Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandra Brooks.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Hi. Yes I had a long career in the Non Profit and Community Activism world before I jumped into Entrepreneurship. I was also a teen mom that barely graduated high school. I wasn’t a superstar student whatsoever. My parents had a pretty hard time with my in my adolescent years. But one thing I always knew is that I had big dreams. I had dreams to help people. Wasn’t sure how I was going to do it but I kept notepads with ideas all the time. This is how I stumbled into the community and non profit world. I was a teen mom wanting to help other teen moms so I found an organization that prevented teen pregnancy and I asked them to hire me. Within a few years I ran that department writing grants and partnerships throughout the city. From there I elevated to other organizations helping them raise money and obtain grant funding, sat on boards and commissions, won awards for my activism and leadership and had many political friends and connections. I also started to see how Politics effected our daily lives. So I got more involved and wanted more people that looked like me to understand the importance of our political involvement. So in 2017 I wrote my book called Black, Brown and Political and launched my own movement called The Powerhouse Academy for Women.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Many. Not having money to invest in my ideas. Family didn’t have money to give me, banks wouldn’t fund me. Credit wasn’t always great because I wasn’t taught how to manage money and credit. So I had to bootstrap my business and learn how to make money fast. I also had many Doubters. People didn’t understand what I was doing and still don’t til this day. They thought I was some type of motivational speaker who made great post online. So family and friends weren’t very supportive. I had to prove myself. I’ve also made many mistakes and lost alot of money along the way but that’s part of the game of Entrepreneurship. But oh so wort it!
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I’m a business coach, Powerhouse maker for Ambitious Women who seek to be successful in business and their community. I truly believe Woman of Color especially need to have one foot in a successful business with deep pockets and one foot in their community donating to causes and political campaigns. How do we do that. We build Powerhouse Women. I teach women how to build a successful thriving business while connecting to their community and influencers in their local community. I believe my niche is for women who want The Money, Power, and Respect. Money to give, Power to Influence for Good and Respect to Grow. Women with a desire to start movements and create bigger impacts in their communities.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Stay consistent and focused. Work on it everyday and you’ll see the results. Do the work longer than you feel like it. You’ll want to give up. Don’t!
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
It means you’re positively impacting lives daily. That’s what it means to me.
What’s next for you?
I just launched a Medical Scrubs business so building that second business to make money in my sleep and growing my Powerhouse Academy to license it out to other women who want to build impact and influence in their cities. Maybe book number 2.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
They can visit my website at www.chandra-brooks.com
Instagram @thechandrabrooks