Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandyss Howard.
Hi Brandyss, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From childhood, I was always interested in writing and photography. In high school, I was involved in activities such as the school newspaper and yearbook club. Upon graduation, I decided to attend Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University where I majored in Journalism. I continued my collegiate career at the University of South Florida and later earned a Master’s degree in Business Journalism and Communications from Florida International University in 2008. During these years, I served as a radio personality for my college station WBUL in Tampa and an intern at WILD 98.7 in St. Petersburg.
My first career opportunity after college was as a writer for The Miami Times, in which I was later promoted as one of the youngest copy editors in the history of the paper. During this time, my passion grew for covering local news, urban events and promoting businesses of color.
My success at the paper lead to further opportunities as I was recommended for a position as the Communications Manager for the Liberty City Trust -a quasi public department with the City of Miami government. I held this position until 2012 when another opportunity was presented to work for District 5 Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones as her Community Liaison for the Liberty City and Overtown communities. I held this position until she completed her political term and was later offered a position to serve in a higher capacity.
I have been an Administrator for the City of Miami’s Neighborhood Service Center in Overtown for the past eight years. Although my career leads me into more of a community service role; I never waivered from my passion of marketing and communications. My position allowed me to take a more active role in coordinating community events, fundraising opportunities, assisting small businesses and social engagement. I thoroughly enjoy this work but wanted to do more with my initial passion.
During my personal time, I would provide freelance articles to the South Florida Times and Sun Post, but felt that I wanted to do more. I later realized that I could turn my passion into a business and in 2019, decided to form my own company Brand 2 Brand Marketing Inc. This endeavor allowed me to be creative and highlight topics, events and businesses that were important to me on a more regular basis. Since its inception, Brand 2 Brand has served as a marketing outlet for Super Bowl LIV, (3) Soul Basel events during Miami Art Week, Jazz in the Gardens, the Bessie Stringfield Last Ride, the Urban Film Festival, SuperFest in Miami Gardens, the City of Miami’s Juneteenth Celebration, Laugh Lounge Miami at the Urban, Taste of Soul in Los Angeles, and many more.
In 2019, I was also named as one of Legacy Magazine’s 40 under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow.
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?
With any business, you will experience obstacles. Covid-19 definitely played a major role in me working to restructure my business. I had to shift my focus away from marketing events and businesses as several cancellations and temporary closures took place within the past two years, I decided to market products such as masks, personalized mugs and stationary, as well as promote virtual events, covid-friendly services and food distributions. The business lost revenue and opportunities to personally network, so I had to find create ways of marketing through the pandemic even if it meant spending my personal funds.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Brand 2 Brand Marketing Inc. specializes in urban event and business marketing through journalism, photography, media, social engagement, branding and collaborative partnerships. We also create flyers, logos, press releases as well as street and digital event promotion. Brand 2 Brand is a play on my name; and was incepted as an avenue for me to take the things that BRANDYSS believes in and work towards either creating or promoting it as BRAND. It’s about being personal, which is not always popular. My business is organic. I like to personally connect with my clients and create long-lasting partnerships. If there is a need for a service, a venue or a product that is outside of my scope, I will often refer out to a colleague that I support. I do not brand or promote products that I would not use myself.
What’s next?
I was recently notified that I was approved to participate and market a huge event this coming February of which I am very excited. This opportunity will have me traveling, meeting like-minded entrepreneurs and provide opportunities for me to expand my business. In 2022, I will be launching my website which will allow my clients more access to the projects and products I am working on. I also look forward to participating in the reinstatement of events that were canceled/closed due to the pandemic such as the 2022 Jazz in the Gardens in Miami Gardens, The Urban in Miami, the 2022 Essence Festival in New Orleans and the 2022 Taste of Soul in Los Angeles. We will also be working to provide internships and scholarship opportunities for youth.
Contact Info:
- Email: BRAND2BRANDMARKETING@GMAIL.COM
- Instagram: @brand2brandmarketing.inc
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Brand2brandmarketing.inc/
Image Credits
Photos Courtesy of Brand 2 Brand Marketing Inc.
