Episode Transcript
[00:00:02] Speaker A: Tea with Br I'm trying to live my life I just need space to grow I'm just trying to make it right these people won't let me go I'm just trying to live my life I just need space to grow I'm just trying to make it right these people won't let me go Let me grow, let me go, let me grow, let me go they should know, they should know they should know they should know I'm just trying to live my life I just need space to grow.
[00:00:53] Speaker B: Welcome to the Tea with Bri. I'm your host, Bri. Thanks for listening. The Tea 3 podcast is focused on deep, honest and vulnerable conversation. Each week I sit down with a different guest in order to have those conversations. Every week we'll start my guest's bio, an intro to how we know each other, and then we'll go into a deep dive conversation about whatever topic they brought to me that week. This week, I am joined by my guest, Nikki Holbrook. Nikki, who's a she, her pronouns, is a branding and web designer and the founder of Flower Buds Creative, a design studio based in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Her mission is simple, make great design approachable, impactful, and enjoyable. She partners primarily with female entrepreneurs and mission driven brands, helping them stand out, connect with their audience, and grow with confidence. Hello.
[00:01:37] Speaker C: Hi.
[00:01:38] Speaker B: How are you?
[00:01:39] Speaker C: So great. Great to be here. Thank you for having me.
[00:01:42] Speaker B: Oh, thank you for coming. Also, as everyone knows, my show was unscripted except for like the bio and then you dropped your headshot in your picture. I'm like obsessed with you in this little jumpsuit.
[00:01:52] Speaker C: Thank you, I appreciate that.
[00:01:54] Speaker B: Like, excuse us, fashion. Love a perfect purple jumpsuit.
[00:01:59] Speaker C: Yeah, Purpl looks like my signature color.
[00:02:02] Speaker B: And it should be because it, it looks great on you. I'm like, wow, the nerve. Now I'm like, do I need to. I have a beige one that's really simple. Similar to that. I'm like, oh, it's almost fall.
[00:02:12] Speaker C: You gotta get some, get some color.
[00:02:14] Speaker B: It's almost time for another new jumpsuit. I always say, like, is it. Am I giving like, paint crew? When I wear mine though, it's like a very big khaki. I'm like, I think I need a little vibe.
[00:02:25] Speaker C: I have way more than I probably should, but they're just so comfortable and easy and you feel like put together when you have it on.
[00:02:32] Speaker B: So yes, it's an outfit. Like, you just put it on and be done. Like you don't have to really worry about anything.
[00:02:37] Speaker C: 100. Yeah, totally.
[00:02:40] Speaker B: I'm really excited because you were recommended and connected to me via Carrie. Yes, Carrie, anything you say. I will talk to anyone about anything that you say, Carrie. And so she's like, well, Nikki's great. You should really chat with her about her business and everything else. I was like, oh, absolutely. So, yeah, can you tell me about your business? Let's, let's start there.
Yeah.
[00:03:00] Speaker C: So like you said, I'm a web and brand designer for small businesses, particularly women owned businesses and businesses that have a mission, mission driven businesses.
So I really care about designing brands and websites that feel genuine and can connect with audiences. So when I'm designing a brand, I'm not just thinking about a logo and pretty colors. I'm thinking about, you know, what it is that you stand for and who you're trying to attract because it's really important to think about how those elements work together.
And so when we're thinking about your branding, we want to consider what are the types of, what's the type of language you want to put out there? What's the type, the thing that you want to communicate? How do you want to present yourself?
So I'm really driven to working with people that have a, something deeper behind their business than just making profit.
[00:04:00] Speaker B: Yeah. And what, what made you start this business? Because I'm like creative design and like website design is like its own beast. So what like inspired you to start this business in particular?
[00:04:11] Speaker C: Yeah, so I have over a decade's worth of experience working in corporate world as a designer. I went to school for graphic design and came right out of school into, I worked for nutrisystem. That was my first role as a web designer with them and was working with these big businesses, you know, global, like some startups and things like that, and had some really cool experiences but felt like I wasn't able to truly connect with the brands that I was working with because truthfully, you know, that corporate world just doesn't speak to me as much. And I really wanted to help the smaller people, the smaller brands that were trying to build something that was meaningful to kind of make their dreams come alive. And so I was really interested in working with people that were looking to step out of that type of work life, which just so happens to be a lot of the people that I end up working with, you know, that have worked in that industry and just kind of decided to do something on their own and build something for themselves. And so I wanted to do that for other people just like I was doing it for myself.
[00:05:22] Speaker B: So yeah, Yeah, I am dipping my toe back into consulting. I consulted for like four years on and off. But like I was, it was my full time gig during 2020 when you know, I got let go from a job and I was like, I need an income. So I was living in Austin, Texas at the time. And so I was working with primarily small nonprofit organizations.
And then like as the business grew like I started like offering like DEI services and things like that. But you saying like you get to like decide who you like want to work with and like what really connects with you.
That was like one of the biggest things then and now I'm helping my. A friend of mine has a consulting business and she just bought me on. And the thing we always talk about is like as people who do this work, you get to be very particular about who you work with.
And like I tell people my resume is like two pages, three pages front and back. Because I leave jobs because I'm like, it doesn't align with me personally. Like I've been in the non profit sector for a long time. Mostly of most my career.
