Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Chantel.
Brittany, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After years spent working in marketing and advertising, in 2015 I decided to take off for a while, setting out on an 11th-month solo adventure around the world to learn, connect, and explore. Visiting around 15 countries from Central America to Europe to Southeast Asia and Africa, this experience became the catalyst which launched me into to the career I have today–leading a social enterprise company that aims to combine all of the things I’m most passion about, sustainable travel, events, giving back and empowering women of color, youth, and marginalized communities around the globe.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve experienced many ups and downs, times where I was super motivated and times where it just seemed to difficult especially as a solopreneur. I didn’t grow up with any entrepreneurs around me so I’ve really had to work hard to learn and grow in the belief that this was something I could do.
I’ve had to learn to ignore the voices in my head telling me my vision is too complicated or complex and remind myself of my why. Knowing that it’s ok to have doubts and be unsure of things because anyone brave enough to venture into entrepreneurship or anyone who’s just a creator in general experiences uncertainty but that doesn’t mean you’re not equipped. The how you do what you do will change and evolve and this is fine. So, whenever I’m struggling or having doubts, I remember this–my why, I’m re-energized.
Please tell us about the organization.
InfluenceHers is a social impact platform that curates experiences and events aimed at providing more women opportunities to give back, serve the world around them and feel empowered.
We have three main offerings
- Our InfluenceHers Abroad trips. These trips are service-based international trips aimed at bringing together women of color interested in traveling and giving back together. On these trips, we spend half of the time volunteering and working with local non-profits and the other half exploring the country. We go to Kenya and Tanzania every year and will continue adding destinations where we’re able to contribute in an impactful and positive way.
- Events- We organize volunteer events, fundraising events, and workshop which allow our members to engage, learn, and network with other changemakers.
- My Dada Boutique.
Our socially conscious online boutique was created to provide a platform for our sisters in Africa to sell their locally sourced and handmade items and gain supplemental income.
InfluenceHers is a social enterprise meaning we’re a bit of a hybrid. We’re not a non-profit but any and all business we do has a social cause attached to it. Our trips have been the main pillar of we do as we’ve created a unique experience that puts women of color at the forefront of international and volunteer travel something that’s not as commonly seen although I feel that’s changing fast.
In a world where it’s so easy to be influenced by things that do little to improve the quality of our own lives or the lives of others, my goal is to build a community of empowered women who are passionate about meaningfully contributing to the world around them. I want to show women, particularly women of color, who may come from difficult or marginalized background that despite this they too can positively impact the lives of others and influence change.
Becoming a social entrepreneur has taught me many invaluable skills and pushing me to learn so many things–from accounting, social media marketing and management, building marketing and content strategies, planning travel and events for large groups, building and managing websites, and telling great stories. But although I’ve learned a lot through my entrepreneur experience thus far, I know that there is still so much more to learn which I love connecting with new people and remain open to new opportunities.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
There’s not much I would do differently in my entrepreneurial journey. I’ve learned a lot and I continue to learn every day as my company grows and I’m truly grateful for that. The only thing I’d say is something I’d wished I’d learned sooner, which was the power of networking. When you’re a solopreneur it comes with so many difficulties, as I mentioned before, but when you find a network of like-minded people to cheer you on, get advice from, and help connect you with resources and information, it’s a powerful thing. It reminds you that you’re not alone and reminds you that there are plenty of other people other there who have the same values. A good network is really validating and motivating.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.influencehers.org
- Email: brittany@influencehers.org
- Instagram: influencehers.world
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfluenceHers.world/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/influencehers_
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