Brianna Régine Walston, founder of BR Visionary Consulting and 2023 SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year, shares the real challenges of year six in business. She and Taryell Simmons discuss building a resilient mindset, therapy and support networks, going deeper than demographics, and why pivoting is evolution, not failure.
Welcome to the recap of this empowering episode of the Rise Urban Nation podcast hosted by Taryell Simmons. In this session, host Taryell Simmons sits down with Brianna Régine Walston, the award-winning founder and CEO of BR Visionary Consulting. Together, they explore practical strategies for navigating business adversity, building sustainable support systems, and creating authentic brand visibility that drives meaningful growth.
Brianna reflecting on receiving the 2023 SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and dedicating the honor to her parents for instilling grit and perseverance.
A candid breakdown of year six in business, sharing the raw financial hurdles of managing payroll during delayed accounts receivable cycles.
The transformative realization that therapy and checking one's ego allow founders to build transparent, reliable support networks.
The distinction between superficial market demographics and deep psychographic segmentation when defining ideal customers.
Brianna's empowering perspective on pivoting in business as a strategic evolution rather than a failure.
Cultivating Resilient Mindset: Prioritizing mental fortitude and self-awareness to withstand entrepreneurial loneliness and overcome inevitable operational hurdles.
Authentic Brand Visibility: Aligning company messaging with genuine values rather than blindly chasing superficial online trends and social media hype.
Deep Audience Segmentation: Moving beyond general demographic data into psychographics and behavioral insights to address specific customer pain points.
Leveraging Strategic Mentorship: Engaging experienced mentors to accelerate professional growth, gain actionable clarity, and bypass costly trial-and-error mistakes.
Vulnerability in Leadership: Communicating transparently with team members, family, and trusted peers to maintain operational integrity during challenging seasons.
Treat mindset as the foundational driver of your business strategy before investing in complex marketing tactics.
Narrow your target audience by identifying precise behavioral patterns and psychographic motivations rather than marketing broadly to entire demographics.
Incorporate professional therapy and intentional peer networks to manage entrepreneurial stress and maintain emotional clarity.
Participate in market trends selectively, ensuring every campaign aligns with your authentic voice and core brand integrity.
Brianna Régine Walston is an acclaimed communications strategist, agency leader, and the founder of BR Visionary Consulting. Recognized as the 2023 SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Connecticut, she has dedicated years to mentoring emerging leaders at the University of Connecticut and hosting The Brand Unveiled podcast. To learn more about her services and current initiatives, visit https://www.brvisionaryconsulting.com.
Taryell Simmons: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another episode of the Rise Urban Nation podcast, where we dive into deep stories and strategies of Black entrepreneurs. I am your host, Taryell Simmons. Today we have the incredible guest, Brianna Régine Walston, CEO and founder of BRVC and the 2023 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. I want to give people their flowers whenever possible. We are here to talk about navigating challenges and turning passion into profit. It is an honor to have you with us today.
Brianna Régine: Thank you. It is an honor to be here. This is my first podcast interview of 2024, so this is a blessing. In my role in PR, I am usually facilitating and coordinating interviews. Whenever I get to be the special guest, share my story, and hopefully inspire someone, I do not take that for granted.
Taryell Simmons: What does that recent accolade mean to you, and how has it influenced your journey?
Brianna Régine: The 2023 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented by the Small Business Administration in Connecticut, where I am based. It was not the kind of award where you simply submit a payment. You have to craft and demonstrate your milestones, achievements, and growth. It was especially significant because of the recommendations submitted by my team and external partners. Reading what they wrote was truly touching. It affirmed that the intentionality behind my service and leadership is received as intended. My parents and brother attended the ceremony, and I dedicated the award to them. As the oldest of four, I recognize how much they sacrificed and how consistently they believed in us. The past seven years would not have been possible without their foundation.
Taryell Simmons: Shout out to mom and dad. That grit, grind, and character make all the difference. When our parents see our wins, we are living their wildest dreams.
Taryell Simmons: Entering 2024, what strategies do you recommend for Black entrepreneurs striving to stand out in a competitive market?
Brianna Régine: Mindset is the number one strategy above all technical aspects. You must know you have a place to fill and deserve what you set your mind to do. That mindset requires self-awareness, faith, and a support system to lean on because entrepreneurship can be very lonely.
Taryell Simmons: Many people online showcase only the glitz and glamour without showing the adversity required to succeed. You often speak about resilience. Can you share a major challenge you faced and how you overcame it?
Brianna Régine: Year six was my hardest year in business financially. I was working tirelessly to make payroll for my team. After managing successfully for twelve months, I reached a point where accounts receivable were delayed. I had to pull back the curtain with my staff and explain the financial reality transparently. Social media often glamorizes making quick figures or leaving a nine-to-five, but it rarely displays what happens when business slows down. You must look at profit and loss statements and profit margins. Entrepreneurship will test you personally, and your personal growth will test your business. You must be willing to acknowledge reality, find middle ground, and share the journey without fear of showing failures.
Taryell Simmons: When you start taking action with authenticity, resources and networks begin to appear. How have you approached building your support systems, and what impact have they had?
Brianna Régine: It boils down to intentionality. Life is easier when you realize you do not have to do it alone. You have to remove your ego and acknowledge when you do not possess all the tools to navigate challenges on your own. That involves finding your tribe, whether through a therapist, friends, or family. Leaning on therapy helped me check my ego and become truly vulnerable with my support system, my team, and even clients who became close friends. When you allow people to see where you really are, they can pour back into you.
Taryell Simmons: Therapy brings crucial social-emotional awareness and keeps ego in check so that decisions are not driven by insecurity. It is essential for our community.
Taryell Simmons: Online visibility is crucial in today's digital landscape. What tactics do you employ to amplify brands effectively?
Brianna Régine: People often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to be online without considering how they will show up. Authenticity requires thoughtful alignment with your core message and delivery. In my ebook, Say It Like You Mean It, I discuss tapping into your why and delivering that message in a way that resonates with your specific audience. Brand voice and tonality must reflect intentional representation.
Taryell Simmons: What role does mentorship play, and how can entrepreneurs benefit from it?
Brianna Régine: Mentorship is vital. I have served as a mentor and career coach at the University of Connecticut for three years and am launching my own mentorship program. A mentor has walked in your shoes and provides guidance that Google cannot offer. They give you the confidence to take necessary leaps.
Taryell Simmons: Mentors help you skip unnecessary steps, avoid pitfalls, and buy back valuable time.
Taryell Simmons: What closing advice would you give to aspiring Black entrepreneurs?
Brianna Régine: Keep going. If you can envision what you are going to become and that internal fire remains, stay the course through discouraging seasons. At the same time, give yourself permission to pivot if a path is no longer right for you. Pivoting does not make you a quitter; it reflects self-awareness and allows you to apply acquired entrepreneurial skills to your next endeavor.
Taryell Simmons: What projects are you working on, and where can listeners connect with you?
Brianna Régine: You can visit our agency website at https://www.brvisionaryconsulting.com and find us on social media at BR Visionary Consulting. My personal platforms are Breonna Regine on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. We are relaunching The Brand Unveiled podcast and continuing the Black Women Entrepreneurs of America campaign to highlight 50 entrepreneurs across the country. In 2024, I am supporting marketing and operations for the Connecticut Black Wall Street Festival, rebranding a national youth financial literacy organization, assisting Janice Faison and Big Boi with Big RV Remix, and collaborating with the Smithsonian internship program.
Taryell Simmons: Thank you, Brianna, for an insightful conversation. To our listeners, remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Stay motivated and keep rising.
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