Ten Years of Take Flight Lessons

Take Flight turned ten recently, and my biggest lesson has been learning to respect the seasons of entrepreneur life.

This year specifically has reminded me that I am one person. Just one. I cannot do everything and that’s okay. Maybe someone else can. Maybe no one can. It really doesn’t matter, because I’m me, and I have to work within what is realistic for my life, my energy, and my capacity.

Over the years, I’ve learned to let my business adapt to those seasons instead of constantly trying to push through them. There are seasons when I can pour a lot into my work, and there are seasons when I can barely give it anything extra at all. And I’m learning that both are okay.

There may be seasons when I’m not marketing the way I “should.” I might not book as much work. I might need to step back. But that doesn’t mean everything is falling apart, it just means I’m in a different season. And seasons always end.

When those harder seasons pass, I usually find myself coming back with renewed energy, fresh perspective, and more to give. That’s why I’m trying to respect wherever I am instead of worrying that a slower or heavier season is permanent. It isn’t. And the good seasons aren’t permanent either, which reminds me not to take those for granted.

One thing I’ve also had to get really honest about is making sure I truly love what I do.

As social media managers, there’s so much pressure to have impressive numbers, high engagement, and trend-driven, scroll-stopping content. But the longer I do this work, the more I realize how much of that doesn’t really matter. The algorithms change constantly. Platforms shift the rules overnight. And lately, with my own issues with Meta, I’ve had a very real reminder of how fragile it can be to build a business on platforms we don’t actually control.

It reinforced something I’ve been telling clients for years: we have to diversify where our work and our voices live. No single platform should hold all the power over your business.

And for me, that’s also meant starting to show up differently… leaning into video, sharing more of my voice, and not hiding behind perfectly designed content.

What matters most to me now is storytelling and the real people behind the brands. Relationships, trust, connection, and authenticity will outlast whatever algorithm happens to be running the show.

And while Take Flight is very much my business, I haven’t done every piece of it alone. Over the past decade I’ve had the opportunity to work with talented freelancers and collaborators who stepped in during different seasons to help support client work and creative projects. Small businesses often grow this way; through waves of opportunity and through the people who contribute their talents along the way, and I’m incredibly grateful for that support.

Over time, I’ve also stopped worrying so much about what other people in the industry think. I’m learning that I have to do this work in a way that feels right to me.

I don’t want to burn myself out trying to impress anyone.

I want to tell meaningful stories, work with people I enjoy, diversify where my work lives, protect my health, and give myself grace when I need to slow down.

The ebb and flow is part of it all… in life and in business.

And ten years in, I’m finally learning to respect that.

Ten years in, and I’m curious to see what the next season of Take Flight brings.

We Don’t Own Any of This: What Losing My Instagram Taught Me

Almost three weeks ago, I lost access to my Instagram and Facebook accounts without warning.

No explanation.
No clear next step.
No way to talk to a human.

Just… gone.

For someone who runs a social media consulting business, it felt surreal. This is the space I help clients navigate every day and suddenly, I was locked out of it entirely.

What I Lost (and What It Represented)

It wasn’t just an account.

It was:

• 18+ years of personal history

• 10 years of Take Flight Social Media Consulting

• 5 years of book reviews and content

• Professional connections and ongoing work

But it was also something much more personal.

After our parents passed away in 2007, my sister encouraged me to join Facebook. Some of their students and colleagues had created a Facebook group, and reading through the stories, memories, and condolences became unexpectedly therapeutic. That was almost 19 years ago.

Those accounts didn’t just hold content; they held moments, connections, and pieces of my life that can’t be recreated.

Early last week, when I was starting to lose hope of ever regaining access, I told a friend over dinner that if I could just have two hours back in my accounts, I would screenshot everything.

Being locked out meant I couldn’t even download my own content. There were so many people I couldn’t reconnect with because I only knew them through these platforms.

That was the hardest part for me, not just the content, but the years of connection.

And that’s when it really hit me: We don’t own any of this.

