Entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous. In this real, unfiltered episode of Beyond the Brand, Rod Brinson sits down with Carmen Jones, the powerhouse behind The Black Girl Social Club, to break down what it really takes to build a business that lasts.

From missed paychecks to last-minute event disasters, Carmen opens up about the emotional, financial, and mental toll of being a Black woman in leadership — and why she never gave up. They talk payroll panic, team meltdowns, solopreneur stress, and the myth of the “hustle” mentality.

If you've ever wondered what the real cost of entrepreneurship is, or why your mission has to be bigger than your bottom line, this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes like this: https://www.youtube.com/@rod.brinson
💬 Drop your biggest entrepreneur lesson in the comments!
🎙️ Follow Carmen Jones:
Instagram: @carmen.nicole.jones
Club: @blackgirlsocialclub
Wellness Nonprofit: [@ceounplugged]

👉 Let’s connect:
Follow Rod Brinson: https://www.instagram.com/rod.brinson/
Website: https://rodbrinson.com

#Entrepreneurship #BlackBusiness #Leadership #CarmenJones #BeyondTheBrand #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessGrowth #WomenInBusiness

In this first episode, I sat down with branding strategist Paige Elliott to talk about what personal branding actually means—and why most people are doing it completely wrong.

This conversation isn’t about logos or color schemes. It’s about identity, alignment, and how your real brand is built when no one’s watching. Paige and I dug into the hard truths about building your brand from the inside out, especially when you're juggling a 9–5 and a passion.

We talked about:

• Why your brand is how people feel when you leave the room
• The trap of skipping the self-discovery phase
• How to show up consistently across your life and business
• What it means to manage your “PIE” (Performance, Image, Exposure)
• How to move with integrity—even when no one’s looking

Whether you're building a business, navigating your career, or trying to figure out how to show up more authentically—this episode is your starting point.

Let me know what resonated with you in the comments. And if you got value from this, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

🔗 Connect with Paige: https://www.instagram.com/iampaigeelliott/
🧠 Follow me for more real convos like this: rodbrinson.com

#PersonalBranding #BrandStrategy #AuthenticBranding #RodBrinson #PaigeElliott #PurposeDriven