Check Out Stoney Keeley’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stoney Keeley.

Hi Stoney, 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?
I grew up with a creative itch that I never quite knew how to scratch. I was aimlessly jumping around from project to project before I committed to writing in 2013, but when I did, it was a pivotal moment in my life. It took me 27 years to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and because I got such a late start, I dealt with a lot of imposter syndrome early on. Sometimes, I read some of my older work and cringe at how much I tried to qualify myself as an authority instead of just letting loose and being myself. But, the biggest obstacle I’ve ever faced was just taking that first step and actually putting myself out there on the internet.

I was fortunate enough to make some friends in the sports writing community right away, and they ended up helping me to get published on various platforms before I moved all of my chips to the middle of the table and went all-in on SoBros Network in 2017. I wanted to write about a little of everything – sports, the Nashville lifestyle and food scene, funny viral videos and news stories, movies, anything. I didn’t want to be put in a box, and that is essentially how SoBros Network was born.

But, there’s another side of me that always had an interest in building things, and I’ve loved creating a sense of community in everything that I’ve done. So, I wanted to combine that with the creative outlet of writing and build SoBros Network in the image of creating content for a living, and for the sake of uplifting people and giving them something to provide a nice little break in their day.

I’m obsessive when it comes to challenging situations, and figuring out how to make money by creating content proved to be the greatest puzzle of my life. I’m currently at 4,603 posts and over 600 podcasts on SoBros Network, and I’m still going.

Thankfully, I’ve had a team of people behind me that have believed in me enough to help me push this boulder uphill. SoBros Network has an authentic DIY spirit, and we’ve put in countless hours of work to build this into sports, entertainment, and humor brand that we can all be proud of.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road. I don’t think trying to make it as a content creator is really any different than trying to make it as a rock star or a movie star. Not to mention, from a business standpoint, you’re constantly worrying about how to get your product/brand in front of new people. Working for a small company means the health of the company practically depends upon how much work you put into it. There have been times during which I question whether or not I can physically go on – sitting at my MacBook with my eyes trying their best to close on me, for example.

In the early stages of a business, things are incredibly fragile – you’re constantly wondering where the next dollar is going to come from. For us, the decision was to aim for organic growth. Instead of trying to raise a bunch of capital upfront, I thought I’d just put in the work, tough it out for a few years, and eventually, we could build SoBros Network into something that sustains itself.

But, even then, it’s a highly volatile situation that hinges upon the amount of work you put in. It’s incredibly easy to burn yourself out and you have to be cognizant of when that is happening to you, or else you’ll grow tired and frustrated with your own dreams. Knowing when to walk away for a little bit is one of the biggest keys, I’ve found, to smooth out a rough road.

And, being on the internet at all times presents its own certain set of problems, from trying to keep up with ever-changing social media and search engine algorithms, maintaining solid performance for your website, making sure your equipment is up and running, and that you have a steady stream of content flowing every day. It can get tiring.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the heart of who I am, I am a writer and podcaster – I cover the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, college football, Nashville news, and funny (at least in my mind) viral videos. I write restaurant reviews. I’ve even written some short fiction. Whatever is in my heart at the time comes out in my work.

I try to put a humorous tint on it, and I would say that could be what I’m known for, though I really have no clue. As for what sets me apart from others, it’s hard to say – everyone has their own path to their own version of happy to trek. I know my work gets me further down my path, and that’s what I tend to focus on.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I had an old boss that gave me an old copy of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – you might not think it, but there’s a lot in it that can translate beyond our general interpretation of the word ‘art.’ It was one of the first things I ever read that helped encourage me to take the leap and just create.

I also received a copy of Jon Acuff’s Quitter from a close friend that helped me develop a realistic frame of mind about the prospects of turning my dream into a reality. Those two books were incredibly influential for me. And, if you’re in the content game like me, you absolutely have to subscribe to the newsletter theCLIKK.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sobrosnetwork.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobrosnetwork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sobrosnetwork
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/StoneyKeeley