would last just three months.

Social Media Detox

March 2017 marked the beginning of my social media detox. I set a date, informed my team, and communicated my departure to my audience through a blog post and an Instagram video. The goal was to replace Instagram traffic with more sustainable marketing strategies like blogging and SEO. Spoiler alert: the detox turned into an 18-month hiatus, and I never looked back.

Business Without Social Media

You might be wondering, what happened next? Did my business crumble? Quite the opposite! We saw significant growth year over year, hitting six-figure and then near seven-figure marks without relying on social media. It was a testament to the power of long-term strategies and the freedom that comes from not being tethered to the constant demands of social media.

The Emotional Journey

Leaving social media wasn’t just a business decision; it was an emotional journey. I felt forgotten at times, and the fear of being replaced was real. But the gains far outweighed the losses. My mental health improved, my relationships flourished, and I found joy in the simple things again.

I do miss the community and the direct interaction with my audience that social media facilitated. There’s a unique connection formed through DMs and comments. However, I found other ways to stay connected and build relationships through my blog, email newsletters, and in-person interactions.

Marketing Your Business without Social Media

Rhiannon and I discuss how businesses, even those that are highly visual like floral design, can thrive without social media. It’s about shifting focus to other platforms like Pinterest, SEO, and long-form content that has a longer shelf life and a broader reach. It’s about playing the long game and creating lasting value.

Tips for Transitioning Off Social Media

For those considering a similar path, here are my top three tips:

Set a date and communicate your plans. Inform your team and audience about your decision. Transparency is key.
Document everything. Track your social media metrics and the time spent to understand its impact and plan your replacement strategies.
Create a financial plan to ensure your business can sustain itself without the immediate traffic and sales from social media.

Intentional Living Off Social Media

In the end, leaving social media was one of the best decisions I ever made for both my personal life and business. It’s a journey that requires careful planning, but the freedom and clarity it brings are unmatched. If you’re feeling the pull to step back, know that it’s possible and can lead to incredible growth and fulfillment.

I hope this episode encourages you to reflect on your relationship with social media and consider what’s best for you and your business. Have questions or thoughts? Share them with me in the comments on the blog or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you!

Rhiannon Bosse

Rhiannon Bosse is a multifaceted wedding florist and designer with nearly 15 years of experience in the luxury and destination event sphere. With a charming and refined style that focuses on the intentionality behind her client’s desires, her diverse work has been recognized by the likes of BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Vogue Magazine. She also owns an artisan soap making company, RB Soap Co. where she blends science and art into the most beautiful soap on the market. Professional accolades aside, and perhaps her most favorite accomplishments of all, is being a wife, mother, and a passionate advocate for a healthy body, mind, and spirit.