We were lucky to catch up with Deborah Olivia Farmer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Deborah Olivia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I was working my previous job when my mentor — the legendary Melody Spann Cooper — called me out of the blue and said, “Babysis, I have your first client.”

My honest response? “Uh…what’s a client?”

I didn’t have a business card. I didn’t have a website. But I had faith — and apparently, a client. Melody connected me with Robert Blackwell Sr., the CEO of Blackwell Consulting Services, who had just written a book called “My Evolution as an Entrepreneur: The Story Behind Blackwell Consulting.”

Working with Mr. Blackwell wasn’t just about earning my first real dollar — it felt like God was handing me the blueprint for how I was supposed to build and run my own business. I soaked up every lesson, every conversation, every story.

That first client didn’t just make me feel like an entrepreneur. It made me one. And I’ve been chasing that same feeling — purpose, alignment, and impact — ever since.

Deborah Olivia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I like to say I didn’t choose this path — this path chose me (and then lovingly shoved me into my purpose).

I’m a storyteller at heart with a deep love for people, culture, and connection. I got my start working in the television world — learning how to find the heartbeat in every story and the magic in every moment. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those early days were shaping the way I would later show up as a brand strategist, communications architect, and impact consultant.

When I launched my business, I wasn’t trying to be “the next big thing.” I was trying to serve people. Help them tell their stories better. Amplify their work. Bring their visions to life in a way that felt real, powerful, and purposeful. That’s still my “why” today.

What I Do:
I specialize in brand strategy, communications consulting, media training, event consulting, internal communications development, and community-centered storytelling. Whether it’s building a brand from scratch, refining internal culture and messaging, landing high-profile media placements, preparing clients for major speaking opportunities, or curating powerful events — I help people show up in the world the way their purpose intended.

I also partner with mission-driven organizations that are thoughtful about their impact and their give-back to the community. Organizations that understand that it’s not just about what you build — it’s about who you serve, and how you show up for them.

In addition to external branding and storytelling, I work closely with companies on their internal communications strategies — helping them strengthen how they engage with their teams, align their values across every level, and foster a stronger, more connected workplace culture.

My work also extends into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consulting, where I help organizations not only talk about DEI, but meaningfully integrate it into their operations, communications, and brand identity. Real impact starts on the inside, and I help ensure it’s felt on the outside too.

The Problems I Solve:
Most people, organizations, and even seasoned executives know they have something special — but they struggle to package it, pitch it, or position it. That’s where I come in. I help close the gap between who you are and how the world sees you. I bring clarity, creativity, and a plan. I don’t just tell stories. I build platforms.

What Sets Me Apart:
There’s a lot of noise out there. Lots of people selling templates, trends, and surface-level “branding.” I’m not interested in that. I go beneath the surface — because your brand isn’t just your logo or your website. It’s your voice, your values, your vision. It’s how people experience you when you’re not in the room.

I build relationships, not transactions. I believe in showing up with integrity, creativity, and genuine care for my clients. And because I’ve been on both sides — pitching and being pitched to — I know how to craft stories that land with heart and hit with impact.

Lessons and Advice:
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that building a brand (or a business, or a movement) isn’t about perfection — it’s about purpose. Stay authentic. Stay patient. Build a brand that can stand the test of time, not just the trend of the moment. Also: Get you some people who say your name in rooms you’re not in. Your network is your net worth — and kindness is still undefeated.

What I’m Most Proud Of:
Honestly? The trust my clients place in me. The moments when they tell me, “You made me feel seen,” or “You helped me believe in my story again.” That’s the real win. That’s the currency I care about.

What I Want You to Know:
If you work with me, know this: I’m all in. I will see you, hear you, champion you, and push you — because your voice matters. Your work matters. And together, we’re going to make sure the world knows it too.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team — whether it’s full-time employees, interns, or being embedded inside a client’s organization — is all about energy and intention. I always start with one simple belief: everybody has a superpower. And my first job as a leader is to help you find it, name it, and lean into it like your life depends on it.

When I work with a team — whether it’s my own staff or the team of a company we’re consulting with — the first thing I do is make sure people know their strengths and feel empowered to work from them, not against them. I don’t believe in forcing people to be who they’re not. I believe in maximizing who they already are.

For me personally, my own leadership style is rooted in my strengths:

WOO (Winning Others Over): I know how to connect with people, get them excited, and build trust fast.

Communication: I make sure expectations, praise, and course corrections are clear and kind. No confusion, no guesswork.

Activator: I don’t just talk about it — I make it happen. I encourage my team to move from idea to action, quickly and with intention.

Empathy: I lead with heart. I care about what’s happening in my team’s lives both inside and outside of work.

Positivity: I’m the person who will find the light even on the hard days — and help you see it too.

That’s why I often describe myself as the hype person for any room I’m in. I want people to feel good about the work they’re doing, to feel seen and celebrated, and to be pushed toward their best self. Growth doesn’t have to be painful. Growth can feel like leveling up — and that’s exactly what I encourage. (In fact, our unofficial team anthem is “Level Up” by Ciara — and yes, we will dance it out after a big win!)

