We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pateley Nichols. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pateley below.

Pateley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I’ve always believed that sometimes you need to leap ahead of what you think you’re capable of, and trust that you’ll learn to catch up. In September 2022, I took that leap when I quit my job on a whim, with no real plan, just a fiery ambition and a determined spirit.

Now, you might be wondering how I got to where I am today—building and scaling a successful brand and web design studio in under two years. The truth is, it’s never as straightforward as it seems.

Let me rewind a bit. Three years ago, I started working for a startup marketing company as an account manager. I’d earned the role after interning there, and had been offered a part-time personal assistant position, which I turned down. I knew I was capable of more. I’d proven myself during my time as an intern, and I wanted that full-time marketing account manager position—one that usually required 2-3 years of experience.

When I told my boss I was interested in the position, she immediately said I was underqualified. So, there I was, sitting in my sister’s apartment, freshly moved back from the other side of the country, and applying for jobs. A few days later, my boss called me and offered me the full-time marketing account manager role I wanted. She said I was too invaluable to lose.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson: sometimes the higher the risk, the higher the reward. It’s a mentality I continue to carry with me in both my business and personal endeavors.

Pateley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got my start in marketing, working for a start-up right out of college where I had the chance to collaborate with businesses across 20+ industries. This experience taught me a lot about creating effective marketing campaigns—everything from branding and web design to business partnerships and promotions.

Now, I run my own business, Brooks Branding (stay tuned for a rebrand in the Spring!). I specialize in branding and web design for service-based businesses. My focus is on helping business owners create clear, purposeful brands and websites that not only attract their ideal clients but also turn leads into loyal customers. For me, it’s about more than just delivering a logo or website; I walk my clients through the entire process, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to start and run a successful business.

What sets me apart is the hands-on, personalized approach I take. I’m not just here to design and walk away—I become a true partner in their journey. From professional photoshoots to developing launch offers, I help clients with every aspect of their brand. Plus, I provide 1:1 coaching and marketing recommendations to ensure they feel empowered, confident, and ready to move their business forward.

I want my clients to feel clear about their brand’s direction, excited about the tools they have, and confident in how to use them. Starting or rebranding a business can feel overwhelming, but with the right clarity and guidance, it doesn’t have to be. My goal is to empower business owners to create a brand that truly connects with their audience and stands out in the market through an impactful business strategy and a stunning visual identity.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The belief that I was saving money by doing everything myself. That one stung, but couldn’t be more true. I had been so independent, telling myself that once I had more money, I’d hire someone to help. But that mindset kept me stuck in a cycle of low movement and non-growth for far too long.

Eventually, I decided to outsource the one thing I really didn’t enjoy—social media. And wow, did that make a difference. By hiring someone to handle it professionally, I saved so much time—time that I could dedicate to passion projects or client acquisition, which were much more aligned with my strengths.

The results were immediate. Just one post gave me a 5x return on my investment in outsourcing social media. That’s when it all clicked for me: it wasn’t just about working harder. I had to be smarter with how I spent my time and money. Why was I doing tasks that weren’t in my zone of genius or something I was passionate about? My time was worth more focused on the things I could do well, while outsourcing what I couldn’t.

That perspective shift changed everything. I truly believe that this is the difference between businesses that fail and those that thrive. You have to let go of the “do it yourself” mentality or else you’ll stay stagnant.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the phrase “you need to get a real job.” It’s funny how people think they can define what counts as a job, especially when you’re making money and doing work that fulfills you. But honestly, the negativity was constant. People doubting me and my success, even as I was living life on my terms—having a great work-life balance, flexibility, and being my own boss.

Don’t get me wrong, being your own boss is hard. You have to find motivation every day to push yourself and hit your professional goals. There’s no one else to hold you accountable, so if you’re having an off day, your business might take a hit. In the first year, I struggled with a lot of negative self-talk and doubt. I knew I had valuable insights to share, but when the financial success didn’t come as quickly as I hoped, I started thinking maybe that’s what I needed to feel validated.

There were times I considered a “plan B”—weeks where I applied for jobs just in case things didn’t work out. But one day, I had a realization. I had been praying for God’s provision over my life and business, but I realized that having a plan B was me subconsciously leaving room for Plan A to fail. That moment was a turning point. I knew I needed to believe in myself and trust the process. So I said goodbye to plan B.

That’s when I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I knew if I kept working hard, pushing myself, and trusting God, success was on the horizon. And that resilience—believing in myself and keeping going despite the challenges—is what has kept me moving forward ever since.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brooksbranding.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooksbrandingco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brooks-Branding/100092001130816/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brooks-branding1
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brooksbranding/?invite_code=0a9fda2cc7f94e8398104c156470b0ac&sender=1005639929201561853