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

Hi Nicole, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea of starting my own business, Bruno PR & Social, was a journey that evolved from a combination of personal inspiration and the unique challenges I faced throughout my early career. While growing up, I often heard from family and friends that I possessed the qualities of a CEO. However, it wasn’t until the early years of my professional life that I began to envision myself in that role.

As a Black Hispanic woman, my path through the early stages of my career was marked by numerous hurdles, including workplace discrimination, racism, sexism, and microaggressions. These obstacles tested my resilience and fueled my determination to break through these barriers. It was the culmination of these experiences that ultimately led to the establishment of my boutique PR and social media agency, Bruno PR & Social.

In the fall of 2019, I started providing freelance support to small businesses in the realms of social media management and public relations, all while maintaining a full-time position at an advertising agency. Freelancing, in many ways, was a gift to myself. It allowed me to discover my true calling and rejuvenated my confidence, self-esteem, and passion for the work I was doing.

When I officially founded Bruno PR & Social in 2020, my vision extended beyond just creating an agency. I aspired to carve out a safe space within an industry that often presents formidable barriers to women and individuals of color striving for professional recognition, growth, and advancement. This resolute purpose guided me in establishing an agency where the voices, experiences, and ambitions of women and people of color could find recognition, embrace the essential facets of being truly acknowledged, affirmed, invigorated by challenges, and genuinely heard.

Bruno PR & Social was born from my vision of a PR and social media agency with passion, authenticity, and diversity at its core. At our agency, we assist companies passionate about health, wellness, and equality in owning their narrative and authentically engaging and converting diverse audiences into brand advocates. Since the inception of our agency, companies have turned to us for two key reasons: to save time and to benefit from the support of a team of specialists who share their mission, possess the lived experience to authentically tell their stories, are experts in PR and social media, and are dedicated to achieving results that ensure their success.

What should our readers know about your business?

Bruno PR & Social is more than a typical agency; it’s a testament to our commitment to make a difference. What sets us apart is our purposeful approach, grounded in core values of authenticity, diversity, and passion. Specializing in crafting successful PR and social media campaigns, we pride ourselves on authentic storytelling, clear messaging, and a profound understanding of our clients’ audience. As a boutique agency, we cultivate close, collaborative client relationships, with our dedicated, dynamic team functioning as an extension of our clients’ teams, aiming to exceed goals.

We’re a boutique agency where the voices of women and people of color are celebrated and empowered. Our diverse experiences empower us to tell authentic client stories, creating relatable and compelling narratives. Our pride stems from the profound impact we’ve had on clients and communities.

In the past three years, we’ve witnessed brands owning their narratives, forging connections, and achieving impactful results. Through our strategic approach, we’ve driven impressive outcomes, like helping YOGAMOTIF increase followers by 3571.4%; raising $8K for the PostpARTum Project; and promoting the Take Up Space Festival Fundraiser increasing YOGAMOTIF’s one-day artist retreat capacity from 20 Black mothers to 40 Black mothers. We measure success by results and positive change.

Through building Bruno PR & Social, I’ve learned valuable life lessons:

  • You are the co-creator of your life.
  •  You can make anything happen with persistence, hard work, and an undying belief in yourself.
  • Choose the people on your team wisely! Be mindful that some people are only meant to be a chapter in your story.
  • Setting boundaries is an absolute must! How you honor and respect yourself is how others will honor and respect you.
  • This journey is not going to be easy, but it will be 100% worth it!
Bruno PR & Social isn’t just a service provider; we’re partners deeply invested in the causes we support. Our brand and mission intertwine, dedicated to amplifying diverse voices for a brighter, more inclusive future. With passion, authenticity, and diversity as our guiding values, we’re eager to continue this journey!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were to visit Los Angeles, our itinerary would be a mix of my favorite local gems and some classic must-see spots. To kick off our adventure, we’d head to one of the Westside’s charming independent coffee shops, like Bluey’s or Alana’s, for a caffeine boost and a warm welcome.

During the daytime, our options would vary depending on their mood. We might embark on a day trip to soak in the coastal beauty of Point Dume or Matador Beach, or opt for some scenic hiking, with choices like the iconic Hollywood Sign or the breathtaking Topanga Canyon Lookout. Alternatively, we could immerse ourselves in the art world by exploring renowned museums like The Hammer or The Broad. If time allows, we’d aim to cover all these fantastic places over the course of a week.

For a friend who shares my love for yoga, we’d attend a rejuvenating class at Love Yoga. Of course, I’d introduce my bestie to some of my go-to dinner spots, including Elephante, Night + Market SAHM, Zinque, Scopa, American Beauty, The Hideaway, and Chulita.

A visit to Venice Beach would be incomplete without witnessing the stunning sunset, followed by a relaxed evening with drinks at Belle’s Beach House. For those seeking vibrant nightlife, The Lincoln in Venice is one of my favorite spots to dance and meet interesting people. I also enjoy attending comedy shows on the beach and have yet to experience a SoFar Sounds concert – an item that’s firmly on my LA bucket list.

Despite residing here for three years, there’s still a bunch of places and experiences I’m eager to explore, so we’d definitely make a point to check one off the bucket list.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While there is a long list of people who have supported me throughout this journey, I am going to dedicate my shoutout to the following individuals:

1. God and the Universe for giving me what I need to make my dreams a reality and continuing to support me along this journey as I expand and grow my business.

2. My parents, Lisa Smith and Fabian Bruno. Both of my parents have supported and encouraged me along this journey, and as I was growing up, they taught me the value of being a hard worker. They have invested in my business during slow seasons, and always remind me to never give up. My mother is a psychotherapist and social worker, who owns her own private practice, and when my father was in his twenties, he ran his own martial arts dojo. I’d like to believe that my entrepreneurial spirit came from both of them. I am grateful for their support and unconditional love each and every day.

3. My employees. I value and appreciate their hard work and collaboration. They have been an integral part of the success and growth of Bruno PR & Social.

4. My first client and founder of Rutz Naturals, Stephanie Schuler. She saw my potential, believed in me, and gave me an opportunity that helped me discover my calling.

5. My business coach, Nathalie Rizkallah. She has helped me uncover and address the psychological barriers that have been holding me and my business back from reaching our greatest potential. Her insight and support has ultimately helped me set better boundaries and restructure and strengthen the foundation of my agency.

6. My cousin, Denzel Hassell. He helped establish and design the Bruno PR & Social brand.

7. Our amazing clients! I am so so so grateful to all of our wonderful clients who entrust and collaborate with us each and every day.

8. Our referral partners, vendors, and agency partners. From sending new prospects our way to helping expand Bruno PR & Social offerings, I am sending a shoutout to all of our referral partners, vendors, and agency partners for taking us to the next level and helping us make the magic happen.

Website: www.brunoprandsocial.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brunoprandsocial

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nmbruno

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brunoprandsocial

Image Credits
Photography credit goes to LeeAnn K. Photography and Yuliya Ishmuratova

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