Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Brown.
Hi Alisha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I left my hometown of Troy, AL in August of 1999 to join the US Navy where I honorably served for ten years. When I got out of the military, I immediately became a human resource specialist in the federal government and retired in July 2021. Retiring from the federal government sector allows me to be present in the two (2) brands I launched during my federal career – Alisha D. Brown Career Consulting, LLC and Naturals in Troy. I am married to my best friend and fellow shipmate and have been for 15 years. Together we are raising three (3) young men – 21, 15 and 2. Life is very adventurous for us, and I stay busy with both brands. I love to travel and read thought provoking and positive books. Although busy, I always take time to myself by doing staycations and beach trips with the family – I love water!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a woman veteran there is always the constant degrading of a woman’s ability to serve the country. It is interesting when you are sitting at a VA appointment and men are there looking at you like ‘what are you doing here’. I purposely wear t-shirts or hats that say I am the veteran, or I served too. The grand challenge is being a woman and being recognized and appreciated for your honorable service to the USA. Getting the message out that women serve/d too is extremely important because it impacts the care we receive and our ability to secure the same benefits as our male counterparts. That alone sets the stage for a mental challenge in everything I do. While I am only in competition with myself, I feel as though I must compete with men who possess the same skillsets as myself. I feel as if I must prove my skillset more than men and it is unfair, but I welcome the challenge.
As it relates to my business, no it has not been a smooth road. It is hard building the know, like and trust of people. It is easy to get caught up in your own mind because you know your level of knowledge and think that because of that people will be magnetized to your skills – not the case. In a day and time where social media drives or dives businesses, it is difficult to thrive in such environment when you are not thrilled about being on social media all day. Yes, there are scheduling tools, but you still must create the content to schedule and that takes away from my need and want to educate and train.
For my natural hair event – I would say the struggle has been motivating people to believe that the platform can be used to gain education, tips, and tricks to make their natural hair journey easier. When people get caught in a specific thought and mentality, it is very hard to break that and get them to change their thinking. Although I feel as if the event is impactful in the moment and quite possibly immediately after, but not so much in the weeks or months to come. So, now I am on a journey to make it easier to digest the information and ask questions. I honestly wish I had the power to touch every African American woman to influence them to love on their natural hair as much as they do protective styling. That is a big struggle…
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Alisha D. Brown Career Consulting, LLC was launched to educate transitioning military and veterans on developing marketable resumes through resume development and career consultations. I strive to change lifestyles through careers, and this is done by effectively showing clients how to build tailored strategies to articulate their worth in writing. I specialize in federal government employment because I was a prior federal HR specialist who knows how to navigate the Federal government hiring process and resume development. The main thing that sets me apart from others is that I do not plug information into a resume that does not properly identify their accomplishments. It is also fair to say that I have been there and done that – I transitioned from the military and had a very successful Federal career. I also know the struggle of having so many jobs and trying to narrow it down to focus on one skillset that could result in a stable lifestyle, like what the military provided. I am most proud of the fact that I can expand and help a veteran anywhere. I am not bound to one specific geographic location as I am with one specific category of people. I want people to know that my focus is to educate them on writing their own resumes instead of paying someone to do it for them. I am tremendously passionate about gaining and sustaining successful careers in the Federal government, so long as the tools and tips I provide are utilized. It is important to note that my services are not a one size fits all and that they are 100% tailored to meet someone’s specific need. This is what makes my brand different – no templates, but it is a one stop shop to understanding what needs to be done individually to gain federal employment.
Naturals in Troy is an annual natural hair event held in Troy, Alabama which educates and promotes healthy at home hair care and introduces affordable natural hair products. Launched in 2016, for this year we are dedicating the event to the celebration of locs and afros and will feature local celebrity stylists as well as the Guinness Book of World Record Largest Afro Title Holder, Ms. Aevin Dugas. My passion for natural hair started when I decided to go natural in 2011 and learned how much healthier that lifestyle was for me and so I ventured on to influence those in my hometown to embrace their God-given tresses. I have expanded the platform to offer a scholarship to a graduating senior in the Pike County, Alabama who embraces and wears their natural hair. The event itself is done in a family-oriented atmosphere and is a platform for business owners to showcase their brands through vending or other sponsorship opportunities. It is my philanthropic method of bring the community out for a positive event while influencing the culture of wearing and appreciating natural hair.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Absolutely – believe in yourself and your skills. Shop around and find a mentor or someone who speaks a similar language and tone – inside or outside of your industry. Network and let people know what it is you can do and how. Most importantly, stand in your business and don’t think of it as a small business. Lastly, create goals and a strategy to accomplish them. That’s what life is all about – challenging and pleasing yourself by your standards.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@alishadbrown.com
- Website: www.alishadbrown.com
- Instagram: @adbrownconsults
- Facebook: @adbrownconsults
- Other: www.naturalsintroy.com
Image Credits
Brand photos captured by LaShay Price Photography Studio Columbia, SC
