The PD Women In Business Series is an interview-style blog series on the Pangea Dreams blog that highlights female entrepreneurs who have joined us on Retreats over the past several years. In this series, we will get to know these Alumni better and learn about the incredible businesses that they are running.
Montelle Browne
- Current Position: Full-Time Entrepreneur/CEO: Brand Your Influence + Lifestyle Content Creator: @MontelleBee
- Currently Living: Leeds, UK
- Hometown: Leeds, UK
Hey Montelle! We are so excited to have you featured in this series! Can you tell our community a little background about you and how you started your business?
From as early as I can remember, I have been obsessed with content creation.
My first memories of me as a child was being 5 years old and producing my own TV show (and yes, I cannot remember anything under the age of 5 lol!). Every Saturday I would have my Aunt whip out the camcorder and film me performing magic tricks & dance routines for my fans – aka my other family members!
Yup, I was making vlogs before the word “vlog” was a thing. So I guess it completely makes sense why I fell in love with the concept of Youtube! I started my Youtube channel in 2014, posting weekly hair & makeup videos. Since then, my channel evolved to me sharing my travel experiences, personal development and life as a female entrepreneur.
As a result of sharing my journey, I realised my experience was not the “norm”. People would question how I have the confidence to travel the world solo, document my life and build a business at my then age of just 21 years old! And the truth is, I love teaching. So becoming a coach was the natural next step.
My current role is a UK based content creator, digital entrepreneur and coach. I help creative entrepreneurs to clarify their brand by uncovering their unique story and building a business that aligns with their values. I’ve helped hundreds of creative entrepreneurs to launch and grow their personal brands.
My services include 1:1 coaching, workshops & digital products. My ideal clients are creative entrepreneurs (coaches + service based biz), who want learn how to build a personal brand that they can monetize and create global impact.
Have you always been entrepreneurial? What led you to take that first step and setting up your own business?
I would say yes! I remember as a child, my first ever business was getting sponsored. I would plan events such as completing a run around my park, or dressing up in fancy clothes for a day, in hopes that my neighbours would sponsor me! But I was smart (and pretty cheeky) about it – I would go to the more “affluent” neighbourhoods and guilt-trip them into sponsoring me!
As a child, my motive was to make a few extra pounds to buy a pack of Kit Kats.
My motive for building my business now is so that I can have more freedom in my life to do things that truly fulfil me. I’ve had my fair share of working underneath employers, and I just know it’s not what I’m destined for.
If any, what challenges have you experienced as a woman in business during your overall career?
I experience daily challenges as a woman in business. I am a HSP (highly sensitive person), so its easy for me to let the little voice in my head get the better of me. Managing my emotions is a daily effort.
I believe that womxn experience higher amounts of self doubt whilst building a business too – the key thing is to have a solid community to keep you uplifted (hint, hint Pangea Dreams).
Where would you say your business was at before the Pangea Dreams Retreat and where would you say your business was after?
I attended the Puerto Vallarta retreat as a trip leader with Pangea Dreams. This amazing experience was truly life changing for me. Although I was facilitating, I learned so much about myself and the direction I want for my life.
The retreat gave me clarity to pursue my dream career even harder than I currently was. It also gave me the confidence I needed to assure me that my creativity is what is going to elevate my life further.
What is one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs just starting out in their journey?
Don’t feel married to your first business idea. As you evolve as a human, so will your business! Too many entrepreneurs will try to ride it out with something that hate because they’ve publicized it or scared to look silly for changing their mind.
Give yourself the permission to pursue what feels good to you, and discard what doesn’t (regardless of how long you may have been working on it for).
Being happy is your full time job.
Anything else we should know?
If you are just starting out as an entrepreneur and you are in desperate need of clarity, feel free to drop me a message on IG saying “Brand Clarity” for a free consult.
How can someone get in touch with you?
Email: coach@montellebee.com
Personal IG: @montellebee
Business IG: @brandyourinfluence
Youtube: montellebee
Thank you, Montelle!
Montelle Browne of Brand Your Influence is a Pangea Dreams Trip Leader.
