Social media is a powerful tool for building genuine connections and driving sales. But how can you grow your brand and increase revenue without feeling pushy? At a recent Social Media Breakfast of Houston, business growth strategist Megan Billnoske joined Zoetica Media founder Kami Huyse to share insights on how to navigate entrepreneurship and create a a thriving, purpose-driven venture.
Megan is an international leadership speaker, trainer, and coach who has worked with some of the best leadership-driven companies in the world. A 2024 Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40 award nominee, she has also served as a two-time Association for Talent Development Houston conference chair, and was named the 2023 National Speakers Association Member of the Year. As the President of National Speakers Association Houston, Megan actively supports the speaking, coaching, and training community.
Choosing Entrepreneurship
Many people dream of becoming entrepreneurs, but fewer actually translate that into a successful business.
“When I left corporate, it was actually because my health was starting to go down the drain,” Megan recalls “I thought, ‘this is enough, I've got to change something.’’ After 12 years in the corporate world, she launched her training company, INSPIRE LLC with Megan Billnoske, offering training, speaking, coaching, and consulting services. “I left everything I ever knew in corporate – a full-time salary, a very nice one, consistent paychecks.”
Looking back, she acknowledges that while entrepreneurship isn’t easy, the control and freedom are worth it. “It’s not that all the things are easy, they’re very hard, but it’s your choice of what to do. And I wouldn't take it back because all my health issues that I had—eye hemorrhages, pre-diabetes, poor blood test results—[disappeared over a little over a year].”
For those considering the entrepreneurial path, she advises preparation. “Leaving corporate was hard,” she admits, emphasizing the importance of financial planning. “You need a nest egg if you're thinking about starting your own business.” However, within six months, she began making money, landing her first client “all through networking and taking the time to use social media.”
Grow Your Business By Providing Value for Others
The best way to grow your business is by focusing on the needs of others. “It’s all about value. What is someone looking for? How do you meet that need?” Megan says. The key to selling is solving someone’s problem.
Once people recognize the quality of your work, referrals follow naturally. “If you've ever tried to create a customer or client of your own, that relationship takes a while to build. When you get a referral, it's like instant trust gold in your inbox – it’s amazing,” she says.
Networking plays a vital role, but Megan believes it’s more than just exchanging business cards or contact information. “Networking, I don’t think, is ever just going and shaking hands,” she explains. Instead, she describes it as “people weaving” – strategically connecting with others to create meaningful, long-term relationships.
Staying True to Your Values
Megan emphasizes the importance of knowing and honoring your core values. “If you ever notice when you get really, really mad, it’s because somebody crossed a value line,” she says. “If you don’t know what your values are, that’s a good place to start. Or if you get really heated, figure out what just happened – because that’s usually a core [part] of your values.”
Once you identify your values, staying aligned with them is important. “Your values are going to be different from other people’s,” she explains. “You have to figure out what those are and how you show up if relationships end because of them.”
Understanding Different Communication Styles
Success in business often comes down to knowing yourself and understanding how others communicate. Megan uses Everything DiSC®, a personal development tool that identifies four behavioral styles: Dominance (D), Influence (i), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C).
“It gives you a combination of four different letters to tell you what and how your brain works and what it prefers,” she explains. “For example, let's go with my style… I like to influence, I like to share stories, I like to be animated.”
Recognizing and adapting to different communication styles can enhance business relationships. “Making slight changes so that you're adaptable, because you're not changing who you are, you’re just being more flexible [to better connect with someone],” she says.
Megan’s Favorite Tools
• Canva (for visual content creation)
• Heyzine (for interactive flipbooks)
• AhaSlides (for engaging presentations)
• Quickbooks (for financial management)
To hear all of Megan’s insights and recommendations, watch the full livestream.