Meet Nashville Storyteller + Success Guru, Brittney Oliver

Brittney Oliver is SO much more than a sunny smile behind signature yellow ensembles. Named one of the nine “Black Women Leaders Dedicated to Empowering Others” by Forbes, she’s a force in the marketing communications arena. Specializing in public relations, event management, writing, and content marketing strategy, this Nashville-based dynamo uses her skills, storytelling prowess, and company Lemons 2 Lemonade to help connect professional women with the tools to succeed. Get to know the newest FACE of Nashville, Brittney Oliver!

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What inspired your career path?

As a child, I loved to read … I remember lining up my stuffed animals, reading to them, and making up stories. I loved storytelling. I think that’s where I got my early love for it. I never in a million years thought I would be doing that now!

My parents were avid subscribers to legacy Black publications like Ebony, Jet, and ESSENCE, and reading those helped inform where I wanted to go to school. I remember reading about all of these Black professionals doing amazing things within their industries. Many of them went to Howard University, and I’m like, “Wow, look at all the people coming out of that school! I want to go there. I want to learn where they learned and make an impact like they did.”

I tried to find people in the Clarksville community who were doing PR. I met the communications director for the school system, and she showed me what it would take to do basic PR. A lot of it was writing press releases and creating relationships with the community. I was already doing that as a high schooler with my work for the newspaper and community organizations … So, I went to Howard to pursue PR.

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What led to Lemons 2 Lemonade?

My dream was to do PR in the Big Apple. Teachers tried to dissuade me because they said not everyone makes it in New York, but I was determined. Little did I know that I would end up going on over 100 interviews within eight months to try to get a PR job!

That was very discouraging.

I went from being one of the top PR students in my class to struggling. It stripped my self-confidence, and I didn’t know if I had what it took. Sometimes we take on the burden of rejection, but a lot of times, it’s not even about us.

As I started to figure things out and have conversations with people, I learned that why I didn’t get a job was less about me and more about the system. The system is about the “isms” — classism, racism, nepotism. All of those played a part in why I was struggling. I’m from the South and had my alumni network, but if the CEO’s neighbor’s daughter, who is an art major, needed a job — she got it before me. So, I had to make the most of what I was given.

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I wrote about my 100 interviews and shared it. It went viral. In the comments section on LinkedIn, all these people said they wished they’d known me while going through a long job search. I wish I’d known them, too. When you’re dealing with stuff, you feel alone and isolated — like nobody knows how you feel. But they actually do … I decided it was time to create a community.

I wanted to create a space where people felt seen, heard, and not rejected. If they’re looking for community, it doesn’t matter if they have a job. I also want more diversity and inclusion — panel discussions where people have different perspectives and points of view.

So, I started Lemons 2 Lemonade. In 2016, I had my first mixer and utilized my network to bring it to life … it was beyond what I thought I could do. After the first mixer, people asked, “When is the next one?” I’ve been doing mixers and creating community ever since.

What is one step we can all take to turn lemons into lemonade?

Acknowledge the lemon! A lot of times, we don’t want to deal with it. We know there’s something we need to face, but we put it off.

Maybe you want to lose weight but you’re having a challenge with moving your body and being disciplined. You can’t keep it on the back burner if it’s affecting your health; you have to deal with it. You have to squeeze that lemon.

In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge preventing women from living a life of purpose?

We don’t advocate for ourselves. We still struggle with advocating and getting the things we need to thrive and be successful. I’m really facing that — that’s a lemon for me.

In health, I need to advocate for myself with doctors and physicians.

In the workplace, I need to advocate for myself when it comes to pay and whatever I need to get the job done.

If I need rest or a break, or it’s getting difficult [to do a project on my own], I need to advocate for help.

There are moms reading this who might need to start advocating for help raising their kids because it’s preventing them from doing something else. Even in our friendships, we need to advocate for what we need more of. A lot of times, we keep our mouths shut, and there’s an expectation that people just know what we need.

They don’t know what we need or how to show up for us so we can be successful.

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How do you practice self-care?

Self-care has taken on a whole new meaning for me recently because of grief. For me, it’s moving my body and finding joy whenever I can — doing things I love, being around people I love and who love me, and taking days to reflect and release.

One of my favorite ways to decompress … is to light a candle. I love candles. It’s something my mom did, so I continue to do it. I work remotely, and lighting a candle can change the energy of a space.

Let’s switch gears to a more Nashville-centric question. What is one local gem that tops your favorite list?

I love a rooftop. I like Harriet’s, and my all-time favorite is L.A. Jackson. I always love the vibes and music. The drinks are always great, the location is great, and I’ve never had bad service.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Be mindful of how you spend your time.” Use your time wisely — there’s not enough of it, and you can’t get it back!

Outside of faith, family, and friends, what are three things you cannot live without?

I can’t live without the Internet. And lemonade, of course. And the opportunity to take a trip.

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LIGHTNING ROUND

What is a book you’ve discovered recently? It’s called Beyond Happiness by Jenn Lim. I haven’t read it yet, but I met the author.

What is the most memorable recent meal you’ve had? It was at Le Petit Chef at the Grand Hyatt Nashville. It’s an interactive, immersive experience.

What three words best describe you? Resilient — I bounce back. Caring — I really care about people and show up for them in all the ways I can. And I’m creative.

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Meet more inspiring Nashville women over at our FACES archives!