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

Alisha , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

The first dollar that someone spent with my business took me by surprise. I was in Virginia facilitating a career workshop and at the end there was a Q & A session. One attendee was thoroughly impressed with my presentation, delivery of information and the method I used to make the information relatable. She vowed to purchase a consultation. Two days later, I received an email from her requesting an invoice and once she received it, she paid it immediately. I did not know what to do. I was so happy, surprised and a little side tracked by my happiness…lol! I remember running into the next room and yelling to my husband, “Bae, I have my first client – a PAID client.” I will never forget her and the impact of her taking a chance on me helping her with her career goals. I was extremely happy and that one transaction gave me the boost I needed to continue growing my business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

As a human resource specialist, I was afforded the opportunity to go through a rotation in staffing and recruitment. During my short time in this area, I noticed that the resumes were not written well. I then made it my business to educate transitioning military members and veterans on developing resumes that were tailored for a specific position and one that articulates their worth properly. I educate through individual consultations, workshops, live sessions and webinars. It is my goal to help individuals 1) work through the frustration of trying to determine what to include in their resume and what to delete, 2) write a resume for a specific position using details that are relevant to that position only and 3) create options and goals for long term career success. I am most proud of the fact I get to educate on some of the unknown things about federal government employment and the hiring process. It is always an amazing thing to hear someone say, “oh wow, I did not know that.” That is music to my ears!! Things are not typically explained thoroughly when it comes to working in the federal government, so it brings me joy to be able to bring clarity to the unknown as well as denounce long time myths. The main thing that I want potential clients, followers and fans to know is that I cannot guarantee a job will come from working with me, but I can guarantee you will learn something that you did not know prior to working with me. That is my guarantee.

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

It has to be my authenticity and transparency that has helped build my reputation within my market. Additionally, the fact that I worked in human resources within the federal government, I share my own story of failures and success and I am relatable. I do not declare to be a know-it-all and I am quick to say I’ll research something if I do not know the answer. I am resourceful and I speak from a space of empathy as some people have some career experiences that are not for the weak. These things have contributed to my reputation.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to relearn communication. Due to my military background, I thought that I could talk with the exact same stern tone and everyone would listen without question. Absolutely NOT the case. I had to take several communication courses, undergo mentorship from other successful women veterans and continuously ask for feedback from people I encountered. It was extremely important to me that I learned how to communicate without using my military voice. It took one incident where I was talking AT someone and not with them during the conversation and I made it my business for that situation to never happen again.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alishadbrown.com
• Instagram: @naturalsintroy_
• Facebook: Alisha D Brown, ER Consultant
• Linkedin: Alisha D Brown Career Consult
• Other: #adbrownconsults

Image Credits
LaShay Price Agency Columbia, South Carolina