I've like, I left to do tech for a little minute which I'm like, was a time and just being able to be like, oh, I left this job because it no longer aligned with my personal mission or I switched to go help this other organization that couldn't afford like a full time person. And so the flexibility of being able to say no, like I would rather go find three organizations that I have to like do like grunt work for then like work for one company that just is so like, so misaligned with like my personal beliefs. So you saying that was just like, oh, like you get it. Like you have to like choose your own adventure sometimes. And people get so weird about that.
But then I'm like, but you, you know yourself and like why, why if you can make it, would you not make it everything you want it to be?
[00:07:10] Speaker C: Absolutely, yeah. And that's really important to me when I'm working with people is to make sure that what I'm doing is. It feels like you, it's connecting with who you are.
And a lot of people when they start to work with me, I've never done this before. I don't know what I want. And I like to try to tell people or communicate to them that it's a process that we do together. It's something that I want to help you with. And we're going to, I'm going to hold your hand and I'm going to guide you through this process, and I'm going to show you visually and verbally, you know, what it is I need from you in order to make this thing work. And a lot of people are surprised when they answer their questions, like, how did you get this? Like, you hit it right on the head. This is exactly what I pictured. And people don't realize that there is, you know, there is a connection there between the things that you're saying and what you're communicating to the visual aspect of it. And so it's really cool to.
To have that. That connection with people for sure.
[00:08:09] Speaker B: Yeah. One of my really good friends is a UX designer, and so they were the one who just redid. I did a full rebrand of the podcast last year.
Thank you. And I was like, you have full artistic creativity.
They're like, well, send me some of your favorite pictures. Send me some of the things.
And they've listened. They've been on the show, so they had the vibe, and they were just, like, sending me things like this. I would never would have thought of, like, to take this picture, like, blur the background and just, like, have me sitting with it. I was like, this is, like, so brilliant. And it thinks. It makes me, like, feed into the topic of today, like, why it's important to, like, for businesses to have websites and why, to, like, really know your brand and all these things. And so I guess, like, to start, like, what. When someone comes on, what do you tell them when they're like, well, I don't think I need a website, or I don't think I need a brand voice. And I'm like. And you're like, well, you probably do. So take us. Take us through that process.
Yeah.
[00:09:00] Speaker C: So when thinking about a website specifically, I am telling people that, you know, social media isn't enough anymore. You know, a lot of people think that I have a social media page. I'm on Instagram, you know, that's all I need. That's where I'm getting my leads. And that's only. That's gonna burn up pretty quickly. You know, your leads are gonna only last so long. From there, you need to make sure that you have some sort of, let's say, a home base that you're taking care of and nurturing an audience.
And a website is the best way to do that.
I like to communicate to my audiences that blogs are so important. A lot of people think that they're outdated, but having the consistent conversation with your audience and showing them that, you know your stuff is really important. Communicating to them the importance about, you know, what it is that you're working on. If you're a service provider, how you can help them. There's so many ways that blogs can help bring people to your website through SEO.
And now GEO is something that we have to consider, which is AI search. So that's generative edge in optimization.
So I think it's like 70 or 80% of people now are searching on AI instead of Google. And even if they are searching on Google, I don't know if you've noticed, but they have the AI results at the top now.
So you're getting that AI result back. When people are searching for things like, how do I build a website?
What are the things that I need? All of that information can be pulled from your blog post that you're creating, and you can be seen as that resource of people, seen as that resource for people that are looking for the thing that you're offering. So it's really important to be able to control what you're. You're putting out there, but also having a place to fully communicate your mission, your values, your core values, you know, what it is that you're putting out there in the world. So a website, to me is just super crucial for any brand. Absolutely.
[00:11:06] Speaker B: You've just blown my mind. I was having this conversation last night because I am a person who likes to write, my friend. Like, you're a writer? I'm like, you're an English major, so you're telling me I'm a writer? I can't take that on right now. Now. But thank you so much.
We were talking because they're about to move. And I was like, well, how about you have, like, a newsletter you send out versus, like, trying to tell 20 people every week, like, what happened? And I'm like, have I just, like, subscribe to a newsletter? And this friend was like, well, why don't you have a newsletter? I was like, I have nothing to share. They go, you are like, one of the busiest people I know. I'm like, yeah, but like, for me, I don't really know, like, this why I have Instagram. Like, yeah, but like a newsletter or a blog. And I'm like, I feel like blogs are not. And so for you, like, no, don't shake your head at me so that, like, blogs are so. I'm just like.
I think for me, I'm like, I'm in this thought of, like, do people even still read? And that's not me being funny. I just feel like everything right now is all about, like, Reels and like super catchy. And I'm like, I am, I'm, I'm not a small talker. I write like dissertations in my, in my posts. I'm like, do people read? And then I realize if I do like that for me, if I write something, it performs significantly better if I'm just like doing a real. Because I think that's what people have come to expect from me. Like I was doing, trying to do a personal challenge of like posting every day. One exhausting. I don't know how, how the girls do it because I'm like, you guys, I have a life and I, and I, and I'm not even taking pictures every day, just whatever. And so, so for you to say blogs or not, I'm like, do I need to start writing a blog? What do I, what would I even share? And I think that's the thing too. I'm just like, help me, Nikki, help me.
[00:12:44] Speaker C: That's all part of it, right? So like social media is still important. It's just not the only thing.
