Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Keesee.
Hi Brittany, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into Micro-Influencing and content creation started in 2017 during my time as an Assistant/General Merchandise Manager for the University Bookstore at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), located in Winston-Salem, NC. During my time employed there, I had the major task of creating the school’s logoed apparel. Having the opportunity to work with top brand vendors such as Under Armour, Legacy, Nike, New Era, Champion, Adidas, League, and so many others paved the way for me to really appreciate and show off my love of fashion and putting together a dope outfit.
While I’ve always had a knack for style and fashion, during my time at WSSU, I wasn’t there to style myself. It was my responsibility to not only create, but also follow the trends through sales and marketing strategies through social media engagements on (Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook). This ensured that the students, faculty and staff, family/friends, and the plethora of Alumni that came to their university store, always knew that there would be a bomb T-Shirt, sweatshirt, pair of pants, socks, or anything that had the WSSU name and logo tied to it was made for them to proudly represent their school name.
After my time being employed at WSSU ended and I moved forward in my professional career and out of the retail world, I found myself having more time to really put back in the effort, and focus on myself and my sense of fashion and style. For many years working as an upper-level manager -business casual was my holy grail of fashion must-haves, but what about where I truly felt like I fit in and that was with comfort-wear, street fashion (streetwear), and sneakers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No smooth roads here! Taking my talents from having to market for someone else, to having to market “myself” on a personal level and really latching on to the world of micro-Influencing and content creating was something that I was honestly very nervous about doing. Although people knew me and knew I was into fashion, most people only knew one side of me; the business casual side.
Not many people knew my passion for comfort wear, street style, and the latest kicks. I feel like the most daunting hurdle was during my rebranding process. Not only did I have to convince myself that this rebrand was going to work, but also now I was tasked with showing my social media audience, that the person you now see through this rebrand is who I truly am and what I love about me and my style.
I always knew that putting together an outfit or creating a story behind the photos I’ve taken of an outfit or newly released sneaker was never going to be my true struggle. It was finding the confidence and drive to keep doing it, despite any chatter or remarks that may come from others.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently a Higher Education Professional working as a Human Resources (HR) Specialist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill “GO HEELS”.
I work with and manage about 10 to 15 university departments and stakeholders, to ensure that a high level of service is provided to the College of Arts & Sciences and Business Center units. While also increasing operational efficiency, effectiveness, and communication of all Human Resource needs within those said departments. While I truly enjoy what I do professionally, my love of fashion and style truly speaks to who I am as a person. Being able to step outside of the box with different looks, and incorporate different visions of what I call fashion is very exhilarating to me.
Although many fashion trends are a repeat of times past, I am often amazed by how the new generations have found a love in an old trend to create something new. I am so excited to be able to be me again in all honesty. Although I am still in the professional marketplace to wear business casual in my career as an HR professional, I’ve taken my time in developing my own sense of what that sort of style is to me.
I’ve been able to, in our times of Covid-19 and the remote working era to really utilize my moments of work/life balance and to dive into an understanding that I can still be me both professionally as well as socially through my content creations and influencer lifestyle.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When it comes down to influencing and content creating, it’s all about finding your niche. What are you good at doing, talking about, or putting together? Networking can ultimately take you far in any situation whether it be personally, socially, or professionally.
Finding people that already do the things you do and just asking for some simple advice on how they got started or pointers on a vision you may have can go a long way. Don’t forget to collaborate with people as well. I often tell people to not get caught up thinking that they can’t do something because they see someone else doing it.
Still do it… but make it your own. There are millions of people who are just like me; who love clothes, shoes, and fashion in general, but as my mentor Cleo Hill Jr. (WSSU Men’s Basketball Coach) has always said “Keep pushing and keep doing you Britt, you got this” and that thought has always been my motivation in anything I put my mind to doing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_britenkee
Image Credits
Anthony “Brad” Mitchell
