As Freelancer Founders, one of our greatest privileges is that we have the autonomy to choose the type of work we bring on—to support the communities and mission-driven companies that are aligned with our values. For many of us, this means that we niche down our services or our industries to ensure we’re doing the work we care about. For others, it’s about helping all clients see the bigger picture, and to help them learn and grow from our strategic guidance and expertise.

Welcome to episode two of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Brandon Williams, founder and CEO of 55 Media Group, a brand strategy ad agency that works to make a positive impact on the BIPOC community by giving voice to disenfranchised and under-represented groups.

Today, Brandon is telling us what spurred the realization that he no longer wanted to work for anyone but himself, what his clients have taught him about having patience, and why it’s so important for them to realize the process that goes into building a legacy. We also talk about the toll that self-imposed pressure can take on freelancers, how Brandon is able to further the mission he’s passionate about by being his own boss, and why he directs potential clients to TikTok to learn about inclusivity.

Some Questions asked:

• Can you walk us through your career and tell us how you ended up in freelance and starting your own company?(03:13)
• What did you feel like was the biggest challenge or hurdle to get past when you first started? (08:00)
• Do you feel like your clients were expecting immediate results? How did you overcome that and explain the process to them? (10:02)
• The mission for 55 Media Group is to support the BIPOC community, how do you approach this every day through your work? (20:20)
• Do you have a tagline or a mantra you’d like to share? (32:51)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About some of the self-doubt Brandon had when he first started freelancing—and how he learned his work was about impact over awards (09:00)
• How Brandon is learning to go from a one-man-show to a running a team production (13:07)
• Brandon’s frustration with the biases and lack of diversity he often sees when potential clients bring him in for token holidays or heritage months (24:32)
• What success means to Brandon and how he quantifies it (31:52)

Connect with Brandon:

• LinkedIn
• 55 Media Group on LinkedIn
• 55 Media Group
• 55 Media Group on IG

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

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