Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Brannon and Lizzie Dean.
Hi Maya and Lizzie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We both knew of each other growing up, ironically, we’d followed each other on social media for years, as we’re both from the Eastern Shore of Maryland where everyone knows everyone. We were each other’s biggest fans long before we ever really connected.
Lizzie had moved to Florida after college, but decided to return home to Maryland about three years ago. She was looking for a part-time job and saw that Maya had posted about a local restaurant she worked at was hiring. Lizzie applied, got the job, and from there the rest was history.
At the time, Maya was working full-time at the restaurant and running The Tourism Marketing and Advertising for the Town of St. Michaels/St. Michaels Tourism. Lizzie had three years of Direct Marketing experience under her belt and was bartending part-time. We instantly clicked over our shared “girl boss” energy, and as the months went by, we grew closer, spending hours on the phone during our morning commutes.
Then, last year, during one of those many morning calls, Lizzie popped the question: “Why don’t we just do this on our own? For real.” That topic had always been a running joke, an out-of-reach dream we’d toss around and laugh about. But something about that moment felt different. It didn’t feel like a dream anymore. Lizzie was tired of the daily commute, the same routine, the same four walls every week. Maya didn’t hesitate. She said “let’s do it,” and since that day, Felicity Collective was born.
Two women. The same field. The same shared dream. The same shared purpose: to make work more enjoyable, to find the bliss in it again. “Felicity” is a noun meaning intense happiness, bliss, or a state of well-being. That is exactly what we intend for Felicity Collective.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! We are two women in our late twenties who decided to start a business from pure concept for the first time in our lives. No rulebook, no roadmap, just a phone call and a whole lot of faith in each other.
The learning curve has been steep. From learning the ropes of running an actual business, to building our client roster from scratch, to figuring out how to price our worth and hold firm on it. There were (and still are) moments that humbled us completely. Running an agency means wearing every hat at once: strategist, office manager, project manager, designer, copywriter, and salesperson, sometimes all before noon.
There’s also the emotional side of entrepreneurship that nobody really talks about. The self-doubt. The slow weeks. The moments where you question whether you made the right call. Having each other has made all the difference. When one of us wavers, the other one steadies the ship.
But honestly? It hasn’t just been hard, it’s been fun. Really, genuinely fun. We learn something new every single day, and we can’t imagine having it any other way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Felicity Collective is a women-owned and operated marketing and creative agency with roots in Baltimore, Annapolis, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
We specialize in Social Media Management, Brand Strategy, Brand Management, Marketing Consulting, and Website Design & Development. But what we really do is help small businesses show up confidently: online, in their communities, and everywhere in between. Our clients aren’t just accounts to us. They’re people we believe in, and that comes through in everything we create.
What sets us apart is the relationship. We’re not a big faceless agency handing your account off to a junior employee you’ve never met. When you work with Felicity Collective, you work with us. Directly, personally, and with full investment in your success. We are small enough to care deeply and experienced enough to deliver.
We’re also proud to be rooted in the places we grew up and hold so dear to our hearts. So many of our clients are local small businesses, and there is something really special about helping the people and places we grew up loving tell their stories better. This community supported us first, and we don’t take that lightly.
At the end of the day, Felicity Collective exists to make the work feel good again, for us and for our clients. We want every business we touch to feel seen, supported, and set up to grow.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Don’t be afraid to talk to people and talk about your business! No matter where you are, you’d be surprised how often others can relate, or how frequently someone nearby needs exactly the services you provide.
We’ve found some of our most amazing mentors in places most people wouldn’t think to look: restaurants, farmer’s markets, even the grocery store. Networking doesn’t always happen in a conference room with a name tag. Sometimes it happens in the checkout line. One of the things we are most grateful for is how open and willing local business owners have been to share their experiences with us. We came into this with passion and drive, but the wisdom poured into us by the people who have walked this road before us has been invaluable. Their guidance has truly shaped who we are as business owners, and it reflects in every client relationship we build.
The biggest thing we’ve learned through our mentors is to be proud of yourself along the way. No matter how big or how small you are, celebrate where you are and where you’re going. There is always room to grow, but don’t sell yourself short in the present moment. You’ve earned your seat at the table. Own it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.felicitycollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felicity.collective?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578178121017
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/felicity-collective-llc
