Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Sobrack.
Hi Holly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in Iowa, where I grew up watching my dad run his own business. From an early age, he taught me how to answer the business phone, take messages, and, most importantly, genuinely care about customers. My parents instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, and serving others—principles that continue to guide Westbrack Marketing today.
After graduating from Iowa State University, I began my career in the newspaper industry as the Advertising Director for a daily newspaper. Over the years, I also served as Advertising Director for the Owatonna People’s Press, Faribault Daily News, and the Huron Plainsman. In those roles, I led sales, graphic design, creative services, and classified advertising while learning how to balance deadlines, develop effective marketing strategies, and work with businesses of every size.
On any given day, I could go from a budgeting meeting with a company like Target to sitting down with a local plumber or family-owned business. While I enjoyed working with all types of clients, I quickly realized my passion was helping small businesses grow. I loved seeing the direct impact that thoughtful marketing could have on someone’s livelihood.
One customer will always stay with me. When we first started working together, she owned a single greenhouse in the country. She has never advertised and quickly expanded to three greenhouses. I always chuckle because when I met her, she was wary of advertising and any marketing person. and after working with me, she’d welcome me to her home with homemade baked goods. Watching her succeed brought me more joy than I can describe. That experience confirmed what I already knew—my greatest fulfillment comes from helping small business owners achieve their goals.
Although I’ve held other marketing positions throughout my career, those early experiences laid the foundation for everything I do today. In 2011, I launched Westbrack Marketing with one simple mission: to help small businesses grow. I wanted to take the burden of marketing off business owners’ shoulders, help them be found online, and give them the confidence to focus on what they do best. I could not have done it without my husband, daughter and son. They say you only need one person to believe in you, and I am blessed enough to have three. In addition, I have had so many friends share my business with others – I’m grateful for those who referred me or shared a business card or just gave an encouraging word.
More than a decade later, my mission hasn’t changed. I still believe every small business deserves a trusted marketing partner who genuinely cares about their success—and I consider it a privilege to be part of their journey.
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?
One of the biggest challenges in marketing—whether for my clients or for Westbrack Marketing—is keeping up with the constant changes in technology and trends. It seems like there’s a new platform, software program, or marketing solution being introduced every week. For a small business owner who is already wearing multiple hats, it can quickly become overwhelming to sort through all the options and determine what’s actually worth the investment.
That’s why I make continuing education a priority. I belong to a worldwide community of marketing professionals where I can collaborate, ask questions, and learn from experts across the globe. I regularly invest in advanced training on social media, digital marketing, and emerging technologies. Most recently, I’ve joined an AI community dedicated to exploring practical ways artificial intelligence can help small businesses save time, work smarter, and grow.
But through all the new technology and exciting tools, I keep coming back to one simple question:
“How will this help a small business owner?”
Before I ever recommend a new platform, software, or strategy, I test it myself. I want to know how it works, whether it’s easy to use, and if it truly delivers on its promises. Like many business owners, I’ve purchased programs that looked amazing in a sales presentation but ended up being clunky, overly complicated, or simply didn’t live up to the hype. Those lessons—and those expenses—are mine, not my clients’.
My goal is to recommend only the tools and strategies that I’ve personally used, thoroughly evaluated, and genuinely believe will help businesses succeed. When I suggest something to a client, it’s because I trust it enough to use it in my own business.
I also try to share my knowledge and have given free training presentations on digital marketing, AI, customer service and more to area chambers in southern Minnesota. Most recently, I gave a marketing 101 session at the DPC Convention to help start ups wrap their arms around all the things they needed to do. It is always so much fun and I love meeting new people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Westbrack Marketing is a full-service marketing company dedicated to helping small businesses grow. I work with business owners who know they need marketing but don’t have the time, staff, or expertise to keep up with websites, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, Google Business Profiles, email marketing, graphic design, and the ever-changing world of digital marketing.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all marketing. Every business has different goals, budgets, and customers, and I enjoy finding creative ways to help them without wasting time or money.
I’m someone who genuinely cares about my clients’ success. Many of my clients have been with me for years because they know I’ll be honest with them. If I don’t think something will work, I’ll say so.
What I’m most proud of is watching the businesses I work with grow. I consider myself an extension of my clients’ team, and I celebrate their wins as if they were my own.
At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to take the burden of marketing off business owners’ shoulders so they can focus on running the business they love. Their success has always been—and will always be—the measure of my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.westbrackmarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westbrackmarketing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestbrackMarketing
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westbrack-marketing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@westbrackmarketing