So I always tell people, the way to think about it is your blog post is your long form version of your content. So you're going to take that long form version and break it down into smaller pieces for your social media, for your Instagram, for those reels that you're building out. You're making pieces of that content and kind of driving people back to the blog to read more, to learn more in depth information about it. Because there's only so much you can post within that time limit on those reels. Like you're saying, and if you have a lot to say and you're a great writer and you have a lot of language. I mean, I try to encourage people to work in the right channel that feels right for them. If you are a writer, you are primed to have a blog. You are like, you should have a blog because it is something that is going to give people a better idea of who you are, that's going to show more of you than making these reels that maybe you're not like totally in love with, that you're not, like, it's not the thing that you want to do. And you're gonna feel like when you go to make that content that you're forced, like it's a good chore, it's something that you hate to do.
So having the blog is going to give you the ability to write that content that you want and then you can actually be more creative about that content. You're Making on social media because you know exactly what you want them to see. And so you're building out pieces from that and thinking about content, how you could create it to kind of fit into that, that package.
[00:14:26] Speaker B: Don't drag me. We just met. How dare you drag me. 13 minutes.
[00:14:32] Speaker C: I'm encouraging you because you, you are.
[00:14:34] Speaker B: You are exactly right. Like for me, you know, making reels, making like trying to. And it's like I'm not trying to go viral, I'm just like trying to use like sounds and like try to find what is. I'm trying to find my space in this now because of the shift of social media.
But like you're saying like for me it just feels so disingenuous which is why I tell my friends, my friend who's like full time job is like influencing travel, all that sort of stuff and I'm like, I. Reels for me are not, they're not my niche. Like I am a, I'm a person. Like I have lots of feelings and I just want to write about them. And I'm like, people feel less alone alone.
So you're just really like this could not be more primed because I am currently fund employed so I have nothing but time to write.
[00:15:17] Speaker C: I mean Bri, it sounds like if you have, if you want people to feel attached to what you're doing and that you want them to feel less alone, that's such a beautiful mission to like put out there in the world and to write a blog post about. I mean right now with everything that's going on, the disconnects and like the loss of, because of AI, the loss of humanity and genuine content out there for you to write content that's super genuine is going to attract way more many people. Because I like to tell people that even though we have AI and it's helpful, you know, people are looking for that human connection now. People are actually like driving towards more like genuine content. Even if it's imperfect, it doesn't look the best. They want that imperfect value because it is human.
So I mean hearing all this, it's like you are like the perfect candidate for a crime. Absolutely. Yeah. 100%.
[00:16:16] Speaker B: My friend right now, she's gonna listen to this big I told you I'm right. I'm like, yeah, whatever.
Just I'm a big feeler. Like I've, I've been in therapies when I was 15. I've like processed the feelings I like.
I'm applying for jobs right now and this woman just like sent the Kindest note back of, like, hey, we found someone already. But, like, obviously, like, I took a look at.
Because I. We'll circle back. She's like, I took a look at, like, your website and, like, your, like, personal mission statement that's like, change happens in the uncomfortable places is like, something I said on a. On a interview once, and my friend, like, made a whole banner for it. Whatever. And so, like, this lady sent this whole beautiful thing back. She, like, I listen. She's like, I just found your podcast. I'm like, oh, no. So there's just.
Yes, I have that ability.
Like, I've never met a stranger. I'm always like, hi, how are you? Like, I would talk to anyone for hours on end.
So I'm like, oh, no. And it's also funny because I have all these ideas in my head of, like, my friends are like, you should write an advice. Like, an advice column. Like, you guys. I'm just trying to figure it out myself. And they're like, well, you're primed. Like, you are, like, the person we come to for advice. We listen to your show, and you've, like, already built that brand. I'm like, I was like, so not you, Nikki. Coming in perfectly on a Monday to be like, have you thought about, like, yeah, okay.
[00:17:29] Speaker C: I mean, well, truly. I mean, even if you don't have a strategy behind it, I don't think that you totally, like, know what you're doing. I mean, you can learn that along the way. You can start putting stuff out there, seeing what performs, what it is that you actually want to say.
Like, you'll start to feel it as you go along. But, I mean, I'm trying to support you too.
[00:17:51] Speaker B: Well, we're exchanging numbers after this. Don't you worry. Because the other thing, too, is, like. And I'm trying to work through this in the therapy of, like, my per. Like, my perfectionism of, like, I have. I truly unlearned of, like, done.
What is it? Done is better than perfect or whatever they say. Like, get it out there, right? And so, like, that's what it just started off was like, I'm just gonna write and see and, like, give myself a. Give myself a prompt. My friend has, like, a journal company. Like, they send you, like, little, like, cards of, like, you pick, like, a daily thing to, like, journal about for, like, 10 minutes. That's great. So you just, like, write, you get. You, like, you put yourself on a timer, though. She's like, even if you just, like, doodle on the paper, just, like, getting in the practice of doing it.
So anyway, like, I've just. In this time of fun employment and, like, figuring out what's next and interviewing for jobs and wondering if I'm just going to stick to consulting. Blah, blah, blah. I'm like, now's the time I have to, like, really focus and, like, do it.
[00:18:43] Speaker C: And so, yeah.
[00:18:46] Speaker B: Okay, fine, fine.
[00:18:48] Speaker C: No, I.
[00:18:49] Speaker B: Sometimes you need to hear from a stranger and be like, okay, fine, I'll do it.
[00:18:53] Speaker C: I mean, hearing what you just said, like, I say progress over perfection to my clients all the time. And like, you said, I am a Virgo, so I am.
[00:19:00] Speaker B: Oh, my sister sign. I'm a Pisces.
[00:19:02] Speaker C: Hey.
