Why I’m Pivoting My Business in Real Time (And What I’m Building Now)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded Episode Title: Why I’m Pivoting My Business in Real Time (And What I’m Building Now)
Host: Michelle Thames
Release Date: August 6, 2025

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Introduction

In this heartfelt and candid episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames takes her listeners behind the scenes of a significant transformation in her professional journey. Departing from the usual structured format, Michelle delivers a raw and unfiltered narrative about her ongoing pivot from a traditional digital marketing agency to a more aligned and fulfilling venture, Thames Media Co. This episode serves as a beacon for entrepreneurs and creators navigating similar transitional phases in their businesses.

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The Catalyst for Change

Michelle begins by reflecting on her experience running a boutique digital marketing agency over the past few years. Despite the outward signs of success—amazing clients, efficient systems, and exceptional work—she confesses to feeling increasingly drained and confined by the very structure she once believed would grant her freedom.

“The very thing I built to give me freedom started to feel like a job.” [02:15]

This realization marks the turning point. Michelle highlights the common struggle among business owners who pour their hearts into their ventures only to find themselves working harder and feeling less connected to their original vision.

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The Decision to Pivot

Acknowledging the emotional and practical challenges of pivoting, Michelle shares her decision to transition away from the traditional agency model. She emphasizes the importance of alignment over profitability, even when it means stepping into the unknown.

“Sometimes letting go is the growth. Sometimes slowing down is the strategy. And sometimes pivoting midair is the only way to fly higher.” [07:45]

Michelle candidly discusses the fear and uncertainty that come with making such a significant change, reinforcing that authenticity and alignment are paramount for long-term fulfillment and success.

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Introducing Thames Media Co.

Michelle unveils her new endeavor, Thames Media Co., a personal brand media company designed to support not only her own brand but also empower other women in building theirs. This pivot reflects a shift towards creating a more meaningful and impactful business model.

Key Features of Thames Media Co.:

• Personal Brand Support: Assisting women entrepreneurs in developing and growing their personal brands.
• Services Offered: VIP days, brand audits, digital campaigns, podcast production management, and comprehensive visibility strategies.
• Community Building: Hosting retreats, facilitating monthly trainings, co-working sessions, and fostering a supportive environment through her private community, Elevate and Empower.

“I am no longer building a business that drains me. I'm building a business that lets me.” [05:30]

Michelle outlines how Thames Media Co. aims to prioritize peace and alignment, ensuring that both she and her clients can thrive without the burnout associated with her previous agency model.

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Overcoming Challenges

The journey of pivoting is not without its hurdles. Michelle discusses the difficulties of restructuring her business, letting go of established systems, and redefining team dynamics. However, she remains optimistic about the potential for growth and the creation of a more fulfilling business environment.

“I've built something that no longer feels like mine... So I'm choosing to be bold enough to shift, even if the world is watching.” [06:50]

Michelle addresses the vulnerability involved in pausing profitable operations to focus on alignment, encouraging listeners who are contemplating similar changes to embrace courage and trust their instincts.

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Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Michelle envisions Thames Media Co. as a visibility-focused media company dedicated to helping women grow their personal brands with purpose and profit. She plans to increase her own visibility and thought leadership, embracing her role as the brand and sharing her authentic, imperfect story to inspire others.

Future Initiatives:

• Visibility Ecosystems: Developing strategies that enhance the visibility of founders and creators.
• Digital Products and Events: Offering products and hosting events that support business growth and personal development.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Working closely with a small but dedicated team to deliver impactful services and support.

“If you're a woman entrepreneur, especially one with multiple passions, big dreams and a personal brand that you know deserves to be seen and heard, I want you to know you're not alone.” [07:20]

Michelle emphasizes the importance of building something new that aligns with personal values and goals, ensuring that the business remains a source of empowerment rather than exhaustion.

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Building a Supportive Community

Central to Michelle’s new venture is the creation of a supportive community for women entrepreneurs. Through her private group, Elevate and Empower, she provides monthly trainings, co-working opportunities, digital product creation support, and genuine CEO conversations. This community aims to offer not just networking, but real support, tools, and alignment for its members.

“It's not fluff. It's not just community, it's support, tools and alignment.” [07:55]

Michelle invites listeners to join her community, highlighting the benefits of shared experiences and collective growth as they navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.

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Call to Action and Conclusion

Michelle concludes the episode with a heartfelt invitation to her listeners. She encourages women entrepreneurs to reach out, whether they're interested in VIP days, launching products, or seeking comprehensive brand strategies. By building Thames Media Co. in real time, she emphasizes the collaborative aspect of her new venture, seeking to work with like-minded individuals who value visibility, profit, and peace.

“You just need to trust your gut, honor the pivot and give yourself permission to build something new.” [08:50]

Michelle expresses deep gratitude for her community's support and reinforces the message that growth often requires bold and sometimes uncomfortable changes. She leaves her audience with a sense of solidarity, reminding them that they are not alone in their transformations.

