We were lucky to catch up with Brian Pruett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Growing up, I was always involved in fundraising, from church youth groups to schools, and always seemed to win the contest for raising the most money. I still have the VCR that I won my freshman year in high school, and it still works. As I was doing other jobs from sports writing to advertising and marketing, I kept getting asked to help with fundraisers for other organizations. In 2021, my wife and I decided to start B’s Charitable Pursuits and Resources to not only help with fundraising for small local nonprofits but also to meet the need of consulting with those nonprofits who do not really know where to start with fundraising or how to get sponsors for events. While there are other nonprofit consultants, I quickly realized that no one was focusing on just one to two ideas that would not only help raise money but also raise awareness and bring the community together for fun and fellowship. So, I decided to use my skills in my sports background, sales/marketing/fundraising, and networking and have now for three years. We are getting ready to start our fourth year helping small local nonprofit organizations.

Brian, 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?

As a young child, I experienced three near-death experiences. Then as a teen and young adult, I experienced some significant losses in life which I did not handle well and had some consequences with those. All through these experiences, COMMUNITY was with Brian, and that is our WHY!

I hold two degrees from Kennesaw State University: Communications and Sports Management and a master’s in business from St. Leo University. Brian has 29 years of experience in sales, marketing, and fundraising. He has served as a sports reporter, a sports information director, and a sales director for a sports marketing/media company. Brian has organized many fundraising events, sports promotions, and sponsorships for organizations such as Nobis Works, Atlanta Spirit, Lucky Strike – formerly US Play, The Ovarian Cancer Society, Lance Corporal Skip Wells Scholarship Fund, Kennesaw State University, Marietta Adventist Church, AIAO Ministries, Footprints on The Heart, and many other local small community non-profits! To date, Brian has helped 31 non-profits raise $82,290.82. Brian also has an extensive background in sports and trivia. He is passionate about helping others and running events where participants have fun and bring awareness about the client to the public. Brian believes building and establishing relationships, teamwork, and communication are the most important things.

What I would want potential clients to know and understand is, that while I would love to help everyone, I can’t; but if there is a way I can, no matter if it is just making a connection for someone, I love doing so.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have held many jobs, but the first time I really had to think about any kind of pivot, or what I was going to do was when I was let go from a local security company. I decided I was going to start my own business where I would do fundraising and be a bridge between small businesses and retired pro athletes I know by having them endorse those businesses. But then, just two weeks into that business, I had a friend who owns a local printing company ask me to partner with him in starting a local magazine covering local high schools in the Bartow and Gordon County areas. When COVID hit and we had to shut that down, we decided to rebrand and do local mailers and promotional products. About six weeks into that business, it was obvious that it was not working so that is when I decided to go ahead and start the current business of B’s Charitable Pursuits and Resources.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is being out in the community and networking. I am a huge believer in networking and have been doing it around Metro Atlanta for almost 30 years. I have folks tell me “I see you everywhere,” or “one reason we work with is because you know everyone,” or “Brian knows everyone and is a wealth of knowledge and resources.” I love connecting with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beescharitablepursuits.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084198420935
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-pruett-mba-7292706a/

Image Credits

Photo’s are courtesy of Anne Say and Anne Say Photography.