Tabitha Brown Shares at InvestFest: Building Intentionally While Protecting Peace.
Tabitha Brown’s remarks shined a light on the importance of resilience.
At InvestFest 2025 in Atlanta, thousands packed the Georgia World Congress Center to hear the leaders shaping culture, commerce, and community. On August 23, the Earn Your Leisure stage hosted the panel “Brick By Brick: The Blueprint of Empire-Building”—a powerful conversation with Valerie Obaze, Fawn Weaver, and Tabitha Brown, moderated by Selena Hill, on building with purpose and intention.
Brown encouraged creators seeking brand deals to keep it authentic—highlighting the products and brands they genuinely use to build organic partnerships.
“In the early days, I’d post and tag the brands so they knew I was using their products,” she shared. “That opened the door for potential partnerships—but the most important part is making sure the brand truly aligns with your lifestyle.”
She cautioned that one of the biggest mistakes creators make is rushing into partnerships. “We don’t want to work with just anyone for the sake of a check—it needs to be meaningful and aligned with our values,” she said.
Brown also urged creators to pay close attention to contracts. “Exclusivity and perpetuity are the two red flags I always warn about. If you see those—RUN! They allow brands to use your image forever. I’ve seen so many creators get trapped in bad deals without legal advice, all because they were eager to make a quick few thousand dollars.”
Brown addressed the rollback of corporate DEI commitments, noting that while major retailers scale back support for Black-owned businesses, she continues to stand firm—drawing from her own experience partnering with companies like Target.
“Before DEI was even a term, we were already great people doing great business,” Brown said. “Remember, you’re still great—Black people building great Black businesses. And no matter who’s in the White House or how hard they try to erase our history, don’t let that erase your drive, your hustle, or your motivation. Keep moving forward and keep doing the work every single day.”
When asked which financial literacy tools she wished she had known earlier, Brown highlighted Shopify and QuickBooks.
“When I first got into e-commerce, those were the two platforms I had to figure out,” she said. “Even today, with constant updates, QuickBooks is essential for tracking balances, while Shopify is a must for monitoring inventory, sales, and data.”
When asked what she loved most about InvestFest 2025, Brown didn’t hesitate: it was the people.
“I love the people,” she shared. “I love connecting, seeing so many Black people inspired, motivated, and hungry for more out of life.”
That very hunger—paired with Brown’s message of authenticity, protecting your peace, and building brick by brick—has made her a guiding voice for entrepreneurs committed to creating wealth with purpose.
