I Left My Job & Started A Business
Ok, I lied. I actually started my business first and then quit my job. The first reaction I tend to get is, “Woah, why?”
I got comfortable.
Have you ever heard of the phrase, “you quit your manager, not the job?” That has been true for me for the past six years. Don’t get me wrong. My job was great, and the people who I met and worked with along the way, including my manager, are what made me stay because they were such truly wonderful people. So, I got comfortable.
Every once in a while, I’d peek around at jobs in industries I was interested in, but nothing really spoke to me. I’ve had some brutally scarring corporate job experiences in the past that scared me away… so why would I leave when I was enjoying what I was doing?
Accountability is key.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve had difficult conversations and reflected on all of the shit going on in our world. As a white-passing mixed race woman with an extremely white name, I recognized my privilege and felt ashamed for not doing more to help other communities of color. #StopAsianHate rose up and I felt scared for not only my own safety, but my mom and grandma’s safety back in Utah. I couldn’t protect them should anything happen while living two states away in Washington.
In my reflection, I recognized my own privilege of not needing to worry about my family like other communities have to do every day they walk out the door. I caught a glimpse into how the world is unwelcoming and racist for so many, day in and day out.
The organization I worked for did great work for when it was established, and needed to move the needle forward more during these times. I strongly felt we could do more to be equitable and build partnerships with other communities instead of operating in a way that benefited Corporate America. BIPOC individuals should not be bearing the burden. We need to hold companies accountable to making systemic changes instead of encouraging Asians and Asian Americans to assimilate to Corporate America’s old-school definition of leadership which is historically cis, white, and male.
Discovering my passions.
I found myself in a constant internal battle. I’d look for a job in the tech industry, yet harbored some resentment and anti-capitalistic feelings about these companies waving their performative rainbow flags and BLM posts on socials without actually doing anything other than profiting off the backs of these communities. Then, I’d search for a community organization that I really believed in and started supporting its causes and initiatives.
Nothing really spoke to me. What spoke to me were the conversations with everyday people in the community. I’d hear about people’s amazing ideas for businesses they wanted to start or initiatives people were passionate about supporting. It excited me seeing other people light up and get excited with their own ideas, businesses, and goals.
For years, I’ve been taking on freelance gigs here and there, and began noticing a pattern with so many small businesses: their lack of consistent branding. Some don’t have a site, others aren’t on socials, and some don’t put their logos on their printed materials.
So, I thought, “Why can’t I take my marketing and design skill sets and help those passionate individuals with their branding and communications in their businesses?” I LOVE seeing people succeed and if I can be of any help on their journey, I would be honored to make that connection or help them establish their powerful brand.
It’s about who knows you.
I’ve always had people turn to me for marketing and communications work in my personal and professional life. I’ve been in the marketing industry for over a decade now and it’s really become a part of my brand. In March, I started up my business and quietly took on clients. Businesses like CuriosityBased and Ragproper were some of my first official clients. I worked with amazing organizations like RVC that promote social justice by cultivating leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color and fostering collaboration between diverse communities.
My network has been amazing at referrals and keeping me busy, that I quite frankly, never had the opportunity to even officially announce my business. In July, I was able to hire my colleague and friend, Vivian Huang, as my Director of Integration. By August, I announced I was leaving my full-time job to pursue new opportunities and expand my business.
Now, I’m able to focus a little bit more on my business, Brittany Danyelle, LLC., where I help empower BIPOC-owned small businesses with connecting their heart and message to establish their powerful brand. Additionally, I was brought on to Find Ventures as their Marketing + Creativity Director. Find Ventures is a nonprofit set on democratizing entrepreneurship. They’re working towards making “all entrepreneurs” a reality: prioritizing Black, Latin, People of Color, women, non binary, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and low-income founders.
I truly get to do it all now and believe that all paths have led me to this point. I’m so excited for all of the growth opportunities that I have ahead of me and can’t wait to help others in establishing their powerful brand.
Make it yours,
BrittanyDanyelle
