As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Brittney Bogues.
Brittney Bogues is a powerhouse in public relations and brand strategy, and the visionary Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Bogues Group. In the past year, Brittney has steered her agency through a high-growth phase, with a clear path to surpass $1M in annual revenue within the next two years. Her leadership has been pivotal in expanding her team to meet the growing demand from clients across regulated industries, hospitality, and sports sectors, while maintaining a reputation for exceptional service and impactful results.
Brittney’s ability to create meaningful partnerships is a hallmark of her success. She co-hosted a landmark community event with Yelp for Habitat for Humanity, raising significant funds while earning recognition as one of Yelp’s Top 9 Most Photographed Events of 2024 — a rare distinction among major cities’ events. Her efforts reflect her commitment to blending business success with social impact.
Recognized as a 2024 Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, Brittney’s leadership extends beyond her agency’s growth. She, along with trusted partners, launched a grant program to support emerging entrepreneurs, providing them with funding, media training, and advertising support to help them thrive.
Brittney’s vision continues to shape industries and inspire entrepreneurs. She is a relentless advocate for her clients, her team, and the communities she serves, proving that when bold vision meets execution, extraordinary things happen.
In this interview, she reveals the mindset shifts, bold moves, and lessons that helped her turn ideas into impactful online businesses.
I started my business with two key motivations: to help mid-sized businesses and athletes protect their brand and tell their story. Growing up in the industry, I witnessed firsthand how many athletes were taken advantage of or seen solely as meal tickets, and how mid-sized businesses often felt like the underdog. I wanted to change that narrative by giving them a voice that resonates, from a perspective that not many can offer—backed by the skillset and passion to truly make a difference.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for 15 years. My first business closed, and I spent a few years in the nonprofit sector learning from various leaders before launching Bogues Group seven years ago. It’s been a journey of refining systems, measuring the right metrics, and focusing on what truly drives growth. The key decisions that helped us evolve included investing in the right team, optimizing our systems, and strategically identifying growth opportunities within regulated industries, hospitality, and sports.
What sets us apart is our personal touch, out-of-the-box thinking, and the NBA legacy that runs through our brand. We also offer a unique speakers bureau, which gives our clients access to high-profile speakers and celebrities that many firms can’t tap into directly. This gives us an edge in crafting memorable and impactful brand experiences that other agencies can’t replicate.
Earned media and award recognition have been our most effective marketing strategies. We’ve yet to invest in paid advertising, but our earned media coverage and accolades have resulted in national press and valuable business opportunities. This has proven that great PR speaks for itself, and the recognition has brought in new clients and strengthened our reputation.
I stay connected to my audience through regular polling, data reviews, and research. Understanding data is vital in our field; it allows us to track trends, measure sentiment, and continuously refine our approach. Staying in tune with the needs of our clients and audience helps us deliver solutions that are truly impactful.
One of our standout campaigns was partnering with Bleacher Report for Charlotte’s NBA All-Star Weekend as the official local brand activation partner. We activated six major events, including performances by 2Chainz, a Slam Dunk contest, a celebrity basketball game, and comedy shows. With over 30 influencers and 25 nonprofit partners involved, the campaign generated 4.8 million social media impressions, showcasing our strategic planning, deep connections, and PR expertise. It was a turning point that brought national recognition to Bogues Group.
Success, for me, means freedom: not having to answer to anyone, slow mornings, and the ability to create a lifestyle that’s driven by passion rather than routine. It’s about retiring early, spending quality time with loved ones, traveling, enjoying multiple streams of passive income, and making memories that truly matter.
A major turning point for me came when I had to ask myself what kind of business owner I wanted to be, and be brutally honest with myself. It was a realization that I needed to get out of my own way to become the leader I wanted to be. That shift in mindset allowed me to make the bold decisions necessary to propel my business forward. I began to create systems, standard operating procedures, and delegate and hire the necessary roles.
I keep my mornings dedicated to myself and my creative process before diving into work. I wake up around 4:30 or 5:00 a.m., meditate, pray, work out, and then shower and get ready. I spend time journaling or listening to a podcast or webinar for inspiration. This routine helps me stay grounded and creative before starting my workday at around 10:00 a.m.
As an entrepreneur, risk is inherent—just opening the doors to your business is a risk in itself. I approach risk with a calculated mindset, studying the potential outcomes to minimize uncertainty. When it comes to innovation, I embrace it wholeheartedly, ensuring that it’s infused into everything we do to continuously add value for our clients.
While I hesitate to give advice, I prefer to share my experience. If I were starting a business today, I’d focus on learning AI prompts and identifying a solution that aligns with my passion—something I can see myself doing every day, without needing external motivation. I’d make sure my business strategy was data-driven and rooted in my true interests, allowing me to build something sustainable and meaningful.
To learn more about Bogues Group, visit BoguesGroup, where you can explore our Speaker’s Roster and Small Business Hub for resources. You can also connect with me directly on social media.