I am, like, completely a perfectionist. Always have been. And so it's really hard for me to get past that even in my own business. Right. And so it's always nice to have someone that's on the other side that can kind of see that, like, 2020 vision. Because you're not able to see from the inside all the time when you're in the business, you're, like, trying to. There's so much stress and there's so many things to get done. Right? So when there's someone outside to help you, you're able to kind of have that, like, tunnel focus with someone else.
[00:19:32] Speaker B: So, yeah, I blame my Taurus rising. I'm like. I'm detail oriented, and it needs to be great. So, okay, you've inspired me to just start writing because, I mean, there's so many things constantly in my head that I've just been like.
I've been as. You know, the world is a scary place right now. So I've been having a lot of awareness of, like, my own humanity, of, like, nothing's promised. Like, my friends are getting mad. I'm like, I could, like, walk out the house and get hit by a bus tomorrow. This is why I, like, live fast and loose, guys. Like, there is nothing that is promised. My mom passed when she was 40, and so I'm always like, oh, my God, I'm 35. Thank you.
So at 35 now, I'm like, oh, my gosh, you guys. They're like, you're perfectly healthy. You're fine. I go, yes, I know. But, like, I. I also recently read that, like, you get something like 80 summers in your life if you're lucky.
And that really got me as, like, a person who was, like, so obsessed, like, her body image for so long and, like, listening to, like, Glennon Doyle and her being like, you're gonna waste this one beautiful Life worried about what your body looks like. I'm like, okay, you're right. So there's just like all these things. Like, I'm an only child, so like, I have a lot of like, self reflection time.
[00:20:40] Speaker C: I mean, you're speaking to acquirer over here. Body image, all the things.
It's so tough. I mean, being a woman in general. And then, you know, it's just, everything is. It's really difficult to make progress and like, move forward in things when we have that, like, imposter syndrome. And we're always thinking that we're not good enough and it's not there for us.
I part of my job that, you know, I don't put in my job description and I don't tell people I'm there to kind of coach you along. I want you to succeed. Like, I want to tell people. Like, that was like my main goal when I started this was to be like a growth partner for people, to help them in any way that I can. You know, I am a designer and that's. I mean, I think of myself as an artist and I am a creative, but I also really want to help people. Specifically, you know, I want them to. To find their dream thing and make it a reality.
It's just like, I want them to embrace every part of them. And like, hearing your story and all of the stuff that you're talking about right now, I'm just like, I know without knowing a ton about you, you are fantastic.
So much like, potential inside of you to be so great like that.
You know what I mean? Like, it's just when you meet someone and you have that energy, and I feel like I've had that with so many of my clients, if not all of them that I meet them, and I'm like, you're fantastic. Like, let's just build something that shows people that, you know. Like, that's all you need is the keys. Like, just to show people.
[00:22:18] Speaker B: I really, I deeply appreciate that because even still, like, having, like, had success, but also still, like, dealing with imposter syndrome, all of my friends get so mad at me when they're like, you're creative. I'm like, I create things. Like, we're gonna fight you. Like, you're one of the best writers we know. You have a literal podcast. Like, you, like, I know, like, but it's the imposter syndrome. Like you said, being a woman of like, especially when I was consulting, it was a lot of fake it till you make it right. Like, I had people who are like, well, what qualifies you? This. I was like, life experience, actually. Like, I've walked through this world for 35 years now as a black queer woman living in America. Like, there's a lot that I have to navigate.
And so I hear you. Listen, you may get a new client out of this. I may be hitting that line. Like, nick, hey, we gotta talk. Because I think, yeah, it is so funny. Like, I'm currently interviewing. I was interviewing for three jobs. I just told one of them no because they needed a response by today. And I'm like, I'm not done with the other two yet. Just like the timing didn't work out, but they were like, so nice. Like, you were our top choice. We really want you.
And. But like, two things. One, no, you know, that's always so nice to think about.
I was telling a friend earlier of like, my trauma with a capital table also tells me, like, still tells me I'm not good enough. And so hearing people be like, no, you're great. Like, you're a number one choice. I'm like, oh my God, thank you so much. I'm sweating.
So then being like, you're our number one choice, we really want to make this work. Like, they were like, willing to give me more money. And I was like, you guys, it just doesn't feel right yet. And I know myself and I know my gut. And there's two other jobs that I want to see where this goes. But then also, like I said, I'm consulting with one of my really good friends and she's been asking me for five years to come and like, work with her.
And she's like, same thing that you were just saying. Like, just being a thought partner with her.
She is a white Jewish woman in Texas. And then me, she's like, she goes between like our, both of our Rolodexes and how we work together. And like, she goes in what you offer versus what I offer. And like the clients we could take on. It's like the more I talk to her, the more I'm like, this. This just feels more right.
[00:24:19] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:24:20] Speaker B: So even while I interview for two full time jobs, which is hard as a person who for the last two months, I've just been traveling a lot.
My sag moon loves a trip. And I'm like, let's just. Like, I was in Florida in the airport and I was like, I'm not. I need a serotonin. Had booked a stay at a New York hotel when I got home that week, then left that. And then this last, this Past weekend. I was like, do you want to go to Boston? My friend's like, you just got home. Okay, I know, but I had to travel before. I'm tied to a desk again.
I was in Newport earlier this summer. I went to Austin in May. Like, I'm just such a travel person.
And so my friend is like, you could work from anywhere. She's like, I don't care what your hours are going to be with me. She's like, trust you implicitly.
