We had the good fortune of connecting with Carla Hartman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carla, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?As I have grown in my career and my life, I have really found the importance of boundaries. There was a point in time where I would make myself available at all hours of the day and every day of the year but as I have grown in my career, I stopped answering emails and calls during hours that I have not dedicated to work. Being too available can create a constant state of stress and I make my best decisions when I can think through things calmly. Being able to truly decompress is extremely important.

Our profession is part of who we are. We are multifaceted and we have characteristics outside of what we do to make money like our families, friendships, and hobbies. To really achieve a happy and successful career you must be able to master balance and give time to all of who you are.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Chartman Marketing is a digital marketing agency serving Houston, Texas. We focus on website creation, marketing strategy, social media marketing, search engine optimization, media relations and PPC ads. Our goal is to create customized plans that are affordable to solopreneurs but we also have the ability to serve as the digital marketing team for large businesses.

We are small enough to care but large enough to scale and we only work with local Houston area businesses.

Our most popular service is social media marketing. The process we use is collaborative and unlike many agencies we make time to visit client sites regularly to obtain content. Our package prices remain the same once you are locked in but the tactics will change based on the dynamics of social media platforms to ensure we are using the most up to date tactics and functionality of the platforms. We feel like we succeed when our clients succeed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

So, that totally depends on the time of year.

Rodeo season, it’s a must to take someone to the rodeo and do the whole thing from food to livestock to shopping and the show.

During the summer East Downtown is a great hangout and I am a big fan of Club Westside, it is a members only club but it is unlike anywhere else in Houston and it always impresses my guests from out of town.

The butterfly garden at the science museum, NASA, The POST, and walking along the bayou.

Some of my other favorites are St. Arnold’s because of the art cars on display, the view of downtown and the pizza.

El Tiempo is always another spot for food that I take people to.

I just love this city. There is so much to do here!

I think depending on the time of year, my perfect long weekend would vary but there is NEVER a bad time to visit Houston.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My current and former employers, my husband, my Chartman Marketing team, and my close friends.

What got me to this place is my career was by taking marketing roles at startups in the technology, energy, and consulting industries. You learn much more when you are given the ability to do more. I have worked at a Fortune 100 but learned much more when working for local small to medium business owners that employed me and gave me broader responsibility. I contribute much of what I know to them.

I also am lucky that I surround myself with people who don’t let me give up. I have a like-minded group of friends who support each other during the highs and lows of business ownership. I have a husband who takes on some of the household and parenting tasks during busy seasons, and a marketing team who I can depend on and who helps with the workload. No one can do it all alone.

I truly believe teamwork makes the dream work, and I am grateful to have been employed by some of the best organizations, and to have wonderful friends, colleagues, and family on my team.

Website: www.chartmanmaketing.com

Instagram: chartman_marketing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chartmanmarketing

Image Credits
Femforce Photography Houston

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