N.C. A&T Alumna Jodie Brim Takes Branding to the Next Level

Life is about evolution and when it comes to the story of Jodie Brim ‘06, her life and career have evolved to the next level of entrepreneurial success. She is the owner and visionary of Jodie Brim Creative, a full-service, brand photography, and videography company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

For five years, Brim worked for Strayer University in multiple locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Greensboro, North Carolina. She excelled in her career in top-level roles that covered admissions, recruitment, establishing new campuses, and training established locations. In 2012, she married her husband, Chris Brim, and the couple relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

“My husband had been an entrepreneur for many years when I met him. He understood the challenges I would face in leaving a corporate job, so he helped me to prepare for that transition,” said Brim. “At the beginning of our marriage, we committed to paying off our student loan debt and saving money because we wanted to create a life of financial stability and freedom.”

In 2012, initially working part-time as a self-taught photographer, by 2013, Brim jumped full-time into the world of entrepreneurship and never looked back to working a traditional job.

“In the beginning, I took on any and every gig I could secure from shooting footage on the BET Hip-Hop Awards’ Red Carpet, weddings to headshots,” she said. “My neighbors found it amusing when I set up my photography studio in my driveway. But I had to start somewhere. Eventually, I found a studio.”

In 2014, Brim’s business shifted when she started to invest in her company by purchasing new photography equipment, expanding her studio, and implementing new business systems. She also credits Ashleigh Crawley, owner of Still Shot Photography in Greensboro, and Megan Gioeli, owner of M. Gioeli Photography, for allowing her to shadow their work.

“God gave me a vision for my business, and I knew I needed something different in order to make that change,” Brim said. “Photography is my therapy, and I knew working in my calling, being driven, and staying true to myself would help me achieve my goals.”

As of today, Jodie Brim Creative focuses heavily on women-owned businesses by helping them to grow their brands by creating photographs and videos that highlight their talents and attract their dream clients. The company specializes in an all-inclusive experience covering brand photography, videography, product photography, corporate events, wardrobe styling, and hair and makeup.

“I know I have been called to work with women entrepreneurs because I find joy and passion in helping them discover their confidence and showing up in their purpose,” she said. “My business is not all about a pretty photo; it is an experience that my clients go through that is anointed, leaving them feeling like a celebrity.”

“You know you have given an enjoyable experience when the client leaves a Google review and shouts your praises on social media without seeing any of the photos yet.”

Brim received her B.S. in psychology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2006, and her master’s degree in nonprofit management from High Point University in 2008.

Brim credits North Carolina A&T for teaching her how to be bold, fearless, and excellent in all that she sets her hands to do. In the future, she plans to expand her company and team, and focus on being the best wife, mother, and friend that she can be.

For more information, on Jodie Brim Creative, please visit www.jodiebrim.com.