Lydia Pierre

A natural entrepreneur since her childhood, Lydia started out her career early. A cosmetologist by trade, she believes her journey and experience in various jobs and roles has helped her to be more diverse in her skillset to make her a better brand manager. “I went from being a licensed cosmetologist to becoming a billing specialist and office manager at a chiropractic office to planning and decorating weddings, to working in public relations at a nonprofit to becoming the director of communications at the Chamber of Commerce to working as a marketing specialist at a bank. This resulted in me have an understanding of these industries allowing me to work with clients in those spaces today as well as equipping me with a unique set of skills and understanding that you may not get from a typical marketer.”

Lydia started building her reputation as a brand manager in 2011 and went by the title of Ur Beauty Liaison which focused on Beauty and Entertainment. In that capacity, Lydia branded makeup artists and hairstylist and also worked as a Media Personality while branding a high-end fashion magazine. She interviewed celebrity guests such as Actress LisaRaye McCoy, Singer Lyfe Jennings, Singer Sheila Raye Charles and daughter of Ray Charles, the legendary Huff & Gamble, among others. She has had the pleasure of working in affiliation with individuals such as NFL’s Michael Vick; Celebrity Stylist, Dwight Eubanks; and Reality star, Erica Dixon to name a few. She later expanded the business and rebranded as Pierre Branding Group so that she can serve a broader scope of clientele and industries with Ur Beauty Liaison becoming one of the five industries they serve. Her niche market is Executives, whom she counsels through the process of maintaining, improving, and upholding their reputation right where they are as they build their brand. Lydia knows a thing or two about this, being someone who has had to transition quite a few times herself while building her own brand. After seeing how doing so positioned her for success in the corporate world, she dedicated herself to not only working with Executives and Industry Professionals but also helping them turn their passion to profit.

Q: Tell us more about your business.

LP: I am a branding coach and consultant who provides services aimed at empowering entrepreneurs with skills and strategies to reach new levels of leadership. I started Pierre Branding Group, LLC., also known as PBG, which is comprised of a network of industry experts who come together to deliver quality work at flexible, boutique agency prices. As the Lead Brand Manager, I’m often tasked with managing all identity aspects of a product or service, as well as overseeing advertising and marketing initiatives to ensure that they’re in line with the brand’s identity and messaging.

The nature of the role requires frequent interfacing with other roles and departments including research, development, marketing, external creative agencies, and more, so it’s imperative that a brand manager is a team player and an exceptional communicator who can bridge these varied interests and create a unified message for the brand. Not only do I serve as CEO of Pierre Branding Group, but I’m also involved personally in the training and development of all our clients to ensure that every client receives the highest level of service in the industry.

Q: What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being an entrepreneur?

LP: That you cannot and should not do this by yourself. Choosing an entrepreneurial path is a very risky life choice which can lead to many life setbacks. Entrepreneurs need strong support and advisory system in order to turn their startup ideas into valuable businesses. The support of family and friends is very important for entrepreneurs and startup business owners. They are already sacrificing a lot of their personal time which can affect their relationships with the others. Being able to create community is so important. Entrepreneurs by themselves need to understand the importance of support, connections, and networking. Mentoring and leadership development in order to obtain knowledge and ideas can be a huge first step which entrepreneurs can take in order to flourish.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in marketing and branding that most startups face?

LP: Money. Being an entrepreneur has its challenges and giving up the stable job and regular paycheck is one of these challenges. Being able to afford marketing. For the typical startup, any marketing expense feels like the brink of bankruptcy. Newer companies should allocate more to marketing, to help speed up growth. But many times, they just don’t have it. It is suggested that business owners make their marketing budget a percentage of revenue, but a lot of time, they do not even know what they’re working with.

Q: Can you give us an example of how you took a brand and then made it successful?

