Today we’d like to introduce you to Chasiti Shepherd.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chasiti. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started on a hope and a prayer. I worked for AT&T Advertising and Publishing for several years and was extremely successful. I never missed a quota. I came in early and stayed late. I loved my career, but I was curious about starting something of my own. During my tenure at AT&T, I notice a lack of diversity and representation when dealing with small businesses. Not only were we not business owners, but the ones that were had no idea how to market their business correctly. I remember working with a local black Plummer who had big dreams and wanted to grow his business but was afraid to invest $500 a month on advertising his business.
I had to change his way of thinking. I had to break things down for him. I explained to him to make money; he had to spend it on marketing his business to the right people. I was able to convince him to invest $750 per month, and that following year he was able to hire an additional crew and increased his bottom line by 50%. After that experience, I knew that God had called me to advocate for minority own and small businesses. In 2012 after working for AT&T for several years and in Medical Devices sales. I decided to boss up and try to make this marketing thing work. I had no clue how I was going to make it work, but I did. And I am so glad that I did. BGrace Media is now a powerhouse in the Transcultural industry. We have over 25 clients and five employees. We have come along way since that Hope and prayer. Now let me been clear, the road has not been easy, but it is worth it.
Has it been a smooth road?
Has it been easy? lol NOT. AT. All! I have had several people ask me who was behind BGrace, am I being funded by another organization, who is my partner? Do people think a Black woman can’t succeed on her own? Why do I have to be funded? God is my investor. I always wonder why anyone would think that anyone else was behind BGrace. I have worked hard to get us where I am today. Being a small business owner isn’t an easy job; it’s hard work, I am up early, and I go to bed late. It took five years before I hit my stride. I felt on top of the world. However, it was in late 2017 when everything began to foil. That is the year the people of Birmingham elected a new mayor. When the new administration took office in 2018, I lost all of my government contracts.
This added stress affected my pregnancy; as a result, my youngest daughter, Brailee, was born at just 29 weeks. Just imagine having a baby and leaving her at the hospital. All you can do is hope and pray that the nurses are taking care of her. There were days I was pumping breast milk while having conference calls in the hospital next to her isolate. When Brailee was finally in the clear, I get a phone call from my mom saying that she found my brother unresponsive. We later found out that he had suffered a stroke, and the lack of oxygen to his brain resulted in 99% brain damage. He was on a ventilator from April 18 to June 8. That’s when my mom decided to let him go. That was hands down the most difficult year of my life. I had to balance challenges in my family while keeping BGrace afloat. Thank God for a supportive team.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with BGrace Media – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am glad that you asked! At BGrace Media, we are transcultural storytellers. We connect brands with people and get them talking. We specialize in helping our clients connect with their target audience, and we are known for our persuasive way of driving behavior change. We are the type of firm that can help you publish a white paper but can also clap back on The Gram. In today’s climate, it is imperative to be able to do multiple things. We do PR, social media management, community engagement, and crisis management all exceptionally well! We get people talking.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
BLACK Excellence!!! Birmingham has such a reach history and bright future! I am excited to be apart of all the magical things that the Magic City has to offer!
Contact Info:
- Address: BGrace Media
2107 5th Ave N.
Suite 200 Birmingham AL 35203 - Website: Bgrace.media
- Phone: 205-537-1100
- Email: Chasiti.Shepherd@Bgracemedia.com
- Instagram: instgram.com/bgracemediallc
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bgracemedia
- Twitter: Twitter.com/bgracemedia
- Yelp: yelp.com/bgracemedia
Image Credit:
D. Jerome Smedley
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