Community Highlights: Meet Elona Washington of c7marketing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elona Washington.

Hi Elona, 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 should not be here. I should not have — two adult children who are thriving, a supportive circle of friends and family, a home to call my own, a sound mind, a successful business, and the chance to inspire thousands of fellow abuse survivors.

In 1999, I graduated from Howard University with a liberal arts degree; I wanted to be a professor. But I was a single mom who needed a job, so I landed at a company as a marketing coordinator. I’ve been working in marketing and sales ever since.

The majority of my roles would be classified as middle management, but because I worked for small businesses, I was responsible for all facets of marketing—thinking back, I was probably a low-key CMO. Unlike so many of my peers, though, I didn’t have aspirations to climb the corporate ladder because I wanted to be available for my children; as a #metoo survivor, I didn’t trust them with anyone.+

Having the freedom to drive them to practices or appointments was the best feeling in the world. (Confession: I probably went a little overboard. When I worked from home, they would call and tell me what they wanted for lunch, and I’d bring it to them at school.) Today, my daughter is 31 and my son is 19, and they’re both appreciative that I put their upbringing before my career.

In 2011, I began speaking locally to survivors and their families. When #metoo went viral in 2017, my daughter was an adult, and my son was living with my ex-husband. I had published my memoir and was in greater demand. For the next few years, I was interviewed by USA TODAY, Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Informer, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and more. I spoke to thousands of people, and after every talk, I was reminded of the impact healing can have on an individual, a family, their county, and the nation.

Much of my healing took place while my children were young, but the journey isn’t linear and requires a safe space to do the work. When you think you’re thriving, a flashback or trigger has the potential to undo years of work, which is what happened to me in 2022. The trauma of repressed memories affected every area of my life. I realized I could not heal, survive, or thrive in a toxic workplace, so I quit my job and founded a marketing boutique.

I never thought marketing could be ministry. I never thought I could use my website design skills, understanding of paid advertising, or content marketing experience to help other survivors. But that’s what I do. I’ve had the honor to work with several organizations that rescue trafficked children, and I assisted a survivor with elevating her brand so she could reach more women with her story.

And just this month, I had the opportunity to speak before the U.S. Congress. Several other survivors and I shared our stories, hoping Senators would empathize, understand, and pass long-delayed bills intended to keep our children safe.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing about my journey has been smooth. I’ve been a single mother, survived an emotionally abusive marriage, and was even homeless with my son for a couple of days. I spent over 20 years trying to fit into corporate America and look past the microaggressions and workplace bullies, but like thousands of other black women across America, I finally left and started my own business.

I’ve always struggled with depression and anxiety, in 2022, repressed memories were causing insomnia, anxiety, memory loss, depression, hopelessness, detachment, and suicidal ideation. My personal relationships and work performance suffered badly so I spent four months on short-term disability. I was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), dissociative amnesia, and Chronic PTSD. And everything in my life made sense.

It was the peacefulness at home that helped me heal and manage my blackouts. I knew returning to corporate would undo much of that healing. I quit my job without having another job or a client lined up. In the past, I would have stressed about the decision but for the first time in my life, I felt peace in the middle of a struggle.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In addition to offering marketing strategy sessions, I also offer fractional marketing services—part-time or per-project services for small business owners.

My marketing boutique stands out from others because of my ability to grasp my clients’ vision. It’s why I can develop personalized and effective marketing strategies that speak to the company’s vision and resonates with its ideal customer. It’s what I’m most proud of brand-wise. My specialties are:

Customized Marketing Strategies: Every business is unique, so I take the time to deeply analyze and understand the specific needs, goals, and target audience of each client. By tailoring strategies to individual businesses, I ensure that my clients receive personalized attention and solutions that are aligned with their objectives.

Revenue-Focused Approach: The purpose of marketing is to drive tangible growth and increase revenue. I develop strategies that are designed to provide a clear return on investment.

Author Journey Guidance: Guiding business owners through the author’s journey sets me apart from traditional marketing agencies. Being an author establishes you as an expert in your field so helping them navigate the publishing landscape, establish their brand identity, and effectively promote their work ultimately increases their bottom line.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting.
Before leaving a job, establish your brand first. Grow your LinkedIn industry connections and find opportunities to speak and show your expertise online and offline.

Pricing:

• Marketing Strategy Session – $3000
• The Author’s Journey $10,000 – (til 6/15)
• Fractional Marketing Services – Inquire

Contact Info:

• Website: c7marketing.co
• Instagram: @elonawashington
• Facebook: @elonawashington
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elonawashington/
• Other: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFcP1mchaI/otA6h6UA3R3TDDmdFgokEw/watch?utm_content=DAFcP1mchaI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink