Meet Brandi Holness | Content Strategist,Writer and Marketer

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

Hi Brandi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There are three reasons why I decided to start my own business. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved the art of writing and the value of sharing your story. My last corporate role allowed me to use my content development talent, skills, and abilities to create marketing content for every stage of the funnel, from creating awareness with content such as blogs to creating bottom-of-funnel content such as infographics and e-books. While I enjoyed doing this, I worked on a small team that didn’t have the resources to churn out a massive amount of content.

We had little resources and we didn’t have a lot of time. Because of this, we often outsourced the work to content agencies to help save time and achieve the desired results. Instead of having time to move on to other projects, we usually spent extra time re-creating and re-writing the content the agencies we outsourced to produced. The content needed to meet our overall requirements for the project, including voice and tone, and it didn’t. After experiencing the frustration of paying for content that didn’t meet our standards and being stretched thin from the additional effort, I recognized the market’s need for a content agency that could produce quality content on-brand.

My second reason for starting B. Holness Digital Content stems from my passion for paying it forward by helping raise the next generation of content developers, including writers, editors, marketers, and producers.
I’ve experienced the discontentment of having what it takes only to be overlooked and denied the opportunity to prove myself. So, I wanted to build a company where talented and passionate people can utilize God’s gifts and expand those gifts as long as they have what it takes. I wanted to create a place where performance isn’t judged based on individual characteristics or diversity factors.

My third reason for starting the business is my children. I have two girls, ages 3 and 5, and I wanted to build a life that allows me to see them as needed while they are so young. I also wanted to build wealth that I could leave for the generations to come – something that my family has never been able to do.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner of B. Holness Digital Content, and we specialize in helping businesses elevate their brand stories to reach their desired audience. More specifically, we help businesses strategize and develop content that will resonate with their target audience. And, no, I am not just talking about social media content. Content is inclusive of social media and so much more. The forms of content we help with and specialize in include blogs, emails, e-books, web page content, and infographic content. We also help strategize user experiences (UX) and craft content for user interfaces (UI).

Our commitment to integrity sets B. Holness Digital Content apart from other Content Development Agencies. Our clients can rely on us to do our due diligence and provide accurate information. We are committed to quality assurance and delivering content that aligns with the client’s values, voice, and tone.

I am proud of and excited about helping clients communicate with their audiences and bring awareness to their products and services. So often, our clients have an idea for a content or marketing project but need more resources or time to produce content sitting on the shelf. The work we do is so valuable and rewarding.

How did you get to where you are today, business-wise? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

My career in journalism and marketing led me to where I am today. I started my career in television production. I worked behind the scenes doing TV research, pulling footage, coming up with show topics, and so much more for networks like NBCUniversal, Al Jazeera America, OWN, and more.

Eventually, my journalism career led me into the world of advertising, where I helped execute broadcast campaigns on TV. While I loved project management, I was missing the creative side of producing the content. I eventually landed a role at a software company, where I had the opportunity to strategize, execute the content, and create it. I landed that opportunity uniquely because it came from a chance meeting that my husband had with another content marketer while he was on a business trip in Texas. She contacted me on Linked In and kept me in mind for opportunities. When the opportunity came about, she reached out. My experience has much to do with my passion for paying it forward.

Once I decided to take the leap of faith and start my business, there were many challenges, including landing clients even though I had the skills and credibility businesses sought. However, I chose to be persistent and honestly believed in what I and, eventually, my team had to offer. Nonetheless, my career experiences are the very thing that helped me land some of my first clients. But it was still challenging. We received many no’s along the way, and of course, there are times when self-doubt creeps in, but what helped me overcome is continuing my journey towards the vision even when it looked like nothing was happening and even when companies have turned us down.

I’ve learned that you will never know what is on the other side of saying yes to God’s vision if you don’t act on it and don’t keep pressing even when it looks like nothing is happening. All it takes is one yes to change the trajectory of your career. We’re still building, and we keep the vision in front of us. I also have my husband to thank. He’s a great partner and very ambitious. So, his drive has genuinely helped us land the business we need to grow.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

To answer this question, I want to return to your first question about what B. Holness Digital Content has to offer. One of my responses was that we help businesses (and sometimes people) elevate their brand stories.

I meant that we all have a story and information to share, whether it’s about our business or our brand. The knowledge that a business (or person) shares can add value to its intended audience. It can also attract that audience to the business’s product or service. When the content we develop and share adds value, it produces a return on investment that can result in more customers or an increased audience.

However, there is also a more invaluable ROI that B. Holness was birthed from. As a former journalist and author, storytelling has the power to connect people through shared experiences. And in sharing those experiences, there is a power that can change the audience who hears the stories of life, even if it’s just about a product or service. And, great power comes from sharing and elevating your voice, whether about your personal story or business. You never know who needs to hear your story and how it can impact their lives. Using your voice to serve others through content and putting your story out there is priceless. B. Holness Digital is where enterprises can use storytelling to impact their business goals, employees, and families.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’re still exploring the city, but I’d take my friend to the Avalon in Alpharetta for shopping and dining. In the summer, you can catch a free concert; in the winter, you can watch the ice skaters or skate with them. We love to stop at Antico, True Food Kitchen, and Kona Grill when we visit. Some other spots you’d have to check out are the Busy Bee Cafe in the city for some good Soul Food and Slutty Vegan for some yummy vegan food.

We also love to visit Peachtree Corners in Norcross. Stop at the park if you have kids. You may also catch a free concert there at the right time. Grab some Pizza from Fire and Stone Italian Pizza Kitchen. I’d also try to catch a game or concert at the State Farm Arena.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

At least 4 people come to mind when I think about that have helped me get where I am today. The first two are my grandparents, Regis and Tempera Frazier. Though they are no longer here on earth, I wouldn’t be where I am without the sacrifices they’ve made to help raise me and put me through school. I wouldn’t be here without their prayers, and I know I am living out those prayers today.

I also want to shout out my mother, Marsha Frazier, who taught me the importance of independence. From a young age, I learned that if you want anything in life, whether a pair of shoes or owning a business, you are responsible for getting up and making that happen.

I have to shout out my husband and business partner, Christopher Holness. He’s been one of my life’s only constants besides God. We were friends first, and our relationship is built on that friendship. Since day 1, he has been the person who pushes me to do what I say I am going to do. He doesn’t let me sleep on my ideas or goals. Ever since I told him I wanted to start this business, he doesn’t let me make excuses and I love that. Though I don’t always love to hear it, I am thankful for his push. He’s the one who picks up the load when I have to get work done. I wouldn’t be here without his friendship, love, and support.

Website: www.bholnessdigital.com

Instagram: bholnessdigitalcontent and brandiholness

Linkedin: B. Holness Digital Content and Brandi Holness

Facebook: bholnessdigitalcontent

Other: For inquiries email: info@bholnessdigital.com

Image Credits
Jacki Glattfelder of Jacki G. Photography