Building on Borrowed Platforms

As business owners, we pour time, energy, and creativity into platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

We show up consistently.
We create content.
We build relationships.

But at the end of the day, these platforms are not ours.

They can change the rules.
They can change the algorithm.
And yes, they can take away access without warning.

Even when you’ve done everything right.

What This Experience Taught Me

This experience didn’t just disrupt my business, it shifted my perspective. Here’s what I’m taking forward:

1. Diversification isn’t optional — it’s necessary.

We cannot rely on one platform to carry our entire business.

2. Owned platforms matter more than ever.
Your website. Your email list. Your content archives. These are the things you actually control.

3. Consistency matter, but so does protection.
Showing up online is powerful, but we also need systems in place to protect what we’re building.

What I’m Doing Differently Moving Forward

I’m still showing up on social media. I still love what I do, and I believe in the power of these platforms.

But I’m approaching it differently:

• Prioritizing my website and blog content

• Being more intentional about where and how I build community

• Expanding onto platforms like LinkedIn and Pinterest to diversify where my content lives and is discovered

• Thinking long-term about ownership, not just visibility

A Note to Small Business Owners

If your business relies on social media (and most of ours do), this is something to think about.

Not from a place of fear but from a place of awareness.

Because the reality is: You can do everything right… and still lose access.

I’m Back, But With a New Perspective

I did eventually receive a message from Instagram stating:

“We’re sorry we got this wrong and that you weren’t able to use Instagram for a while. Sometimes we need to take action to help keep our community safe.”

Apparently, something I had shared to my personal Stories was flagged, though I was never given any specific details beyond that. For now, my accounts (all of them) have been restored, though I still have some restrictions in place through April 3.

I’m incredibly grateful to have access back. Having the suspension lifted didn’t undo the lesson because I’m also walking away from this experience with a deeper understanding of the risks and a stronger commitment to helping my clients build sustainable, resilient online presences.

Because social media is a tool.

Not a guarantee.

If this experience taught me anything, it’s this: build your business on something you own and let social media support it, not define it.

If you’re building your business primarily on social media, it might be time to rethink your foundation. I’d be happy to help.

When Instagram Shuts You Out: A Social Media Consultant’s Lesson in Platform Risk

Last week I experienced something that every social media professional quietly fears but hopes will never happen: I lost access to my Instagram account.

If you’re reading this because your Instagram account was suddenly suspended or disabled and you’re trying to figure out what to do next, you’re not alone and I’m sharing exactly what I’m going through in real time.

Screenshot of the initial email notification informing me that my Instagram account had been suspended.

Not just one account, but several.

The suspension notice was sent to my personal Instagram account. Because multiple accounts were connected through Meta’s system, my business account and other associated accounts were also affected.

My personal account, my business account for Take Flight Social Media Consulting, and even a client account I manage were suddenly suspended at the same time. The reason given was a violation related to community standards surrounding child exploitation and nudity; an accusation that was both shocking and completely unfounded.

For context, I have been on Instagram since 2011. In all that time, I have never received a warning, violation notice, or suspension of any kind. My accounts contain years of photos, writing, client work, and content I have personally created.

And yet, within minutes, it was all gone.

The Moment Everything Stopped

On the evening of March 4, I received an email stating that my account had been suspended and that I needed to take action to appeal.

I immediately followed the steps Instagram provided:

• verifying my email

• verifying my phone number

• submitting an appeal

Within roughly an hour, the account was permanently disabled.

That’s when the real panic set in.

Because Instagram accounts can be connected through Meta’s Accounts Center, other accounts connected to my device and login were also affected. Suddenly I was locked out of multiple accounts, including a client account that I manage professionally.

When your work revolves around social media, losing access isn’t just frustrating and it can impact your business and your clients.

The Support Vortex

What followed was a crash course in how difficult it can be to reach an actual human at a major tech company. Nearly every support path required logging into the account that had just been disabled. Help pages looped back to login screens. Appeal pages required authentication I could no longer complete.

