International Womxn’s Week ft. Priscilla Richards

As a black woman, my first mission was to empower women and encourage diversity and inclusivity. I am a global/world citizen who plans on helping businesses around the world execute their brand vision and attain their sales goals with effective marketing techniques. One city at a time, one success story at a time.

Over the past year, the pandemic has had a profound impact on our personal and professional lives. In order to overcome the chaos, agility has become a part of our collective DNA. How has your work been affected?

My style of content creation as a social media marketer was heavily reliant on travelling and exposing my following to a variety and new experiences. In working with brands and their shifting priorities I also had to shift my approach to content creation. The key to my success in doing this, was to remain as flexible and agile as possible to changes in my environment and with my clients.

The uncertainty brought about the pandemic has forced us to be nimble, resourceful and kind. Can you describe a new project, new process, new method or new business you’ve initiated or created to adapt to this new reality?

I made it a priority to partner with black owned companies in Ottawa because their businesses were some of the most affected by the pandemic. I pivoted a way from developing my personal brand and instead lent my talents to Luxhairous Hair, Tchanglam, and more. It was a new challenge for me to assist these brands in getting national and global exposure.

In addition to becoming more agile, did you discover (or develop) any new entrepreneurial characteristics and / or abilities you perhaps didn’t know you had?

In shifting my work away from my personal brand and towards collaborating with black business owners, I discovered my identity not only as a creative, but as a leader with vision.

The last 12 months have truly tested our ability to react and adapt in challenging and confusing situations. Nevertheless, through these dark times, we’ve witnessed some of the greatest acts of generosity, innovation, bravery, kindness and unity. What is one thing resulting from the pandemic you are grateful for?

I am most grateful for the time that the pandemic gave for me to prioritize thinking about my physical health and self-development. Clarity and purpose came along, that is how I realized that a new chapter began.

We appreciate the importance of taking a moment to step back, to reflect, and to recalibrate in the wake of the chaos and uncertainty. If you had to give your pre-pandemic self-one piece of advice, what would it be?

If I had to give my pre-pandemic self one piece of advice, I would tell myself to take it one day at a time, by trusting myself and focusing on my purpose.

*This feature was published in honour of the International Womxn’s Week, 2021.