Meet Brandi Forte | Best-selling Author & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandi Forte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process was that I was a single mom trying to find my way and I understood that I could monetize off of my innovative ideas. I was well researched and I took my time understanding the difference between an LLC, an Scorp, Corporation and non-profit. Initially, I wanted my own community based organization and for profit media company. In 2010, I launched into the deep using $1000 of money that I saved up and established both an LLC and a non-profit organization. I was a grant writer by trade so I wrote my organization’s first grant during the summer of 2010 and was awarded a summer youth grant for $10,000 for 6 weeks. That grant changed my life. I wrote a grant 6 months later and was awarded a grant for $220,000. That set me a part and I’d never work for anyone again.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I am what you call a serial entrepreneur. I own a non-profit called Amala Lives. We serve one of the toughest communities and youth in Washington, DC. For the past 14 years we have provided after school, summer enrichment, visual arts, performance arts, tutoring, leadership and literacy programs. Our newest program that we created during the pandemic is our Junior Chef program which teaches culinary arts to the youth.

I am also the owner of an adult vocational school which is Amala Lives Institute. We train, certify, job place and create entrepreneurs in Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Small Business Entrepreneurship.

Last year, my business partner and I invested into a Cereal Bar franchise, Day and Night Exotic Cereal Bar in Springfield Virginia. We sell premium cereal milkshakes, cereal waffles, cereal donuts, cereal cupcakes & exotic cereal bowls. And I can’t forget I am filming my first movie Stronger based on my novel this year. I am a published author of 4 books.

I got to where I am business-wise by staying prayed up, staying humble, not joining a clique and being well researched. Becoming an entrepreneur is not for the lion-hearted. Sometimes it’s long days, sleepless nights, and some lessons that you have to re-learn. I have learned to not hire people close to you because they take things personal and feel entitled. My problem is that I always wanted to share everything that I had with people that were close to me, but they took advantaged. I wasted a lot of money on payroll and didn’t see people really with a strong work ethic.

I want the world to know about my brand is that you should always bet on Brandi! Everything that I touch “turns to gold” as my momma would say. My brands are creative, meet the need of the people, are poppin, promote what’s next, and reflect my generation! My story is that I am a Black woman that took the hardest part of my life and didn’t give up but applied pressure. I activated my dreams and I will continue to aspire to greatness! I am thankful to God for loving me, guiding me and giving me favor. I took lemon scraps and made lemonade. Life is good.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Chile I love great food, a wonderful vibe, & anywhere where there is music. If I’m in Atlanta I’m gonna go to Frost Bistro, then trap out at the Trap Museum. I love retail therapy so I’m gonna go to Lennox Mall and buy a designer bag of my choice – I love Kurt Geiger & a Louis Vuitton shoe.

I love historical sites so we definitely are gonna visit landmarks.

Lastly, I love water and yoga so we gotta close out the weekend with swimming in an indoor pool and doing some form of yoga or meditation.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my beautiful children Legacy & Dream, as well as my mother and father for bringing me into this world at a young age. I also would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my brother Brandon and my bestfriend Noel. Also, to my real comrades that have been rocking with me since day 1, I appreciate your support over the years.

Website: www.brandiforte.com

Instagram: @authorentreprenuerbrandi

Linkedin: brandiforte78

Facebook: AuthorBrandiForte

Youtube: Unapologetically Powerful Podcast

Image Credits
photos by Francesca Scott