Member Article

From social recluse to social media entrepreneur

A Newcastle woman who was once crippled for 18 years with an extreme social phobia is using the skills she learned to beat the condition to help companies develop innovative digital marketing campaigns.

Emma Emma Reilly (33) of Chapel House has launched Grilla Creative, a digital marketing Agency which specialises in creating groundbreaking digital marketing campaigns. Emma, who already set up a successful design business two years ago with the help of The Prince’s Trust, had to teach herself how to socialise from the age of 25 after developing the debilitating phobia at the the age of 3.

It was through her vast experience of learning how people interact that she realised many businesses were not using social media to their maximum potential.

As well as offering full Social Media Management, Grilla develops specialist campaigns which get customers engaging more efficiently with brands. One of their first projects is the launch of ‘#Crowdbeatz’ on behalf of a North East clothing company.

This revolutionary project will allow young people to create the world’s first virtual band using nothing but social media. “Most businesses today realise that Social Media is a really important aspect of their overall marketing strategy” Emma explains. “However, there is so little innovation in the types of content being created. Grilla is about pushing boundaries and creating true talking points and first class reputations”.

Despite Emma’s past problems with communication, she is now a confident public speaker and Young Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, recently attending Alnwick Castle as guest speaker on behalf of the Duke of Northumberland. Despite the negative stereotypes her condition brings up Emma admits that in reality most people have no idea until she tells them.

“I always thought admitting to someone I used to have problems with social interaction to be the biggest mistake I could ever make. However, in reality I think many people are fascinated at the journey I’ve taken and how I have skills that can actually make a big impact on their business”.

Emma now has several North East clients signing up to her service and is excited at the prospect of growing the company over the coming year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Reilly .