We were lucky to catch up with Brandy White recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brandy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

In February, 2019 I abruptly quit a 14 year corporate career—full stop, no backup plan. I was working for some of the world’s leading Fortune 500 companies—leadership titles, A-player, great salary, but completely exhausted, dead inside. Out of alignment with my spirit, joy, health and well-being, I chose again. I exchanged a need for external validation and conventional success for a miraculous, mysterious journey of healing, hope, truth, and inspiration.

Miracles, messages, signs, and mentors came flooding into my awareness. I felt supported, but not in the physical sense—it was spiritual, something unseen—felt. I became curious and contemplative, with an intrinsic desire to explore what inspired me. It was a reckoning to trust myself and nurture my soul.

So, I began to create. As a child, I always loved fashion, design, and beauty. I feel the most authentic when I’m in a beautiful, inspiring space with close family and friends, having meaningful conversation over light bites and candlelight. My human design is a Generator, I’m designed to take action and do what I love. Once I find what lights me up, I can do it over and over again—it gives me energy. Things that don’t light me up will drain me, quickly.

However, following what lights you up can bring ‘messy’ action. From founding my own inspirational apparel line, hosting a podcast for 2 years, becoming a certified life coach, yoga instructor, and owner/publisher of a Lifestyle magazine, I’ve made plenty of mistakes. My failures have taught me how to refine, expand, and grow across all categories of my life. The ironic thing about failure is that it is never a loss. For me, failure is synonymous with growth and infinite possibility, but most of all, it’s evidence of living an abundant life.

I say, “Failure is imminent, embrace it. Grow, expand, refine, and keep going. Failure is a sign that you’re living courageously.”

Brandy , 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 am the owner and publisher of Hyde Park City Lifestyle Magazine. We’re a community-based publication focused on sharing inspiring content on our local businesses, residents, and events.

After leaving a 14 year corporate career, I had a desire to rebuild my personal network, one rooted in community and non-profit. I reached out to my local chamber of commerce and quickly found myself in committee meetings, volunteering at community events, and later serving as a board member. It was empowering to know I was doing work aligned in my personal values while simultaneously, building relationships with local leaders, change-makers and entrepreneurs. I’ve recently joined the board for Found Village, a local Cincinnati non-profit focused on shifting the conditions in foster care so youth can thrive. You can learn more at foundvillage.org.

Similar to a local chamber or non-profit, Hyde Park City Lifestyle magazine is built on connection and relationships. We nurture our relationships with reliability, warmth, compassion, and belonging. We partner with local business owners not only to build their brand recognition and engage with local residents, but to share their unique vision, purpose and impact. I say, all too often people want to travel afar to feel inspired, but there is so much to be inspired by right here in our own backyards. From health, wellness, home, art, beauty, and design, Hyde Park City Lifestyle represents the dream, spirit, and heart of the entrepreneur in our community.

Any advice for managing a team?

When managing a team, understand why their role is important to them. Know how the mission and vision of the business aligns with their personal values and goals. Give them opportunity to uniquely express themselves and multiply that by inspiration and growth. Leadership author and orator, John Maxwell talks about the three questions people ask when considering a good leader (1) Do they care about me? (2) Can I trust them? (3) Can they make me better? I say, lead with care and and empower with trust.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

There’s a picture in my daughter’s bedroom that reads “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.” Building trust in community is #1. People want to do business with people they can rely on. At Hyde Park City Lifestyle we believe in the dreams, missions, and visions of our partners. I love the quote “You attract what you are.” We attract partners who are trustworthy, passionate, and servant-leaders of the community. Their legacy runs deeper than a catchy logo or slogan. They are heart-centered, thought leaders who uniquely serve their community through art, food, design, home, health, and well-being. At Hyde Park City Lifestyle, we believe in sharing story that gives our businesses and residents a feeling of pride when they read our pages.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://citylifestyle.com/hydepark
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hydeparkcitylifestyle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hydeparkcitylifestyle
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-white-78712089/

Image Credits
Bonnie Phillips Photography