Meet Shantelle “s.ladybug” Brumfield | The Nonprofit Brand Doctor & Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shantelle “s.ladybug” Brumfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shantelle “S.LadyBug”, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success has been recognizing that I don’t have all the answers—and that seeking professional help, along with implementing a proven business framework, is essential for building something truly sustainable. Early on, I was a scientist juggling a side-hustle crochet fashion venture—driven by passion, but unsure how to scale or even where to start. I remember hoping that a strong work ethic and a good idea might be enough, but I learned very quickly that turning a passion into a thriving enterprise requires more than just determination. It takes systems, accountability, and a willingness to be coached.

My turning point came when I was introduced to the 6×6 mental model, ACE Principles, and frameworks developed by my coach, David, a long-time business structuring professional who had taken a dozen corporations public. He laid out a no-nonsense plan that pushed me to confront my blind spots. Instead of trying to figure it all out alone, I had to accept the fact that my academic and professional achievements weren’t the same as entrepreneurial know-how. I needed to get out of my own head and into a strategic mindset, where feelings took a backseat to top-down planning and bottom-up execution.

The first tasks my mentor assigned were unexpectedly simple, yet profoundly transformative:

1. Define the cause, mission, and impact goals: Getting crystal clear on my “why” set the foundation for every decision that followed.

2. Design my Donor Hierarchy List (DHL): Dumping every contact from my phone and categorizing them based on who could genuinely move the business forward allowed me to leverage my network purposefully.

3. Deliberate on the Contact Hierarchy Plan: Rather than chasing every lead, I developed a structured roadmap to engage the right relationships for the right reasons, aligning each connection to specific goals.

4. Decide the Right Campaign: Recognizing that not all audiences are created equal helped me craft tailored messaging campaigns, ensuring I attracted and secured the right collaborators and engagements.

5. Divine the Team Needed for Excellence: I realized I couldn’t—and shouldn’t—do it all alone. Building a committed team of 3–4 people was crucial to scaling and sustaining success.

6. Debrief on Success and Areas of Improvement: Reflecting on what worked and what didn’t proved one of the hardest lessons. Embracing missed opportunities and acknowledging mistakes allowed for continuous refinement.

By following this blueprint, I went from bootstrapping and scrambling for direction to running a successful nonprofit that exceeded $250K in annual revenue. We even secured substantial funding, including $500K RFPs, without the obstacles that had once felt insurmountable. Witnessing my transformation led me to ask: “If this worked for me, how many other people out there need this kind of support?”

This realization ultimately led to the invitation to join the team and launch S2B Creative Curation. Today, our mission is to empower 1,000 business owners and nonprofit leaders—like me—to secure an additional $10K in unrestricted funding within the next year, amounting to a potential $10 million in collective funding. By aligning them with proven processes, top-down strategies, and bottom-up execution, we guide early-stage organizations ($0–$250K in annual revenue) to build a sustainable foundation for long-term growth.

My own journey—from a scientist with a struggling side hustle to a confident leader of a thriving organization—has made it clear that humility, structure, and the right mentorship are crucial to achieving real, lasting success.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the product of my own journey, and my work is executed from a place of personal experience. My path from NIH Research Scientist to nonprofit founder and consultant has been a testament to determination, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment. Early on, I realized that academic credentials are just the beginning—real learning comes from navigating challenges, building meaningful relationships, hiring subject matter experts, and staying rooted in your core values as you grow.

Let me be direct: success isn’t handed to you. No one simply transitions from being a scientist/crochet fashion designer to raising millions of dollars in grants and donations for various organizations. It’s earned through persistence, continuous learning, and the courage to step beyond your comfort zone. In my professional journey, I’ve learned that being the smartest person in the room isn’t enough. You need to be the most adaptable, the most strategic, and the most committed to creating genuine impact.

Overcoming obstacles has been about recognizing my intrinsic worth beyond superficial achievements. I’ve grappled with being the only Black woman in many rooms, systemic challenges, and moments of self-doubt. Impostor syndrome? I’ve faced it head-on, and I’ve learned to harness it as fuel for growth rather than a barrier.

The most critical lesson? Never allow external noise to define your potential. I’ve developed a mindset of strategic filtering—knowing that not every opinion is valid and not every setback should stop you in your tracks. My brand stands on integrity, community impact, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. I’m also blessed to work with a team that shares these values and isn’t afraid to push the envelope.

Surrounding myself with those who challenge me has been transformative. I actively seek mentors and colleagues who push me beyond perceived limitations, engage in tough conversations, and fully grasp that real growth happens outside my comfort zone.

