Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikki Branch. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nikki , appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

A few years ago, I noticed a considerable lack of support for the underdogs. The ones who don’t have a large social media following have no celebrity endorsements or don’t get the opportunity to share their incredible story with others. I decided to create that space. It is essential for women-owned businesses, especially new companies, to feel support because it can feel lonely when you’re new, trying to make a mark in your industry.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello all! My name is Nikki Branch, but my tribe calls me Nikki for the Culture. I am the proud Founder of Women for the Culture. We create safe spaces for the “underdogs” and highlight female culture shakers. As a newly certified Women’s Empowerment Coach, I feel this was the icing on the cake. I have always been passionate about assisting women in leveling up their relationships, friendships, and business.

I got started in the industry over ten years ago. I started as a modeling agency owner. And even then, I saw a need to create a business that made women feel safe and appreciated. During that time, my clients were booked for VH1, SMS Audio by 50 cent, G-Unit, and so much more. I left the modeling industry a few years later and connected with a great hair care line called Haircredible. I was a part of their social media, graphic designing, creative direction, and company development.

After working with Haircredible and being a part of this incredible team, I decided to create Women for the Culture because of the lack of support from other media/blog platforms.

And history was made…

We are three years later, and I have grown our social media platform to over 12K dynamic women who believe in my brand and vision. This journey, by far, has not been easy, but the support and drive keep me going. Women for the Culture has interviewed all your favorite celebrities and up-and-coming business and brand owners. We have brought on so many women who would have never thought we would be in the rooms and have the opportunities given if it were not for our platform.

Our mission is to continue to inspire and empower women who may struggle to keep going in their business because of the support or opportunities, but that all stops when they connect with us; we have a lot more work to do. Still, I will continue to push our message with my incredible team.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started the Women for the Culture social media with NO plan. I just knew who I wanted my audience to be, who would resonate with my message, and those were the people I followed and connected with. I was not active on my social media because, at the time, my vision for W4TC was not about me but about my tribe and their growth. So even to this day, I rarely show my face, but now that I have a PR and a team and we have grown so much, I have to be more visibly involved. With social media becoming such a different beast from a few years ago, I had to learn to move with the changes or get a team that could assist with things I was uncomfortable doing.

My advice to those starting on social media is to tell your story and be the voice of your business or brand from the start. I wish I did not get so comfortable with not being in front of the camera because sometimes it is a struggle always to grab my phone and share messages or lessons I may learn throughout my journey. This will be an essential part of your growth, and Once your audience gets to know who you are as a person, you will grow a supportive organic tribe.

Any advice for managing a team?

I don’t have a large team yet, but when growing a team, be upfront with what and who you are looking for as a team member. Do your research and make sure the person you hire truly believes in your vision. Be honest about where you are in your in your business and what expectations they can expect. I have always been honest with my team about what I can and can’t do. I also am supportive of their personal journey and growth.

For me showing support can mean attending their Instagram lives, sending them a text message letting them know how much I appreciate them and the work they are doing. On our IG platform I let my team promote themselves as a business owner, writer, or blogger. It is important to let them know I am supporting them all the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: shopw4tc.com
• Instagram: @nikkifortheculture @womenfortheculture
• Facebook: facebook.com/womenfortheculture
• Twitter: @iamw4tc
• Youtube: youtube.com/womenfortheculture