Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Celeste.
Hi Brianna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I had graduated from college in December of 2012 and wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do. The one thing I focused on was moving to a different state where I knew no one and could really just soak into understanding and defining my own story void of comforts and familial influences, so I packed up and moved to Nashville, TN, in January 2013.
Long story short, I lived there for about eight months and started working part-time at a local performing rights organization Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) I loved the atmosphere, the food, the culture, the nightlife, my work life- it was the best and also some of the most professionally shaping several months of my life.
While I loved my part-time job, I wasn’t really paving a career path for myself. I moved back home and in with my parents and decided that teaching was something I really enjoyed. Back in college, I was a supplemental learning leader (kind of like a teacher’s assistant) at a community college. So I started substituting and working on my certifications. But, something still felt like it was missing.
I was listening to a sermon from a church, Brentwood Baptist, that I fell in love with when I lived in Nashville. Pastor Mike Glenn had referenced a book, The Defining Decade, by Meg Jay. I was compelled to read it and really recommend it to everyone- whether you are about to be in your 20’s, in your 20’s or even in your 50’s. As I worked through this book, I began defining my passions, my sparks for life and work: writing, perceiving, and educating.
My initial thought was, I need to launch a career in PR asap, so I started fervently applying. Six months later, with no callbacks, I was beginning to feel numb and hopeless. Then, a miracle! About a month after I had applied for a copywriter position at an inbound marketing agency in Tampa, FL, I was asked to submit a writing sample and was eventually hired.
I knew absolutely nothing about digital or inbound marketing, but I learned the ins and outs relatively quickly and worked my way up from copywriter to account manager. I was finally comfortable, but still, something felt off. I’ve never really been one to shy away from “calculated” risks- and that trait was heightened when I was on my eight-month journey in Nashville. Two years later, I left for another job offer that paid a little more and I would only be focusing on content strategy and drafting.
For about six months, I worked out of a co-working space where I met several pioneers in their own industries and businesses. I started using my free time to take on a few of my own clients and then decided to start my own digital marketing company. I wanted to help businesses (who maybe didn’t have robust marketing budgets or who didn’t necessarily fit into a commodity-style service offering) thrive, whether through helping them understand the digital marketing space and giving them pointers or actually rolling up my sleeves and doing the work for them. From that desire and only $2,000.00 in my bank account, Barley & Vine was born.
It’s been growing for four years in August and I couldn’t be more excited for a few projects and service offerings that are in the works and hopefully going to launch by the end of the year!
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?
I would say the struggles that I have faced include: Creating a solid work-life balance, Not saying yes to every opportunity I’m presented with, Staying focused, Feeling socially stimulated since I work from home, Narrowing down my niche, Finding the best processes that work, Branding and writing my own content, Knowing my value and worth.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a 1-woman show digital marketing company specializing in content marketing. Our services include blog writing, SEO content creation, email marketing, lead nurturing, long-form content (guides, ebooks, etc) and accompanying social media content and promotion.
Our innovation is what sets us apart. I naturally stew on information, conversations, ideas- basically, you say something and I’m storing it in my mental crockpot until I’ve exhausted every angle of its potential. What that means for our clients is that my mind is constantly thinking about ways we could creatively improve and grow their goals, whether it’s in our wheelhouse of abilities or not. I like to come to the table with ideas and don’t really like the idea of doing something just because everyone else is doing it. I am most proud of our professional integrity.
Our website is also getting a little bit of a facelift as we wrap up our new branding, which we are excited to celebrate and launch as we are turning five next year!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Know your worth and don’t be afraid to ask for it in your pricing.
Contact Info:
- Email: brianna@barleyandvinemarketing.com
- Website: https://www.barleyandvinemarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barleyandvinemarketing/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barley.Vine.LLC/