So she went out on vacation last week, and I covered for her, and then she's going out for surgery in a couple weeks.
[00:25:06] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:25:07] Speaker B: But the only thing is, like, the health insurance part. I'm like, this country. If we had universal healthcare, we'd have so many more entrepreneurs, which is a whole different conversation. We can have it in different the day.
[00:25:16] Speaker C: Anyway, Again, speaking to the choir.
[00:25:20] Speaker B: Just come back every week. We'll just talk once a week.
[00:25:22] Speaker C: I know. I'm like, I have all these backup questions for you. I'm like, but I'm supposed to be interviewing you. But I want to. Please.
[00:25:27] Speaker B: No, this is a conversation. Ask away. Please. Yes. I'm like, now we're just chat now. We're old friends. Just ask the question.
[00:25:33] Speaker C: So where are you located?
[00:25:34] Speaker B: I'm in Connecticut. I'm in Rebecca. I was in Austin for eight years.
[00:25:38] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:25:39] Speaker B: Moved there when I was 26, and then just moved home this past October for a job that didn't work out because they tried me, and I don't like to be tried. So I bounced.
But they gave me, like, a really good. I gave notice, and they're like, would you mind leaving earlier? We'll, like, pay you through August. We'll give you health insurance through August. Like, sure will.
[00:25:56] Speaker C: Nice.
[00:25:57] Speaker B: So now I've just been consulting for my friend as I, like, interview, but I hate interviewing, as you can see. I am chatty, but nothing annoys me more.
I might get canceled for this one. I hate when men ask me questions like, why does your resume look like this? Why are you bouncing all around, blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, hi. No one intends on leaving a job within six months. Also, like, you don't know what trauma I've gone through. I'm like, I. I'm in therapy, Robert. So how about you worry about yourself and not ask questions you maybe not.
[00:26:26] Speaker C: Be ready for offensive. Yeah.
[00:26:29] Speaker B: I'm like, I left a misogynistic, tyrannical boss who hated women. That's why I left that boss job.
[00:26:35] Speaker C: I've been there, too. Like, so what industry are you in then? Like, what is.
[00:26:39] Speaker B: So I work in the. Mostly in nonprofit fundraising and marketing.
[00:26:42] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:26:43] Speaker B: More. More fundraising than anything. I truly think that everybody can be philanthropic and. And being able to talk to people about, like, the equity of fundraising. Like, for a long time, I was the only person of color I knew in fundraising, period. Like, it was mostly white men when I first started out, and then postly, and then as I. My career grew, mostly white women. But then in Austin, I was really fortunate to be connected to a group of black nonprofit fundraisers. And it truly changed any. Everything for me. Met my mentor who's now, like, basically family to me, and so she and I have a lot of conversations because we're all. We're just, like, so burned out because 1. Fundraisers are so disregarded in the nonprofit space. We're like a race. Like, people just expect us to, like, make mountains out of nothing. I'm like, you guys, this isn't how this works. Or, like, you have a boss who doesn't believe in fundraising or doesn't want to give you money or, like, back up. Or you work in it by yourself. And that's also very daunting. And so right now, I'm interviewing for fundraising jobs. It's what I'm good at.
But then all of my friends are like, but you have a brand. Like, you could work for yourself. Like, your consulting is doing really well. Like I said, my friend Sarah has her business.
And so the older I get, the more I'm just like, I don't think I want kids. So I'm like, that's a little level of freedom that I don't really have to worry about, like, paying for someone's college because I'm still paying for mine.
And this just flexibility of, like, I have friends who live all over that I just want to go visit, or I just want to, like, go, like, be in London for. I've not. That's like, my dream trip is to go to London. I may not come back, though. My family knows this.
That's my dream trip. I was like, go to Canada for six weeks and just be like, man, whatever. Like, I am truly, like, that millennial brain of, like, you don't owe a company anything because they'll just get rid of you. Like, and it's. It's so morbid. I hate using this example, But I'm like, JFK was shot at 11, and they had a new president by, like, four. So everybody's replaceable. And you get one life. Take the pto Take the time off, like, live a life. But the thought of asking for PTO again is making my skin crawl.
[00:28:50] Speaker C: No, a thousand percent. So to be quite honest like this, the. The economic issues in the world right now are hurting my business. You know, it's very difficult for me to find work because of businesses being scared to spend and put money towards things that are important like this. But it feels like marketing and design ends up kind of being low on the totem pole for a lot of businesses. And so it is really hard for me. And I've been considering, like, do I want to go back? Do I want to, like, try and find something to kind of, like, make me feel stable for a while? But even at that, it's like, is it stable, though? Like, are those jobs stable?
I don't think so anymore. And the idea of having to structure my days off so that it fits within this box that they've given me feels really restrictive. Prison suffocating? Yeah. Yes. Like, I don't want to feel like I can't do whatever the heck I want because I have gotten used to being able to. To run this business. And just like, I. I deal with mental health, you know, anxiety, depression, all of the things. And so when I have those days where I'm down and I don't have the energy, like, I physically can't do it, I give myself grace and I give myself time to step away. But if I'm in a job, I can't really do that. You know, I can't actually, like, step away and, like, not think about it or worry about it. And me, as a Virgo, I'm sitting here, if I do take that time and kind of, like, slack off during the day, thinking, like, I am slacking off, that I'm being a bad employee, I'm a bad person.
