We recently connected with Jerrika Brown and have shared our conversation below.
Jerrika, 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?
When you are the only one in the room who looks like you, it is not hard to stand out, so embrace your surroundings and be present. The most valuable thing I have learned in my career is that no matter if you feel like you don’t belong or feel alone, you put on a smile and work the room!
As I reflect on my career, I sit back and think about all the times I truly stuck out in rooms; I may not have had designer clothes, the best hairstyle, or the best outfit that I could have picked out in my closet that day; but what I did have is confidence in myself and the knowledge that I needed to dominate the room. I conquered; I walked away with a client, a proposal interest, or more assets than when I came in. I had a goal: to establish and leverage connections for me and my business.
Some tips I will give to work on being comfortable in spaces where you stand out are First, have a general idea of the crowd in the room so you can have a general idea of what you should say. Secondly, nothing you feel, think, or wear is more important than what comes out of your mouth, so know your stuff. Imagine that you are the expert; they’re the students, and you’re taking them to school. Third, people never remember every word you say, but they remember how you make them feel, so be meaningful when you speak. Fourth, ask yourself, who do I need to talk to change the game? Scope out the waymakers and introduce yourself. Lastly, when you are networking, the key is to introduce yourself, peak interest, listen, and, when it’s your turn to speak, shine!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hi, I’m Jerrika Brown, an Arkansas native that prides herself on hard work and perseverance. An entrepreneur by the age of 22, Jerrika created various brands that fulfilled her passion and the need of multiple communities. I’m passionate about growing communities, families, and brands in every way. Jerrika motivates and inspires women and young girls through public speaking and telling her story in her memoir Confessions Of A Boss, Walmart carries, Book’s A Million, and Amazon. Her memoir explores her life’s struggles and, through them, becoming a serial entrepreneur and chasing her dreams.
I created my last band, The Browns Business Consulting Agency, where I’m currently a Celebrity Certified Business Coach who has worked with the likes of Mike & Kyra Epps, Kerwin Claiborne, Jessie McDonald, and more. My mission is to help the business district of various communities grow their brands through knowledge and provide the tools necessary to become successful. The Browns Business Consulting Agency has impacted over 2K business owners since its debut in May 2019, and we will continue to push small businesses forward in all we do.
The Browns Business Consulting Agency is relaunching our online playground for business owners to take classes and courses to expand their business models. We would love anyone interested to contact info@thebrownsagency.com to get a special discount on our business starter pack.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
While reflecting on my career, the qualities that impacted my journey the most were that I was and still am always in a position to learn and listen; I created a plan and was determined to elevate. Being able to master the art of learning and listening is the key to your success and your business positioning. By educating yourself, you will know what’s new and what’s considered old within your industry, allowing you to set your business up for consistent success. It doesn’t matter if you ‘think,” you know everything; I’m here to tell you that there are always areas you could grow and new techniques you could master; never be too big to educate yourself. Next, have a plan and a vision; you must know what you want to do so you can navigate through the vision and set goals. Can you imagine driving a car with no destination in mind?; after a while, you could get discouraged because you’ll eventually realize you are going nowhere fast. Always be open to writing it out; you can only see the bigger picture once it’s in front of you. Lastly, be determined to achieve your goals; it doesn’t matter how small they may seem, achieving small wins leads to a big reward.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I get overwhelmed with work, I STOP, or I will take a break. I learned early on in the entrepreneur game that you must set time limits and office hours to keep a healthy mindset and work-life balance. If you do not do this, you will reach burnout quickly. Remember, you are one person, so if you need to take a break, enjoy the simple things like going for a walk, getting some fresh air, leaving your phone in the car, and sitting at the park. It can make a huge difference in how you handle your mental health and improve your mood and work quality.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jerrikaspeaks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerrikaspeaks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerrikaspeaks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrika-brown-750731200
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfekv5YOHWzwYmDxcAY-FqQ
- Other: www.thebrownsagency.com https://www.instagram.com/brownsagency/