LP: One of my biggest success stories is Hope White. Hope White is the CEO of HD White Logistics and the Founder of Hope White Consulting. She was referred by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce to me and when we first spoke her words were, “I don’t want to be seen as a mom & pop shop anymore”. At the time, all she had was a website that needed much improving and her drive. She was ready for change and through working with her and building her personal brand, we were able to position her as a CEO, Entrepreneur, Logistics Consultant, Speaker, Diversity & Inclusion Trainer, and a Subject Matter Expert when it came to Logistics & Supply Chain. Now she is sought after for speaking engagements, podcasts, interviews, partnerships and more. Seeing her success has made me so proud to be in the position to help others see the value in themselves and take it to the next level, then the level after that and the level after that. Branding is an amazing journey and to be able to go on that journey with these amazing clients, is a privilege and an honor.

Q: Tell us more about your cultural background?

LP: I am a Haitian American native of Brooklyn, New York, raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and now residing in Metro Atlanta. Haitians are very proud of their culture and history. The stories of past Haitian heroes are not forgotten by today’s youth. Some claim this is because the present offers no heroes, but others believe the past gives hope for the future. Everyday life is hard for most people, so parents strive to send their children to school, though it is very expensive, trusting that an education will give the next generation a better life. Haitians are warm, friendly, and generous. Their tradition of hospitality is clear in how they treat guests. No matter what society’s conditions, Haitians celebrate life with joy, laughter, and dancing. Urban families might have three or four children, while rural families have ten or more. My father is one of ten siblings, and my mother was one of nine. The basic unit of society is the extended family. Relatives may also fill the role of godparent, which entails responsibility for a child if a parent dies. My mother passed in 2012 from cancer. Her passing is actually what triggered my move to Atlanta. I needed to get away and get a change of scenery. I didn’t have any blood related family here in Georgia when I moved but my “auntie” from Philadelphia lived here, and she took me in and helped me get acclimated.

Q: How do your cultural experiences impact the way your run your business?

LP: Being Haitian has impacted the way I run my business greatly. In Haiti, the people have what we call a village mindset. Family and community support are common within Haiti. Often times, a child is raised not only by his or her immediate family but also by their village which includes extended family members and supportive members of the community. Even though I was born in the United States, this was still the case as we were very involved in our church community and had other Haitian families that lived in the neighborhood with whom we were able to somewhat continue these common practices in the United States. They became my aunties and sisters, even though we weren’t related by blood. Growing up like that influenced the way we run PBG because we do with the frame of mind that this is family. Everyone from the Team of Consultants and Creatives to the Clients and Customers...we are all family. We even incorporate the word within our messaging and in the way we make clients feel. We encourage our clients to do the same and create that culture by creating opportunities for them to work together, support each other and hang out on their own. Seeing it play out that way and how everyone interacts with one another, brings me joy like no other. It makes my heart smile. In addition, Respect and obedience are characteristics that are valued by Haitian families. Consequently, Haitian children tend to obedient and respectful. I have continued to value those characteristics to this day, and it shows in the way that I carry myself. Not to mention, it has become part of the reason that I am able to walk into any room and be able to command respect. It is because I was raised to respect myself and my family no matter where I am because I am a representation of them. In the branding space, I help client realize that their brand is not only a reflection of them but of their family. It is part of their legacy, so it is important that it remains intact.

Q: If there was one piece of advice that you could give to any business trying to build a brand – what would that be?

LP: Whether it is by design or by default, everyone has a brand. We are constantly building a perception of who we are in the minds of those around us. This is Branding. This is why it is important to be consistent and authentic— because you are a brand. If you truly want to be successful in life, you must consider yourself a brand and act accordingly.

Our Exclusive Interview with Influencer

Kim Ford

Kim Ford Is A Keynote Speaker, TV Host & Media Consultant. She Has Appeared On CNN As An Entertainment Correspondent Where She Shares Her Take on What’s Relevant in Film, Television, & Celebrity News.

Q: After college, where did you feel your career path would take you?

KF: Honestly, I wasn’t really sure. All I knew was I wanted to live in Atlanta. I knew I’d figure it out when I got there. It took a while, but I finally figured it out.

Q: What was your first job? And how did it shape or impact you?