At one point, I started searching everywhere I could think of for answers. I scoured Reddit threads and TikTok videos to see if anyone else had experienced something similar. To my surprise, I quickly realized I was far from alone. Many other users were describing nearly identical situations where accounts were suddenly suspended, appeals denied almost instantly, and very few ways to reach an actual person for help. In a strange way, that discovery was both frustrating and comforting. Frustrating because it suggests this is a broader issue that platforms like Meta still need to address, but comforting because it reminded me that I wasn’t the only person navigating this confusing and stressful process.

I attempted:

• the Instagram Help Center

• account recovery options

• identity verification

• Meta privacy request portals

• email contacts associated with data requests

Each path ultimately led back to the same problem: you must log in to get help. Which is impossible when the account itself is disabled.

Identity Verification… and Rejection

For one of my accounts, Instagram requested additional identity verification.

I submitted a photo of my driver’s license and completed the video selfie verification process. Shortly afterward, I received another email stating that my ID could not be accepted and that the account had been permanently disabled.

At that point, the situation became both surreal and incredibly frustrating.

A Few Other Strange Discoveries

While trying to piece together what might have happened, several other concerning details emerged.

First, my husband discovered an Instagram account using my name and a biography I had previously used. It wasn’t my account.

As we tried to make sense of what had happened, my husband also raised another possibility: that the suspension could have been triggered by user reports. Most platforms rely not only on automated systems but also on reports submitted by other users.

My personal Instagram account is private, and while it hasn’t always been, I am very careful about approving new followers. Even so, it made me pause and think about the broader group of people who follow or have followed my account over the years.

Like many people, I occasionally share commentary in my Instagram stories, which disappear after 24 hours; these range from current events, public policy, issues affecting women and immigration to the new Harry Styles album and images of small glimmers that bring me joy from time to time.

To be clear, I have no evidence that anyone reported my account or that this played any role in what happened. But the experience did make me reflect on how little control we sometimes have over the systems that govern social media platforms. A single report, misunderstanding, or automated flag can trigger a chain reaction that temporarily removes years of content and access in an instant.

Around the same time, I received a notification through the Shop app that a refurbished phone had been purchased and shipped to an address that does not belong to me.

Whether these issues are connected or simply unfortunate coincidences is still unclear.

The Human Cost of Automated Moderation

I understand that platforms like Instagram must rely heavily on automated systems to monitor billions of pieces of content.

But automated moderation systems are not perfect.

When they make mistakes, the consequences can be significant:

• years of personal photos disappear

• businesses lose access to marketing channels

• consultants temporarily lose access to client accounts

• and users are left trying to navigate a maze of automated support systems

It is a reminder that while social media platforms feel permanent, we are ultimately building on infrastructure we do not control.

The Steps I Took

In the days following the suspension, I documented everything and pursued every available avenue.  

• submitted formal appeals

• completed identity verification

• attempted data access requests

• filed a consumer complaint with the California Attorney General

• contacted Instagram through multiple published support channels

• compiled documentation of the entire situation

It was time-consuming and, frankly, exhausting; both physically and emotionally.

But documentation matters.

An Encouraging Update

As of today, one of the affected accounts, a client account, has already been reinstated after review, with Instagram acknowledging that the action had been taken in error.

That alone gives me hope that the remaining accounts may also be restored after additional review.

A Reminder for Small Business Owners

This experience reinforced several lessons that I now share with all of my clients:

1. Always keep copies of your content. Social platforms should not be your only archive.

2. Enable two-factor authentication.

3. Document everything if something goes wrong.

4. Understand that automated systems sometimes make mistakes.

And perhaps most importantly:

5. Your online presence is valuable, but it is not entirely within your control.

Lessons Learned

If there is anything positive to take away from this experience, it’s the reminder that the digital tools we rely on every day are not infallible.

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are powered by increasingly sophisticated automated systems designed to review content and enforce community standards at a massive scale. Artificial intelligence and automation make it possible to monitor billions of posts every day, but they are not perfect. And when mistakes happen, the consequences can ripple through personal lives and businesses very quickly.

