How Erica Vallejo Built iFreshly Digital from Hustle to High-Growth Niche
Erica Vallejo, founder and CEO of iFreshly Digital, joined the Clicks & Bricks Podcast to share her incredible journey from laid-off single mom to digital marketing powerhouse in the cannabis space. With no safety net, Erica turned gig work into fuel for her entrepreneurial fire, proving that grit and a clear niche can transform a side hustle into a thriving business.
Key Takeaways from Episode 171:
- Believe in Yourself Early: Erica says lack of self-belief held her back more than any external challenge.
- Niche Down to Scale Up: Choosing cannabis as her niche gave Erica a clear path to exponential growth—even in a state where it’s not yet legal.
- Outwork Everyone: She worked 12–14 hours a day as a Lyft driver, then studied marketing for 3–4 hours at night to level up.
- Cannabis Marketing Is Complex—but Possible: From hashtags to ad copy, marketing in this gray-area industry requires strategy, creativity, and legal awareness.
- The Green Rush Is Just Beginning: Erica predicts massive growth in the cannabis industry—and believes it’s not too late to get in.
Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-hRqbcjHmw
Memorable Quote:
“If I don’t go for it, I can’t feed my daughter and I can’t put a roof over her head… There was no other choice.”