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Notable Quotes

• “The very thing I built to give me freedom started to feel like a job.” [02:15]
• “Sometimes letting go is the growth. Sometimes slowing down is the strategy. And sometimes pivoting midair is the only way to fly higher.” [07:45]
• “I am no longer building a business that drains me. I'm building a business that lets me.” [05:30]
• “I've built something that no longer feels like mine... So I'm choosing to be bold enough to shift, even if the world is watching.” [06:50]
• “If you're a woman entrepreneur, especially one with multiple passions, big dreams and a personal brand that you know deserves to be seen and heard, I want you to know you're not alone.” [07:20]
• “It's not fluff. It's not just community, it's support, tools and alignment.” [07:55]
• “You just need to trust your gut, honor the pivot and give yourself permission to build something new.” [08:50]

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Final Thoughts

Michelle Thames’s episode serves as an inspiring testament to the power of embracing change and prioritizing personal alignment in business. Through her authentic storytelling and strategic insights, she offers valuable guidance for entrepreneurs facing similar crossroads. Social Media Decoded not only chronicles Michelle’s transformative journey but also empowers listeners to embark on their own paths toward more fulfilling and purpose-driven ventures.

Transcript

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[Michelle Thames]

WhatsApp message privately hey, welcome back to Social Media Decoded. I'm your host, Michelle Thames, and today I'm doing something a little different. No notes, no guests, no filters. Just me talking to you from the middle of a major pivot in my business. Not a pivot I've completed. Not a recap of a six month strategy I tested and proved, but the real messy, emotional, exciting in between. So if you're in a season where things feel like they're shifting, if you're rethinking your offers, your team, your model, or honestly, your entire business direction, this episode is for you. Let's get into it. Let me rewind. So for the past few years, I've run a boutique digital marketing agency. And on paper, it worked. It's been successful. We've had amazing clients, we've had systems, we delivered exceptional work. But behind the scenes, I was tired. I felt boxed in. The very thing I built to give me freedom started to feel like a job. And if you've ever been here before, you know how heavy that realization is. You dream about this business, you pour everything into it, and then you look up and realize, I am working harder than ever. I'm serving everyone but myself. And I've built something that no longer feels like mine. So here's where I am now. Honestly, I'm actively pivoting out of the traditional agency model and into something that feels more aligned, more fulfilling, and honestly, more powerful. It's called Thames Media Co. It's still a business, still a team, still rooted in strategy and results, but the energy is different. I'm building a personal brand media company that not only supports my own personal brand, but helps other women build theirs too. And when I say I'm in it right now, I mean I am in it. Restructuring packages, letting go of certain systems, reimagining our team dynamic, creating space for something bigger and better. Even if I can't fully see the full picture yet, because I can. But here's what I do know for sure. I'm no longer building a business that drains me. I'm building a business that lets me. That lets me host retreats for women like me, that I get to speak on stages with full alignment, teach what I love through community and coaching, build visibility ecosystems for other founders, and create media that actually moves the needle. We're working with clients in a new way and so I'm really excited to offer VIP days, brand audits, digital campaigns, podcasts, production management and full circle visibility strategy. We're focused on founders, creators and small teams who want to build personal brands with purpose and profit. And most of all, we are prioritizing peace. Because if it doesn't feel good, it's not for me. And let's be honest about something else. This pivot isn't easy. It's scary to walk away from something that has been working. It's vulnerable to pause what feels profitable and choose alignment instead. It is so real to sit in this uncertainty of what's next. But I've learned if I'm not aligned, my audience can feel it, my team can feel it. I can feel it. So I'm choosing to be bold enough to shift, even if the world is watching. Because I know someone listening right now is in the same place. You've outgrown your old business model, your old offers, your old brand voice, but you're afraid to release it because it feels like you'll lose everything. Let me tell you, sometimes letting go is the growth. Sometimes slowing down is the strategy. And sometimes pivoting midair is the only way to fly higher. So what does this mean going forward? Well, it means Thanes Media Co is evolving into a visibility focused media company that helps women grow personal brands, a home for digital products, events, retreats and podcast strategy. A small but mighty team. It's me, Randy and my girl Lamisha, holding it down. A company that serves founders who care about impact, not just Instagram aesthetics. It also means I'm stepping into more public facing, thought leadership role that I've been in, but even more visible because truthfully, I am the brand and I've spent years helping other people shine while sometimes dimming my own brilliance. But not anymore. Now I'm taking the mic, I'm showing up more on camera. I'm selling what I believe in and I'm letting my story, my actual human, imperfect story be drive the strategy. If you're a woman entrepreneur, especially one with multiple passions, big dreams and a personal brand that you know deserves to be seen and heard, I want you to know you're not alone. I built, Elevate and empower my private community specifically for women like us. Inside we do monthly trainings, monthly co working, digital product creation, visibility strategy and real CEO conversations like this one is not fluff. It's not just community, it's support, tools and alignment. And if you're someone who might want to work with me more closely, maybe a VIP day, maybe launching your first product, maybe launching your podcast, speaker positioning or full brand strategy. Thames Media Company is open for business, but not just any business. We're looking to support founders who want to be visible, paid and at peace, not burned out by a business model that doesn't fit anymore. If that's the you, let's talk DM me, Apply Ask. I'm building this in real time and I want to build it with the right people. If this episode resonated with you, share it, send it to your biz bestie who's thinking about shifting. Post it in your stories, tag me, comment on Spotify. I love to hear what landed for you. We're in this together. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to trust your gut, honor the pivot and give yourself permission to build something new. Thank you so much for listening to this episode. Thank you for your continued support. I am so appreciative for everyone in this amazing community and I could not do this without you. I will talk to you in the next one.

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[Michelle Thames]

Morning.

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One sausage McMuffin with egg, please.

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Okay, your total is.

[Michelle Thames]

Wait.

[McDonald's Customer]

Let's negotiate. How's about you throw in hash browns for a dollar?

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Well, yes sir, that price is already a dollar.

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Take it or leave it.

[Michelle Thames]

Take it, I guess.

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[Michelle Thames]

Ba da ba ba ba for the.

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