KF: My jobs after college were random and all over the place. I first worked at Macy’s in the handbag department until I locked in a “real” job after college. After Macy’s I entered the Management Trainee program at Enterprise Car Rental. Working there taught me a lot about owning a business, sales calls, and teamwork. The hours were long and sometimes I had to wash cars in my suit. I hated it back then. Now I understand the lesson was to get the job done no matter how uncomfortable I was. That’s a skill I use today.

Q: Can you share with our audience some details about your role as a CNN/Headline News entertainment contributor?

KF: I appear as a guest Entertainment Contributor on CNN/HLN to give my take on what is relevant regarding film and television. Typically, when there is a special segment.

Q: In March 2019 you were accepted into AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association). Can you tell us what it meant to you?

KF: AAFCA isn’t an award. It’s the world’s largest organization of

African American film critics. Being accepted as a member meant a lot because we get access to the team and talent behind films that mean the most to our culture.

Q: Tell us about Jubilee Mag, how it started and where you see it going.

KF: Jubilee Mag was an online mag I started in 2007 that covered faith, culture, and style. I created it because I saw a void in the industry for positive media. I built my own website and gained access to events like the BET Awards, Essence Fest and countless press junkets affiliated with NBC, CBS, Sony, Warner Bros, and many others.

In March 2020, the growth of my audience led to me to leave Jubilee Mag behind and evolve from just an online magazine. My audience wanted more of me as a personal brand instead of a magazine. As a result, I launched iamkimford.com covering entertainment, personal development, and lifestyle.

Q: You must keep a hectic schedule between speaking engagements and TV commitments. How do you maintain a healthy work life balance?

KF: It’s all about prioritizing. The commitments my children have come first. I schedule everything else around that. My kids are older, so that makes it a lot easier.

Q: What’s the greatest fear you’ve had to overcome to get where you are today?

KF: Since I didn’t study media in college, I was concerned about what I didn’t know that should know. I’m in grad school now, but for many years it was a concern in the back of my mind. It’s definitely possible to do it without grad school, but it was a personal goal of mine.

Q: Which woman inspires you and why?

KF: It’s hard to narrow it down to one woman. There’s definitely a village of women I admire for various reasons. A few are: Oprah, for obvious reasons. Myleik Teel for her entrepreneurial journey. J Lo because she’s been timeless for decades.

Q: What are some of the challenges you feel women face today?

KF: I’m actually writing a book about that right now. It’s called “It’s Never Too Late”, releasing late summer 2020. A lot of women think just because they’ve had major setbacks, it’s too late to pursue their dream life. If God called you to it, “It’s Never Too Late”.

Q: What is one word of advice you can offer to young women who want to reach your level of success?

KF: Do your research. Pay attention to the greats. Find your lane and dominate.

Q: You acknowledge that you’re a trailblazer. For women entering the sports agent field, do you feel that there are any fewer hurdles to overcome than when you started? If so, what are they?

MF: I would say there are fewer hurdles, but they still exist. Visibility matters and I think seeing other women thrive in the space has opened the doors for others and broken down some of the barriers. Overall, I think people are starting to understand the business value of diversity. Sports has been slow to evolve, but now we are seeing women in the front office and on coaching staffs. That’s important, because for today’s athletes that’s now the norm not the exception. We still have a ways to go, but there is a powerful shift happening!

Q: Your website mentions working with big egos. What is the most powerful skill to possess when guiding a talent toward what’s most beneficial in the long run versus what might provide immediate gratification?

MF: It all starts with the ability to connect with people, and I think you do that by showing up, adding value and shooting straight. In the world of pro sports, it’s easy for athletes to get surrounded by “yes” people. As an agent, you have to be able to tell your clients what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Storytelling is a powerful vehicle because it helps show them why it’s important to play the long game. If you give them real examples of the “one and done” who focused on the short-term gain or made bad decisions in the moment, they connect with that. Most athletes made it to this level because of their discipline, so helping them understand they might have to make short term sacrifices for long term gain is something they understand.

Q: If you were still a sports agent today, what do you think you would miss most about the way business was done when you first entered the field?

