Entrepreneur Brittney Bogues on her growing business, life as an ‘NBA kid’

What’s happening: Bogues, the founder of PR and marketing firm the Bogues Group, spoke with Axios about life as a business owner, her work as a domestic violence advocate, growing up with Steph and Seth Curry, some of her favorite Charlotte places and her goals for the future.

Why it matters: Bogues uses her platform to advocate for and uplift others both professionally and personally. She is also among a growing number of Black-female business owners across the nation.

By the numbers: Charlotte ranks 16th nationwide for Black-owned businesses, which make up 3.8% of businesses in the area, per a 2022 LendingTree analysis. 23% of the area’s population is Black.

• Plus Black women own 35.4% of Black-owned businesses nationwide, which is higher than the national average for total female-owned businesses at 20.9%. 

Here is our Q&A with Bogues.

Editor’s note: Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity. 

1. Tell us about the genesis of Bogues Group, which you founded almost four years ago.

When I started this business, I was committed to delivering custom solutions for people who had a clear vision of what they wanted for their business’ communication and event needs.

My previous business taught me two valuable lessons: the importance of implementing and refining systems and building a team of experts that complement your skillset.

• Leading with these two lessons allows Bogues Group to continuously grow and provide quality work that makes an impact for our clients and our community.

2. You’ve shared in previous interviews that you’ve been an entrepreneur for more than a decade, and your first business failed. Tell us about that experience. What made you decide to try again as an entrepreneur, and what lessons did you learn from your first venture?

Though I gained valuable experiences working for others, I felt stifled, unable to exercise my creativity, and unhappy before I became an entrepreneur.

Lessons learned: I prayed and put in my two weeks notice to pursue my company. I knew from my first venture I needed to have a clear brand identity, unique selling point and have systems in place.

• I also learned the importance of automation and delegation, so growing a team strong in areas I was not was of paramount importance.

On my journey as an entrepreneur, I noticed a trend amongst all the other entrepreneurs I’ve met along the way – we fail, but we don’t become stagnant or disheartened. Rather, we use it as a lesson that we incorporate in the next project.

• I had to become and continue to be self-aware and really be real with myself by refining my strengths and addressing weaknesses head on.

3. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women of color who face disproportionate challenges compared to their white counterparts?

There are so many obstacles women of color face, including lack of financial resources and social capital.

• However, there are a variety of programs and events you can enroll in or attend that will help combat those issues.
• I recommend researching programs online like the SBA, NXT CLT and other business accelerator programs offered by the city and or nonprofit/private organizations. They help you build your business and often offer grant support as well.
• In addition, setting a plan to attend 1-3 networking events will help you build authentic relationships and can open a variety of doors. I’ve developed great relationships with key community members and leaders in business who have become mentors I can reach out to and pick their brain on a variety of topics.

Find an ally or mentor: With minimal social capital, it’s critical to find an ally or mentor in your industry or field who is willing to say your name in rooms you’re not in.

• Look into what they do, how you can be an asset to them because we all have something to offer and what you can achieve by looking up free and paid events to attend and network.

4. In 2017, you wrote a piece for Huffington Post sharing your journey as a domestic violence survivor, saying that having a famous last name didn’t shield you from pain. You’ve also worked with Safe Alliance to raise awareness for other survivors. Has sharing your journey helped you heal, and what advice would you give to other survivors who may be hesitant to share their story?

Sharing my story lifted a burden and weight I had been carrying for too long. Aside from sharing my story, learning about the cycle of abuse through my work at Safe Alliance and going to therapy all played a major role in my healing.

• The icing on the cake was the countless individuals who privately shared how my story helped them begin their journey of healing.

Advice for those who haven’t experienced domestic violence: Do not judge or victim shame/blame.

• Instead, offer resources and educate yourself on this public health issue.

Advice to survivors: You are not alone. One in three women are impacted by domestic violence.

• Please know there is life after abuse, confidential national text lines that offer 24/7 support and local organizations like Safe Alliance and Dove’s Nest who are available at no to very little cost.

5. Many Charlotteans know your dad, Muggsy Bogues, was an original Hornet. Tell me about your memories as a kid growing up in the NBA environment?

I have so many fond memories!

• From game nights at the old Coliseum, playing with my brothers, Seth and Stephen Curry [current NBA players and sons of former Hornet Dell Curry] in the back family room.

• Changing into our pajamas in the car so we can go to bed immediately after a game when it was school night.
• Going to Carowinds and getting mobbed because my dad was with us.
• Having family dinner in Toronto with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
• Going to All-Star each year and meeting other NBA kids and feeling like a mini reunion seeing old teammates and their families.

Every time I reminisce on growing up, I realize how much it always felt like family, even when my dad, or other teammates were traded. It’s a special bond.

6. Let’s talk Charlotte. What are your favorite restaurants, neighborhood, coffee shops and places to work out?

I love the growth I see in Charlotte!

Favorite neighborhoods: Cotswold, NoDa and South End.

Workouts: I am a creature of habit. I have seen wonderful results (down 60 pounds) from the work I’ve done with West Kept Secret and Hilliard Studio Method, along with lifestyle changes.

Bakeries and coffee shops: I am obsessed with Sunflour Bakery (they have the best pastries and matcha lattes), and other great bakery/ coffee shops are Blue Bison Coffee and Not Just Coffee, so I have to work out.

Go-to restaurants: Fin & Fino, Soul Gastrolounge and Leah & Louise.

7. What does your perfect Charlotte weekend look like?

Friday: Girls night in, ordering Chinese from The Boading and a sweet and salty charcuterie from Babe & Butcher watching our favorite shows.

Saturday: A fun day outing at 1501 S. Mint, then dinner at Eddie V’s, with a quick stop by Infused or catching a Hornets game/concert.

Sunday: Working out and planning for the week with a matcha latte from Sunflour Bakery. Then, dinner with my family.

8. If you have friends or family visiting from out of town, which Charlotte experiences are a must during their stay?

Hosting is one of my favorite things to do so I would first suggest if they aren’t staying with me, to stay at the Grand Bohemian Hotel.

• Then, I would suggest the R-rated Comedy Bus tour. It is a funny way to learn about the city, and it’s BYOB.
• There are so many amazing food options but my go tos for out of towners are: Red Rock Cafe or 300 East for breakfast, lunch at Le Belle Helene, drinks at Dot Dot Dot or Idlewild, dinner at Leah & Louise or Fahrenheit so you can see our beautiful skyline. Chef Rocco is the best!

9. Settle this debate for our newsroom: Mountains or beach for a summer vacation?

You are asking someone who chases summer, so I would have to say beach for a vacation.

• Although, being a winter baby, I do enjoy a ski trip to Aspen or Beech Mountain from time to time.

10. Last but not least, what’s next for Bogues Group, and what’s next for your personal journey?

For the Bogues Group: [We’re] expanding into the CBD and cannabis industries, helping established brands who have a passion for educating and growing their audiences, in addition to launching our first product, The Complete Brand Builder, created to help entrepreneurs/freelancers build and grow their brand from A to Z.

For my personal journey: Love and travel are high on the list, as well as pursuing new business ventures.