This experience has made me more mindful about every post, comment, and share, even those that disappear after 24 hours in Stories. Automation can interpret things in ways humans never intended, and the reality is that the systems making these decisions are often working without the nuance or context that a human reviewer might bring.

It has also reminded me how much these platforms have quietly become part of our daily routines. Like many people, I turn to social media for entertainment, news, inspiration, and connection. Over time it becomes a place where friendships continue, ideas are exchanged, and life is documented in real time.

What has surprised me most during this process was the emotional realization that so many memories live inside these platforms. Years of photos and captions documenting my children growing up, family vacations, meals shared with friends, books read, and places explored. Losing access, even temporarily, made me realize how much of my personal history exists in a space I ultimately do not control.

It also made me think about the connections we maintain through these networks. There are people in my life I may not see regularly but remain connected to through posts, stories, and small daily updates. Those relationships still exist outside of social media, of course, but platforms have made it easier to stay present in each other’s lives.

Perhaps the biggest lesson is this: social media is an incredible tool, but it should never be the only place where our memories, our work, or our connections live.

Backups matter.

Documentation matters.

And as automation continues to shape the online world, understanding the systems behind the platforms we use becomes more important than ever.

Final Thoughts

I am hopeful that this situation will be resolved soon. If it is, I will be grateful and relieved.

But regardless of the outcome, the experience has been a powerful reminder that the systems we rely on to build businesses and communities online are not infallible.

Sometimes they get it wrong. 

And when they do, the road back can be unexpectedly complicated.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, know that you are not alone, and persistence, documentation, and patience can go a long way.

More updates to come…..

Social Media Priorities for Small Businesses This Year

The start of a new year often brings a lot of pressure when it comes to social media. New platforms, new features, new “must-do” strategies, all while you’re already trying to run a business, manage life, and maybe recover from a busy or chaotic year.

If social media feels overwhelming right now, you’re not alone. And the good news? You don’t need to do more this year, you just need to do the right things.

Here’s what small business owners should actually be focusing on in social media this year, and what you can let go of.

1. Consistency Still Matters… But It Doesn’t Mean Daily Posting

Consistency has always mattered, but it doesn’t mean posting every day or chasing the algorithm. What matters more is showing up regularly in a way that’s sustainable for you.

Two to three intentional posts per week will always outperform sporadic bursts followed by burnout. The goal isn’t volume, it’s reliability. Your audience should know what to expect from you and feel confident that you’re present.

2. Engagement Matters More Than Follower Count

It’s easy to fixate on likes, follows, and views, but those numbers don’t always translate into business growth.

What matters now are meaningful interactions: comments, DMs, saves, and shares. These are signs that your content is resonating with the right people , the ones most likely to become clients or customers.

True followers will always be more valuable than vanity numbers.

3. Educational and Personal Content Is What Builds Trust

People want to learn from you and connect with you.

Educational content positions you as an expert, while personal or behind-the-scenes content reminds people there’s a real human behind the brand. You don’t need to overshare, but showing your process, values, and personality builds trust far faster than polished sales posts alone.

4. You Don’t Need Every New Platform or Feature

Every year brings new tools, trends, and “must-use” features. The truth? You don’t need all of them.

Choose one or two platforms and a few content formats you can realistically maintain. Master those before adding anything new. Social media should support your business, not run it.

5. Strategy Beats Spontaneity

Posting “when you remember” or only when inspiration strikes usually leads to inconsistency and frustration.

A simple strategy, even a basic monthly content plan creates clarity, saves time, and removes the daily stress of wondering what to post. When you have a plan, social media becomes more intentional and far less overwhelming.

ONE Final Thought

If social media has felt heavy, inconsistent, or confusing, that’s often a sign that strategy, not effort is missing.

This year doesn’t require a complete overhaul. It requires focus, intention, and a realistic plan that fits your business and your life.

If social media feels overwhelming or inconsistent, it’s often not a lack of effort, it’s a lack of strategy. If you’re ready for a clearer, more sustainable approach, Take Flight would love to help.