We were lucky to catch up with Karol Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Karol thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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 created my portrayal of Harriet Tubman as an older woman more than 25 years ago. I’ve taken this performance to various places like schools and libraries to inspire people. Each time, my goal is to show that with courage, dedication, and persistence, anyone can achieve their dreams.

Harriet Tubman, born into slavery around 1821, is celebrated for her bravery and compassion. Despite being denied education and freedom, she managed to escape to the Northern states and Canada. But her own freedom wasn’t enough; she dedicated her life to liberating her family and community.

Her story illustrates a profound sense of self-worth. Despite her circumstances, she believed she deserved freedom and happiness. Today, many girls and women struggle with self-esteem, seeking validation externally. But true beauty and happiness come from within.

Like Harriet Tubman, we must believe in ourselves and cultivate self-love. By embracing our worthiness, we can achieve our dreams and become compassionate leaders. My teachings focus on empowering individuals to make a difference through love, starting with self-love and extending it to others.

Karol, 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 hail from Dayton, Ohio, where I spent my formative years before earning a BS degree in Nutrition from the University of Dayton. For three decades, I served as a registered dietitian, primarily at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Seattle, WA. In 2000, I expanded my knowledge by obtaining a Masters in Public Health, with a focus on health education, disease prevention, and health promotion.

My passion for public speaking and storytelling led me to delve into the life of Harriet Tubman in 1997. I crafted my own portrayal of her, embodying the persona of “Aunt Harriet,” the 92-year-old version of the iconic figure. Through my program, “A Visit with Harriet Tubman,” I aim to transport my audience back in time to experience her remarkable life firsthand. From her involvement in the Underground Railroad to her service in the Civil War and life in Canada and Auburn, NY, I offer a comprehensive portrayal that goes beyond the familiar narrative.

Drawing on my background in health and wellness, I illuminate a lesser-known aspect of Harriet Tubman’s character: her unwavering self-love and belief in her worthiness of freedom and joy. By engaging audiences in thought-provoking dialogue, I encourage introspection and self-reflection.

Combining my passion for education, wellness, and black history, I founded Brown Tones Productions. Through workshops, school residencies, stage performances, and keynote presentations, I aim to inspire and empower individuals of all ages. I’ve authored two books centered on Harriet Tubman, each designed as a curriculum with workbooks for interactive learning and self-reflection. “30 Lessons in Love, Leadership and Legacy from Harriet Tubman”, 2013, and “The Harriet Tubman Way, An Inspirational Guide, to Self-love, Empowerment, and Legendary Leadership for Girls”. 2023. My goal is to foster self-love and creativity in young readers while guiding adults in facilitating meaningful discussions.

As I enter my seventies, my mission remains steadfast: to leave a legacy of love, just like Harriet Tubman. I’m dedicated to training other retired women to join me in spreading this message of self-love to girls and women worldwide, one heartfelt interaction at a time. Together, we strive for a world where every individual recognizes their inner beauty and gifts.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After spending 28 years in Washington State, where I began my journey of performing as Harriet Tubman, my husband James and I made a significant decision to relocate back to Ohio in 2015. Initially, it was intended as a retirement move to be closer to our elderly family members.

However, life had unexpected twists awaiting us. My husband experienced a decline in his mental health, leading to physical abuse. Alongside this, I took on the role of a caregiver for my 100-year-old mother. These challenges, combined with adjusting to retirement, left me feeling overwhelmed.

During this tumultuous period, I struggled to pursue my passions. Despite my desire to write my second book and organize speaking engagements in Ohio, circumstances made it difficult to focus. The onset of the pandemic further disrupted my plans, halting my performance work as well.

Tragically, in 2023, I experienced profound loss with the passing of my daughter at the age of 47. This period marked the end of my marriage, followed by the passing of my ex-husband and my mother.

Amidst the grief and upheaval, I found myself at a crossroads. Returning to Seattle, where my son, grandchildren, and cherished friends resided, brought a sense of familiarity and support. It was there that I felt a shift within myself, a rekindling of joy through my lifelong passions of storytelling and teaching.

Now, fully committed to rebuilding my life and career, I am focused on revitalizing my curriculum development and presentations. My goal remains steadfast: to inspire and empower others to cultivate self-love and improve their lives, just as I am rediscovering my own sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I’ve established an online store on Shopify called “Girls United By Love Store.” It’s where I showcase and sell a range of Harriet Tubman-themed merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, bags, and other gift items. Shopify has been an excellent platform for me; it’s user-friendly, offers various print-on-demand options, and requires minimal upfront investment. The training resources provided are easily accessible and straightforward to follow, which has made the whole process smooth for me.

Upon my return to Ohio in 2015, I swiftly set up my store, featuring numerous designs highlighting Harriet Tubman with various images and slogans. I sourced most of my designs through Fiverr, ensuring that I had proper rights to reproduce them.

Currently, I’ve scaled back on the number of offerings, opting to reintroduce designs selectively based on their relevance to specific themes or events I’m promoting. I’ve learned from studying successful T-shirt businesses that overwhelming customers with too many choices can be counterproductive. Hence, I’ve adjusted my strategy and plan to expand my offerings gradually based on customer demand.

Among the most popular designs is “I Am Harriet Tubman,” featuring a captivating painting of Harriet Tubman by my late daughter, Adia Brown. Her artwork also graces the cover of my book, “The Harriet Tubman Way.”

Expanding beyond solely focusing on Harriet Tubman, I’ve introduced products that promote love, self-love, and unity. One such design, “Girls United By Love,” holds special significance as it was crafted by my talented niece, Ocean Brown. Her design was commissioned for the inaugural celebration of Brown Tones Productions’s International Day of the Girl Child, a United Nations initiative observed annually on October 11th. In addition to supporting the cause, each T-shirt sold with Ocean’s design contributes a $5.00 donation towards her college fund, aiding her in her journey toward higher education.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karolvbrown.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karolvbrown/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarrietTubman.Leader
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-brown-599a2528/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/browntones
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@karolbrown7153