Welcome back to HER Agency, the space built for Black women in advertising who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving. In this episode, Brandi Rand delivers a powerful and unfiltered conversation about what it truly means to own your agency in your career, your personal life, and your community.
Brandi shares the pivotal moments that reshaped her relationship with her career, from returning to work after maternity leave and finding her role quietly reassigned, to choosing to walk away from toxic environments rather than shrink to fit spaces that never valued her. She speaks candidly about the importance of personal branding, building your network before you need it, and creating a solid foundation that protects you when the unexpected happens. Brandi reminds us that respect must be the standard, and that waiting for validation from broken systems will only delay the success you deserve.
As she reflects on her own journey, Brandi reveals why HER Agency had to be built: to create the community that so many Black women in advertising needed but couldn’t find. A space where lived experiences are validated, mentorship is accessible, hard conversations are welcomed, and women are empowered to thrive, not just survive.
If you have ever been overlooked, underpaid, or undervalued, if you have ever questioned whether you belong in the rooms you find yourself in, if you are ready to advocate for yourself, own your story, and build something bigger than the roles they tried to box you into—this episode is for you. Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your agency is yours to claim.
Tune in, lock arms with us, and start building the career and life you truly deserve.
KEY POINTS
- The importance of standing firm on personal beliefs and decisions
- Saying NO: Leave when you no longer feel safe or valued
- Pivotal moments and experiences in owning her agency
- The importance of a safe space for black women to thrive
- Build a community and have a supportive network
- Be practical, build a personal brand, and leverage social media
- Find the right mentors and leaders to guide you
- Pull up a seat at the table, use your voice, and do not settle for less
QUOTABLES
"Don't say yes to everything if it doesn't align to your strategic plan and the goals for your career. You don't have to do it." – Brandi Rand
"Start building your personal brand, leverage your network. Showcase the work that you're doing if you're traveling for shoots and for productions. Post that — we need to see you, we need to hear you." – Brandi Rand
Get In Touch with Brandi Rand!
IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/
HER Agency, The Collective
Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong.
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Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network