We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Brandi Scott recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Brandi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I had a successful fifteen year career as a higher education administrator. I supported students, supervised large and small teams, and had the gift of mentoring many professionals.
As a first-generation high school graduate myself, who was raised in poverty, college was my awakening to possibility. The window to what could be, to who I could be. This is what sparked my passion and career in creating access to higher education for students whose backgrounds and experiences made college feel like it wasn’t an option or impossible to achieve.
What I also learned is that being first-gen, doesn’t end with college. When you are the first person in your family to earn a degree, you are also the first person to enter a career, to have a salary paying job, to experience the unwritten rules of professionalism. The same feelings of thinking you don’t belong or aren’t the right fit follow you into the workplace. But these feelings, as many scholars describe, this imposter syndrome, is insecurity that is real in its feelings but not true in what it actually means about our value and worth.
As a supervisor and mentor, I had the opportunity to coach many staff through understanding the unwritten rules of the workplace, offer them the skills to successfully navigate professional settings, while demonstrating their value. Seeing their growth, seeing them land that promotion, take on that challenging role with confidence, is what motivated me to launch my business.
In my business I work with individuals and teams. With individuals, as a career and executive coach, I help people see their value and learn how to communicate and demonstrate their impact. When we know our worth, we confidently negotiate for higher pay, seek promotions, advocate for our time, and take on responsibilities that help us continue to grow.
As a consultant, I support leaders and teams with recognizing the value of each member and building a strategy embedded in collaboration, conflict management, and sustainable results.
For me, my own story and the barriers I navigated offered me a lens for seeing ways that I can break down walls for others. I can help people see that what feels like “you don’t fit” really has more to do with understanding the unwritten rules and then deciding how you authentically want to navigate through them.
If we want a seat at the table, if we want to be the decision maker, you have to first know your worth, how your experiences give you the tools for leading, and do it. This is at the core of why I started my business.
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.
I’m a first-generation high school graduate, and a lot of my work is shaped by my own journey, learning to navigate imposter syndrome and grow into confidence as a leader and decision-maker. That experience really deepened my commitment to self-awareness, equity, and leadership. I’ve seen firsthand how understanding your own story and investing in your growth builds the confidence and clarity you need to lead others, and to advocate for yourself.
I’ve spent over 15 years as a scholar-practitioner working with individuals and organizations to strengthen leadership, navigate team dynamics, and address systemic inequities. I really believe strong leadership starts with honest reflection, so a lot of my work centers around unpacking bias, power, and positionality. My goal is to help people lead with more empathy, accountability, and purpose.
Over the years, I’ve facilitated workshops and trainings on topics like leadership development, inclusion, supervision, and conflict resolution. I also coach individuals on things like career transitions, salary negotiation, and navigating workplace challenges.
My background is in higher education. I hold a PhD in Higher Education Leadership, a Master’s in Student Affairs, and a Bachelor’s in Government. I’m also trained as a SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) facilitator and IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory) facilitator.
At the heart of it, my work is about helping people and teams thrive, whether that’s finding clarity in your career, growing as a leader, or creating more inclusive, collaborative, and strategic workplaces.
How did you build your audience on social media?
As a business owner, social media has been my biggest learning curve. Going from occasionally posting photos of my kids and dogs on Facebook to building a strategy that communicates what I offer and who benefits has taken tremendous, and ongoing, learning and growth.
What I’ve learned from many amazing influencers and business owners is the power of authenticity. The videos I’ve shared right after a run, no makeup, just insight, have had some of the most views and direct client connections. Posts that share parts of my own real story and struggles have opened the door to greater connection with people and clients.
I’ve been pulled, multiple times, to be someone I think I “should” be online. But notice when your content starts to feel like an avatar of you, when you’re trying to be what you think a successful person is. Instead, remember why you built your business. Remember your values and purpose, and strive for your content to align with them.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
People invest when they see the reward or outcome. One of the most important strategies I offer is giving before asking people to invest. I offer free tip webinars, share tools and resources on my social media handles, and provide free consultations. I offer this because it’s what I would need in order to buy or invest in something, I need to know if it’s really worth it. Offering some of my services and knowledge for free builds credibility and helps people decide if working with me is a good fit for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brandiscottphd.com
- Instagram: @brandiscottphd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556261462138
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-brandi-scott-53622a2a6/
Image Credits
Headshot credit to Obscura Photography