Browned 2 Perfection’s Junae Brown Mastered Marketing by Studying Music Industry

Junae Brown didn’t know it at the time but as she sang in her late grandfather’s church at the age of 3, her journey was just beginning. Her grandparents ran several businesses, so creativity and entrepreneurship have always run through her veins. It takes a lot of motivation and fearlessness to get in front of a group of people to perform as Junae did, but these are intrinsic traits for the CEO & Founder of Browned 2 Perfection Agency, a boutique creative marketing and event production company. Her journey may be rooted in music, but it is what led her to learn about the business component of the industry and later discover her natural talent for Marketing. Twitter’s God-is Rivera points out the beauty of Junae’s story. “Sometimes the traditional ad industry doesn’t recognize how many valuable skills are born out of other industries and hustles. From studying under music industry executives to working at top record labels and then promoting her own events–all those experiences built Junae’s skillset to create and run her own firm today. She has consistently created content series that aim to educate and inspire other creators who are building their brands.” Read on to find out more about the moment Junae realized her passion for Marketing, her wise take on a critical component of mental health, and the key figures throughout her life who taught her the valuable lessons she still carries today. Tell us about what you are doing now. We are Black women-led and specialize in digital content strategy, community building, partnerships and campaigns, influencer marketing, and experiential moments. Outside of that, it is my mission to help both brands and everyday people become the best version of themselves by way of Marketing, Business Development, Wellness, and Philanthropy. Anything content, conversations, and resources is my jam! How did you get to where you are today? I grew up in Harlem, NY and continued to sing and attend performing art schools and programs. I eventually ended up at Five Towns College where I fell in love with the business side of my courses during my first semester and changed my major to business management with a concentration in music business. I interned at Sony Music within RCA Records in Marketing, putting together marketing plans and rebrands of artists on the roster to present to executives. Aside from my Music Marketing Professor telling me “Marketing is your thing,” the executives’ reactions and feedback were probably the best confirmations that this was for me. I then went on to work at Columbia Records in Finance and Operations, aiding in the management of the marketing budgets, artist deals and negotiations, market share numbers, the introduction of streaming services, and a host of other responsibilities. After that I returned to RCA to work on all things marketing for some of the most incredible Black artists, from emerging to legacy. It was a great experience and then I realized I was an entrepreneur! After deciding to not pursue a few other industry opportunities, I officially launched Browned 2 Perfection Agency and have been making magic and impact with incredible brands and individuals ever since. What’s one way you’ve invested in yourself that’s had the most impact over the course of your career? What about within the past year? Therapy and treating self-care as a necessity, not an option. Everyone deserves an opportunity to unpack and get help navigating life’s journey with an unbiased perspective. Environment is everything when it comes to mental health. Within the past year, aside from therapy, I committed to relocating to a new city and upgrading my living space. Environment is everything when it comes to mental health, self-love, and productivity. I realize that I cannot continue to do my favorite thing, which is pouring into others if my own cup is empty. Who has helped you in your journey and how did they help shape your career? So many incredible people have helped me on this journey. My mentors in my high-school after-school music program at Harlem Children’s Zone really empowered me– from my musical talents to teaching me about the other ways I could prosper in entertainment. Already having worked in the industry themselves, they lit the first flame in me on that journey. I would also mention Shaniqua “Haarlem” Branch who is now Director of Digital Commerce / Urban Streaming over at WMG, Asylum Records. We met in college and I will never forget her helping me craft my resume for my first internship at Sony Music and the countless amounts of game she’s dropped on me throughout the years. There aren’t many people who so willingly look out for others, but she is definitely one of them. I am grateful for her. I learned how to move, negotiate, and navigate as a Black woman in this business. Lastly, when working at RCA, I had the opportunity to work under some of the most incredible Black Women executives alive. I learned from them not only marketing strategy, but simply how to move, negotiate, and navigate as a Black woman in this business. This is a huge part of me not only being in position but knowing how to stay here. What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The best pieces of advice are: “We don’t work at the ER; nothing is an emergency unless it’s an emergency.” This was an invaluable lesson on work/life boundaries.“Good ideas can come from anywhere.” This has kept me open-minded, collaborative, and creatively empowered.“Choose, don’t decide.” We always have a choice in life and each day I wake up and exercise choices. I am the captain of my ship. What does success mean for you? Success to me ultimately means peace. If you have peace, you truly have every single thing at your grasp. Be sure to check out the other features in our special week-long edition of Women Trailblazers as we highlight powerful women of color who God-is sees, admires, and wants to amplify as they leave their own mark on the world. How Donye Taylor Went from Myspace to Making Space for Black Creatives