We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Braxton Simpson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Braxton below.
Braxton, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I love this question because it gives me an opportunity to share a piece of my journey that is often overlooked, but serves as the essence of who I am and where my resilience comes from.
At birth, I was diagnosed with a chronic physical condition called Erbs Palsy. Essentially it is a rupturing of the nerves in your arm that causes muscle weakness, and unfortunately it is an irreversible condition.
From a very early age, I was always told what I would NOT be able to do. I wouldn’t be able to write, would never play a sport, would never have a “normal job,” going to school would be difficult, and a long list of other “cant’s.”
These early declarations that I would not amount to anything, moved me into a space of resilience and an opportunity to showcase that with God by my side, I could do ANYTHING….and I did…and I will continue to!
I would be remiss not to acknowledge that I have had an amazing support system in my parents. They never allowed me to think or believe that anything was “wrong” with me. I grew up going to physical therapy, teaching myself to be left-handed, and finding ways to navigate sports with not a thought of “I can’t !”
Although physical activities often have looked different for me, and in some cases it has served as an uncomfortable conversation starter, I have learned to embrace my Erbs Palsy, because without it I would not have built the skin I needed to be resilient in every aspect of my life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Braxton Simpson, and I am the CEO of Braxton Simpson Enterprises, LLC & co-founder of HBCULinx, LLC.
My journey to entrepreneurship started at the age of 13, when I realized that I was fueled by social impact. My entrepreneurship journey has always encompassed bringing a voice to the voiceless, being the solution to a social ill, and/or simply remembering to “lift as I climb.”
Braxton Simpson Enterprises (BSE) is a community that I have built to ensure we are taking our clients from “Passion to Purpose” in their personal and professional brands—with an emphasis on serving marginalized communities.
Through speaking engagements, consulting, branding/marketing, social media management, and our exclusive HBCU Mentorship Program- BSE is changing the lives of those who need it most!
HBCULinx serves as a one stop shop for building meaningful HBCU Connections both romantically and professionally. Post-graduation from college it is difficult to build and sustain key relationships, especially when you leave your campus community and start life elsewhere. Me and my business partner, Brionika Johnson, have developed a solution to this problem by founding HBCULinx!
Users can look forward to engaging in our exclusive HBCULinx Community, matchmaking services, and even professional networking.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities or skills I feel that every entrepreneur should have are a community mindset, empathy, and fearlessness.
As a black woman, and a member of various marginalized sectors, it is imperative to lead with community. Over time I have adopted a mindset that has prioritized the importance of bonding together, being my sisters keeper, supporting other minority/small business owners, and finding beauty in collaboration. It’s true what they say, “ if you want to go FAST, go alone. If you want to go FAR, go together.
It is also imperative to have empathy. A social entrepreneur is one who who pursues business ventures that have the potential to solve community-based problems. If one does not have the capacity to lead with empathy & to tailor their work to the problems facing their community, I have found that it makes entrepreneurship more challenging. Solve problems that clearly need to be solved.
Lastly, fearlessness. This one can be a little more challenging, because fear is somewhat of a natural feeling. However, as an entrepreneur I have found that when fear has crept up, I had to make the decision to “do it afraid”, “ do it scared,” and sometimes to even “do it alone.”
Entrepreneurship requires risk-taking, and that can be scary. But choosing to overcome that fear for the sake of your business and its impact will spark a fire in you like never before.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always looking to partner & collaborate with others! Whether it be to come speak to your organizations , host workshops, and/or connect and collaborate on potential events, I’m your girl— and Braxton Simpson Enterprises is prepared to support!
As it pertains to HBCULinx, we are always open to collaborating with other small, minority, and HBCU owned businesses that are open and passionate about supporting the HBCU Community in developing professional, personal, or romantic connections in any facet!
Contact Info:
- Website: braxtonsimpson.com
hbculinx.co - Instagram: https://instagram.com/iambraxsimpson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://instagram.com/hbculinx?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braxton-simpson-80093b137
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/c/braxtonsimpson
Image Credits
@dantegotracks
