What our clients are saying…
“Nick and Bridget Brown have been invaluable to me throughout the founding, development, and growth of my business. Their skilled mentorship was instrumental in helping me to initially launch Tutu School as a local business, and their thoughtful guidance eventually helped me to scale the company into a national brand. Any business owner, brand builder, or company leader would be lucky to have the Browns in their corner.”
Genevieve Weeks, Founder Tutu School
“I can't recommend Bridget enough! We started working together in January 2020. At that time, I was mentally and physically exhausted from all the spinning plates of being a small business owner—then the pandemic and lockdowns started. Bridget was not only my trusted business mentor but also my entrepreneurial cheerleader, therapist, and shoulder to cry on. I credit her with getting me through these turbulent times with clarity, support, and resilience. She totally gets it!”
Kristina McConnico, Founder, Lacson Ravello
www.lacsonravello.com
I call Bridget my LOHO fairy godmother. I met her 6 years ago when I was at a crossroads of whether or not I should continue to work in tech, or start my dream bridal dress shop. After one meeting and the opportunity to hear her story, I knew I had to take the plunge. 4 months later I held my first pop-up, and within 6 months I was signing my SBA loan docs. I found that confidence and consistency is the hardest piece when starting your own endeavor and Bridget not only became my accountability partner, but even more importantly, she became my champion. She’s honest, reliable and supportive, while still keeping it real when you need straight talk. There are numerous one-liners that she gave me as feedback that really got my mind on the right track. I can’t thank her enough for believing in me, my vision, and the future of where we can still grow as a company; she’ll forever be a party of this journey!
Christy Baird, Founder, LOHO Bride
“Bridget and Nick have been an integral part of my business from the idea phase to the actual launch and beyond. From the very first call, they understood my vision and went to work connecting me with talented marketers, lawyers, designers, and many others to help turn my idea into reality. What I love most about working with Bridget and Nick is that they always provide me with 100% honest feedback and act as my sounding board. Whenever I have questions, need advice, or am stuck with a certain task, I always know I can turn to them for help.
The one thing I took away from business school was that to be successful, you have to surround yourself with experienced individuals you can trust and learn from. Bridget and Nick have been those people for me and I know they will continue to be in the years to come."
Kelsey Reaves, Founder, SiteSee
There's a lot I could say about The Advisory Guild team - but to sum it all up, they're magic. Bridget + Nick have the innate ability to help business owners like me see what isn't working, and more importantly, how to lean in and experience growth through what is. This is one of the very best investments I have made in my business and in myself. If you're on the rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship, do yourself a favor, and get The Advisory Guild in your corner.
Jackie Cooke, Jacqueline Cooke Creative
“I absolutely love working with Bridget and The Advisory Guild! She just gets it. I started working with her when I had multiple different ideas for my second business and felt stuck on where and how to begin. As an entrepreneur and small business owner, I was overwhelmed and needed the support of someone who has been there (in her and Nick's case, many times), and was successful at building and growing the type of business I want to have. Bridget is a great professional sounding board for hashing out strategy, connecting me to the right people, honing my voice and offerings, and keeping me on track. In addition to having the knowledge and experience, she is incredibly friendly and supportive! She's a professional resource and mentor, but she and Nick are also people that you'd want to invite over to your next dinner party! I can't recommend The Advisory Guild enough and am so grateful for the work they're doing!”
Laurie Gatto, Fitness & Mediation Teacher, Laurie Gatto Wellness
Being a new entrepreneur and building a company is a lonely enterprise fraught with uncertainty. Naturally you have knowledge gaps as a founder but unlike established company structures you don’t always have the team members on hand to fill in those missing pieces and you rarely have the time or space to adequately brainstorm/ideate or even to find the right people to help. Most startups feel that only the big, abundantly funded businesses can have advisory boards – when in reality this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Advisory Guild is every entrepreneurs dream; a top-class team intent on helping you succeed. Throughout the process they will serve as a much needed sounding board that will lighten your load and give you the space to see beyond the deluge of daily duties and onto the long term, visionary thinking that got you excited about running a business in the first place!
