Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Harlan.
Hi Brooke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My family owned and operated one of the first bail bond companies in Sumner County, TN. Initially, I had no desire to join my family in the bail industry and therefore pursued my own career in marketing. However, several series of events that transpired in my life led me into the bail industry. I now know that everything happens for a reason and I have discovered and embraced that the bail industry is my calling. This industry has inspired me to get people out of jail and keep people out of jail. I built the foundation of my life and business with my late husband Channing. In October of 2017, Channing passed away unexpectedly. I was left raising four children and running a business. I was absolutely devastated, and the year following was the darkest night of my soul. There were days that I couldn’t even get out of bed. I was in complete survival mode. However, I knew I had so many people that were depending on me, and I knew I had to keep moving forward. I knew I had to surrender, release, and ask for spiritual guidance and trust that my higher power had a plan that was far greater than my own. That was the catalyst of a real awakening and transition into my new life. Eventually, I was reminded that everything happens for a reason, and I must have a huge purpose in my journey of life.
I became inspired and motivated to honor my calling. Gradually I went from surviving to thriving again, and every day I just focused on one thing that contributed to becoming the best version of myself, and a messenger of healing and hope for others.
My silver lining – after years of witnessing encountering unjust situations, I felt called to share their stories and bring awareness in hopes of change. I felt called to be a voice for the voiceless, as well as a voice for my industry which is constantly under attack, threatened to be eliminated, and completely misunderstood. Knowing and honoring my purpose and calling has made me feel fulfilled and whole again, and eventually I even found love again. After reconnecting with my high school sweetheart, Michael. We got married on June 15th, 2019. Michael later left his own industry to join my industry and embarked on the journey of running my business with me while we continue to focus on our mission of transforming lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have endured so much loss throughout my journey of life, not so much financial loss, but loss of loved ones. I lost both of my parents at such a young age, I lost my late husband in 2017, I have lost many other family members, friends, colleagues, and clients. My Brooke’s Bail Bonding team is like family to me and every time they go into the field to capture a fugitive my fear is that they may not make it back alive. My team and I have encountered some very dangerous situations in the streets, and my fear is that I lose a team member, a family member, on my watch and that would be the true definition of failure to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the CEO of Brooke’s Bail Bonding. We are a bail bond business that serves Nashville, TN and surrounding counties. We are one of the largest in the South. When someone goes to jail, it is their 8th amendment, constitutional right to make bail, after the amount is set by the judicial system. If they do not have the full amount of the bond premium, they can post their bail bond with a bail bonding company for 10%, along with having someone cosign their bond. Once the bail bond company posts the bond with collateral they have put up with the court, they have an obligation to the court to ensure the defendant shows up for all court hearings when ordered to do so until a disposition is found in their case, meaning they take a settlement plea or they go to trial, whereby they are found guilty or not guilty. In the event, the defendant fails to appear in court it is the bail bond company’s responsibility to locate and capture the defendant. If unable to do so, the bail bond company will be liable for the full amount of the bond premium. Throughout my 20 years in the bail industry, I have encountered many situations with my clients which became the catalyst of my mission as an activist, transformation leader, and transformation life coach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebondlifebookofmissbrooke.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missbrookeharlan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missbrookeharlan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClqmJInQjMQ4e4JwnTbShbA
