Today we’d like to introduce you to Brieanna Lightfoot Smith.
Hi Brieanna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I always credit my Aunt Sandra with the start of my company Brands by Brie even though I didn’t call it Brands by Brie back then. It was 2014 and I had just graduated college with my journalism degree, and she brought me on to assist her nonprofit with creating a monthly newsletter to send out to parents and she asked that I develop a website for them. I didn’t have experience with site design at the time but after seeing what I created for her I realized I could offer this same type of service for other small businesses and nonprofits.
I only had a couple of clients in the very beginning but each year as my skillset improved, I got to serve more businesses. In 2015 I gained my first corporate client. I managed their website and social media channels and after just a few months of working with them they asked if I would be interested in coming on staff. Initially, I felt conflicted because I knew I wanted to continue to have autonomy over my time and to be able to serve other clients. After talking to my parents about the opportunity, however, I realized this was an amazing opportunity and that I could continue to build my business on the side as I grew with this company.
Fast forward to 2017 when my husband and I were expecting our first child. I was still working with the corporate client and building my business on the side which often led to 16-hour days. I was overwhelmed, overworked, and outright exhausted. I didn’t realize just how tired I was however until I passed out in my car at 7 months pregnant. It was such a sobering and terrifying experience.
I remember walking into my boss’ office the following day and telling my boss what had happened. And she said “what do you want to do Brie? Do you want to stay and keep working with us or do you want to leave?” In that moment I had to make a decision and I chose myself, my business, and ultimately our growing family.
In 2018 I partnered with a local incubator to provide consulting services for small businesses that had graduated from their programs. I took that experience and streamlined my business offerings and after moving to Texas later on that year I paused again as my husband, and I were expecting our second baby.
In 2021 after delivering our third son I opened the door to Brands by Brie again but this time around I decided to focus on serving mom clients who were making the same decision I had back in 2017, leaving their jobs to focus on family. I knew entrepreneurship had opened up doors for me to be able to stay home with my children and I wanted to be able to offer the same opportunity for them. Now as our business stands, we are able to create a roadmap to entrepreneurship for our moms by providing them with coaching, classes and connecting them to community.
As I look back over the years, I see how everything I’ve done has led to what I’m currently doing.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all. All the starting and stopping not only messed with my momentum but it affected my confidence. On more than one occasion I asked myself “Is this even what I’m supposed to be doing?” After a couple of years of being shut down, I was convinced that my only contribution to this world was my children.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At its core Brands by Brie is a coaching company for moms like me who want to build businesses while raising their babies. Our clients have typically been in business one year or less and are looking to add a new product or service. Many times these moms had something that started out as a hobby they were doing on the side and then either through working with us or having conversations with family or friends realized it could be a full-blown business.
Our company is unique in that we truly provide an all-in-one solution for our clients. Even if someone comes in with an idea, we’re able to flush it out for them, provide additional trainings on items like building out a business budget, web design their logos if that’s not something they already have, provide them with a social media strategy and design a beautiful website that they’re proud to share with their community.
I think the thing I’m most proud of is seeing my moms show up for themselves again and again. Knowing that they are committed to building not just a business but a legacy for themselves and their children. So many of our moms come to me with imposter syndrome thinking “I can’t do this” and seeing them transform through our time together and become confident in who they are and what they have to offer to the world is priceless.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I’m all about community so getting connected to incubators and accelerators in my city has been game-changing. Not only does it build your network, but it creates this fire in you from seeing so many others in your group succeed. If you can’t find any accelerators or incubators where you live, consider starting one in your community!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://brandsbybrie.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/blightfootsmith
- Other: brandsbybrie.com/instagram
Image Credits
Marc Mayes
