We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia B. Fanning, M.ED. | The Queen of Content and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mia B. Fanning, M.ED. | The Queen of Content, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
People make money from your ignorance. When I started my Content Creation agency, the House of Bequest, pricing my products and services would give me anxiety because I was not only ignorant, but also battling imposter syndrome. I was also in the process of trying to build out my portfolio to showcase our skills as visual storytellers, which meant that I took just about any project that came my way. However, doing so created chaos in my life and business, resulting in burnout for myself and my team.
Because of our multiple service offerings (visual storytelling, public relations, branding, writing, and design) we have to be compensated fairly to maintain quality service and scale. If I had taken the time upfront to price my offerings properly, we would have been better positioned to support our clients at a higher efficiency levels. Know the value of your services.
I can laugh about it now because I’ve learned. I had such a lack of exposure to the real world and business that I thought I was out here doing something. Naturally, the more I began working and mixing with seasoned professionals and more established entities within my industry, the more I began to look at money differently.
My mindset about money had to transform. I had to get away from poverty-minded peers. In my community, the typical Black community, earning $500 a project or a couple of grand a month on the low end was something to rejoice. It should actually make you cry.
I’m not in business to be broke. I’m in business to be wealthy. I’m in business to build a legacy and that’s not possible with penny projects that will keep me trapped in the same rat race I escaped from when working my 9 to 5.
My mentor, Dennis Ross, once told me that “my ceiling was someone else’s bottom floor,” which immediately opened my eyes to realize that I was not only underpricing myself but also stressing out when pitching prices for no reason. People pay you what you allow them to pay you. Seriously, they will either say yes or no, so go big or go back to your 9 to 5.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The older version of me had to die for me to ascend into who I am now. Getting here wasn’t easy, and there were challenges and heartbreak along the way. The hardest thing I’ve ever experienced was the loss of my daddy in 2020. When he died, my heart broke into a million pieces. My business was fairly new, and I was moving and grooving. Then, everything stopped, and I went into the darkest place I’ve ever been in my life. Depression is a demon that you have to choose to overcome, and I did. Each day, I’m fighting my way out of the darkness that had become my life to build my brand and business. My dad wanted to see me succeed as an entrepreneur and creator, and I’ve made it my mission to do that. His death lit a flame in me that can never be distinguished. Sometimes when the love of your life dies, you die too.
I want the world to know that you control your destiny. You decide how you want to be remembered by the actions you take and the moves you make. Who is Mia B. Fanning? She doesn’t fit into a box. She does it all, including photography, videography, branding, writing, and much more. Mia’s the girl you call when you’re ready to tell your story creatively and authentically. It’s as simple as that. I’m in the storytelling legacy-building business, and I love it here. I have the privilege of working with people and companies across the globe looking to get their message out to the masses through content creation. I do this as a brand digital marketing partner, consultant, coach, and through my agency. House of Bequest is a boutique content firm that supports, coaches, consults, and creates content alongside thought leaders, SMEs, founders, private and public entities, creators, influencers, coaches, and YOU.
Of course, I didn’t get here overnight. I started my content journey in high school, where I served as the yearbook editor for two years, responsible for documenting and overseeing how my classmates would later reflect on their teenage years. I’ve always loved design and making things appear aesthetically pretty, so it was a perfect fit. In college, I studied mass communications with a film and media arts concentration, instructional design, and administration, which combined created a beast in business. I built my personal brand by creating engaging content on Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube Shorts primarily using videos. I’m zoning in on LinkedIn and Fanbase now that I’ve mastered multiple platforms. I began working with brands as an influencer and user-generated content creator, helping them push organic-styled marketing. Before I knew it, I had an audience of over 25k+. Social media became a source of therapy for me through my grieving journey, and I leveraged the community I created to market my newly established business while also selling digital products. I learned that there’s power in people. You’re a fool if you think you social media isn’t an asset to your business. Social media is power. It gives you a free platform to be the author of your own story and reach the masses in minutes. Relationship building was vital to generating new clients and community members. If you want your business to be successful, be approachable, use social media to your advantage, and network. At the end of the day, I was inspired to step out and start a creative production company during the pandemic. It was easily one of the best decisions of my life.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The funny thing is even though I’m from the Eastside, I still feel like a tourist in town because I spent my twenties in another city. However, I would say that we’re definitely hitting up Jeju Sauna Spa because everyone needs a self-care day and they always take good care of me. As far as food, Breakfast at Barney’s, Rock Steady, The Sun Dial, and Home Grown would be at the top of the list. We’d also visit IPIC theatre and Slingshot Social Game Club. Now, for nighttime accommodations, we’d book a room at The St. Regis or skip town and head to Blue Ridge for a cabin getaway.
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?
Everybody has somebody to thank for their success. Jesus is my day one. God gets all the glory because without him, who am I? It’s only by the grace and guidance of God that I’ve gotten to this place in my life and business. I owe my mother, father, and grandmother the utmost gratitude. My upbringing in the church kept me safe all these years to bring me to where I am today. My father was also my preacher, meaning my Sunday mornings were filled with scripture, praise and worship, and sermons. Those fundamental components of my childhood helped to mold me.
Nobody can do it alone. When you have a village, you will always win. People have poured into my development since before I was born through their prayers, acts of love, wisdom, and support. To this day, I carry that same belief, unafraid to put myself out there and see what happens. My parents were instrumental in building me up and reinforcing that I could do anything I set my sight on. I have a host of aunts, uncles, extended parents, sisters, brothers, and friends who encouraged me to strive for excellence. My daddy was my biggest cheerleader. While he has recently passed, he still shows up as a robust support system in the darkest times. I’m grateful for my mother, who has always had my back but challenges me to think beyond my big dreams with a more realistic perspective when needed. My coaches, mentors, and church advisors continue to guide me to reach “Greater Heights” in my life, business, and faith.
Becoming a full-time entrepreneur and content creator was not something I could have done without the support and sacrifices of my family, particularly my husband, Brandon. He saw the negative impact my 9 to 5 was having on me and how deeply I desired to pursue my passions, so he made it possible. He just said “Baby, do what you gotta do. I hold it down.” He has done just that. Without him, I couldn’t be this version of me today.
Website: www.miabfanning.com, www.houseofbequest.com
Instagram: @miabfanning – https://www.instagram.com/miabfanning
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miabfanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miabfanning
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo4we9RnTHfhDfuVMT9E20w
Image Credits
House of Bequest: Ty Davis, Access Now Media