So it is really hard for me to think about going back to something like that. And I completely understand your struggles, and I'm trying to have hope that we will all find a way through this. And I think it might be something completely different than what it is now. And marketing is going to change, and things are going to change and businesses are going to change. But I think I have hope that we are going to be able to figure out a way to make a life that is actually possible for, like, what it is that we want, I guess.
[00:31:09] Speaker B: I don't know.
Yeah, I. I always go back to, like, the health insurance thing because I'm like, that's like the. That's like, the only incentive I have to Go back to a full time gig right now. Otherwise I'm like, I'm fine.
I'm living with family right now because I just moved back home and I was like, I.
The amount of money they want for like an apartment.
First of all, I live in Connecticut. This is not like New York City or like another major city. I'm like, are you on drugs? Like, what is, what do you mean you want first lasts a security? So it's three months.
[00:31:42] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:31:43] Speaker B: And then you still have to pay your first month of rent. So it's four months. And I'm like, who just has like six to $8,000 just like chilling in the corner?
So think about that. A lot of like, I'm really lucky right now to live with family. And they like love it. There's no rush. They're fine. My cousin, her, she has four boys and so they all live here. They're like, we love it. I'm like, that's because I. You have a built in babysitter who will always want your sweet little children.
But yeah, like the only thing right now incentivizing me is health insurance. And so I told my friend, she's like, I have found there's like a, a consulting like group that will. A consulting group of consultants that will help you find health insurance if you're a consultant. And I'm like, oh, okay, that might shift the planning. I'm like, I already have a retirement set up because my dad, who we have a very interesting relationship, but he's like, just set up a retirement account now. He's like, just let it grow. Like just put something in there, it'll grow itself. You don't have to think about it. Okay, fine. And I obviously always get one at the jobs I sign up for. So I have like seven retirement accounts. And I'm like, I need to like put these together and have them work together. So other than that, I'm like, that's the only couple of things.
[00:32:50] Speaker C: Yeah. So I'm part of, I just joined something called Sustainable Business Network in Philadelphia.
I don't know if they have other chapters and other places, but part of what they do, sustainable business groups specifically is businesses that are thinking about people over profit.
And one of their benefits to being a member, which is super affordable. I think I pay like $300 for the year or something includes like group health insurance. So you're able to get health insurance through them.
I think it's like, I don't know how it works. I haven't even pursued it. But there are resources out there that allow you, as a solopreneur, to still get health insurance.
So maybe, like, look into those types of resources and see if that's something that you could do. Because I think it's possible for sure.
[00:33:46] Speaker B: Not too consulting my whole life today. Thank you.
[00:33:51] Speaker C: Like, I want to help you.
[00:33:53] Speaker B: I appreciate it. Everybody schedule a call with Nikki. Maybe she'll fix your life too, like she's doing with me on this podcast recording. Yeah. Okay, let's shift, because I would. I would love to talk about the brand, because if I hear that word one more time, as a person who's, like, so detail oriented, I'm like, I don't know.
Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead.
[00:34:14] Speaker C: I was gonna say, I even question, like, naming it a brand or calling it a brand because it has so many different meanings at this point that it's just like, I don't think people understand what I'm talking about when I say it.
[00:34:25] Speaker B: Yeah, like, because I think about, like, branding of, like, the colors and the logo and the fonts and the things and. Yes. And I'm like, but who are you? Like, who is like an influencer person? Like, what's that brand? The way I will change. I have given up on my Instagram bio. So I'm like, I am not. I don't have a niche. I'm like, you guys, I'm never going to be a niche girl, but I can't be, like, niche list. Then I, you know, then there's that. But yes. So when you're walking through with your clients about talking about, like, their brand, what did those conversations look like?
[00:34:53] Speaker C: Yeah. So again, I really want them to feel like they are connecting to. To their audience and they are actually communicating the things that they believe. So part of the reason why I connected with the Sustainable Business Network was because I wanted to work with brands that are interested in people over profit. And there's a larger mission there than just making money.
So I'm really looking for those more creative businesses that are interested in doing things that are making a difference in the world for other people, people, things like that. And so when we're talking about their brand, you know, the initial steps, I send a questionnaire that asks a lot of questions about if your brand was an animal, what would it be? You know, who. Who would it be? Its best friend? Who are the people that it would work with? That type of thing.
Things that were kind of like a different, you know, outside of the box type of question that people might not, you know, initially think about. But trying to get into the mindset of thinking about it in a.
Like a personified thing. You know, you want it to be this thing, and you want to be able to show people exactly what it means and what. What it stands for and what's behind it. So I'm really driven to making sure that people have core values and mission statements because I find them to be super important. And I think people are now, like I said with AI and everything, are driven to working with people that have. Have those types of things and can see them clearly. They're thinking more about personality and the person that's behind the thing rather than the actual thing that they're putting out. Not that the quality of the work doesn't matter, but I think it matters more about what you stand for and that they can connect with you. And so I am very adamant about making that happen for them. So that's part of the discovery phase of things.
But I am a visual designer, so a lot of what I'm giving you is the visual elements of. Of your brand and creating the colors, the typefaces, the logo family. So it's not just one logo. It's a bunch that will be shown in different places on social media, like smaller pieces and lockups that are horizontal and vertical. So there's all these different variations. And then also thinking about what kind of illustrations might be going with it, or textures, sometimes photography direction. So a lot of that is more of the visual elements.
