We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carmen Bethea. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carmen below.
Carmen, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Moving to Charlotte, NC, in January 2023 was an exciting but daunting experience. As I settled into my new surroundings, I found myself craving connection and community, particularly within the Black community. Despite the vibrant culture and diversity in Charlotte, I noticed a gap—a lack of spaces specifically designed for Black women to come together, share their experiences, and uplift one another.
Feeling inspired to create change, I embarked on a journey to establish The Soft Black Girl Club. The idea was born out of a deep desire to create a safe and supportive environment where Black women could embrace their identity, celebrate their uniqueness, and find strength in vulnerability. I envisioned a space where we could reclaim our softness—our gentleness, our empathy, our authenticity—in a world that often expects us to be strong and resilient at all times.
Drawing from my own experiences and struggles as a Black woman navigating various spaces, I knew firsthand the importance of representation, community, and self-love. I wanted to create a platform that not only celebrated Black womanhood but also addressed the complexities and challenges we face in society.
The Soft Black Girl Club quickly gained momentum as word spread throughout Charlotte and beyond. What started as a grassroots initiative soon blossomed into a thriving community of like-minded individuals who shared a common goal: to uplift and empower Black women.
Through events, workshops, discussions, and online forums, The Soft Black Girl Club became a beacon of hope and inspiration for Black women seeking connection, support, and validation. Together, we embarked on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth, embracing our softness as a source of strength and resilience.
As the founder of The Soft Black Girl Club, I am continuously humbled and grateful for the impact our community has had on the lives of Black women everywhere. Our journey is far from over, but with each new member who joins our ranks, we move one step closer to realizing our vision of a world where every Black woman feels seen, heard, and valued.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hey there! I’m Carmen Bethea, and I’m excited to share my journey with you. Originally from Greensboro, NC, I’ve forged a path that’s led me to wear many hats, from corporate professional to nonprofit leader and now, the proud founder of a nonprofit organization called The Soft Black Girl Club Inc.
My journey into the world of communication and community-building began at North Carolina A & T State University. There, I pursued a major in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. It was during this time that I honed my skills in storytelling, branding, and connecting with others through strategic communication.
Seeking to deepen my knowledge and expertise in marketing, I pursued a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington. This experience further fueled my passion for making a positive impact through effective communication and community engagement.
In my professional life, I currently work for a Fortune 500 company, where I leverage my expertise in marketing and communication to drive business growth and impact. Additionally, I serve as the president of another nonprofit organization, where I’m dedicated to making a difference in the community.
However, my passion for empowering and uplifting Black women led me to embark on a new venture—the founding of The Soft Black Girl Club Inc. As the founder of The Soft Black Girl Club, I’m committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where Black women can come together to celebrate their identities, share their stories, and support each other on their journeys of self-discovery and empowerment.
At The Soft Black Girl Club, we offer a range of products, services, and creative works aimed at fostering connection, personal growth, and community building among Black women. From events and workshops to digital resources and merchandise, we provide tools and opportunities for Black women to thrive.
One of the key problems we aim to solve for our clients is the lack of spaces where Black women feel truly seen, heard, and valued. Through The Soft Black Girl Club, we aim to provide a sanctuary where Black women can embrace their softness, vulnerability, and authenticity without judgment or scrutiny.
What sets The Soft Black Girl Club apart is our commitment to authenticity, inclusivity, and empowerment. We believe in the power of vulnerability and connection, and we’re dedicated to creating a community where Black women can show up as their true selves and support each other along the way.
I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had on the lives of Black women through The Soft Black Girl Club. Seeing our members connect, grow, and thrive brings me immense joy and fulfillment, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their journey.
Ultimately, I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that The Soft Black Girl Club is more than just a brand—it’s a movement. It’s a celebration of Black womanhood, a space for healing and growth, and a beacon of light in a world that too often tries to dim our shine. And I invite you to join us on this journey of empowerment and sisterhood.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building our audience on social media for The Soft Black Girl Club has been an incredible journey, and I’d love to share some insights and advice.
When we first started The Soft Black Girl Club’s social media presence almost a year ago, we knew that authenticity and consistency would be key. We began by defining our brand voice and visual identity, ensuring that every post and interaction reflected our mission of empowering and uplifting Black women.
One of the strategies that has helped us grow exponentially is creating valuable and engaging content that resonates with our audience. We share a mix of inspirational quotes, personal stories, educational resources, and community highlights—all centered around themes of self-love, empowerment, and sisterhood.
In addition to creating original content, we’ve also focused on building relationships with our audience by actively engaging with them. We respond to comments, DMs, and tags, and we make an effort to show our followers that we see and appreciate them.
Collaborations have also played a significant role in our growth. By partnering with other like-minded individuals and organizations, we’ve been able to expand our reach and connect with new audiences who share our values and interests.
Consistency is another key factor in building a social media presence. We post regularly and maintain a consistent brand aesthetic, which helps to establish trust and credibility with our audience.
For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to focus on quality over quantity. Take the time to define your brand voice, identify your target audience, and create content that adds value to their lives. Be authentic, be consistent, and be patient—it takes time to build a loyal and engaged following, but the results are well worth the effort.
Above all, remember that social media is about building relationships and fostering community. Engage with your audience, listen to their feedback, and always prioritize their needs and interests. By staying true to your values and consistently delivering value to your audience, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful social media presence
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
As the founder of The Soft Black Girl Club Incorporated, I believe that several factors have contributed to building our reputation within our market:
1. Authenticity: From day one, we’ve been committed to staying true to our values and mission. We’re unapologetically authentic in everything we do, from the content we create to the partnerships we pursue. Our authenticity resonates with our audience and helps to build trust and credibility within our market.
2. Community Engagement: We prioritize engaging with our community on a deep and meaningful level. We actively listen to their feedback, respond to their needs, and provide value through our products, services, and content. By fostering a sense of belonging and connection, we’ve built a loyal and engaged community that supports and advocates for our brand.
3. Empowerment and Representation: We’re dedicated to empowering and uplifting Black women through everything we do. Our commitment to amplifying Black voices, celebrating Black beauty and culture, and providing resources for personal growth and self-discovery has helped us build a reputation as a brand that genuinely cares about the well-being and success of Black women.
4. Consistency and Quality: We maintain a consistent brand presence and deliver high-quality products, services, and content. Whether it’s our social media posts, events, or merchandise, our audience knows they can always expect excellence from The Soft Black Girl Club Incorporated. This consistency and quality have helped us build a reputation for reliability and excellence within our market.
5. Thought Leadership: We strive to be thought leaders within our industry, staying ahead of trends, and providing valuable insights and perspectives on issues affecting Black women. By positioning ourselves as experts in our field and sharing our knowledge and expertise with our audience, we’ve earned a reputation as a trusted source of information and inspiration.
Overall, our reputation within our market has been built on a foundation of authenticity, community engagement, empowerment, consistency, quality, and thought leadership. By staying true to our values and prioritizing the needs and interests of our audience, we’ve established ourselves as a respected and influential brand within the Black community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesoftblackgirlcl.wixsite.com/the-soft-black-girls
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoftblackgirlclub/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/103125305/admin/feed/posts/
Image Credits
Patty Barham