We were lucky to catch up with Narcisse Burchell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Narcisse, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week (BREW) 2024 is hands down the most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on. That year, we had one big goal in mind: to give entrepreneurs everything they needed—tools, resources, and a solid dose of inspiration—to not just survive but thrive in today’s business world. The theme, “Stayin’ Alive,” was a perfect fit, highlighting the grit and perseverance you need to push through the tough times and keep growing.

We hosted it at the newly renovated Mid City Tower, a location that really symbolized what we were trying to say: renewal, transformation, and the constant evolution of the entrepreneurial journey. The week was packed with educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an intense pitch competition—there was never a dull moment.

We had some amazing speakers. Dhiraj Mukherjee, co-founder of Shazam, dropped some serious knowledge about the future of entrepreneurship, drawing on his own journey. And Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition, brought the energy with an inspiring talk on how to thrive in today’s innovation economy.

Here’s where it gets personal. BREW holds a special place in my heart. I remember attending years ago, struggling with feelings of not belonging—imposter syndrome was real. As much as the event offered in terms of content, it didn’t always feel like a space for people like me. Those doubts lingered, and honestly, they held me back. Fast forward eight years, and now I’m the one organizing BREW. It’s wild and deeply rewarding. It’s surreal. It’s the power of sticking with it and believing in yourself. My vision for BREW 2024 was simple: create a space where everyone feels like they belong. I wanted to make sure that every person in the room felt seen and inspired.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey! I’m Narcisse Burchell, a multi-hyphenated millennial (because why settle for one thing, right?) with a serious passion for turning bold ideas into unforgettable experiences. Even in high school, I had a gut feeling I’d end up in marketing. My aptitude test confirmed it—so I took that as a sign and ran with it. I started interning at various public relations and communications agencies and, in 2014, decided to launch my own. Since then, my work’s been featured in xoNecole, Black Enterprise, AfroTech, TravelNoire, and Essence—so yeah, it’s been quite a ride.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Media Communications from Full Sail University, and after over a decade of navigating the worlds of communications, I’ve been blessed to get a few pats on the back, like being named one of the Top 25 African American Millennial Publicists by Huffington Post and earning the Opulence Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Now let’s talk about my COVID-era epiphany. I wasn’t just baking and doing TikTok challenges, I was also deep in thought, questioning my career path and what truly aligned. Turns out, I love bringing people together and making sure they feel seen (and let’s be honest, I love controlling the vibes because the vibes control everything). So, between cookie batches and some solid home renovations, I took Google’s project management courses, got laser-focused on professional development, and got ready for outside to “open back up”.

I gave my creative agency Coffee x Hustle a rebrand and relaunched as A Project Chick. Instead of just brand identity, we’re now all about project management. Our jam? Crafting exceptional experiences for clients through customer experience, experiential marketing, and project execution. I’m here to handle all the nitty-gritty—logistics, creative execution, the whole shebang—using a hybrid approach that blends strategy, creativity, and innovation. This pivot allows me to focus on managing projects from start to finish, ensuring everything goes off without a hitch (and yes, exceeds expectations, because why aim low?).

I also wear a couple of other hats. As the Programs and Events Manager at Nexus Louisiana, I organize Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week (BREW)—an annual hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors to come together. I’m also the Vice President of Membership for the Baton Rouge chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), helping boost professional development and brand awareness.

I’m all about balancing creativity with strategy. Whether I’m designing immersive experiences or leading massive projects, I bring big-picture thinking and flawless execution to the table every time. My goal? To blow minds, spark innovation, and raise the bar on every project.

Outside of work, you can usually find me geeking out over sneakers with my husband, binge-watching sci-fi, or grabbing a fro-yo at Yogurtland. I’m also big on tech and love hanging out at arcades with my kids. At the end of the day, my mission is simple—turn daring ideas into reality, solve problems with style, and leave an unforgettable mark on everything I do.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

For the longest time, I bought into the whole “Jack of all trades, master of none” myth. I’d shy away from my big, bold, badass ideas and try to tone it down, thinking I was just “doing too much” and that I needed to stick to one lane.

But here’s what I’ve learned, especially in project management: that old saying is overrated. In fields like experiential marketing or creative services, being versatile is actually your superpower. The idea that you need to niche down or master just one thing can really box you in. But project management? It demands that you have your hands in everything—budgets, timelines, creative direction, logistics. And knowing how to juggle all those moving parts is what makes you effective.

What I realized is that being a “jack of all trades” lets me see the big picture and catch issues early. It helps me lead cross-functional teams and communicate better with stakeholders, which ultimately makes projects successful. So yeah, that saying kind of misses the point—there’s real strength in adaptability. Being able to handle multiple areas and move fluidly between them has kept me sharp, agile, and ready for whatever curveballs come my way.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

If I’d known about these tools sooner, I’d probably be invincible by now!

HubSpot: Absolute game-changer. They’ve got everything you need for marketing, sales, and customer relationship management. If I had a handle on CRM tools earlier in my journey, I could’ve streamlined my marketing efforts and managed client relationships. The secret sauce to serving your customers well? Knowing them inside and out, and HubSpot lets you do just that. You’ll be all up in their business (in a good way!).

ClickUp: My absolute fave! This project management tool is an all-in-one powerhouse for task management, time tracking, and team collaboration. It’s so versatile, you can juggle individual and team projects like a boss. And seriously, I live for a good dashboard—it keeps everything organized and stress-free.

Pinterest for Business: Top-tier, no question! I used to scroll Pinterest just for fun, but little did I know it’s a goldmine for trends, inspiration, and marketing strategies. It’s perfect for visually showcasing your work and driving traffic to your site. If you’re serious about brand awareness and audience engagement, Pinterest is the place to be.

This toolkit is my secret weapon. When the chaos of creation hits, these tools help me stay on top of it all and get things done!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aprojectchick.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/narcisseburchell
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burchellnarcisse
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narcisseburchell/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@narcisseburchell

Image Credits

Jordan Hefler