Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Silverstein.
Hi Sophia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I didn’t grow up dreaming of entrepreneurship. In fact, when I was younger and people asked whether I’d rather have a guaranteed paycheck or one that wasn’t always certain, I always chose the guaranteed option. Stability felt safe. Entrepreneurship wasn’t something I imagined for myself.
That perspective shifted in college.
I attended West Virginia University, and during one summer, I applied to internships in major cities across the country without fully understanding what I was stepping into. Coming from a small town in West Virginia, I was craving broader exposure, something bigger than what I had known. One application landed me in Miami, interning under a woman who did exactly what I do today, though at the time, I didn’t even know how to define it.
Her clients included major hospitality brands like Hard Rock and SLS, and suddenly I found myself walking into high-profile events, assisting with live brand coverage and content execution, surrounded by celebrities, influencers, and executives. For a small-town girl from West Virginia, it felt surreal and honestly, intimidating.
One night at a major event, a UFC fight between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather — I was standing alone, taking everything in, when an older man approached me and asked what I was doing there. I told him I was an intern handling social media coverage. He paused, looked at me, and said something I’ll never forget: “When you graduate, you should start your own agency. Have clients under your name. Build a team.” Then he walked away.
I didn’t know what that would look like, but the seed was planted.
My final semester of college was online, and instead of staying put, I decided to move to Miami. One of my graduation requirements was another internship, and I became fixated on working with the best hospitality group in the city: Groot Hospitality. I had no connections, no real leverage, just ambition. During a visit to one of their venues, I spotted David Grutman himself. On instinct, I walked up, introduced myself confidently, and said, “I think I can do a lot for you.” He laughed, appreciated the boldness, gave me his number, and connected me with his HR team. That moment changed everything.
At Groot, I learned the operational side of content and marketing, from shoots and strategy to coordination across platforms. But when the internship ended and graduation hit, I was faced with a real decision: go corporate, or bet on myself.
I chose the risk.
Launching SOFOX Marketing Agency wasn’t glamorous. I wasn’t landing retainer clients right away. I was working on projects, building systems, testing workflows, refining my eye, and figuring out how to turn creativity into a scalable service. Everything was trial and error. I was 23 years old, knocking on doors, cold pitching, spending 10-hour days working with zero dollars coming in. As a young woman in business, I had to learn quickly how to protect my time, spot empty promises, and stand firmly in my value — especially in a city like Miami.
There were moments I nearly walked away and went corporate. But even when traction was slow, my skill set wasn’t. I was building quietly.
Six months in, I landed my first major retainer client: GluteHouse, a women-only members gym. That partnership became the turning point. From there, doors opened, referrals followed, and momentum finally matched the work I had been putting in behind the scenes.
Today, SOFOX is entering its third year. We specialize in creative direction, content production, and social media strategy for brands in hospitality, fitness, wellness, and lifestyle — from neighborhood favorites to Michelin-recognized concepts. What started as uncertainty turned into conviction, and what once felt like a leap of faith is now a business built on experience, intuition, and execution.
Looking back, I didn’t choose the guaranteed paycheck, but I built something far more meaningful: ownership of my voice, my vision, and my future.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, particularly as a young woman building a business in Miami. While the city is rich with opportunity, it demands discernment. Learning how to navigate different personalities, expectations, and business dynamics early on was essential to building something sustainable.
In the beginning, I spent long days cold pitching through calls and knocking on doors, sustained by faith in the vision even when nothing appeared to be happening. That’s a difficult place to sit in, especially when the easier option would have been to step into a corporate role with a steady paycheck.
Learning how to navigate people is just as important as learning the business itself. I sought guidance wherever I could — speaking with mentors, peers, and people further along in their careers — but even that required discernment. Not all advice is created equal, and part of my growth came from learning how to filter guidance, trust my vision, and stand firmly in my decisions. I had to learn how to “stand on business” — to set boundaries, protect my time, and advocate for my value, even when it felt uncomfortable.
Looking back, those challenges shaped not just how I run my business, but who I am as a founder. The obstacles forced me to develop discernment, resilience, and confidence early on. While the road was far from smooth, those experiences laid the foundation for the clarity I operate with today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
SOFOX Marketing Agency is a boutique marketing agency specializing in content creation, social media management, and influencer partnerships. We focus on creative direction, content production, and social media strategy for brands in hospitality, fitness, fashion, beauty, wellness, and professional services (including law firms and real estate), as well as restaurants — from neighborhood favorites to Michelin-recognized concepts.
What truly sets SOFOX apart is our boutique, hands-on approach. We work closely with business owners and in-house teams, ensuring there’s a direct line of communication and shared vision from start to finish. Unlike larger agencies where clients are often passed between multiple team members, our clients work directly with me, allowing for a more personal, intentional, and aligned experience.
That level of involvement leads to stronger relationships, clearer execution, and work that genuinely reflects the brand — not just a deliverable. For us, collaboration isn’t a buzzword; it’s the foundation of how we operate.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice to anyone just starting out is to get out there. Seek exposure, show your face, make conversations, and network in real life. A lot of opportunities come simply from being present and willing to put yourself in rooms where you’re uncomfortable.
I’d also say: trust the process. It’s easy to think you’re ready for something, and when it doesn’t happen immediately, to assume you’re behind or failing. Looking back, every door that opened for me did so in divine timing — when I was actually prepared to handle it. There were clients and opportunities I wanted early on that, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have known how to manage at the time.
We can ask for blessings, but we also have to be ready to receive them. If you don’t yet have the capacity, structure, or maturity to sustain what you’re asking for, it won’t last. That was one of the most important lessons for me.
Above all, don’t give up. Keep going, even when it feels like nothing is happening. I give all the credit to God — He has been my closest mentor throughout this journey. I truly believe He’s the CEO of SOFOX, not me. Every skill, opportunity, and breakthrough has come through His guidance, and without that foundation, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sofoxagency.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofoxagency?igsh=MXg4Znpscnh3aTZwbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/sophiasilverstein?igsh=NWl1bHlteDdxZmww&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
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