Digital Social Hour: The $100K Instagram Boost Mistake No One Talks About | Shawn Lynch & Gentry Kelley DSH #922

Release Date: November 25, 2024

In this engaging episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Lynch sits down with co-host Gentry Kelley to discuss the often-overlooked pitfalls of investing heavily in Instagram boosts. The duo delves deep into their personal journeys, business ventures, and the evolving landscape of social media marketing. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of their insightful conversation.

1. Personal Connections and Backgrounds

Sean and Gentry kick off the episode by sharing anecdotes about their names and heritage, highlighting the complexities of surname spellings and ancestral research.

• Gentry Kelley ([01:02]): "I like that’s very confusing... Originally spelled K-E-L-L-E-Y, but people often misspelled it with a Y."

They discuss their Irish roots and how modern DNA testing services like 23andMe and Ancestry have influenced their understanding of their lineage.

• Sean Lynch ([02:07]): "I found random cousins through these platforms, but it became overwhelming with constant messages."

2. Journey into Entrepreneurship

The conversation shifts to their entrepreneurial paths, emphasizing Sean’s transition from e-commerce to real estate and the challenges therein.

• Sean Lynch ([06:53]): "Back then, my conversion rates were around 82%, which is unreal compared to the current 2-3%."

Gentry shares her initial struggles with securing loans for real estate projects and how a chance meeting with Sean’s business partner set the stage for future collaborations.

• Gentry Kelley ([04:38]): "I wanted to build a spec home but didn’t know how to get a loan for straight land without paying 50% down."

3. The Challenges of Social Media Marketing

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the pitfalls of relying heavily on Instagram boosts for business growth.

• Gentry Kelley ([07:21]): "TikTok Shop looks like an Alibaba or junk store to me. I’m not sure if it’s worth the investment right now."

Sean shares his insights on the evolution of digital advertising, comparing past strategies like Google Ads to current trends involving AI and emerging platforms.

• Sean Lynch ([08:00]): "There’s always something new in social media. It's constantly evolving with AI and everything else."

They debate the effectiveness of TikTok Shop, with Gentry expressing reservations about product quality and the additional workload required to manage new platforms.

• Gentry Kelley ([07:50]): "I don’t have enough staff to add the TikTok shop. It takes off, I’d have to hire someone new for that."

4. Mental Health and Genetic Factors

The hosts open up about their personal battles with anxiety and ADHD, linking these to genetic factors like the MTHFR mutation.

• Gentry Kelley ([10:00]): "People with ADHD and anxiety often gravitate towards entrepreneurship because of their inherent drive and ability to juggle multiple tasks."

Sean discusses his lifelong struggles with anxiety and how understanding his genetic makeup through MTHFR testing has been pivotal in managing his mental health.

• Sean Lynch ([10:18]): "I started getting anxiety and panic attacks at 15 and 16 without any traumatic event triggering it."

5. Experiences with IVF and Surrogacy

A heartfelt segment where Gentry shares her IVF journey, miscarriages, and eventual turn to surrogacy, highlighting the emotional and physical toll it took.

• Gentry Kelley ([12:29]): "Switching to the right supplements made all the difference in my pregnancy outcomes."

Sean recounts their successful experiences with surrogacy, balancing the complexities of the process with the joy of expanding their family.

• Sean Lynch ([13:14]): "Our surrogate recently helped us welcome a daughter, and she’s offered to do another one for us."

6. Building and Growing Their Podcast

The duo discusses the inception and growth of their podcast, Official Success Formula, emphasizing the importance of consistency and leveraging personal networks.

• Gentry Kelley ([17:02]): "We’ve started the podcast earlier this year and have about 27 episodes under our belt now."

Sean highlights strategies for increasing podcast visibility, such as boosting episodes on YouTube, despite rising costs.

• Unknown Guest ([52:57]): "You can boost your YouTube episodes to attract bigger guests and increase your audience."

7. Industry Insights: Cosmetics and FDA Regulations

Gentry provides an in-depth look into the cosmetics industry, particularly the recent FDA regulations that have heightened the barriers to entry.

• Gentry Kelley ([41:02]): "The FDA takeover means we now have to rigorously document every ingredient and label, costing thousands in redesigns."

She underscores the shift towards natural and plant-based products in response to consumer demand and regulatory pressures.

• Gentry Kelley ([43:05]): "Parabens are being phased out, and there's a move towards cleaner, hormone-free ingredients."

8. Future Trends: AI, Fake Foods, and Artificial Wombs

The conversation ventures into speculative territory, discussing the potential future of food production with AI and artificial wombs, and the ethical implications thereof.

• Gentry Kelley ([60:16]): "Artificial wombs could revolutionize childbirth, but it raises questions about attachment and humanity."

Sean shares his skepticism about such advancements, emphasizing the need for tangible proof before accepting these technologies.

• Sean Lynch ([47:03]): "I am open to changing my mind if I see concrete evidence, but for now, I’m skeptical of AI-manufactured foods and artificial wombs."

9. Navigating Social Media Platforms

They explore the challenges of maintaining authenticity on social media amidst algorithm changes and increasing costs for content promotion.

• Gentry Kelley ([53:05]): "Boosting a single viral video was costing me $1,400 a day to keep it visible."

Sean and Gentry discuss the impact of platform algorithms on content visibility and audience engagement, sharing personal anecdotes of dealing with shadow bans and restrictive policies.

10. Conclusion and Takeaways

Wrapping up, Sean and Gentry emphasize the importance of adaptability in business, the value of genuine connections, and the necessity of ongoing education in personal and professional spheres.

• Sean Lynch ([36:56]): "Our podcast aims to inspire by sharing detailed stories and tactical information that listeners can apply in their own lives."

They encourage listeners to seek balance between leveraging social media for business growth and maintaining mental well-being, highlighting their own experiences as a testament to navigating these complexities.

Notable Quotes:

• Sean Lynch ([09:37]): "I never invest in a low margin product-based business anymore. It’s just too hard."
• Gentry Kelley ([12:29]): "Simple fixes, like changing supplements, can have a profound impact on health and pregnancy outcomes."
• Sean Lynch ([36:56]): "Kids can't prepare their own taxes, yet that's a life skill everyone needs."
• Gentry Kelley ([43:05]): "The FDA regulations have created an extra layer of accountability, which is good for consumer safety."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Digital Social Hour offers a candid exploration of the intersection between personal struggles and professional endeavors. Sean and Gentry’s transparent discussions provide valuable lessons on resilience, strategic marketing, and the importance of holistic well-being in achieving success. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or someone navigating personal health challenges, this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartfelt stories that resonate on multiple levels.

For more episodes and to stay updated with Sean Lynch and Gentry Kelley’s journey, follow their podcast, "Official Success Formula," available on all major platforms including Spotify and YouTube.