With my brand board in a week that is, you know, the succinct version of that, you get a board that kind of shows all of those elements so that you can stay consistent everywhere. But when we're thinking about those elements, we're referring back to your core values, the types of people you're attracting, and all of those things that you know are more of that personality version of what your brand is. So we're kind of referring back to that to make those elements come alive, because there's meaning behind them, there's reasoning behind all of them. It's not that we're just picking the pretty color that go to go with those things. We want to make sure that they are connected to your audience and what it is that you're trying to represent.
[00:38:06] Speaker B: I need to know that questionnaire. Like, I need to read it, I need to see it. I'm obsessed with that. I think that's so fun because I'm like, who would. Who would my brand like?
That's just like making again again. I'll be.
I'm Gonna pay you to consult. Help me figure out my business in my life. Because I'm just.
This is just really opening my eyes to a lot of things I just said I have. I could spiral in the best way.
[00:38:32] Speaker C: I'm like, this.
[00:38:33] Speaker B: This is just, like, what I needed today. Because I'm like, oh, this may be the time. I'm just like, yeah, I'm going again. Who isn't? But I'm going through a lot right now emotionally, and I'm, like, wanting to write about it while also, like, being aware that it's not only my story, it's the other person on the other side. So I'm like, you know, trying to be careful.
[00:38:52] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:38:52] Speaker B: I'm like, oof.
There's so many things. I'm just like, what is like, more so you're making me think is what I'm. Is what I'm saying. I'm like, wow.
[00:39:03] Speaker C: I'm so happy that there's, like, this connection here. I was like. I was kind of. I get nervous for these types of interviews. I think of myself as an introvert, and I'm. It's hard for me to have, like, interviews and conversations with people. It's always, like, a weird thing. But this has been a breath of fresh air, such a welcoming person to talk to. Like. Like, as you were saying, like, you don't think of yourself as a creative, but hearing the way that you communicate and, like, just how naturally you're able to have this conversation with me, it, to me, shows that you are creative and that you. There's, like, success in your future, for sure.
[00:39:41] Speaker B: Thank you. I can hear all my friends yelling right now listening to this episode. Yeah, Nikki. We've been telling her for years, and she's so annoying. Like, I can. I was dating a friend of mine who is a poet. Like, literal, like, port. L' Oreal poet. L'. Oreal.
[00:39:55] Speaker C: Wow.
[00:39:55] Speaker B: And I know shout out to them.
They're not married. I love their partner because queer. And we all stay in touch.
And then my other friend Noah is a Virgo. His wife Meg is a Libra. If I'm not mistaken, Meg's a writer.
And so we were all going out one night, and we were just having this conversation. And so we're with two writers, and Noah runs his own company.
So that in and of itself, as a creative. And so we were just having this conversation back and forth, and I was like, you guys, it is so nice to listen to creatives talk. Like, you guys really inspired me to be one. They're like, Are you us right now? I'm like, no. Like, what? They go, you are so annoying. Like, I'm like, it's not like I'm. I'm not trying to be self deprecating. I truly do not, most of the time, see myself. I'm like, I'm just a girl who writes her feelings. It's just like, for me, it's just like journal entries online.
[00:40:42] Speaker C: It's.
[00:40:43] Speaker B: People read them. And it wasn't until today I was with a friend when I got that email from that lady that didn't get the job for it. It was just like, I am like, the complete opposite of people. Like, everyone's like, so, like, like, we think about ourselves and we, like, don't want to be perceived and all the things. I'm like, no one pays attention to me. And she's like, so many people read your things, it's not even funny. Like, Like, I forget this podcast goes out. So when you're like, I'm nervous, I'm like, it's just us talking. And then my friend's like, no, people listen to your show. I'm like, oh, I guess that that is a thing that I'm just. This goes out into the world.
And, like, the whole reason I started it was because I was having such, like, fun conversations with my friends.
And I was like, we're so funny. Or like, this is like, again, I want people to feel less alone in the world. Like, I will say, like, a big thing that shaped me, which might be part of the brand too, is that when my mom passed, I'm an only child. Like, it was just such, like, an isolating situation. My dad, like, emotionally checked out. Like, he started dating right away. So I just felt very alone in, like, my grief process. And like, luckily I had therapy to, like, help me process those things. So is that mixed with. I have, like, no audio and no photos of my mom because she was the oldest sibling. She was just, like, very behind the camera. Like, just like all these things. And so I'm always like, well, you know, a lot of my friends now have kids. And I'm like, well, if your kid ever wants, like, God forbid something happened to you, they wanted to, like, hear you or, like, see you and do all these things. It's like, that's also why I started this show because I'm just like, I also grew up in the time of Oprah, and I'm like, I love a talk show. Like, that is like my dream job. Like, if Oprah called, it was like, hey, do you want a talk show? Like, girl, do I want a talk show.
[00:42:19] Speaker C: You would be great at it.
[00:42:21] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:42:22] Speaker C: Yeah. The amount of comfortability I have from just talking to you. I mean, like, the second we got on the camera, I was like, oh, this would be fun. Like, it's just, like, that's what I want for everyone.
[00:42:31] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:42:31] Speaker C: You're so easy to talk to. And just kind of like, we're manifesting.
[00:42:35] Speaker B: We're manifesting and praying about it. Because I was like, if Oprah. Oprah had. She could dial one number and get in touch with me. Hello? I pick up on the first ring. Oprah. I will come. I will do it.
[00:42:44] Speaker C: You don't need Oprah. All you need is you.
[00:42:48] Speaker B: That's so scary.
