Buffalo Boss Babe: Samantha Jo Gill
This weeks Buffalo Boss Babe is Samantha Jo Gill! SJ owns a few different awesome businesses. She owns and runs a company called Write On which is a copywriting/content development/social media business, She is also the founder of an awesome collaborative blog called Buffalo Moms and a super awesome solo blog called Kin + Kindling. Any one who has that much on their plate is truely a BOSS BABE! We sat down with Sam and chatted about her life, goals, dreams and more!
Photo By Kelsey Rebman Photography
What made you start or brought you to where you are today? Tell us your story and what makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe.
I first started out in copywriting and social media as a shy little intern my sophomore year of college at a small advertising agency in Amherst. After a couple semesters “working” there, I was hired on as a part-time freelancer and then eventually took on the role of sole copywriter and social media strategist when my mentor accepted a position at another agency. I started working full time the Monday after I graduated from Buffalo State and found myself in a cozy corner office completely in love with my professional situation – until I wasn’t anymore.
Photo by Agape Photography
My husband and I got married soon after graduating college and exactly one year later, we welcomed our first child into the world. It took me approximately one week of being back to work after maternity leave to realize that this was not the life I wanted for myself or for my family. So I did everything in my power to change it. I took a leap of faith and a small cut to my pride and accepted a part time retail position while trying to build my freelance clientele to make it on my own. Two different part time jobs and three years later, I managed to build my client roster to the point where I could “break even” by working solely as an independent contractor. Now, a little over five years after taking that initial leap of faith, I’m fully established as a business owner and sole proprietor – making more than I ever have before in my life and working from my home office where I get to spend every day with my two favorite co-workers, who just happen to be 5 and 3 years old!
Photo By Rustic Willow Photography
Who are your favorite people to follow?
I love following people who are passionate about their crafts. Creatives like @rustbeltlove, @oxfordpennant, and @dcminute who are so passionate about our city and their trades; my sister @inthebuffblog who is always inspiring me (and making me wish I could pull off trends like she can!); any and all Buffalo photographers; and I have a real problem getting sucked into watching timelapse videos of people writing calligraphy!
What are your favorite things to do in the area (Buffalo and greater WNY)?
I’m not going to lie - I truly don’t get out much (#momlife)! When I do get some down time, I love grabbing coffee from local cafes, working out at The Barre Studio in Hamburg, and taking walks with the kids at Chestnut Ridge.
Photo by N'kay
Tell me about your favorite collaborations or a dream collaboration?
My favorite collaboration is one I’m currently working on with one of my clients, BloomsyBox. They are a national flower subscription brand and we’re working on a blogging campaign where I get stunning flowers sent to my home and have a photographer (shoutout Kelsey Rebman!) snaps photos as I work my way through a floral design book by Carly Cylinder. I’ve actually had the opportunity to chat with the author, Carly, and get to know her a bit through the process, and have found myself really loving the process of creating with the flowers. It’s kind of like a dream come true to get paid to work with such lovely products!
Photo By SJ
A dream collaboration would be to work with the team at Yeah Buffalo. I love the work they do and how they’re working to highlight the movers and shakers in the community.
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?
Oh goodness… this is a tough one! Honestly, at this point in my life, I would love to just be able to grab a coffee and have time by myself – haha!
Photo By N'kay
What are your hopes, dreams, goals? Big or Small.
My goal is to someday start my own boutique agency with my sister who specializes in event marketing and social media. Also, to be able to work from the road for an entire summer so I can travel the country with my family! We have a family “bucket list” item of visiting every National Park by the time our oldest graduates from high school and I really want to see that through.
Photo by Kelsey Rebman Photography
Tell us about your family a bit( 2 or 4 legged ) ?
I am married to my high school sweetheart, Lukas, who is a Technology Teacher and Educational Innovator at Holland Central Schools. We have two children, Marleigh Jo (age 5) and Henry Russell - aka “Huck” (age 3). My family is my everything. Every single accomplishment of mine has always been to make life better for them.
Photo by SJ
Feel Good Five
Color: Blue
Food: It’s a toss-up between chicken fingers (w/ hot sauce) or chicken parmesan
Super Power: I can heal boo-boos with just one kiss!
Animal: Giraffe
Season of the year: Fall, hands down.
It was so amazing chatting with Samantha. You are a true inspiration to fellow boss babes who might be ready to take that leap of faith to make their dreams come You are awesome and a true BUFFALO BOSS BABE!
Be sure to check out all of Samantha Jo's sites at http://www.lifebythegills.com/ , http://buffalomoms.com/ and http://www.workwithwriteon.com/
until next time!
Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog that features amazing woman doing amazing things in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y. If you know someone doing amazing things for our community, past and present, young and old..... send us a message at buffalobossbabes@gmail.com
Be kind to everyone you meet.
Here's to strong woman! May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
