We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Keeling and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that taking calculated and intentional risks are essential to creating something great. When I think about those that I look up to, I see intentionality, innovation, and someone that has stepped so far outside of their comfort zone that they had no other option than to make it work. That’s the same approach I’ve taken in my business. Many decisions I’ve made haven’t exactly made sense on paper – but when you’re creating something that nobody else has done, you have to learn to trust yourself and your intuition around what the right risks and decisions are. It was a risk when I invested my last $5,000 into my business to get it off the ground in 2019. It was a risk when I decided to let go of ALL of my retainer clients just one year later, in order to restructure and rebuild everything my company was doing. It was a risk to hire my first full-time employee just 3 months after letting all of those retainer clients go. But I had a vision and had I not taken those risks, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I know that I will always show up and work harder than anyone in the room to make my dreams a reality. These were all risks, but the beautiful thing about taking these risks is that nothing is permanent. Here’s the bottom line: Nothing in life is promised. There is no option that is truly “safe,” and I think that this past year has shown us that now more than ever. We get to create the reality we want to live, and often times, that requires getting uncomfortable. But if we have the same chances of “failing” (read: learning) whether we choose the safe option or choose the risky option, we might as well go for the one that sets our heart on fire. I’d much rather live my life knowing that I tried and it wasn’t for me, than to always think back and wonder “what if.”

What should our readers know about your business?
We are a digital Launch and Business Operations agency. We are a small business working with other small, established businesses seeking guidance and a team of experts to produce a large-scale launch of their digital product or service within a short time frame. We are industry leaders in a “7 Day Launch” package where we have streamlined 2-3 months of work into a 7-day package for our clients. We are unique in how we structure a white glove experience for our clients by having record turnaround times, prioritizing innovation and efficiency, and treating the client’s business as our own. It’s been a journey to get here. For about a year, the agency was a more general “business management” agency, until I decided to let all of our clients go and completely restructure how we do business. It took some trial and error, but I wanted to create a way of working that would disrupt my industry and set the standard for how business should be done. We niched down into Launching and Business Operations, created a whole lot of systems, hired employees, and got to networking. The first 6 months were extremely slow, but they were setting the foundation for what was to come and I trusted myself with the decisions I was making (regardless of how scary making them felt). Now, we are booked out at least a month in advance at any given time and have the honor of working with small businesses that are making a massive impact globally. Sometimes deciding to burn it all down is the right move when you know you’re ready to create something better. Running a business isn’t easy. You’re in charge of making the tough calls, and the responsibility is on you whether it does or doesn’t work out. However, getting clear on a long-term vision and allowing it to guide you makes a world of difference. You have to be focused on what will serve the company for the next 3-5 years, not what will serve you just tomorrow or next week. It’s not easy – but it’s incredibly rewarding.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ll be honest, I tend to opt more for the nature activities here in San Diego like going to the beach and on hikes, so those would definitely have to be on the list! We’d go to the dog beach and probably a few different hikes. Little Italy is also a must with some incredible options for food and drinks. Sunset Cliffs is beautiful, and an afternoon to go paddleboarding is always a blast! There are so many options here, I feel like the list is truly endless.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am eternally grateful to my amazing mentors, Sara, Steph, and Shannon who have helped me create the life and business that I have now, along with my family and particularly my husband, Kent, for always believing in me and trusting me when I make decisions that might scare them a little. I also couldn’t do what I do without my INCREDIBLE team, who support our clients and me and are always up for a necessary pivot!

Website: https://beelevatedinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanyannette/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm5lYiR56T_ZeSDa7fMElIw

Image Credits
Anna Christine Photography

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