Meet Amy Harris | Digital Marketing Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started Hashtageme Consulting shortly after closing One2One Restaurant and Bar, which I had owned and operated for ten years. I was not sure what I wanted to do when the restaurant closed, but I knew I wanted to start another business. I have a background in marketing, I worked as a media buyer and marketing manager for Hotels.com and owned my own photography business prior to developing the One2One brand and opening the restaurant. I managed all of the marketing and growth of One2One, I have a passion for brand development, creating and growing a small business and the creative process of marketing a business. After the restaurant closed I decided I wanted to help other small businesses grow their brands so starting a marketing consulting business seemed like the perfect next step in my career. What should our readers know about your business?
I am a digital marketing consultant, I help small businesses grow their brands through a variety of marketing strategies. I spend a lot of time learning more about the ever changing marketing industry and I love the creative process of content development, social media marketing, web design, and unique advertising campaigns. My business growth has definitely slowed down during Covid as so many people are struggling to keep their businesses open and they often cut marketing from their budget first. I spent a lot of time during the first few weeks of our Covid shutdown researching local area restaurants and created a blog listing those establishments and what they were currently offering. I felt helpless watching so many struggle so I wanted to something, anything to help. It has not been an easy transition going from owning and operating a very demanding restaurant to working from home staring at a computer with very little socialization, I do miss the people and the daily interaction as well as the fast paced hustle of the restaurant industry. But I want to continue to run my own consulting business and help other brands grow their dreams. I also anticipate that I will start something new again soon. It’s always on my mind and in my heart to develop something I am proud of and I love helping and watching others do that too. My husband and I are constantly talking about new business opportunities, I can’t wait to see what is next. Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What a great question and one that is not easy to answer! There are so many cool places in both Dallas and Fort Worth, I might have to have her visit a few times to show her everything we love. I have recently discovered how much fun it is to take the train to Fort Worth, and I plan to also take it to Dallas someday soon. I live close to Grapevine, so I would take my friend on the train from Grapevine to Fort Worth. We would first check into the Worthington Renaissance hotel in Sundance square, we’d grab a drink and snack on the rooftop of the Reata, which is walking distance from the hotel, they have great drinks and delicious unique Southern food. We’d try a Habanero Lime Margarita and munch on bacon wrapped crab stuffed jalapenos or maybe the jalapeno cilantro soup. I’d also want to take her over to the Fort Worth Stockyards to explore the many Texas themed stores, attempt the outdoor maze, watch the cattle drive and an old west gunfight. We might check out Billy Bob’s before heading back over to Sundance Square for the evening. We’d for sure have dinner at Waters Restaurant, the food and service there is outstanding! I love their gumbo and their fish is fresh and uniquely prepared. The Halibut with sweet potato gnocchi, toasted macadamia pesto and lemon cream sauce is my absolute favorite! After dinner we’d probably walk around the square and maybe check out a few of the shops or have drinks at one of the many restaurants or bars. The next day we may venture back to the Reata, yes, it’s that good. They have a really great brunch, we almost always go there for brunch before heading home. I like the Chicken Chilaquiles and their strawberry orange mimosas are delicious. We’d take the train back to Grapevine and probably spend the rest of the day checking out the cute boutiques all along Main Street. I live in Southlake so I’d want to show her around Southlake Town Square and we might have dinner at Malai or Herencia. Malai is one of our favorite restaurants in Dallas, their Vietnamese food is delicious. I either get the Pho or the Seabass, and I’d recommend my friend try my husband’s favorite, the drunken noodles. Herencia is our favorite Mexican place in Southlake, they call themselves Texican and their whole menu is great! They are the original owners of the popular Uncle Julio’s. I’d get my go to, which is the grilled fish tacos and recommend my girlfriend try the stuffed camarones. We might head over to Moxie’s after dinner for drinks, they usually have a fun bar or maybe we’d go to Taverna for live music. While she was in town I’d also want to show her around Dallas. We might stay at Hotel Zaza, enjoy drinks by the pool and head over to dinner at either Dragonfly, the hotel restaurant or Fearings Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton. Both have amazing food. After dinner we might head over to the Backyard and hangout at their “open-air” playground and play some giant Jenga or watch a game. We’d eventually end up back at the Firefly bar for one more cocktail before bed. The next day I might show her around the Dallas Arboretum or the Perot Museum. On our way back to Southlake I’d take her to the Design District and we’d have a late lunch at El Bolero. Oh my gosh, their food and margaritas are amazing and worth every calorie. I almost always get fish tacos and a skinny margarita, but everything on their menu is delicious. They have tempura fried lobster tacos that are to die for. Their signature black margarita, the Oilman Margarita, was voted best in Dallas by D Magazine. It’s almost too pretty to drink, but somehow we manage. It has roca patron silver, patron citronge, activated charcoal, agave, rock candy, gold stars, with a gold salt rim, and it’s delicious. Later that night, if there is a good show at the Improv in Addison, I would probably take my friend there for a night of laughter, we’d probably have drinks and share a shrimp cocktail at Mesero down the street before the show. On another day we might go for a hike at the Arbor Hills Preserve in Plano and maybe play some golf or tennis to work off all the drinks and food we’ve been enjoying. There are just way too many fun places in Dallas and Fort Worth to list them all, my husband and I like to explore as much as we can, but I know we have so much more to experience. Before my friend heads home we’d have one more brunch nearby at Chez Fabian in Grapevine, they have a fantastic brunch menu with lots of options. We might share an avocado toast and I’d probably order either the Grilled Salmon Bowl or Bistro Chilaquiles, and of course mimosas! Apparently, I like to eat! Perhaps my next venture will be to try as many restaurants as I can and I’ll share my experience right before I head to the gym! Cheers! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so blessed that I have the most supportive family and friends. My parents have always been my biggest cheerleaders, they believed in me enough to invest in my restaurant and when it closed they encouraged my decision to start something new on my own again. Shortly after I made the decision to jump right into a new business, I emailed my dad about my fears and self doubts and he couldn’t have been more supportive in pushing me to follow my dreams. I am so thankful for both of my parents and their constant love and support. I also have the most supportive husband. We just recently got married, but he was with me as I stressed about closing my restaurant and he both physically and emotionally helped me through that very difficult process. When I wanted to start a new business he offered support and love every step of the way. Even when things are not going as great as I would like them to be, when I am feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, he always makes me feel better and encourages me to do whatever I want. His constant love and encouragement propel me through all aspects of my life. I also have incredible friends, we love and support each other in everything we do, without that friend therapy, I don’t know what I would do! I feel truly blessed to have the love and support of so many people in my life, but my greatest support and where I go first is my loving Father. God is my greatest source of strength, hope and comfort.

Website: www.hashtagmeconsulting.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hashtagme_consulting/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-cole-hashtagmeconsulting/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amyhashtagmeco1

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