Another thing that’s important to me is building culture intentionally.
I recommend books all the time to my team that help shape the energy and direction we’re moving in. Some of our latest reads include:

Lighter by Yung Pueblo — a beautiful reminder to live, lead, and love with less baggage and more freedom.

Traction by Gino Wickman — a tactical guide for getting a grip on your business and scaling sustainably.

Who Better Than You? by Will Packer — a motivational must-read about believing in your own greatness.

You Deserve to Be Rich by Rashad Bilal — because abundance is a birthright, not a fluke.

Reading together keeps us sharp, connected, and always thinking about how we can grow personally and professionally.

I’ve had the honor of working with a large number of interns over the years, dating back to my days in television — and that taught me a lot about leadership early. When you’re mentoring young talent, you realize quickly: people don’t just need tasks. They need encouragement, they need structure, they need to see what’s possible for themselves. That mindset still informs how I lead today, no matter who’s on the other side.

At the end of the day, I believe managing a team is less about telling people what to do and more about helping them become the best version of themselves while doing it.
High morale isn’t a once-a-year retreat. It’s a daily culture. It’s built by how you speak to people, celebrate them, push them, listen to them, and grow with them. It’s being the coach, the cheerleader, and the mirror — all at once.

Because when people feel good about who they are and what they’re doing, there’s no limit to what they can create.

At Brown Farmer Media Group, everything we do is rooted in purpose and impact.

Our Core Focus:
We provide purpose-driven, socially responsible communication solutions that create measurable community impact.

And we show up for that mission every day by living out our Core Values — GRACE:

G — Growth: We embrace continuous personal and professional development, striving to learn, evolve, and stay ahead of what’s next.

R — Responsibility: We own our roles, respect deadlines, communicate clearly, and deliver on our word.

A — Authenticity: We lead with honesty, integrity, and realness in everything we do — no shortcuts, no masks.

C — Creativity: We break boundaries, think beyond the ordinary, and infuse bold, fresh ideas into every project.

E — Excellence: We execute at the highest level, treating every task — big or small — with care, precision, and pride.

When we operate in this rhythm, we don’t just meet expectations — we redefine what’s possible for ourselves, for our clients, and for the communities we serve.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Let’s be real: when I first started my business, I didn’t know anything about capital. Capital felt like something other people talked about — not something I had access to.

In the beginning, it was just me, a laptop, my faith, and a whole lot of grit. I struggled for many years trying to piece it all together. I bootstrapped every project, reinvested every dollar back into the business, and hoped that somehow, hard work alone would be enough. Spoiler alert: it’s not.

At a certain point, I realized — hustling wasn’t going to be enough to build something sustainable.
I needed real business knowledge if I was going to be a good steward of my company’s future.
That’s when I enrolled in Joseph Business School, which completely changed the way I thought about entrepreneurship. I started to understand that running a business and owning a business are two very different things — and if I wanted to build something that could grow and last, I had to become a better CEO, not just a better worker.

Here’s another truth people don’t always talk about: you can’t grow a business with your own money forever.
It’s just not possible.
And when you start seeking outside capital — that’s when you really see the hurdles that exist, especially for minority-owned businesses.

There are tons of programs out there that say they’re about “economic empowerment,” but if I’m being honest, the system is not set up for us to win easily.
Access to capital for Black, woman-led businesses is an obstacle course filled with red tape, biases, endless paperwork, and often, disappointment.
I’ve applied, pitched, and fought for funding more times than I can count — and each time, it was clear: systemic racism is alive and well in the financial world.

It’s not just about being qualified. It’s about being overqualified and still having to prove yourself at every turn.
It’s about having a strong business model, clear revenue streams, a good reputation — and still not being the “right fit” for some doors to open.

That’s why you have to not only educate yourself, but also surround yourself with the right people who will fight with you and for you.

Honestly, it wasn’t until recently that the breakthrough really happened.
My accountant, Mr. Alieu Bah — who has been a rock for me and my business — connected me to Necole Eweka with Solace Solution Professional.
Necole has been absolutely instrumental in helping my firm finally access the capital we need to grow and scale.

She helped demystify the process, point me toward the right opportunities, and most importantly — she treated me and my business with the respect we deserved.

Getting the right capital isn’t just about money — it’s about validation.
It’s about someone looking at your dreams and your track record and saying, “You deserve to build bigger. You deserve to have the tools to expand.”
And that makes all the difference.

Starting a business is hard.
Funding a business as a Black woman? Even harder.
But the lesson is: don’t give up.
Educate yourself.
Build your circle.
Push through the no’s until you find your yes.
And never, ever forget: you are worthy of the investment.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @theoliviafarmer
• Facebook: Deborah Olivia Farmer
• Linkedin: Deborah Olivia Farmer
• Other: www.brownfarmermedia.com, www.deboraholvia.com, www.myjourneytojoshua.com

Image Credits

Jason McCoy Photography & Brown Farmer Media Group, Inc.