Episode #171: iFreshly Digital – Erica Vallejo
How Erica Vallejo Built iFreshly Digital from Hustle to High-Growth Niche Erica Vallejo, founder and CEO of iFreshly Digital, joined the Clicks & Bricks Podcast to share her incredible journey from laid-off single mom to digital marketing powerhouse in the cannabis space. With no safety net, Erica turned gig work into fuel for her entrepreneurial fire, proving that grit and a clear niche can transform a side hustle into a thriving business. Key Takeaways from Episode 171: Believe in Yourself Early: Erica says lack of self-belief held her back more than any external challenge. Niche Down to Scale Up: Choosing cannabis as her niche gave Erica a clear path to exponential growth—even in a state where it’s not yet legal. Outwork Everyone: She worked 12–14 hours a day as a Lyft driver, then studied marketing for 3–4 hours at night to level up. Cannabis Marketing Is Complex—but Possible: From hashtags to ad copy, marketing in this gray-area industry requires strategy, creativity, and legal awareness. The Green Rush Is Just Beginning: Erica predicts massive growth in the cannabis industry—and believes it’s not too late to get in. Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-hRqbcjHmw Memorable Quote: “If I don’t go for it, I can’t feed my daughter and I can’t put a roof over her head… There was no other choice.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Erica Linkedin Globe
Episode #156: Clocktower Advisors – Todd Nilson
Todd Nilson of Clocktower Advisors: Building Communities That Matter in the Digital Age Todd Nilson, founder of Clocktower Advisors, is a seasoned strategist who helps businesses create thriving online communities with purpose and longevity. From his roots in online gaming forums to helping global brands drive community engagement, Todd brings a deep understanding of how connection, trust, and technology intersect to fuel modern business growth. In Episode 156 of Clicks & Bricks Podcast, Todd breaks down what it takes to build a sustainable, meaningful online community that delivers real value—not just vanity metrics. Top 5 Takeaways from Todd’s Episode: Start Small, Go Deep: The most successful communities begin with just 5–25 core members who truly believe in the mission. Trust is Everything: Build trust on three levels—technology, transparency, and peer-to-peer relationships within the group. Let It Evolve: Don’t over-architect your community. Start simple and let your members guide its growth through real engagement. Community is Not Just Online: Online and offline experiences work together—live events can ignite loyalty and deepen connections. Web3 Is Coming: Decentralized identity, NFTs, and DAOs are set to transform how we build, join, and interact in digital communities. Want to learn how to build a loyal community that actually helps your business grow?Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRVO4ZZSWbo Memorable Quote: “We’re way too focused on how big a community is. If just 25 members are driving value, that can be a six-figure business.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Todd Linkedin Globe