Meet Darnelle Brown Jr. | CEO (TFB), COO (B&U Ent, LLC), Entrepreneur, Dancer/Stepper

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darnelle Brown Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darnelle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Founded in September of 2019, my initial thought process behind starting my own business was essentially working for myself, being my own boss, and trying to do something to create opportunities for others. I had learned the hard way that no matter where you work, no matter your position, you can always be replaced. As I came upon new knowledge of different things such as the original Black Wall Street and how we as black people circulate our money within our community the least, this help to put things in better perspective for The F.AM.O.U.$. Brand (TFB). The long term objective is to bring back Black Wall Street both physically and virtually by tapping into different markets while collaborating with other black businesses to create opportunities for OUR people & truly circulate the black dollar. FAMOU$ was a nickname that I came up with back in the day that so happened to stick. So I used that and turned it into an acronym which stands for “Fine Awesome Marvels On Unparalleled Success” because TFB is not just about me, but MY people in the long run. The first product/service I provided was The Dip King, an assortment of different freshly made dips to consume such as Buffalo Chicken, Shrimp & Crab, and a Philly Cheesesteak Dip, which is probably my best seller to date. don’t know anywhere else where you can find a Philly Cheesesteak DIP. Then, I added The FAMOU$ Brand Merch Collection starting with T-shirts with the help of my sister Jillainna Evans and her business, Creations By Lainna (and later also using Shanequa Mitchell of Tingz By Tigress services as well). Since then I’ve expanded to offering hoodies and crewnecks for women, with plenty more in store. I also started doing a live broadcast called Stepping for F.A.M.E. (Fun And Major Empowerment) teaching individuals how to Step/Dance over Facebook and Instagram live, then posting on YouTube, however that is on a hold at the moment. I now have the FAMOU$ Fragrance Collection by Poetic Scents, which is collaboration with Chimere Moody and her business. Under the collection I have my own cologne, fabric/car spray, and incense. Last but not least and one of my favorite things is a collaboration with Black & Unfiltered Entertainment, LLC called The B&U FAMOU$ Brand Business spotlight. This is a show I host to have conversations and shine light on fellow black business owners & entrepreneurs by virtual interview, and this definitely helps bring the main objective of TFB into full circle. So yeah, long story short, I have a lot going on with TFB, and this is only the tip of the iceberg because TFB is not meant to be in a box.

