Meet Brandie Herrell

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brandie Herrell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brandie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I’ve learned to be effective and successful in rooms where no one looks like me through hard work and resilience. You look at me and say, you’re a privileged, white woman. What do you mean by being in a room where no one looks like you? First of all, looks are deceiving. I lived a wild and rocky road to come from the impoverished back roads of Kentucky to one of the most notable faces in book printing today. Not only do I come from lack of means, but I am a recovering addict with over a decade of sobriety. Walking into the world of high-end book printing was intimidating. All around you are people more affluent and well-educated. Also, most of the rooms in printing are filled with men. As I said, it is the resilience and hard work that has made me successful. When all the odds have been stacked against me, when no one believed in me, I stayed the course and believed in myself. I have built my book of business from the ground up (multiple times) on persistence, honesty and transparency. That is where the hard work comes in. Saying that hard work pays off is not a cliché. I have a firm belief that I share with my children often:
When I walk into a room, I will never be the richest, or most beautiful, or most intelligent person in that room, but I will always be the hardest working. See? That’s where you can never beat me! I can’t control those other factors, but I can control my work ethic! I will always outwork my counterparts or go the extra mile for my clients and family. In the end, it’ll make you win every time!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At home, I am a 43-year-old single mother of 4 rockstar kids on the coast of Georgia. At work, I am the Southeast Sales Executive for Friesens Corporation, where I bring books to life for publishers, authors, museums and universities every day. I get to print the stories of love, hope, inspiration, education and faith that we all yearn to read.
Working at Friesens is a really special job. We are a book manufacturer right on the US/Canada border that started crafting ideas in print around 1907. We are entirely employee-owned, and our company culture of integrity and transparency sets us head and shoulders above the competition.
It feels amazing to work at North America’s premiere book manufacturer. It really is an honor and a dying art. There are probably only a dozen high-end book printers on the continent! At Friesens, we make all kinds of books: Paperback, Hardcover, B/W, Full Color, Slipcases, Book Boxes, Specialty Bindings, Limited Editions and more. We are also most well-known for being ahead of the curve in terms of technology and innovation in the book industry. Publishers seek out Friesens when they need a book with all the bells and whistles. In our 250,000 sq. foot facilities, we can: foil stamp, emboss, deboss, spot UV, die-cut, sew, varnish, perfect bind, flexibind, inlay or heat burnish. It’s very gratifying to be able to help authors and publishers achieve the aesthetic vision for their books, after they have labored so long on the story it contains. At Friesens, your imagination is truly the limit and that is an exciting place to be!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I’d say the 3 things that were most impactful in my journey were: perseverance, transparency and printing knowledge. I’ve already spoke a great deal about hard work and resilience. That plays directly into the perseverance aspect. You must keep pushing toward your dreams in any weather. Second, transparency cannot be underestimated. I am who I am wherever I go. I learned a long time ago that I could not keep up a facade for long and the past will always catch up with you. I aim to be as honest and transparent as possible in everything that I do. I also strive to be authentic and present myself genuinely. Lastly, printing knowledge has carried me a long way in my journey, because it is niche. When I started in the printing world, I knew I loved it, so I devoured every bit of knowledge I could get. I learned about ink and presses and glue and graphic design. I gave myself a solid foundation to build upon.
If I were giving advice to someone beginning their journey, I would tell them to echo what has worked for me above. Work hard! Be resilient and never let anyone or anything stand in the way of your goals. I’d also tell them to be themselves. Be honest and trustworthy. Your true light will shine through. Then, I would tell them to find what they love and go after it with a passion. Learn all you can about your desired field. Become an expert in your industry, but don’t be afraid to fail a little along the way.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer has been very impactful in my life. We actually print her books and journals at Friesens. She has been a preacher who has taught, inspired and motivated me years before my printing career, though. I relate so much to how she has overcome so many obstacles in life, to know live a life of joy and ministry. That book has been revolutionary for me. I’ve owned many copies, some with study guides, throughout the years. In fact, I am re-reading NOW 🙂 Battlefield of the Mind teaches you that freedom in life and a closer relationship with God all begins in your mind. Like I was saying about hard work earlier. That is something that I can control. That book has helped me “think about what I am thinking about”. It has helped me see myself more the way God sees me. Mostly, it has given me tools to better manage my emotions, relationships and service to God. If you haven’t read it, you SHOULD!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Brandie Herrell

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made