Bridget and Nick Brown offered meaningful, strategic advice and served as tremendous allies during a critical time when I was wanting to move my company to the next level. They listened patiently and asked provocative questions and ultimately inspired me to change my way of thinking ever so slightly. Together they brought practical and insightful ideas that were perfectly aligned with who I am as a founder and what my company’s core values aim to be. I am eternally grateful for their generosity of time and spirit and their uniquely ‘outside' perspective and relevant first-hand experience. Working with the two of them has been an invaluable experience; they are two of the kindest and genuinely supportive advisors (now friends) that I could have hoped for. I liken their combined talents as one big business mind that has given me the tactical support and advice that I needed to drive growth and fulfill my own bold dreams.
Amy McKelvey, Founder, Her Vital Way
www.hervitalway.com
I was referred to Bridget as I embarked on adding a new product line to my long standing service business. I had an uneven experience base, was totally overwhelmed and in deep need of help. As an entrepreneur I need the two sides of my brain to work together: my logistical brain and my passionate brain. I was struggling to make the right moves because they weren't talking to each other and were worlds apart. Bridget is the only advisor I have ever had who can truly get and speak to both. This infusion of left brain- right brain diplomacy has been an incredible learning and growth experience for me and my business. Bridget brings big brains, a big heart and the beautiful support of safe harbor for hopes and dreams, bs meter, empathizer, strategist, problem solver, forecaster, strategic help recruiter, and bad joke check-in as I move from one iteration of my business to another. She simultaneously grounds me and gives me hope and I am beyond grateful! She is the absolute best.
Giulietta Octavio, Founder, Ceybon
I had the good fortune of becoming connected with Bridget Brown not far out of the “idea” phase of starting a handbag collection. Though hired as my business consultant, Bridget has, in many ways felt more like a partner as she has guided me through each phase of this venture.
From “let’s do this” to launch day, Bridget has been an integral part of my team. Always one step ahead of the to-do list, her substantial experience and wide ranging network of referrals allowed me to focus on the parts of my business that needed my attention while she took on the responsibilities of sourcing options for branding experts, web designers, social media managers and much more. Bridget is highly organized and level-headed which gives her the ability to wear many hats while at the same time recognizing which one she needs on and when. Bridget’s approachable demeanor, encouraging spirit, honesty and professionalism is an added bonus to the excellent work she produces and I would recommend her services to anyone desiring to take their business to the next level.
Kristin Van Ness, Creator, Gloss Game
Nick and Bridget are passionate experts in business development and growth. They built and sold a successful franchise corporation and come to the table with a wealth of experience in all key business functions. They have been instrumental partners in helping Sweet & Spark assess the pros/cons to taking on a business partner and expanding our retail footprint within the physical realm. No challenge is too big for the Brown’s!
Jillian Bremer, Founder, Sweet & Spark
Bridget is an absolute whiz at what she does and a joy to work with—if you have a product business and feel stuck or directionless, book time with her now! I started my skincare business in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and once Bridget and I were connected through mutual friends, she instantly stepped in and became not only a cheerleader, but solved so many problems and questions I had with expert answers. She has such a wealth of knowledge in this space of production, pricing, positioning, sales, and more, she made me not feel alone as a female founder trying to figure it out on my own — she truly acted as an extension of my team! Not to mention, Bridget's compassion and empathy as a fellow entrepreneur, she understands all the feelings, struggles, doubts, and obstacles that come your way and helps you through them.
Alex Lawrence, Digital Brand Stylist
Bridget is a bright light in the business world! She helped me get all of the messy ideas in my head and put them in motion. Chatting with her every month was the accountability I needed to move forward in my business. Not to mention it felt like she was a kindred spirit. 11/10 would recommend working with her to get past any hurdles or challenges you may be facing in your business!
Lizzie LaCour, Kinship
Bridget helped us navigate and understand a new supply chain + wholesale space that laid the foundation for a new product launch for our company. Her knowledge is invaluable and we felt lucky to have her assist in our product research.
Kerri Moore, JaneMade
I am so grateful for everything we have accomplished in the past six months. When I first reached out to Bridget, I was so unsure of myself in every way. I didn't know what type of work to do, who to target, how to manage everything, and how to get the support I needed.
Today, I find myself in such a different place. Less than a year into running my business, I am getting a lot of inquiries for my brand and web design services, and I am booked out for the next three months. That is because every time we speak Bridget, I get so much out of it. She takes the time to think critically about different avenues of growth. And she encourage me to structure my work so that it's sustainable and therefore I can provide the best efforts for my clients. I am so grateful that I invested in Bridget’s brilliant strategy sessions. Thank you!
