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

Alright, Brandon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

The biggest challenge to profitability in the independent sports media space particularly on social media is balancing audience growth with sustainable monetization. On one hand, social platforms like X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok reward reach and engagement which pushes creators and brands to prioritize virality and volume. But high engagement doesn’t always translate to revenue.

Ad rates fluctuate, algorithm changes can drastically impact visibility overnight, and brand deals while valuable aren’t always consistent or scalable. Additionally, many independent creators are competing with well-funded legacy media or influencers with major backing, making it harder to secure top-tier sponsorships or long-term partnerships.

Another challenge is building a loyal community that not only consumes content but is also willing to support it—whether through subscriptions, merchandise, or events. That requires both creative storytelling and a solid business infrastructure behind the scenes.

Ultimately, profitability comes down to diversifying revenue streams while staying authentic to your brand. It’s not just about going viral it’s about turning attention into a sustainable business.

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 back background and context?

Hello, My name is Brandon Beasley the owner and founder of TrueBlueNation Media, an independent sports/social media platform focused on delivering authentic, culture-driven content for today’s sports fan. I started this brand out of a genuine passion for sports and a desire to bring fresh, fan-first storytelling to an industry that often feels out of touch with real audiences. What began as a small social media presence quickly grew into a multi-platform brand producing short-form videos, live commentary, editorial content, and strategic brand collaborations.

We create content that lives at the intersection of sports, culture, and community highlighting not just the plays, but the people, moments, and conversations that make sports matter. Our services include digital content creation, branded campaigns, athlete partnerships, and fan engagement strategies.

What sets us apart is our ability to move quickly, stay authentic, and engage audiences in real-time. We’re not trying to be traditional media we’re here to represent the voice of the fan.

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built and the trust we’ve earned by staying consistent, creative, and real. For anyone new to our brand: we’re here to inform, entertain, and connect one post, one game, and one conversation at a time.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a creative and founder in the independent sports media space, the most rewarding aspect is seeing your vision resonate with people in real time. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about creating content or launching a campaign that sparks conversation, evokes emotion, or simply makes someone feel seen as a fan. Whether it’s a thoughtful piece of commentary, a viral meme, or a meaningful collaboration, knowing that your work connects with others on a cultural or emotional level is what makes it all worthwhile.

Being a creative also gives you the freedom to challenge the status quo. In an industry often driven by metrics and formulas, creativity allows you to take risks, tell untold stories, and push narratives forward especially in spaces where representation and authenticity matter.

For me personally, it’s also about building something from the ground up seeing an idea grow from a concept into a full-fledged brand that others believe in, support, and engage with. That kind of impact doesn’t happen overnight, but when it does, it’s a reminder of why you started in the first place. The reward isn’t just the reach it’s the relationships, the community, and the culture you get to help shape through your work.

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn as a creative business owner was the idea that “more content equals more success.” Early on, I believed that constant output was the key to growth if we weren’t posting daily, reacting to every headline, or jumping on every trend, we’d fall behind. While consistency is important, I quickly learned that quantity without intention can dilute your brand, burn out your team, and ultimately disconnect you from your audience.

The turning point came after a stretch where we were putting out a high volume of content, but engagement began to drop. It forced me to step back and reassess. Were we still delivering value? Were we being thoughtful or just adding to the noise? That period taught me that quality, clarity, and purpose matter far more than volume.

Now, I focus on creating content and campaigns that align with our core mission connecting with the culture of sports in ways that are authentic, timely, and meaningful. I had to unlearn the hustle for the sake of hustle mindset and replace it with a strategy rooted in impact.

That shift has led to stronger brand identity, better audience relationships, and more opportunities that actually align with our long-term goals. Sometimes doing less, but doing it well, is the most powerful move you can make.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tbnationmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truebluenationmedia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrueBlueNationMedia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-beasley-1a48954a/
• Twitter: https://x.com/TBNationMedia

Image Credits

All images were taken by TrueBlueNation Media and all image credits are owned by Brandon Beasley and TrueBlueNation Media.