Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Akea Collins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Akea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

In all honesty, I only shared my dreams with friends and family members who were visionaries like myself. My business started off truly through word of mouth. I basically was helping friends enhance their brands. I never thought I would see it prosper in the manner it did. My friends and family were doing the simplest things to improve my online profile. They invited their network to my business and shared ALL of my Facebook lives. I never truly ‘asked” I just dropped my vision online and it took off from there. I have 15 plus years of enhancing personal & business brands into lucrative brands.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I got into brand strategy because it became exhausting seeing brands fall apart due to a lack of professional coaching. I have worked for three major Fortune 500 on the corporate staff and they only hired employees who eat and sleep their brand. I have a deep desire to assist entrepreneurs in that realm as well. I wanted to teach them that being classified as a small business doesn’t mean you had to present yourself as one. Small businesses made om average of $4.1 million in economic revenue. 32.5 million small businesses exist in the US. If I can place my knowledge and education into this culture I know that I can be a tremendous asset to those seeking guidance.

I have serviced upward of 500 clients in almost three years as a small business owner. I am proud of my work ethic. I show up every single day for my clients and network. I am a single mom of two awesome children and I just want to show them that we are capable of our wildest dreams. I want my network and culture to know that we’re inferior and that we deserve everything we desire, but we have to plant our seeds. Harvesting your brand to grow to what you dreamed it to be is so pivotal and important. Opening a business is the easy part, maintaining interest is the hardest work you will ever attempt.

Opulent Branding is my coaching program hosted through Opulent University. This is where I host business coaching and brand strategy camps to teach my clients how to properly set up & maintain their business.

The Resume Chop Shop is my resume reconstruction company where I solidify your career on paper by creating your resumes, cover letters, and Linkedin Optimization. This assists blue and white-collar professionals who want to elevate their career to the next level.

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

When the pandemic first shut down the world it gave me the opportunity to restructure my business. I had to make ends meet for my family. I had to get in front of the camera and give the world my gift. I needed to feed my family and to keep the lights on $235 a week in unemployment could not feed a family of 4 nor pay a 4-digit mortgage on 2 houses. I lost my tenant as well during covid due to her losing her job as well, I had to get out and work to not fall into debt during the pandemic.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Stay consistent and show up every day. Consumers love consistency and they love a good story. Stay the course because Social Media is a tough crowd. Don’t get caught up on likes and shares, I have days where I don’t get one like or share but I get 10 inquiries off one post in my business inbox. Stay focused! Don’t give up! I promise you the sweat and tears will be worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theopulentbranding.com
• Instagram: @visionboardgoat / @theopulentbranding
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopulentbranding
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akeacollins/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/akeacollins
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/akeacollins

Image Credits
https://www.facebook.com/alhillphotography