Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Stoltz.
Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I graduated from Penn State with a degree in advertising and started my career in digital marketing through agency work in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Alexandria, VA. Those years gave me invaluable experience — working with large teams, serving clients across a wide range of industries, and expanding my expertise far beyond advertising into nearly every corner of digital marketing. I also learned the ins and outs of client relations, from small business owners to multi-million-dollar accounts.
While I enjoyed the work, I often felt there was a better, more streamlined way to serve clients. Big agencies sometimes came with too many layers, too much fluff, and an unspoken expectation to “play the game” in order to succeed. After becoming a mom (twice), I was naturally seasoned to be straightforward and ‘get things done’ strategically and effectively. Time is my ultimate currency, and I was frustrated that I wasn’t using it in ways that felt meaningful at work or for my personal life. I had always envisioned starting something of my own, and in 2023, the opportunity to take a different path opened naturally.
My husband, a software engineer, and I helped friends from high school with a website and marketing for their e-commerce business. As their success grew, so did the referrals. What began as a single freelance project soon grew into Thalia Street Digital. Less than three years later, we’ve partnered with more than 30 clients and built a trusted network of talented contractors and specialists to support our growing work.
Owning a business often means working three times as much, but now it’s on my terms, fits my lifestyle, and allows me to do work I’m truly proud of. I get to help other small businesses grow by becoming an extension of their team, and I don’t take that lightly. These are real people with families, just like mine. The work is meaningful, the relationships are genuine, and I can make it all happen from my home (or from the sidelines of my kids’ sports practice — *mom life*). That balance, combined with the impact we create, has been incredibly rewarding.
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?
Like any business, Thalia Street Digital has had its share of ups and downs, and plenty of lessons learned along the way. I often joke that “people are people-y,” meaning that while 95% of my client and business interactions have been overwhelmingly positive, there have also been challenging ones.
One of my biggest personal hurdles has been learning to set boundaries. I’m naturally a “yes” person, so figuring out where to focus my time and energy — both as a business owner and as a human — has been an ongoing learning process. It’s tempting to take on every project or do everything myself, but I’ve realized that being strategic is what truly allows the business (and me) to grow in a healthy way.
Early in my career, there was a sign in my office building that read, “Move fast and break things.” At the time, I didn’t fully get it. But now as a business owner I have learned that success comes from just ‘doing’! Moving forward means things will break, mistakes will happen, but each challenge is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and get better. That mindset has helped me keep moving forward, even when the road hasn’t been smooth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Thalia Street Digital is a full-service digital marketing agency here in Maryland — but honestly, we’re more like your straight-talking friend who happens to know how to grow businesses online. No fluff, and no selling you a bunch of stuff you don’t need.
We do a little bit of everything: running ads on Meta and Google, building and managing Shopify stores, creating email campaigns, writing content, tweaking websites, and making sure all those moving parts actually work together. A lot of times people come to me asking for one very specific thing — “Can you handle my Facebook?” — but we help them realize what will actually make a difference. We educate them, and we often help them with a mix of strategies that work together.
We work with all kinds of businesses, but our sweet spot is definitely eCommerce — especially helping small businesses with Shopify, ads, and email. What makes us different is how personal we get with our clients. We’re not some faceless agency sending you a monthly report. We’re in your corner, probably texting you a reel to review, and weighing in on which T-shirt design you should print next. We also aren’t cut and dry in our offerings — each client gets a unique experience based on their business and needs.
What I’m most proud of? A lot of our clients come to us with very little — they are small business owners themselves and know they need help but feel overwhelmed. We focus on their goal and really deliver by just ‘doing’. We update their sites, adjust products in their stores for them, create the content, run the media, deliver insights and reporting… we really do become an extension of their business. The most rewarding part is that we have seen these stores grow from very little, to 300X profit year over year. We see the impact it has on these businesses and their families. It becomes personal, and it’s awesome. Many small businesses are hesitant to take the leap into marketing or hiring someone — When they trust us with their businesses, we don’t take that lightly.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
When I first started in digital marketing, a co-worker told me, “The world is smaller than you think,” and it’s so true. Over the years I’ve met so many amazing people, and through Thalia Street Digital, a lot of those connections have come back around in full-circle moments.
From past coworkers to early clients, mentors, friends, and family — so many people have played a part in my journey. Some believed in me before I even had a business name, and others have supported me in ways big and small. I’m grateful for all of them and the role they’ve had in helping Thalia Street grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thaliastreetdigital.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaliastreetdigital/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaliaStreetDigital
