Interview with Marti Jeremiah-Shelley

Marti is an Australian-born social media specialist based in Scotland. She trained in strategic social media management with Digital Mums and founded Wee Bit Social in 2016.

She helps business owners promote their work online with more confidence and clarity, offering tailored one-to-one support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Her core areas of expertise are Instagram and LinkedIn training, alongside strategy, coaching, accountability sessions and full social media management.

Marti also runs a low-stress, high-energy networking event, Wee Bit Social Coffee & Chat, bringing local business owners together to connect in person.

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What inspired you to start your own business, and what challenges did you face in the early days?

I wanted to do something I genuinely cared about, something fun, interesting, and meaningful. I’d just finished my diploma in social media marketing, my now 14-year-old was about to start school, and I knew I wanted to be at the school gates for him.

At the same time, I was stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy and getting nothing from it, so I thought, why not take a risk?

I’ve always believed in doing the scary thing because you never know what it might open up. I had no savings, but I believed in the work, I loved it, and I was newly qualified and sometimes that’s half the battle. So, I backed myself and went for it.

How do you maintain balance and avoid burnout while running your business?

I don't is the simple answer! I think I have been close to burnout many times, if I’m being really honest, and like everyone else running their own business, I’ve applied for “proper jobs” and in the quieter periods it's really hard holding your nerve and keeping the faith and confidence in yourself.

But I do try to keep evenings for family time and weekends, although there is the occasional weekend work when things are super busy!

I’m getting better at protecting my time and not saying yes to every offer of a coffee, but I've still got a long way to go! I’m a work in progress.

Can you share a moment or achievement that felt like a real turning point in your journey?

I guess it was the first time I landed a “bigger client” because 80% of my clients are sole traders which is great and being a sole trader myself, I love connecting with people one on one - it’s my thing, but having a larger business come to me and want to work with me - which has happened a few times now is an amazing feeling and not one I’ll ever take for granted.

Have you experienced any gender-related obstacles or biases in business, and how have you handled them?

I wouldn’t say I experience gender-related bias in my work, mainly because most of my clients are women. I grew up as the youngest of seven girls, so I naturally gravitate towards working with female business owners. I love working with women.

What I have noticed, though, is that some of the men I’ve worked with in the past can lean towards a more traditional sales-driven approach. It’s very focused on the quick win rather than the longer game, which isn't me and doesn't work when it comes to social media marketing. It's about taking the time to get to know your audience and spend time building that relationship - sales is important, of course, but social media isn't about quick wins - if you want to “win” at social media marketing, it takes consistency and patience.

In contrast, many women I work with are more open to the idea of building community, nurturing relationships, and letting trust drive sales. It’s not about cold calling or pushing for a sale at all costs; it’s about creating something sustainable.

That’s where my work feels most aligned, so that’s naturally where I’ve found myself. And it’s not to say all men are taking that approach, I've just found that the women I've worked with have been more open to a different way.

How do you support or empower other women in business or within your industry?

I think supporting other women in business is genuinely important, and it has to be more than just the “collaboration over competition” quotes you see on Instagram. For me, it’s about actually walking the walk.

As a one-woman, female-led business, I know first-hand how many women are still battling confidence, undervaluing their skills, or feeling like they need to tick every single box before putting themselves forward. I speak to women on a weekly basis who don't feel confident in their offerings, are not charging enough and feeling undervalued. It's a real issue still in 2025, which seems crazy! I run networking events that are open to everyone but naturally attract mostly women, with women guest speakers and a real focus on creating a space that's about real conversation and a friendly space for proper connection not just a tick the box give out your card event.

And on social media, it's really important to me to help to highlight brilliant women doing brilliant things, and using my platform to boost others.

It’s simple: if I want to see more women succeed, I have to actively help create that environment, not just have a female-friendly tagline. Within the social media marketing world, it can get very competitive, but I surround myself with a fantastic group of marketers who will recommend me and I them.

I guess it’s about who you choose to let into your space and maintaining a positive presence on and off social media.

Has mentorship played a role in your growth, either as a mentor or a mentee?

No sadly, it’s not something I would rule out, it's just time has always been a little well, in demand with client projects.

Do you use events in your business - whether for clients, community, or connection -and how have they helped you grow?

Events are a huge part of Wee Bit Social! As much as I champion social media marketing, I’m always clear with clients that it can’t do all the work for you, it needs to be a combination of social, email and real, in-person connection.

Stepping out from behind the screen and spending time with other business owners is essential, and that kind of genuine interaction just can’t be replicated online.

My Coffee & Chat and coworking events are central to what Wee Bit Social is about. They’re designed to support business owners who often work alone, giving them a relaxed, welcoming space to take a break, have real, relaxed conversations, and build real connections.

I know networking can feel intimidating or overly formal, so my events are intentionally the opposite, super friendly, super welcoming, relaxed no pressure.

There's a reason they are called coffee and chat. It's a chance to take time for you and your business, and it's such an important aspect for me. I’m so proud to have regulars who come back time and again and bring friends. Taking the time to build a real, loyal community has been so important for me, not just for Wee Bit Social advocates but also for my mental health. I count so many of my networking connections as real friends now, and I’m so grateful for that.

What’s been your most memorable business event or experience (as a host or attendee)?

Such a tough question because there have been so many! I think the first Coffee and Chat at Tigerlily after COVID was amazing and had a real energy about it, we were all so enthused to be back in a room again with real people and just the connection - it felt like a real buzz in the room.

Although I do have to mention my PJ networking event, I had a tarot card reader and a massage therapist on hand, and it was such a fun atmosphere; I feel like there are so many events in Edinburgh, it's really fun to create something different.

My cocktail Christmas event at Argonaut Books was amazing! Everyone got quite drunk by the end, even though we had food - and bought loads of books!

How do you make sure your brand values and personality come through in the way you show up - online, in-person, or at events?

It's so important for me to show the real me in person and online in my content. I’m not for everyone, and that’s ok.

When it comes to showing personality, it's a huge part of what I teach clients, so it's super important for me to really feel confident in who I am as a brand and what I offer. I really want to attract the clients that I would love to work with, and for me to do that, I’m not afraid to be me online, to be strong in my opinions and really have fun with it. There are so many people doing what I do, the only thing I can do is be me, that's my USP, and that's a strength.

There’s so much bland content online, everyone is so scared to say what they really think and really have fun with it. For me, there needs to be more fun in social media marketing, and I try to bring the fun into everything I do as much as I can.

And because most of my clients are small business owners, showing up for them genuinely matters to me. That’s why I run events, build community, and support them across all my platforms, not just saying it’s important, but actually living it.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you and your business?

I'd like to focus more on coaching and working within established businesses on a monthly consultancy basis - coming in and showing businesses how to make their social media marketing work more efficiently for them without having to hire another member of staff. I’m also really excited about Wee Bit Social turning 10 next year, watch this space!