When Saideh Browne decided she wanted to become a motivational speaker, she was rejected by major speaker’s bureaus because according to her, she “… wasn’t a politician, wasn’t white and had natural hair.” In 2005, this former personal assistant to hip-hop legend KRS-One decided to create her own possibilities and formed Impact Agency NY.
Now Browne books speakers, offers consultation services, publicity, brand management and more through her talent management agency. In the process, Browne has also established herself as an in-demand speaker and author. Her upcoming book, Leadership 360, will be available this fall.
Rolling out had a heart-to-heart with Browne and learned why she advises entrepreneurs not to procrastinate, how she accepted the responsibility of leadership and how she discovered her message of moving humanity forward.
What is the main advice that you have for fledgling entrepreneurs?
Too many times entrepreneurs are too hesitant. By the time they are ready the timing may be off and they’ve missed an opportunity. I say do it now. I owned a beeper store for five years and it was very successful. If I had waited and researched the industry, I would’ve missed the opportunity since beepers quickly became obsolete.
Were you always a leader or was it something that you had to grow into?
As an entrepreneur you have to decide [if] you want to be self-employed or run a company. For many years I wanted to be self-employed and not be a leader. I was afraid because with social media, one slip-up in business can be magnified throughout the world in a matter of seconds.But the reason I embrace leadership now is because I realize I can help more people in this position.
You help others find their voice but how did you develop your message?
I cried a lot and yelled at God and considered alternative religions. I was trying to learn who I was. At 33 years old I was who people thought I should be and I went through years of purgatory to come out with somebody that I liked. I realized I believed in living a life of possibilities and that’s how I spin my message to high school students, entrepreneurs and others.
