Brooke Vulinovich of Villa Management chats Social Media Workshops

We had the pleasure of catching up with newlywed Brooke Vulinovich (previously Brooke Vivoda) of Villa Management and literally did not play it cool for one second.  She’s had us starry-eyed since we first discovered her business’s Instagram page around a year ago and now it is no secret – not even to her.  It’s quite fitting that our initial stumbles were on the ‘gram actually, because as a social media sensei, Brooke promotes her social media workshop business through Instagram daily.  Yep, we’ve been on holidays with her, to donut shops and even inside her very social media workshops.  Preaching what she practices comes naturally to El Brooko, having been interviewed, featured, podcasted with and showcased in about a zillion places.  No exaggeration.

About Brooke Vulinovich

This is one seriously hilarious gal who gives out super valuable social media advice in real-world talk on the reg.  And she’s the kind of lady you just can’t help but love.  From one social media workshop hostess to another, we know how much work goes into putting these little babies on *showers kudos everywhere.*  But what’s lead Brooke here and what would she change if she could turn back time (insert Cher track)?  Read all about it, my funk soul brother.

Tell us a little bit about Villa Management and why you began your own bangin’ business

“Is it bangin’?! Naw (blushes)!  I have no idea why I started my own business to be totally honest with you.  But this is how it grew.  I originally started Villa Management as an events company. Social Media was part of the event package but it certainly was not a service I advertised on its own, nor did I have any clue that businesses were struggling with it so much! Anywho, when it was brought to my attention that, yes, businesses were, in fact, crying out for Social Media help, I put on my Wonder woman cape, not really, but that would have been funny – and flew to their rescue (laughs)! I love how I just turned this into a Villa Marvel Comic!”

“But in all seriousness… I started teaching a teeny tiny Social Media workshop out of my apartment and in only a few months I was teaching up to five workshops a week.  Sometimes it was even three back to back workshops a day!

“That’s when I finally realised, yep, social media training is a thing people seriously need!”

So I split my one three-hour workshop into two three hour workshops and added heaps more stuff!  I named it my “Social Media Connection Program” and decided to niche down to Instagram specifically. Why? Well, that’s where the majority of peeps were struggling (although Brooke does teach Facebook too!).”

“Workshop one is called Ground Zero and Workshop two is called Socialising. The program teaches biz owners how to be sick AF on Instagram – (laughs) can I say that?

And now after almost 2 years I also offer personalised strategy consulting, host networking breakfasts, teach workshops for the City of Perth, speak at regular events about Social Media and how I grew my biz, plus I created an online membership to make learning Instagram fun.  And!  I’m currently planning my 100 members party! Wanna come? Well, you have to be a member to score an invite.”

If you could go back and give past you business advice in the early days, what would it be?

“Oh gosh this an interesting question.  In hindsight, when my biz changed direction from event planning to Social Media training, I should have shut down my Instagram and Facebook business accounts to started them again from scratch. Different audiences, different targets and a pain in the behind when you start engagement campaigns that target the wrong people!”

When you’re not being Head of Mischief at Villa Management, what are you doing?

“Eating, annoying my husband, watching Home and Away, wishing I had 10,000 kittens, trying to keep my 4 balcony plants alive and not cooking, because I suck at it.”

Best piece of software you use for biz?

“Oh, but there are so many! Obviously Instagram (laughs).  I also don’t mind a bit of Spotify for background music – but that’s a boring answer… Oh, I know! The Dictaphone app! For some reason I get really inspired for posts when I’m driving.  So I’ll turn that on and then just chat away to myself for the duration of the drive and play back the recording when I need an informative Instagram post (laughs)!”

Where do you see Villa Management in 5 years?

“Throwing a 10,000 members party (laughs)! That will be awesome! Where shall I have it? What shall the theme be? What will I wear?! You wanna come? You better join my membership (laughs)!”

Find Brooke Vulinovich on Instagram, book in for a Perth workshop via her website and sign up for her Social Club Membership while you’re at it!