We recently connected with Brenda Phillips and have shared our conversation below.
Brenda , appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
My idea started with my heart. Knowing that I had the ability to transform someone else’s life through my work gave me the strength to keep placing one foot in front of the other. Being an entrepreneur was never a dream of mine, but saving our youth was. I didnt choose entrepreneurship, it chose me. I was just a 24yr girl working in the medical field pushing buttons on a computer moving paperwork. The mental toll it took on me feeling as if I didnt have a purpose was suffocating. People think we have to have this big plan in order to start. What if I told you I had the slightest clue of what i was doing, but I had passion, heart & a goal. I didnt even own a business card. When I started my non profit WeCare I went to an event called VIP performed poetry for the first time & let the crowd know what I wanted to do. That night changed my life. That night I raised 500.00 for my 1st event “What defines Beauty to You?” A girls empowerment sleepover. See I just did it but made sure my heart & intentions were pure and I improved my self development by quieting down those fears. I would say to myself ” How can you be afraid of something you never tried” The fear of failing is an illusion. You dont know unless you do it. I activated my faith muscle & I have been doing so for 10yrs. When you actually START you will figure it out. You cant give up on you. Once people seen my heart & drive they believed. I got my 501c3, people volunteered and started to donate to my cause, I worked hard and others started to see my value. You determine your worth you have to work knowing youre priceless. I figured out that non-profit did not mean I had to work for free lol. People started to pay me for the work I did with kids. Calling me the kid whisperer. I had to learn how to create contracts, invoices,sponsorship letters, curate events and budgets. none of these things came easy for me. I had to learn the tedious work is more important than the passionate fun work. I had to learn to structure, organize and delegate. ( I am still learning that.) Starting my non profit snowballed into me creating 2 other businesses. Ms. WeCare LLC a consulting comppany & Binspired Collections, an empowerment apparel brand. Each with a greater purpose than myself. To move beyond the idea phase just do it and watch it fall into place. Yes its good to research, read & write it down, but be action based. Make it happen, stay committed, consistent and take inventory of your circle make sure they are heading where youre going.
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?
You can come from absolutely NOTHING & build everything you desire. Coming from a background of addiction, abuse and other traumas its tenacity and faith that has got me here. I am changing the WORLD with my words through speaking, performing and clothing. I help youth tap into their fullest potential by giving them permission to feel and introducing them to the journey of healing. My experience alone gives me the ability to relate to people from all walks of life. Ive been to jail, Ive been raped, i have struggled with mental health but I persevered. People wonder how and I help them discover their how. I am most proud of my ability to keep a soft heart in a world thatcan be cruel but I focus on the love because i know it exist because I do. Due to my love for people WeCare has curated community days, college tours, feeding the homeless, empowerment sleepovers, prom giveaways and so much more. I am most proud of the impact I have been able to make in the past 10yrs. I couldnt do it without the people who see me and value me the work I do. I need people like to understand that they are the reason I keep going. I know because I did, they will. Meaning because i had the courage to believe in me, now someone else will have the courage to believe in theirselves.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Be you, show up as your authentic self every time. People buy into who you are so show up as yourself. I have built a following by being vulnerable, showing I am human, not just highlighting the wins but putting a spotlight on the lessons as well.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
You cant expect you from other people. I thought because I genuinely showed up for others & showed others love that they will naturally reciprocate it. I had to learn and practice discernment to understand that I cant share my magic with everyone. Some people are around because of what you can do for them and what they can take. Givers such as myself hve to be mindful of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bphillips.info/
- Instagram: @mswecare
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-phillips-b63850b9
Image Credits
@NewStartPhotography