[00:42:50] Speaker C: 100%. If that's what you want, go for it.
[00:42:52] Speaker B: Listen, this show. This show has been a labor of, like, me. I learned how to do everything editing.
[00:42:59] Speaker C: That's amazing.
[00:43:00] Speaker B: I was doing Zoom, then I switched to Riverside now because Zoom was making me mad. Sorry, Zoom. You just, like, kept crashing, and it was driving me crazy.
I learned how to edit. I learned, like, all the. Like, my friends designed my logos, and I paid them. Another friend made the theme song. I paid them. Like, it was truly a grassroots effort to get this show that's right off the ground. And I think it's why it's, for me, been a success. And I don't even. Again, I don't even look at the analytics. And all my friends, like, people listen. And it wasn't until one of my friends, we wanted to see if his ex was listening.
And so my analytics will, like, show you what cities. And so I was like, if I just zoom into. Insert name of state here, I can see if.
[00:43:38] Speaker C: Whatever.
[00:43:39] Speaker B: And so I pulled it up, and I was like, oh, people actually listen to the show. I was like, I can't focus on that too long. I'm like, that's that. I don't need that detail.
But, yeah, like, I'm, like, the worst online. I'm like, I just post and, like, leave it. And all my other friends, like, have you looked at your story? I'm like, no. Have you looked at this? Like, no. I'm like, I just. I just post because I'm like, what would have made younger me feel less alone? Like. And, like, that whole thing of, like, you're the kind of person younger you would have taken care of is, like, deep in me.
Yeah, I know the emotions. I have therapy tomorrow.
[00:44:14] Speaker C: Don't worry.
[00:44:16] Speaker B: Every other week. God bless you, Imani. Yeah, but yeah. So you. You. You are also the breath of fresh air I needed today. Because I'm like, if. If I go into this consulting thing, I'm like, what else can I grow? Like, can I grow the Brianna Jenkins brand?
[00:44:33] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:44:33] Speaker B: And apparently I can.
[00:44:35] Speaker C: So, yeah, it's. It's kind of just thinking about the things that you love to do, what it is that you're good at, and then figuring out how to monetize it from there. It's not necessarily thinking about, how can I make money? What can I do to make money? It's like, what do I love? And how does that. Like, what piece of that could be monetized? You know, because, like, if this is something that lights you up and you like doing it, and it seems like you've just, like, spun this up, I mean, that in itself, you're creating a space for yourself to invent, like, to. To interview people and have conversations like this. That is creative. So you are creative. Like, I mean, we've already figured that out. We've already established.
[00:45:14] Speaker B: But to extra establish. Yes.
[00:45:16] Speaker C: Just giving you some more information there.
But, yeah, I think that's. That's really important for me, too, is, like, to be able to do something that I love, and that's something that I'm really passionate about and excited about. And I think, you know, I am a creative and I'm a designer, and I like doing those things. But it's more important to me to have, like, connections like this with my clients.
I called myself Flower Buds because I'm a gardener, but I also want to have that connection with my clients. I want to have a relationship with people.
You know, the corporate environment is so cold and stingy. It's just kind of like there is. You gotta be a certain way, and you gotta make yourself fit in a box.
I don't want anyone to feel like they gotta be anything that they're not when they come to work with me. I want to be myself, and I want them to be themselves. And so. So I really want that connection with people to feel like they can be genuine and honest, and I want to be genuine and honest with the people I'm working with. So. Yeah.
[00:46:20] Speaker B: Well, I think that being said, that's a perfect segue into, I will be sure to link everything so people can find you, get connected to you. You'll be back. Like, you guys, you all want to just, like, listen to me and Nikki talk about my future business. That might be an episode. Let's see. See what this looks like.
[00:46:37] Speaker C: I'd Love to.
[00:46:38] Speaker B: At the end of every episode, I ask a final sort of palate cleanser wrap up question. It's a two first. You get to pick which part you want to answer.
[00:46:46] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:46:47] Speaker B: The question is, what is the best advice you were given? Or what is a piece of advice you'd give to your younger self?
[00:46:54] Speaker C: You know, I've been thinking about this.
I think the best advice, and I know we've already kind of talked about this, is the progress over perfection.
Because you're not quitting until you give up or you're not. You've not lost until you quit. You know what I mean?
Keep going. Even if it's not right, it doesn't work, doesn't fit, you're not getting the clients, whatever. You keep moving and you keep trying new things and you keep trying and trying and trying to.
Eventually something will work, something will stick.
And it might take a lot of work and it might take a lot of tears and sweat and blood. You know, sweat, blood and tears, whatever the saying is. But progress over perfection, Nothing's ever going to be perfect. You're a human being.
And that is something I try to keep in the back of my mind. Like we just talked about. I'm a perfectionist and I always will be.
But I'm trying to remind myself that I'm a human being and it's okay for things not to work and failure is inevitable and it's just a sign that that's something you shouldn't be doing. Again, you've learned something, you know. So move forward, keep going, and you'll eventually get where you want to be.
It's not a race.
[00:48:20] Speaker B: That's it for this week's episode of the Tea with Bri. Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram. Hea with Bri. Send me an email at the tea with Bri gmail.com or visit the website the toothbrodcast.com youm can find me your host, Brianna Jenkins on Instagram at Brianna Jenkins. Don't forget to rate, review and follow on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. A special thanks to Mama Duke for our theme music and I will catch you next time. Bye.
[00:48:46] Speaker C: Sa.
