MEET MEGHAN MCKENNA
What is the name of your business?
Search Appeal
in a nutshell, what is IT that you do for a living?
I am a Technical and Organic Search Engine Optimization Specialist focusing on Wordpress websites. That’s a mouthful. Day to day, I make onsite changes to Wordpress websites so they improve their rank in organic search engine results so my clients make more money.
What is your why? How did you get to where you are today?
I quit my full-time job working for a group of radio stations and moved to Orlando with no plan other than to take a few weeks off. I began fixing friends' websites to pay my bills and it went from there. I incorporated as a business, coming up with my first business name while at a bar without a single consideration of anything. I think I invoiced $7,350 my first year in business. I learned as I went -- when I began, I didn’t know how to install Wordpress onto a server (back in the day you had to do it manually!) so I began exploring a new area of digital marketing that was beginning to grow in popularity called Search Engine Optimization while building and fixing Wordpress websites. I began trying to upsell website projects but no one really understood what I was selling and I didn’t know how to sell it. Fast forward ten years, a return to WPB, a lot more mistakes, and a vital realization that this is a major area of digital marketing that I have become very knowledgeable in, almost, dare I say it? An Extraordinaire? I applied to Project-1909 for a brand refresh and it became so much more - the result was an outward visualization of the skills and techniques I have been honing for the last decade of my career. It finally clicked … and the plan I never had before finally became crystal clear. I build technically optimized websites. I fix technically broken websites. I help people be found online! I help businesses have control over that in an area that offers very little control! And I love what I do. PS -- I also love gardening, my son, my husband, and my friends. Running and beer are also on the top of that list as is Steel Tie (dark) Rum (not an endorsement - just a happy consumer spreading the local love.)
What are some challenges you've had to overcome while running (or starting) your business?
Ugh, I took awful financial advice and ended up owing tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes due to a total lack of understanding and naivety. Luckily I trusted my gut, realigned myself and those around me, and worked very hard to fix the issues. I survived, and my business and I am better for it. I had a lot of help along the way.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone starting out on this Business Owner path?
You're going to make mistakes, the best thing you can do is learn from them. Also, pay your people and your taxes, in that order.
What is your favorite life lesson?
"Expectations are resentments under construction," it's important to recognize any preconceived expectations when you're approaching a situation, especially when it comes to working with clients. Understanding new ideas and concepts can be difficult when everyone involved has negative expectations about the other. These ingrained prejudices can close minds and slow down progress and creativity. And also -- “K-I-S-S, Keep It Simple Stupid. Great advice, hurts my feelings every time.” --D. Schrute
Why is 1909 important to you?
Multi-talented! Meghan sketching ‘60 second’ illustrations of our Board of Directors.
See how they came to life here.
1909 has been the catalyst for change and continued growth for my business and for me as a human being. It’s provided me validation and a sense of security that has given me the confidence I needed when it was lacking. It’s truly a transformative environment. I’ve told people that 1909 is like the friend that double bounces you on the trampoline -- together you will go twice as high.
You're grabbing lunch in Downtown WPB - Where are you going and what are you getting?
I'm definitely going to Aioli for either their arugula artichoke salad or their golden beet salad. Always add bacon! Bonus afternoon pick-me-up is an iced salted caramel latte (w/ oat milk.)
If you could change one thing about West Palm Beach - what would it be? why?
We need more shade! Being outside, riding bikes, walking, and running around downtown has made me realize there is a serious lack of shade trees in this town. There are so many reasons why -- it would make the town cooler, more walkable, and more enjoyable. Not to mention that it would help the wildlife and our environment.
How can we see your work or get in touch with you?
Website: www.search-appeal.com
Instagram: Search Appeal