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?
The main thing that sets TFB apart from other businesses is honestly.. you never know what I’m going to come out with next. As I said before, TFB is not meant to be in a box. One of the best things I love and am proud of about having my own business is that I can pretty much do what I want, when I want, and how I want! I have so much experience in different fields of work that I’ve developed a great sense of customer service, so that’s one thing that will NEVER be an issue with TFB because I pride myself on that. Another thing that sets me apart is how I’m leading by example that #SupportBlackBusiness is and has to be more than just a hashtag. Im out here doing the work, especially with the Business Spotlight trying to put these black businesses out here for people to see and know, to network, to hopefully collaborate, to learn, and most importantly build together. I’m showing OUR people how we can be proud of one another instead of trying to compete with one another. The main thing that helped me get this far is CONSISTENCY. Through the great times, through the rough times/droughts, you DEFINITELY have to stay consistent in this entrepreneur thing. It is not for the weak. It is very time consuming. It can be financially straining. The droughts can definitely have you second guessing everything. But if nothing else, CONSISTENCY IS KEY! And of course, with the help of My Lady, family, and close friends to keep me on my toes. I’ve definitely experienced a few challenges. The pandemic, of course, at its peak in 2020 was quite the year to get through. I actually lost my job and had to hustle even harder as TFB was my main source of income amongst quite a few side jobs from home. Although more months have brought in profit, there have definitely been a few where I’ve been in the negative. And once you hit that, you just have to take it as a lesson as opposed to a loss. Find out how to cut on expenses. Pay attention to what months or times of the year are hot and not. I’ve tried different things like having a sale on my Dips, and if they weren’t successful then scrap it. To be honest, one of the hardest things for me was being a lot more social media savvy. I’m fully familiar with social media but I’m not the type that relies on it or is on my phone on an app all day scrolling. So learning more things about social media, and figuring out how to utilize to my advantage is still a learning process but I’ve gotten better. At the end of it all, what I want people know is that I am who I am and I’m not ashamed of any mistakes I’ve made. Once again I treat every loss only as a lesson. I want people to know that I am probably one of the coolest and most solid people you may meet. I want people to know that if you may be smarter than me, or even better than me, have more success than me, it’s rare that you will actually outwork me. And I want people to know that The F.A.M.O.U.$. Brand is here to help OUR people, black people, in the long run. It’s time we took our freedom, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. It’s time we close the generational wealth gap. It’s time we build our own communities and actually support one another. It’s time we establish a new, more positive Code of Conduct amongst ourselves as opposed to a Street Code that’s BEEN dead… I am no where near prejudice towards any other race or people, but The F.A.M.O.U.$. Brand is for MY people because I firmly believe WE are the “Marvels” of this world, which is what the acronym stands for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Currently I reside in Greensboro, NC. However, we are actually planning a move to Charlotte this year. As far as Greensboro is concerned, it’s a college town accompanied by North Carolina A&T so there’s quite a few spots to hit up. There are plenty of bars/clubs downtown and around town, such as Bourbon Bowl, Fat Tuesdays, Tranquilo, Club XO, Club Trust, Jakes, Limelight, BoxCar Barcade, and others. I’m more of a bar person as opposed to clubs nowadays lol. Restaurant wise (other than The Dip King of course lol) I would recommend Full Moon Oyster Bar, Smokey Bones (grilled wings are the best), Green Valley Grille, Print Works Bistro, Mellow Mushroom for pizza, Red Crab Juicy Seafood, Scrambled Southern Diner, The Mexico Restaurant on West Market and others. Depending on when you come out here, we have a comedy club called the Comedy Zone where we like to go every now and then depending on who’s coming in town. The Greensboro Coliseum may host big comedy shows, concerts and sports events. If you’re into the “extracurricular” nightlife then I would hit up Secrets Cabaret. I haven’t been in a while, but Celebration Station is nice for the kids. Other things you can check out is the Greensboro Science Center or Four Seasons Mall which also has Round 1 inside (another barcade/bowling alley).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely have to give a special shoutout to My Lady, Shanequa Mitchell. If it wasn’t for her, I honestly don’t know if TFB would be here. Aside from being the love of my life, she is my biggest fan and supporter, but also one of my biggest inspirations. Watching her run Tingz By Tigress, become self employed, and her success definitely motivated me to get into my own business. She’s helped me develop my business as well. She’s really an all around phenomenal woman if you get to know her. Definitely have to give thanks to my family. They have always been supportive of anything I do. Special shoutout to my Dad, founder/owner of Pro Tint Window Tinting, for his guidance in business and in life. Shoutout to Tazz Barnes and the Black & Unfiltered Crew for helping me put myself out there through the podcast, and of course the collaboration for the Business Spotlight. Shoutout to Shaun Spearman and Cheryl Love, two of my closest friends who I bounced the initial idea of TFB off of and just told me to “go for it”. Cheryl also helped me with the Stepping for F.A.M.E. name and acronym. Shoutout to everyone who has allowed me to interview and network with them for the Business Spotlight so far: Opposite Society/Pit Cartel, Oh Yard Boyz, LLC, Gso Lola, Thee Finesse Customs, Good Vibes Crew & Friends, Poetic Scents, Con-FIT-Dence, Dinner With The Doll, The P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club, Enrich Me Enterprises, LLC, Pecan Tan Sweet Pecans & More, LLC, AP 1NABILLION, Happy Heartbreaks, BInspired Apparel Brand, and many more interviews to come. If you’re reading this please check out these black businesses, and tell them Mr. FAMOU$ Brand himself sent you lol.

Website: https://drum.io/the_famous_brand

Instagram: https://instagram.com/smoothd620/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMOOTH__D?s=09

Facebook: https://facebook.com/darnellebrown620

Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/SmoothD620

Other: https://theblacktube.com/@SmoothD620 https://melaninbook.com/ImFamous

Image Credits
Tanya Hartfield (Orange Crewneck) Jaylen Brown (Burgundy Crewneck/Incense) Melvenia Griffin (Black Hoodie)