We recently connected with Brittney Coke and have shared our conversation below.
Brittney, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
I currently operate 2 businesses. Classify Beauty which is already established and Cab Career and Business Firm which is in its early stages of establishment.
It all started when I developed a huge clientele through providing braiding hair styling services when I was in high school. That is how I got started in the Beauty industry. From there I started dabbling into fashion and from there it led to me developing a love for make up as well.
I remember when I use to go to parties and I always looked forward to what outfit I was going to wear and how I wanted my hair. I would take pictures and post them on MySpace and Facebook where I got great feedback. That’s when I first toyed with the idea of starting a blog. I thought well, I am going out, getting dressed, taking pictures. Why not? Why not use this as a stepping stone to becoming a fashion designer as well as building my brand. While in both high school and college I worked part time as a freelance hairstylist. Shortly after, I started to get into makeup application.
In 2015, while sitting in my office at work, one day I decided to start my blog. I wanted to highlight fashion, style, and beauty. My husband was already a graphic designer, photographer, and web designer that ran his own company. I had all the resources, the only thing left to do was just to go for it. So, there you have it, Classify Beauty was born. It was originally a blog dedicated to bringing any and everything beauty to your fingertips. The latest fashion, hair, and makeup trends along with my personal style are highlighted on a regular basis. It is designed to empower women (like myself) of diversity who are classy, confident, and comfortable in their own skin; women who inspire others, and women who are beautiful inside and out. As I prepared to launch my blog, I did tons of research, I built my own website. During the process I sometimes take my own content images and edit them when my husband don’t have the time. Writing and organizing the posts was the easy part because I am a good writer and I guess being a former educator that taught English made a difference. I’ve been blessed to collaborate with brands and that turned my blog into a business. I now had to know the ins and outs of content creation, contracts, etc.
Classify Beauty has developed into a brand offering products and services in the fashion and beauty industry. As I prepared to launch products and services I had to have a business plan, marketing plan, brand identify, brand images, and update my website to include feature compatible with my growth.
Now as for Cab Career and Business Firm, it offers a variety of career, business, and hr consulting and coaching services). We just launched our website. In addition to coaching services we will have digital products as well as an education platform. You will have to stay tuned to watch how we grow in the future.
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 I mentioned before I started in the Beauty industry as a hairstylist, then moving into the fashion blogger space, and it has now developed in the Brand Classify Beauty. Classify Beauty was originally a blog. Classify Beauty has since experienced a huge growth. It has developed into a brand with the launch of Classify Beauty Lab (offering hairstyling, makeup application, and fashion styling services), Classify Beauty Crown (custom wig units), Classify Beauty Closet (shoe and clothing collection), Classify Beauty Claws (press on nails), Classify Beauty Cosmetics (makeup line), and Classify Beauty Merch (branded merchandise.)
I provide a one stop shop for my customers and clients.
What sets us apart is the variety of products and services we offer to our customers and clients and my involvement every step of the way. All products sold are designed, handcrafted, or hand-selected by me. I am involved in every aspect of my brand from designing my own website to sometimes taking my own product and content photos when my husband is not available, to inventory and shipping, to customers services, and so much more.
I am most proud of my brand’s growth and development throughout the years. I am also proud of how far this platform I’ve created has taken me. I am beyond blessed and thankful for my experiences as well as my lessons learned. I am humbled by it all. I want my target audience to know that I am my brand wholeheartedly.
As for Cab Career and Business Firm, I got into the industry through educational, work, and personal experience. I am an expert in any and every function of business: operation, human resource, marketing, etc. My Masters in Human Resource Management, Bachelors in Management Leadership, and Associate in Business Administration is one contributing factor. Also my experience as an Entrepreneur, HR professional, and former educator is a contributing factor as well. The goal is to help individuals pivot careers in the corporate world, entrepreneurs with business startup, & businesses with HR Consulting. We have something special coming soon for influencers and creatives as well.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
My social media has been built on a collective of things: fashion, beauty, lifestyle, family, career, business, etc. My audience’s ability to relate to me and get a glimpse of every part of my life has played a major role. My advice for someone starting out is to start now, start where you are with what you have. They key to having a successful social media presence is consistency and staying current. This is something I still struggle with at times because of the many hats that I wear but for the most part I don’t stray away from my audience for too long.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
My side hustle is not my main or full time business or career because I do work as a Human Resource Professional. However the businesses I’ve established from my side hustle are definitely other major streams of income.
I’ve had so many major opportunities and milestones. Since I got started as a blogger, I have found such a sense of fulfillment in my own life. I was selected as an official delegate for the 2019 Miss Florida USA pageant. I was the Ms. Treasure Coast Title holder and I competed in the Ms. Florida pageant. I was also selected to compete in the Ms. World Pageant as the Ms. Petite Florida contestant. Who know you may see me back in the pageant world soon.
I have collaborated with a host of brands, style influencers, and bloggers.
I have a variety of press features as well. Some of my favorite features were on Voyage MIA and it’s affiliates. I am also super proud of being featured as a Florida Atlantic University’s Alumna Success Story. Being recognized by the college I completed undergrad is one for the books.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.classifybeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrittneycc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambrittneycc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-coke
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iambrittneycc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-Ks0qWTW0nknVA3R4NRaQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iambrittneycc?_t=8UK8Xhg62Bi&_r=1
Image Credits
Photography: Shadow Designz ( shadowdesignz.com )