Meet Megan Kelley | Brand Strategist & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Kelley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, it started as a creative spark and a necessity. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, even before I had the language for it. Photography was a passion long before it was a paycheck—but the moment someone handed me a check for my work, I realized I needed to make it official. I opened a business account and never looked back.

Starting my own business allowed me to bridge my love for storytelling, strategy, and service. I had spent years working in communications and marketing—managing campaigns, curating events, and coordinating with C-level executives and nonprofit leaders. But I kept feeling the tug to create something that reflected me: my voice, my values, and my vision for excellence.

My thought process was simple: If I can do all of this for someone else’s bottom line, why not build something that aligns with my purpose and passion? Something that not only pays the bills but also pours back into my community and legacy. That mindset shift transformed my career and birthed a brand that’s rooted in authenticity, excellence, and impact.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business, Brand Flour, is where storytelling, strategy, and soul collide. I help visionary women, especially Black women entrepreneurs—build brands that don’t just look good but feel like legacy. Through photography, web design, and brand strategy, I translate their brilliance into visuals and experiences that reflect who they are, what they believe, and where they’re going.

What sets me apart is my ability to merge high-level strategy with deeply personal storytelling. I don’t just take pretty pictures—I build brands that bloom. Every brand I touch is rooted in intention, elevated with care, and designed to make waves. I’ve worked with everyone from therapists to thought leaders, nonprofits to influencers—and what I bring to the table is a deep understanding of both the visual and emotional impact of branding.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I started my business while juggling motherhood, grad school, and side jobs. There were seasons when I had to work with limited resources, teach myself new skills, and show up professionally even when life felt messy. But every challenge taught me to be resilient, resourceful, and rooted in my purpose. I learned how to lead with faith, move with strategy, and trust the slow bloom.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success doesn’t have to look like hustle all the time. I’ve redefined success on my own terms—choosing alignment over aesthetics and stewardship over striving. I’m proud of the business I’ve built, but I’m even prouder of the woman I’ve become in the process.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about me and Brand Flour, it’s this: I’m not here just to make brands beautiful—I’m here to help women become undeniable. You bring the vision, I bring the blueprint, and together, we build something that lasts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, we’re doing L.A. right if my best friend’s in town! I’m all about creating experiences that feel like a mix of culture, beauty, flavor, and good energy—so here’s how the week would go:

Day 1: We’d kick things off with brunch at Post & Beam in Baldwin Hills—Black-owned, soul-filled, and delicious. Then we’d take in the view from Kenneth Hahn Park and ease into the week with a sunset walk. At sundown, we’d swing by my sister’s house in Baldwin Hills—because my sister is her sister too. And if we’re being big backs, we’re definitely swinging by The Court Café LA for a little extra indulgence.

Day 2: Art day! We’d need to work off all that food from yesterday, so we’d start with a morning run on the sand in Manhattan Beach. Then, we’d head to The Broad Museum downtown to stretch our legs some more and soak in some inspiration. We’d swing by Little Tokyo for some cute shops and ube treats before wrapping the night with dinner at Perch—for rooftop views, good vibes, and deeper convos.

Day 3: Yesterday’s run got us dreaming about a beach day. So, we pack up the car with towels (though we probably won’t get wet), blankets, beach chairs, chopped wood from Home Depot, a speaker, gratitude journals, a cooler full of snacks and frozen goodies, my camera, and the sand wagon to lug it all. We’d start at Malibu Farm for the scenery and soul talk—probably chatting about the L.A. fires and dreaming up ways to build community impact through our businesses. It’s all about flow and impromptu photoshoots today. Then we’d backtrack through Santa Monica for pier fun, hit Venice for pics and to show her how hard it is to park in L.A., and end the night in El Segundo for an old-school nostalgic bonfire with an open invitation to everyone we told. We’d spend the night laughing and setting good intentions for what’s next.

Day 4: We do the responsible thing and head to Downtown Disney—kid-free—and spend the day riding coasters, laughing like teenagers, and eating all the snacks. We’d ride the Incredicoaster at least five times until our age finally catches up to us. Because we’re both older and grown, we wind down the evening at Wi Spa in Downtown L.A. We definitely did too much today, so it’s time for body scrubs, deep massages, and—if we’re feeling audacious—a cold plunge or two. Grown woman recovery is essential.

Day 5: Time for a cultural reset. We’d visit Leimert Park to soak in the Afrocentric energy, support local artists, and shop small. Then grab dinner at Alta Adams—Black-owned, flavor-packed, and always the vibe.

Day 6: Breakfast at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood kicks things off, where we reflect on how much the neighborhood has changed. “Can you believe this big building across the street with a Target?” “They call Fox Hills Mall ‘Westfield’ now?” “You know you can take the train here now?” “Remember when that used to be a Thrifty’s?” “I can’t believe they’re closing our old middle school!!!” We reminisce in the city we were born and raised in—a city that sometimes feels like it doesn’t have space for us anymore. After our “we’re getting old” moment, we post up at Sip & Sonder with lavender lattes and take inventory of all the work we’ll have to catch up on after this week. While we’re in Inglewood, we soak up the newness—the “Kia” Forum (we still call it The Forum), Sofi Stadium, and the Intuit Dome. We catch a movie at Cinépolis and dine in, feeling every bit of our grown-woman vibes.

Day 7: We wrap the trip with a beautiful church service, followed by some quality time with my mom—because of course, she wants to catch up too. Then we head to a farewell dinner at Somerville in Inglewood, a perfect final stop. After dinner, I surprise her with a 25-preserved rose set in an acrylic case with a drawer, decked out with Bath Notes Body products for stress relief and self-care—because I want her to keep caring for herself and to give her her roses while she can still smell them. We take a slow drive down to LAX, soaking in the view and reflecting on the memories we’ve made.

L.A. is full of hidden gems and iconic spots—new and old—but what makes it special are the layers: the culture, the creativity, the community. I’d want my best friend to feel all of that. From historic neighborhoods to beachside sunsets, the beauty of this city is in the mix of stories it holds.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely—there is no way I got here alone. My journey has been deeply shaped by the love, support, and divine guidance I’ve received along the way. First and foremost, I have to shout out God. Every open door, every divine connection, every lesson, whether smooth or stretching, has been orchestrated by His hand. I’ve leaned on my faith in the moments where I couldn’t see the full picture but knew I was being called to keep going.

Next, my family, my husband and our children, have been my anchors and my why. They’ve cheered me on when I doubted myself, made sacrifices alongside me, and reminded me that the legacy I’m building matters.

I also have to recognize my village of mentors, clients-turned-friends, and fellow women in business who have poured into me with wisdom, encouragement, and collaboration. From nonprofit boards to brand projects, their belief in me helped shape the businesswoman I am today.

And finally, a special shoutout to every Black woman entrepreneur who dared to dream out loud and go first. You gave me the blueprint, and now it’s my mission to pass it on.

Website: https://www.megankelleyphoto.com

Instagram: @brandflour

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleyme/

Image Credits
Megan Kelley Photography