We recently connected with Patreese Walker and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Patreese thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear a story from back when you were an intern or apprentice. What’s a memorable story you can share with us?

I am a firm believer of in order to lead you must follow. Interning & apprenticeships is the core of my success. Because people believed in me, saw my potential, and wanted to prepare me for my next level. Mentors have helped me in so many ways. I have also found a field I wanted to work in and I went and worked under them. I told them day one my plans, what I wanted to do, & how I wanted to learn from them. I shadowed under their business, and they poured into me like no other. I ensured the situation was beneficial to them as well by working for little to no money in the beginning. I volunteered at certain events, or would just say whatever you see fit. The opportunity was greater than the dollar. By having this mindset, I was able to see the ends and outs of the job, gain the knowledge I needed to run my own business, & gain the tools I needed to be successful. The knowledge I gained during those times are things I still use to this day. It’s forever, so in my eyes it was priceless.

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 am the founder of The Branding Bag‼️ business group where you can ship, sell, or shop in over 32 states to over 7.8 thousands members here me out…. FOR FREE! The platform is also a learning platform. We go live weekly, hold zoom courses, and mentorship programs in our learning portal The Branding Bag Academy! The platform is beneficial to any and all small business owners (MEN AND WOMEN) I am also a certified business coach that specializes in personal brand building. You will gain knowledge on personal brand building through peer to peer coaching with our group mentoring and individualized mentoring to tackle more specific goals for your business. I also have a business planner available on Amazon. It’s My Business: The Weekly Business Planner You Didn’t Know You Needed! This book includes features with entrepreneurs in mind:
◦ Variety pages including daily business affirmations, what’s your business page, strategy planning page, SMART goals page, direct/indirect competitor analysis, weekly budget, & weekly check-ins, and so much more.
◦ 8×11 book size is good to have the space you need to plan, create, and design with the room you need to let ideas flow.
◦ Striking artwork to catch the visuals that is needed to help you create and motivate.
It’s safe to say, when it comes to business… We mean business!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to pivot many times in my entrepreneurial journey. I always knew I wanted to be in business for myself, I have a serving spirit so I always knew it would people and service based, just didn’t know exactly how. When I first started out I wanted to be an event planner. I did what most people do, file for their LLC & EIN, set up my bank account, and etc. I planned my first ever under my business name and immediately knew, nope, this isn’t for me. Most people take this approach. Go straight from idea to business without doing the research or even figuring out if this is something you truly want to do. I then switched to hosting events: baby showers, birthday parties, weddings, pageants, etc. Eventually I added bartending services and waiters/servers for your event! It was an instant hit. My business Really Treese became a huge success. It traveled from state to state hosting/bartending. It eventually landed me a radio segment on our local radio station 105.9 the beat called ReallyTreese with the Tea. With that success, I was on a roll. Then the big C hit (Covid) and stopped me in my tracks! I didn’t let it get to me tho. I created Beverage in a Bag! A cocktail experience that allowed you to become the bartender of your favorite drinks (glass included) now that I was back on track I felt unstoppable, until one day another battle to overcome. I tore my Achilles and boom. My business was at a stand still. I couldn’t walk, drive, or work for what was supposed to be a year to a year and a half. I doubled my physical therapy and was completely back to myself in 7 months. Have you ever stopped something for 7 months and think that it’s still going to be sitting there waiting for you? My radio segment was gone. My books was cleared. And I was left to pivot or quit. I decided to pivot. This, The Branding Bag was born! The Branding Bag is a group of thousands of members shopping, shopping, & selling in over 32 states! I didn’t stop there tho. I noticed that businesses (just like me in the beginning) started their businesses without the research, the real why, or without the question of do I really want to do this? That’s when I knew my business would be to serve their business! I packed my bags, moved to Texas (from Alabama) got certified in Business coaching and started my mentoring program! I have since helped over 400 businesses in under a year. I also self published a business planner available on Amazon on how to plan out your business! The rest is history, and the story is still being told on that chapter!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

To be honest I think showing up as my authentic self! Like I mentioned before I gave a serving spirit, I genuinely want to help, and I honestly want to see everyone win! I love helping, assisting, and pouring into others! I become your biggest cheerleader ever!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebrandingbag.net
• Instagram: thebrandingbagbusiness or patreese_thebrandingbag
• Facebook: The Branding Bag ‼️
• Other: My link on Amazon to purchase the planner It’s My Business: The Weekly Business Planner you didn’t know you needed! https://a.co/d/8ZHHQoO