MF: When I started in the space, there was no social media. It obviously has tremendous advantages in terms of being able to tell your story, connect with your fans, and get deals—but I think most of us can relate to having days where we wish it didn’t exist! It’s definitely an added pressure for them to navigate.

Q: How many of your athlete clients are still your clients today?

MF: I no longer represent clients as a sports agent; however, I am grateful to stay connected with most personally as friends. Today I spend the majority of my time as a speaker, author, podcast host, and founder of the Game Changer Training company.

Q: 60+ keynotes a year! Tell us about your time management, i.e., your Energy Clock–how you balance your personal and work lives?

MF: I don’t love the word “balance” because I think it creates a lot of unrealistic expectations and guilt for people. I am big on energy management more so than time management. Energy management starts with clarity around what matters most to you, and then having the discipline to say “yes” or no” based on the clarity you have created. In my book, The Energy Clock, I walk people through an energy audit to help you get clear on what gives you energy and what drains your energy and how to make the adjustments you need to make. The book was a result of my own experiences being overscheduled, working 24/7, and feeling at times like I wasn’t my best self with the people in my life who mattered most. If you don’t decide where your energy goes, the world decides for you.

Q: Has there been a client with whom you just couldn’t connect? How did you negotiate your separation and what might you have done differently?

MF: Yes, earlier in my career there was one or two but not many thankfully. Whenever you feel disconnected, I see that as a signal to shift from defensive- ness to curiosity. It’s easy to get defensive in those moments; it’s much more productive to get curious. Curiosity creates connection. You also have to be willing to embrace difficult conversations so that you can attempt to align on expectations and move forward. And know that sometimes, it’s OK to walk away.

Q: Do you expect your online training to continue post pandemic?

MF: Absolutely. Nothing is more important to me than meeting people where they are and the demand for learning is higher than ever. For individuals, we will continue to offer our virtual group coaching program, Game Changer Leadership Huddles, and we will be launching our first on demand course in 2022! For organizations, we’ll continue to offer both our Game Changer Negotiation Training and The Energized Leader Training virtually and in person.

Q: Who have been a few of your favorite guests on your podcast, Game Changers with Molly Fletcher, and why?

MF: Now this is a tough one! We’ve been blessed with so many amazing guests and there’s nothing better than getting the emails, texts, and comments from listeners about how a conversation impacted them personally. But to answer your question, Matthew McConaughey was special, because he was so engaged, so present and so real. The conversations I’ve had with coaches like Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Tom Izzo (Michigan State) and Geno Auriemma (University of Connecticut) were so enlightening from a leadership perspective—just their authenticity and willingness to share, you really see why they are so successful. I always love getting inside the mindset of world class athletes, like soccer star Carli Lloyd, WNBA champion Candace Parker, NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, and World Series champion Dansby Swanson. And given the amount of resilience needed in our world right now, I’d also recommend my conversations with Angela Duckworth on grit and Inky Johnson on overcoming adversity. It’s almost like the last one is my favorite because the insight, inspiration, perspective from all our guests is just awesome and to share these conversations with the world is what it is all about! I guess you have to listen to them all!

Q: You have addressed some very noteworthy big businesses. What’s the best way for an individual or small company to access your skills and knowledge?

MF: We work with organizations of all sizes! Beyond keynote speaking and training, there are lots of ways to engage. My podcast, Game Changers with Molly Fletcher, is a great free resource for anyone who wants to up their game. I’ve written five books, most recently The Energy Clock, and we’ll be launching our first on-demand digital courses in 2022. My website mollyfletcher.com is the best place to start and you can follow me on all the social media channels @MollyFletcher for more free content!

Q: How do you keep your own delivery sharp and which of your programs trains others how to stay on top of their game?

MF: I take the athlete mindset to preparation! I do a lot of reps and spend a lot of time preparing on the front end. Every keynote is customized to address the behavior change we are driving for with the audience—that’s important to me. All of our programs at the core are about helping people up their game—whether that’s a keynote, a digital course, or our negotiation and energy management training. Stay tuned for our first on demand course, coming out in 2022!