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

Brittney , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As the Executive Director and Founder of The Princess Academy, this mission is personal to me because it stems from my own experiences. In college, while serving as Vice President of a student organization, I was responsible for leading a community project. I proposed a prom dress giveaway for young ladies in need, inspired by my own experience of receiving a free prom dress in high school.

After seeing the impact of that event, I knew I wanted to do more than just provide dresses. I wanted to create a lasting support system where young women could receive mentorship, empowerment, and the resources needed to navigate life after high school. That vision led to The Princess Academy, where a dedicated team of mentors, volunteers, and supporters work together to equip young women with the tools and confidence to succeed in college, careers, and beyond. This mission resonates with so many because it’s about more than just resources—it’s about creating a community that uplifts and prepares the next generation for success.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Brittney Bartholomew, the Executive Director and Founder of The Princess Academy, an organization dedicated to equipping young women with the tools they need for life after high school. My journey into this work started in college when I served as Vice President of a student organization. As part of a community project, I proposed a prom dress giveaway for young ladies in need—an idea inspired by my own experience of receiving a free prom dress in high school. Seeing the impact of that event, I knew I wanted to do more than just provide dresses; I wanted to create something lasting that would support young women as they transition into adulthood. That vision led to The Princess Academy.

Our work is centered on three core areas: after-school programming, giveaways, and community events. Through our after-school programs, we help young women prepare for their futures by providing college and career readiness support, emotional intelligence development, and self-esteem building. Our giveaways—such as prom dress drives and back-to-school supply distributions—ensure that students have access to essentials that boost their confidence and set them up for success. Lastly, our community events, like the College Readiness Summit, provide valuable resources to students and families as they navigate higher education and career planning.

I’m most proud of the impact we’ve made—watching young women gain confidence, explore new possibilities, and access opportunities they may not have had otherwise. For those learning about The Princess Academy for the first time, I want them to know that we are committed to uplifting and equipping young women with the tools they need to succeed, no matter their background or circumstances.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was the need for perfection. For a long time, I believed that everything had to be just right before moving forward—whether in my personal life or with The Princess Academy. But I realized that perfection isn’t real, and holding onto that mindset was keeping both me and my team from taking risks, trying new things, and making an even greater impact.

In the early stages of running the nonprofit, I would delay projects or second-guess decisions because I felt like we weren’t fully prepared or didn’t have all the answers. But that only slowed us down. Over time, I learned that excellence—not perfection—is the goal. When we shifted our mindset, we started accomplishing so much more in a shorter period because we weren’t waiting for the perfect conditions or for everything to be figured out.

Now, we focus on doing our best with what we have, learning as we go, and continuously improving. This change has allowed us to expand our programs, serve more young women, and create meaningful experiences without being held back by unrealistic expectations.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One resource that has significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking is Atomic Habits by James Clear. It reinforced the idea that small, consistent actions lead to big results. As a leader, I’ve applied this to how we build and sustain our programs. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment or resources, we take small, intentional steps that compound into lasting impact.

TED Talks and interviews with other nonprofit founders have also been valuable. Hearing their stories and lessons has helped me embrace adaptability, learn from mistakes, and stay committed to our mission, even when challenges arise. These insights remind me that success isn’t about knowing everything upfront—it’s about learning and growing along the way.

As a Christian-based organization, our values are also influenced by biblical principles that guide how we serve, lead, and uplift others. Principles of faith, perseverance, and service have shaped the way we approach challenges and opportunities, reminding us to stay mission-driven and focused on making a meaningful impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theprincessacademyinc.org/
• Instagram: @theprincessacademyinc
• Facebook: The Princess Academy Inc