Charlene Brown, Website Architect, Website Strategist, Bklyn Custom Designs
Removing the confusion of web development and design has been a vital part of her business, brand, and success in allowing her clients to elevate their businesses into high performing brands. For over two decades as a Full-Stack Website Developer, WordPress Expert, and Website Strategist, Charlene has helped hundreds of Solopreneurs and small business owners launch profitable websites strategically. WordPress has been a staple in her success since 2004. Incorporating website best practices and brand strategies, her clients are able to build brands that are ready for trademark.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I have grown to love Clubhouse, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for the possibilities they present to my business.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
Currently, I'm helping high impact, and performing women build website strategies that transform their online businesses and presence. I also have a desire to continue to learn new technologies and how they can benefit my clients.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I love watching my clients gain clarity on how their websites fit into their business plans and strategies. Seeing them build to the next level in their businesses has been amazing.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I've received so much wonderful advice, but the two that stand out is one from my mom, that no man is an island. We all need others in our lives to help us grow and elevate. The second is that I do a disservice to others when I don't share my gifts and talents.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
I'm motivated when people I speak to walk away with a stronger understanding of what they can do with their websites and how to better position them in their businesses.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I'm proud and feel empowered that all I've learned has been of benefit to so many.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I love highly engaging and relaxed networking environments. I have been fortunate to meet amazing people who constantly encourage me, even when I stumble, to continue to grow and push beyond my comfort zone.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
My ability to take the ideas and concepts of my clients and bring them to life through their websites. I'm also able to simplify technical concepts, so that barrier of feeling overwhelmed by technology is removed.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I wish I knew how to speak directly to my audience and be more comfortable in front of the camera.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Audria Richmond, Sharon Beason, Marie Deveaux, Deana Jean, Shaneè Moret, and Chris Do for their uniqueness and realness. They speak from the heart and don't mince their words, all while being compassionate.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I love travelling and spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy watching action and horror films, being a foodie and doing whiskey tastings. Gremlins and Die Hard are two of the best Christmas films ever.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managed it?
The pandemic started out with clients placing their projects on hold. That gave me time to re-evaluate and re-align my own business. Once I started doing that and taking the time to be more visible online, I started to gain new clients and build my own voice.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes, to both. I'm fortunate to have a few mentors for different avenues in my life, and I have become a mentor to others in return.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Remain open to change and flexibility. Be prepared to learn from a mentor and put in the same type of energy you want someone to put into you; put that energy into everything you do.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
I believe most people fail or give up because they didn't have a strong reason why they started their business or career. It can be easy to chase superficial reasons, but those never sustain us. Having a powerful and clear understanding of why you started and what goal(s) you wanted to achieve will get you through the rough moments.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"If you won't invest in yourself, then why should anyone else?" - Charlene V. Brown.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I know Uncloned Marketing, Womeneur, Growth Academy, Futur, She Runs It, Intentional Success Tribe, Apple are a few brands and companies doing it right.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success for me is knowing that I've made a difference in someone's life and business. Part of this was learning to speak up so I can be heard and ask for help when I needed it. Those who are meant to help will be there without hesitation or hidden agendas. I’ve learned that only when we make our voices heard and become active within our communities and networks can we find true success. At the end of the day, closed mouths don't get fed.