Generating buzz for businesses on social media
Name: Suzanne Zandbergen Age: 42 Position: Owner, The Generator Job description: I run The Generator, a social media marketing agency in Hamilton, with a team of five social media managers. How did you come to be in this job? I started the company three years ago after working for other companies and handling their social media. What gets you up in the morning?
The adage: “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” is actually true. I wake up every day looking forward to the events I get to attend that day, or the video shoot that’s scheduled. I start every day reading tweets and jumping in conversations with people talking about what’s happening in Hamilton. Lessons learned?
Do what you’re good at, and work with others who have strengths in areas that you are weak in.
My first big lesson that taught me this was trying to handle the accounting side of my business myself.
I’m sure I spent hours on things that my bookkeeper now handles in minutes.
Roots: I moved to Hamilton to go to McMaster, where I completed my BA in English. I grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Ontario, so Hamilton felt like an exciting big city when I came here, but it was small enough to not feel overwhelming.
Most recent social media post(s):
Twitter: Proud to have had a small part in the creation of the @IECHamilton MIGHTY program, teaching social media for entrepreneurs. #HamOnt — at CoMotion On King
Contacts: @thegeneratorca (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook); thegenerator.ca
Groups and associations: Hamilton Fempreneurs (founder along with Alicia Thoms and Erika MacKay), co-working network of CoMotion on King and CoMotion 302, Chamber of Commerce
Favourite place in the downtown:
Gore Park during Summer Promenade, or walking down James North and bumping into countless familiar faces.
What would make Hamilton a better city?
More city support for businesses starting up — there are a lot of programs in place already, but there are still a lot of barriers with permit wait times, etc. What’s next for you? Continue to expand The Generator to help more Hamilton businesses succeed using social media.
If you know a Hamilton Professional who would make a good candidate for this profile series, send an email to shenderson@thespec.com.