Brandi Herrman, Founder of Brandi Herrman Communications, on Supporting Nonprofit Leaders Through Strategic Communications

Brandi Herrman is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Brandi Herrman Communications, a firm dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations and mission driven small businesses with strategic marketing and communications. With more than 20 years of experience in public relations, digital marketing, media relations, and higher education, Brandi built her company to help leaders maximize limited resources while carrying powerful missions forward.

From fractional CMO services to hands-on execution across web, social, PR, and analytics, her work centers on equipping nonprofit leaders with clarity, strategy, and sustainable support.

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

Hi, I’m Brandi. I started Brandi Herrman Communications because I kept finding myself in rooms with nonprofit leaders who were carrying big missions — and far too much on their own shoulders.

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I started Brandi Herrman Communications so I could use my skillset and expertise to assist leaders who are doing incredible work, but need to maximize their resources. I've pinched pennies, done more with less, and learned how to be hands-on with everything from social media to web management, from public relations to event design and a million things in between.

Are you a mamaprenista?

YES. I don't set specific hours for myself. I allow my day to be what it needs to be. And that means working into the evening and on weekends when it makes sense. I also give myself the grace to hire a contractor to assist with tasks where strategy isn't necessary, but "getting it done" can't wait.

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Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

I actually didn't think too hard about it. I was relying on networking and my positive SEO from years of writing for my website, local media and social media. My social media and connections surrounding the geographic locations I have lived have been my two biggest lead generators.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

No way! I had entrepreneurs throughout my family, but I believed I had to have the stability of a full-time job. However, when I couldn't stay an inch deep and a mile wide - or provide insights and ideas for bettering an organization I was in - I knew I had to find a new way. My own way.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

Working with Welcome Home - a nonprofit that works to eliminate veterans homelessness. Taking the step to go "all-in" on the fractional CMO model has been a game-changer in terms of scope. However, it also means that I have narrowed the number of people who can work with me in my geographic region.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

That's hard to say because I've had some incredible coaches and have learned SO much. I will say the most surprising thing has been how open and willing people are to help a small business owner.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

Explain a situation where you were in a tough situation and didn't know the way forward. How did you make your way through it?

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I ask for examples of when people were challenged and how they came through it. I find that people who have experienced adversity are much better problem solvers. I also love understanding how people solve problems because creativity, problem-solving and the ability to dig in and solve problems are all part of what makes us able to support our clients.

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What did you do before starting your own business?

I worked for 20 years in public relations and marketing -- serving as a jack-of-all trades for organizations of various sizes -- but mostly enterprise educational organizations. I even spent 6 years as a full-time professor teaching advertising, public relations, event marketing, sports marketing, consumer behavior, etc, etc.

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I love being an inch deep and a mile wide. I dabble in all things digital -- from web design (WordPress) to digital advertising (Google Ads, social media ads) and digital analytics (Google Analytics, Facebook Business Manager). I'm also, first and foremost, a writer and have been since her teen years. I am also a media relations professional, working with others to tell compelling stories for her clients.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

As a full-time professor, my classes would take on nonprofit and small-business clients as part of their projects. I adored the work, but I often got frustrated by the fact that we could only help clients with a fraction of what needed to be accomplished - or what I could help with.

Do you have any recent wins?

Huge wins. I leveled-up by hiring an operations manager and I have two part-time people working with me consistently. I even expanded my list of contractors who are working with me as workload surges. Leveling up my team has been exciting and scary all at once!

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

Otter to record meetings and share with my team.

Who are your customers?

Nonprofit organizations and mission-driven small businesses.

What's your top productivity tip?

Smart use of AI and leaning into the ways that work best and fastest for you. Generative AI has been a game-changer for me because I am, at this point, the primary POC for my clients in most things - and the chief strategist. So, I have to be able to communicate ideas, feedback and strategy to my team quickly and effectively. I record almost every meeting - Otter is incredible - and then share with my team. I also record and use AI to help generate content on a consistent basis so we can produce social media content quickly and accurately -- without increasing cost to what an agency would charge. Voice memos are Amazing. I often record my ideas rather than type them out. It's much more effective for me to get my ideas across.

What's your favorite business tool?

Google for business. The ability to maximize Google has been the best tool for my team.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I really prefer integration. I'm not embarrassed to say that my identity is defined in large part by my career. While I am a mother, I never really dreamed of being a mom. I dreamed of being a leader. Of doing amazing things. Of making change happen. So, I would say it's about integration. About swapping between my "job" (which is really a calling for me) and my family. But there aren't set times. There are no particular days or hours for one or not the other.

How do you avoid burn-out?

Honestly, I've flirted with burnout over and over. It's hard to keep going sometimes. What I've found is that there are a few things to keep in mind. 1) You must keep moving forward until you can afford it, but as soon as you can -- hire for your weaknesses. When I hired an ops manager and put my trust in her, I began to really be able to focus. 2) I have also had to focus on being smart about who I take on as a client. Taking on a client who doesn't fit well isn't going to work for either party.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

I always tell aspiring entrepreneurs to use free resources and connect with coaches. There are local SBDC resources in nearly every state. There are online resources. I point new entrepreneurs toward resources because you HAVE to build your own network.

From going all in on the fractional CMO model to expanding her team with an operations manager and additional contractors, Brandi Herrman has built her business with resilience, adaptability, and deep commitment to the organizations she serves. Her journey reflects both the grit required to grow and the importance of hiring strategically to prevent burnout and scale sustainably.

If you are a woman founder building something purpose driven and looking to grow alongside other ambitious leaders, Entreprenista connects you with the community and resources that help you expand your impact with confidence. Learn more about joining Entreprenista League.