Interview with Tristin Brown, Co-Founder & COO at Swank Consulting
What first drew you to marketing and communication?
During my first two years of school, my major was actually in the School of Communications — Broadcast Journalism to be specific, with a minor in Business Entertainment, which was my first real introduction to marketing. I was required to take several classes that grew my understanding of how those two verticals come into play together. As a consumer, I also always enjoyed seeing how different brands would market themselves and the evolution you could track over the years in the ways social media shifted how brands reach different audiences.
Was there a specific moment when you realized this was the path you wanted to pursue?
Fast forward post-college, I remember pitching some marketing ideas to the retail company I was working for before landing my first "big girl" job in integrated marketing at a big agency. I remember my team telling me during my first week that it'd take a few weeks before getting into the full swing of things, but to their and my own surprise, by the end of that first week I was already pitching ideas and sourcing talent for our pitch decks.
At that moment, I knew I had found the space I resonated with the most and just had a burning desire to grow in it.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
With the nature of the work I do, no day or week looks the same honestly, but I do start most mornings by checking my email for any inquiries that may have come in for my clients and then creating a to-do list for the day.
Typically I'll have a few pull requests for clients we have in showroom and craft some pitches to send to various editors. Some weeks I'll spend time sourcing models or photographers for a shoot, or sort through my contact list to see if any brands fit into partnership strategies we're building for either a new prospective client or an existing one.
I also have weekly calls with all my retainer clients to go over updates on both ends, since we're constantly building out our plans for the year as far in advance as possible.
What first sparked your interest in your field or industry?
In 2024 I was working for a talent agency, negotiating deals and pitching talent to brands — finding the connective tissue between a talent and a brand — and I just felt like my creative abilities weren't being fully tapped. Through my varied work experience and personal interests, I always felt like the space I'd thrive in would be one where I could do various types of work that utilized all my skill sets. And as a natural leader (or so I'm told), running my own creative agency just felt like the perfect fit.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
My ability to tell a story. Whether it's through an event, a press story, or a creative production, I love having a concept or idea and being able to see it all the way through. It's a level of gratification and satisfaction I haven't been able to find anywhere else.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in this field?
Being a small and growing business, a women-owned business, and with the added layer of being two women of color — my biggest challenge has been making sure our credibility shines through the work we do and that we're seen as more than just two BIPOC entrepreneurs, but actual innovators in the space, regardless of our race or gender.
On the flip side though, there are so many women in the spaces we tend to find ourselves in, so in many ways being a woman has actually been a source of relatability and connection.
What advice would you give to younger women entering the industry? What mindset has helped you succeed the most?
Strike a balance between confidence and humility, take every challenge and every "L" as a learning lesson, and lean into your strong suits — whatever they are. Don't be shy about having a stance and an opinion and standing out, but always make sure you're someone people genuinely enjoy collaborating with.
What is the biggest lesson your career has taught you so far?
That being an entrepreneur doesn't get easier, it gets harder as you grow. Not in a negative way, but with growth comes new challenges, and it's so important to stay in a mindset where you're capable of pivoting and adjusting rather than letting those challenges consume you. There's no growth in comfort, so get comfortable being uncomfortable.
This interview and shoot were conducted by Monique Parker in her role as a WIDD volunteer.
