How SEA WAVES Increased Engagements By 600%
on Instagram
Key Results in 8 Months
About SEA WAVES
SEA WAVES is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to destigmatizing eating disorders in the military while raising awareness and simultaneously making tangible change so service members have the support they need. Founder, Leah Stiles, nearly lost her life to her own eating disorder battle and turned her pain into purpose by creating SEA WAVES and making massive change in just the first year alone.
“Working with Jessica has been one of the most transformative experiences for SEA WAVES. From day one, she immersed herself in understanding the heart of our mission and the delicate messaging we needed to communicate about eating disorders. Her ability to translate our passion into clear, impactful strategies has not only elevated our visibility but has also allowed us to break through the silence on an issue that is often difficult to discuss.
Leah Stiles, Founder and CEO, WAVES
How We Did It
The Problem: Lack of Resources and Awareness
Leah and our founder, Jessica Thiefels, connected through LinkedIn and it was clear that Leah needed actual hands-on support to start driving awareness for this brand-new non-profit. The goal was brand awareness and creating a community of people who are dedicated to our cause.
The Solution: Build Consistency and Frequency
Leah had some loose branding when we stepped in (colors and fonts) so we took that, along with knowledge of the audience, and ran with it. We created new styles, started testing different content types, and working to develop a clear and defined voice that stands out.
Doing the Work
Strategic Monthly
Content Plan
Each month, we create a calendar of content, topics and posts based on a loose theme. We also take into consideration the time of year, events, and what’s relevant.
Planning Collaborations
One of the best ways to build momentum fast is with strategic collaborations. Thanks to Leah’s unique connections and our very specific work, we’ve been able to leverage many of collaborations to expand reach.
Leveraging Data
to Evolve
SEA WAVES was very new to Instagram, so there’s a lot to learn. That means we use data each month to ask: What’s working? What didn’t work? What can we replicate this month?
What sets Jessica apart is her relentless dedication to getting it right—she doesn’t just deliver, she connects deeply with the audience. Every month, she brings fresh, innovative ideas that push us further, helping us build a brand that stands as a beacon of hope and support in the military community.
In a remarkably short period, Jessica put SEA WAVES on the map, but her influence reaches far beyond that. She has made an extraordinary impact on the broader eating disorder community, showing a level of care, precision, and insight that is rare to find. Her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality make her truly irreplaceable.
I can’t imagine a better marketing director, and any organization would be incredibly lucky to have her on their team.”
Leah Stiles, Founder and CEO, WAVES
It’s time to start seeing results on Instagram—and it’s also possible (even if you’ve tried yourself for years). Let’s talk about what you need from us to get started.