Conscious Entrepreneurship: May I introduce Chisa Pennix-Brown
Lady Bizness is a marketing and branding company that focuses on women owned, nonprofit, and black owned businesses. Chisa Pennix-Brown was led to this line of work as a result of being a serial entrepreneur with a knack for teaching and seeing where improvements in marketing and social media could enhance a company. Once she started teaching her first class at NC A&T State University the desire increased tenfold to help others find their “IT”. The company has now transformed into Virtual Education and Multimedia production.
CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP — What meaning do you give this term?
Responsibility for your success and your clients. When your goals align with others needs and solve a problem it creates a cycle of reciprocity. It may not come around immediately, but being know for quality work and customer focus always lead to success.
MENTORS — We all need a little help along the journey. Who has been an invaluable mentor for you? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
My mentor is actually one of my clients. She is a director at one of the Small Business Centers I teach for, but she is also a licensed counselor and business owner herself. She always challenges me to do more and branch out of my comfort zone. She has prepared me to take on bigger goals and still focus on my core audience.
TO THRIVE — When you see yourself thriving: Do you see yourself opening up opportunities for others along the way to participate in your success, and how?
Always. I believe that we can be better when the people around us are better. It doesn’t make sense to have one person with all the money and all the accolades. There is more to success than just money and awards. The relationships I have built have all been the kind where someone would recommend me without provocation. If there is an opportunity for someone else I make sure to email, text, call, whatever is needed to share.
CAUSE — What are the causes close to your heart, and you are supporting right now? Can you share a story how you got involved? How did it make you feel?
One cause is mental health. I am supporting that by creating workshops to help women and couples that are having issues with anxiety and depression. I started last year deciding that I wanted to focus on depression and business. Then 2020 happened and I’ve been able to use my own life and relationships to help others. Understanding that mental health is important and a major part of starting and growing a business is something that we do not talk about often enough. I hope to bring enlightenment to those who may be struggling because I know how it feels to have a support system and many people do not have others to talk to.
THE FUTURE — How do you see the face of entrepreneurship in 5 years? How do companies /brands need to adapt to secure their place in the future?
In the next 5 years I see more people participating in entrepreneurship via online stores, gig economy, and side hustles. Companies need to adapt to find something that they can sell online to create additional income sources. Brands will also have to use social media with an increasing demand in visual and audio content.
ADVICE — What kind of advice would you like to give to an aspiring entrepreneur who feels limited due to their background or lack of resources?
Start. Find a business that is in demand and aligned with your skillset. Take that knowledge and find a product or service that you would do even if you didn’t get paid. The basic startup steps to business are the same, its what you do with your marketing that can make you stand out.
DRIVE — Do you sometimes feel bad for “wanting more out of life”, and if so, why? What is your personal motivation that leads you through the hardships of entrepreneurship?
Never. I am the kind of person who is always looking for what’s next. I usually feel accomplished and then take a short amount of time off before beginning my next project. My personal motivation is my husband and having a lifestyle that allows me to be flexible. I like having control over how much I work and how much I make. I also like the challenge of creating something from scratch and seeing it flourish.
CHALLENGES — Entrepreneurship is very challenging. We each have our own coping mechanism. Mine is humor. What is yours? Can you share a story?
Mine is definitely humor, but its also my podcast, Real Ass Affirmations. I have found that being funny helps people to relate and eases the tension. My podcast combines real talk, advice, and pulls in mantras and meditation in my attempt to help people be their own life coach. I started it after my mom passed as a way to express myself and help others. Its my happy place for letting it all hang out.
YOU — Is there anything you would like to share that we have not asked you here?
We have a new service launching soon called Audacity Scouts that will help entrepreneurs achieve goals in business from a holistic perspective.
THANK YOU!
Connect with Chisa Pennix-Brown on Instagram.
Demee Koch about the MEDIUM interview series on CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
Conscious entrepreneurship for me is about building a sustainable business that values and respects the resources used and makes an effort of giving back to society.
I believe we need entrepreneurs to really get involved in the causes close to their heart.
This is why I reach out to entrepreneurs that aim for more than generating profit. With this interview, I aim to share entrepreneurial purpose-led passion to inspire others.
Looking forward to learn from you. Reach out to me via LinkedIn.
Demee ❤︎