Victoria Nyadjroh, Victoria & Co. Digital
When I started working with Bridget in the beginning of 2021, at the time I was overwhelmed, overworked, and overthinking (everything). Running a business can be isolating and I needed someone I could talk with regularly who understood my industry. Bridget came into my life and after our first call, I felt relief. She has given me the space to dream, scheme, simplify processes, express growing pains, and celebrate all the wins. Along the way, she has connected me with her trusted network of designers, writers, organizers, etc. who are also helping my business grow. Bridget is honest, thoughtful, intuitive, and most importantly, she really listens. I’m grateful for our work together and all of the amazing breakthroughs I’ve had since I started talking with her. I could go on and on about how great she is to know and work with. She is my go-to!
Haley Connolly, Owner, Meridian Boutique
I came to Bridget with a book manuscript, a product concept, and a whole lotta questions about how to marry my self-publishing and manufacturing goals. Bridget became my trusted jungle guide on this journey! She made invaluable introductions for my business, she rolled up her sleeves to assist with research and strategy, and she coached me when it was time for the business to pivot. Moreover, she has been my accountability partner, which feels like a vital addition when you’re flying solo as an entrepreneur! I recommend Bridget’s services to other entrepreneurs with the fullest confidence.
Mary-Robb D. Wilson, Author of Soulshine
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey and I'm beyond grateful Bridget and I crossed paths. In my early years of business, I felt like I had no one I could turn to when it came to sensitive matters or when I needed direction. Working with Bridget is the sounding board I needed all along. She's in it for the long haul, providing me with insights and the guidance I need to tackle challenges and lead with confidence. I've grown both personally and professionally, and my only regret is not working with her sooner.
Erika Dawkins, Owner, Bon Ton Studio
After one introduction phone call, it felt like I’d known Bridget for years. She has an innate ability to connect, listen, and thoughtfully guide. For me, Bridget has been an outlet, a listening ear, an empathetic and relatable assurance, a guide, and when needed a direct, honest (sometimes hard to hear) truth.
In a relatively short amount of time with Bridget, I want you to know this woman is passionate, about life and business. She’s deeply passionate about her clients and I’ve felt that from the first moment I spoke with her.
Mallory Dabney, Owner, HeyDey
Bridget is an incredibly intuitive and thoughtful advisor. She has an innate ability to identify and help implement opportunities that drive growth in your businesses and to unearth and activate individual strengths that drive change. Bridget's human-centric approach to advising makes her a gem to work with, and I can honestly say that working with her made me feel seen, supported, and above all, capable of taking on my biggest challenges. I can't recommend her enough; hurry up and make her part of your advisory team ASAP!
Amy Van Haren, Founder, Pumpspotting
“Bridget was such a wonderful partner to work with! As we moved my small business Calling Gala from overseas back to the United States, she was an essential resource for identifying contacts, locating manufacturers /assemblers and sourcing materials. I wanted to continue to keep my brand eco-friendly and sustainable and Bridget was a huge component of why we were able to continue to do so. Even when we were met with roadblocks, she came ready with solutions and was such a great person to discuss business ideas and opportunities with. My company would not be where it is today without her help and recommend her to anyone needing advisory for their business.”
Christina Guthman, Founder Calling Gala
I began working with Bridget to help strengthen some of my social media and business practices as a small shop owner. Navigating everything from product pricing, roadmaps, social media calendars and media contacts can be extremely overwhelming. Bridget helped me build out a plan and empowered me as an entrepreneur. Beyond her business savvy, she’s been a trusted sounding board and someone I’d like to call a new friend. I would highly recommend Bridget to anyone looking for a creative, smart, trusted and talented partner to become an “extended member” of their business. I have loved working with her and feel so grateful our paths crossed!
Bonnie Faxen, Founder, Frida Faxen
I was at a point in my career where I knew something had to change or evolve and was scared and unsure of which direction to take. When I was searching for business consultants and advisors, I stumbled upon Bridget’s website and immediately knew she was THE person I wanted to work with. I had never worked with a business advisor before so I didn’t know what to expect but from the first call, I knew I had made the best decision. She understood everything that I was feeling, and where I was, and I didn’t feel alone in this nebulous entrepreneurial journey. Every session was intentional, illuminating, and helpful beyond measure — I feel more confident and clear with the directions I wanted to take my businesses. I am so grateful to work with her and I am excited to have her along my journey!
Donna Kim, Founder, Donna Kim Creative