We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bria Lynn Nelson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bria Lynn below.
Bria Lynn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I love this question, because I actually didn’t find my purpose; my purpose found me. It’s like finding love – people tell you that you find it when you stop looking, and when you least expect it – for me purpose wasn’t something that I actively sought out, but when it found me, I just knew. My entire mindset shifted; it has become the thing that gets me up every morning and pushes me through those long nights. It has become a part of me that I just can’t ignore.
My purpose actually found me when I was 15 years old. I was actually at a Justin Bieber concert – my parents knew I was “in love” with him at that time and surprised me with concert tickets at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on January 23, 2013. I went with my mom, and she kept apologizing that the seats were so far back in the ‘nosebleeds’ (she didn’t realize when she was ordering them how quickly his tickets would sell out). I didn’t care though, I was just so happy to be in the same building as Justin; and that I was getting the opportunity to see him perform live.
Our seats were actually so far back, I had a split view of the venue – I was able to see the stage where the opening acts were performing, but I could also see behind the stage, where the producers and crew were running around getting things together…and I was absolutely mesmerized. I don’t even remember seeing Cody Simpson and Carly Rae Jepsen perform, all I remember was being so entranced by how all the chaos backstage was creating the magic that was happening on stage…and that’s when the most life-changing thing happened to me.
Quick little backstory: Justin Bieber had a documentary come out about a year or so before that night; and in the documentary, there was a scene that highlighted Justin’s manager – Scooter Braun- randomly meeting fans and blessing them with tickets to the front row of the concert.
Fast – forward back to January 23, 2023 – I briefly thought about that scene in the movie, but looked around the arena filled with tens of thousands of people and thought there was no way Scooter would stumble upon my little nosebleed section tucked away in the top corner of the venue. God, however, had other plans that night. Surely enough, just minutes before Justin was to take the stage, a man in a grey hoodie and jeans casually walks up the aisle right next to me. We lock eyes and he smiles and asks me “Do you know who I am?” Excitedly, I squeal “You’re Scooter!” A few more words were exchanged, and then he pulled out two tickets for my mother and I to move to the front of the concert…just in time to see Justin.
I remember enjoying the rest of the concert from the front, seeing Justin perform was truly a dream come true; but those moments that took place wayyy up in the nosebleeds are the ones that I remember most vividly and hold on to most tightly. That night solidified for me that that I wanted to do exactly what Scooter Braun does. I wanted to take artists – brands if you will – and help turn them into something great. It all happened so quickly and naturally that I just knew it had to be a message from God that this is what I was meant to do. This is my purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am currently a brand manager, public relations specialist and digital marketer through my business, Classy, Elegant, Glamorous (CEG) Management. I help businesses in and around Atlanta, Georgia establish their brand’s identity, as well as connect with their target market, through various marcom (Marketing/Communications) strategies and tactics. Social media and email marketing have been my primary areas of expertise – as COVID 19 made digital marketing the most prominent way to position brands – however, I predict that in a post-COVID climate, this is drastically going to shift.
We already see an over saturation of businesses online, desperately fighting for our attention as consumers. It is getting to the point where social media promotions are about as effective as television commercials, or pop ups ads on your browser. People are now able to tune it out and blindly scroll past the influx of promotions and advertisements. Unless you have a digital campaign that is extremely creative and innovative, its no longer the best way to brand your business.
I predict that traditional marketing strategies (with modern and innovative twists) are going to make an extreme comeback. While there are tons of brands flooding our timelines with photos and videos of their products, not even a fraction of those brands have booths at conventions, or kiosks at festivals; right there in front of you where you can see the product, feel the product, ask questions about the product and receive and immediate answer. In my experience – it is a lot harder for a customer to say ‘no’ to a product or service when it is right there in front of them – offering immediate satisfaction.
That is why I have recently been encouraging my clients to attend and host in-person events: Networking events, tabling events, pop-up shops, anything that allows them to create those authentic relationships that draw people to brands. Then, utilizing digital marketing efforts as a follow up, as opposed to the primary way of capturing attention.
My favorite part of what I do is essentially what I described above. I love staying up-to-date and learning about what is going on/trending in the market; and helping the brands I manage acclimate and adapt to those changes based on their unique industries and identities. Helping brands tell their stories, and positioning those stories be heard by people who will be moved and impacted by them, is easily my favorite part of what I do,
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities and skills that I found most impactful on my journey have been: passion, dedication and a thirst for knowledge.
I. Passion – Being passionate about what I do has been the foundation of my journey. I love branding and management, and it shows in how hard I work for my clients and the quality of work I produce for them. Going above and beyond, and being creative comes naturally for me because I am doing what I genuinely love.
II. Dedication – Because I am so passionate about what I do, I am able to dedicate myself to my work in a way that I wouldn’t if it were something I didn’t truly care about – or something I was just doing to get a paycheck and then go home. My dedication to my work is what keeps me going those early mornings and long nights. I recognize that the sacrifices I am making now are all a part of my journey to success.
III. A thirst for knowledge – A mentor of mine told me a long time ago that in order to be the best at anything, you have to know it like you know yourself. You have to know the origins, the history, the jargon, the fundamentals…everything there is to know, you have to commit yourself to learning. I took these words of wisdom and have carried them with me into my adulthood and career. I am always challenging myself to learn something new about my industry. Whether Im reading a book by another industry professional, attending a seminar, or taking a LinkedIn Learning course, I am always trying to learn more about my industry, so that one day I will be regarded as ‘the best’ at what I do.
If I could give anyone early on their journey some words of advice, I would tell them to make at least one sacrifice every day towards their goal. It can be something as small as waking up an hour early to read a few chapters in your book, or spending $150 on an online training course instead of $150 on a new pair of shoes. Every decision you make today is going to shape your future; so if you’re ever faced with a hard choice to make, ask yourself “Is choosing this going to help me get where I want to go in my life?”
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is a young woman who identifies with CEG Management. She is classy, elegant and glamorous. She is an industry professional (music/entertainment or fashion/beauty) and she sets the standards in her industry by possessing a level of femininity that has been lost in this generation. She is a timeless woman that knows her worth, is an inspiration to younger girls and dedicates herself to a philanthropic effort that is near to her. Her grace and poise is what makes her stand out from the rest.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cegmanagement and @Brielle.lynette
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bria-lynn-nelson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLx_gouZ_L4wnQ5XI491v-A
Image Credits
Ciana Blanchard IG: @ciana.alysia @ci.davinci