Ultimately, I want the world to know that my work is about more than individual success—it’s about collective elevation. I’m dedicated to building a legacy that transcends personal accolades, focusing on empowerment, strategic thinking, and meaningful change. Prioritizing impact over ego, embracing accountability, and consistently showing up with maturity and purpose are the principles I live by.

For me, family, friendship, passion, and a real work ethic aren’t just buzzwords—they form the bedrock of everything I do. I stand on business by remaining laser-focused on my mission, filtering out distractions, and maintaining my commitment to excellence.

My brand is a testament to authenticity, strategic thinking, and genuine compassion. We’re not here to check boxes or chase quick wins; we’re here to create sustainable transformations and elevate entire communities. This journey hasn’t been easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every challenge brings lessons, and every setback is a strategic opportunity to grow. And truly, I’m just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let me tell you about the perfect week I’d spend showing my best friend around Los Angeles – not the glossy, postcard version, but my LA, the one that pulses with real life and untold stories.

We’d start our journey at a place close to my heart: the yarn shops. Picture walking into Hilos Y Estambres Corporation, where vibrant Mexican yarns create a rainbow of possibilities. The Knitting Tree and The Little Knittery would follow, each shop holding its own unique treasures. It might seem like an unconventional way to begin exploring LA, but these spaces tell stories through their fibers and the communities they bring together.

As the sun sets on our first day, we’d head to Somerville, where my Stanford classmate Issa Rae has created more than just a restaurant – she’s created a statement. The dishes here aren’t just meals; they’re conversations about Black entrepreneurship and creativity. The energy in the room would be electric, filled with the kind of authenticity that can’t be manufactured.

Leimert Park would be our next destination, where the heartbeat of Black art and culture pumps life into the city’s veins. Jazz notes would float through the air, mixing with the passionate voices of spoken word artists. Each gallery we’d visit would reveal another layer of stories untold in tourist brochures, each piece of art a window into the soul of the community.

When evening calls, we’d ascend to Perch Rooftop downtown. Imagine sipping carefully crafted cocktails while the city spreads out before us like a glittering carpet, each light representing another story waiting to be discovered. The tapas here aren’t just small plates – they’re perfectly composed moments of culinary artistry.

Our culinary adventure would continue with a carefully curated food tour: the comforting warmth of Jamaican Patties from Simply Wholesome, the complex spices of Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine’s veggie plate, the perfect balance of Wokcano’s crab fried rice, and the delicate yellow tail with ponzu sauce at Katana. Each bite would be a reminder of LA’s incredible diversity, each restaurant a chapter in the city’s ever-evolving story.

In the Crenshaw District, we’d immerse ourselves in the musical soul of the city. We’d make our pilgrimage to LA LIVE, paying respects at the Black Mamba monument, feeling the electric enthusiasm of Lakers fans. The music here isn’t just sound – it’s the city’s heartbeat.

No LA story would be complete without the ocean. We’d drive up to Malibu, where Nobu offers not just drinks but a front-row seat to nature’s daily masterpiece. Venice Beach and Abbot Kinney would follow, with a necessary stop at Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen – another testament to Issa Rae’s vision of supporting Black-owned businesses. We’d watch surfers dance with waves while artists create their next masterpieces on walls and sidewalks.

Our cultural exploration would reach deeper at the California African American Museum and The Underground Museum. These aren’t just buildings with artifacts – they’re vessels of memory, holding stories of struggle, triumph, and undeniable creativity that have shaped California’s Black experience.
But here’s the secret ingredient to our perfect week: we’d leave room for magic. Maybe we’d stumble upon a spontaneous jazz performance in Leimert Park, or join an impromptu gathering of artists in Echo Park. These unscripted moments often become the most treasured memories.

As our week would draw to a close, we’d find ourselves at Manhattan Beach for sunset. Watching the sky paint itself in impossible colors, we’d reflect on how LA isn’t just a city of dreams – it’s a city of realities, each one more fascinating than the last. This wouldn’t just be a visit to Los Angeles; it would be an immersion into its soul, a journey through its heart, and an exploration of its true spirit.
This is my LA – complex, vibrant, and endlessly surprising.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout first and foremost to God for blessing me with the gifts, talents, and a heart for giving that guide everything I do. I also want to honor my parents for showing me what it means to truly believe in my dreams, no matter how daunting or uncertain the path ahead may appear.

A special acknowledgment goes out to my mentor and coach, David. Thank you for illuminating a way forward through pain, uncertainty, and growth. Your 6×6 Mental Model, ACE Principles, and Framework taught me to “stay out of my feelings, while I stand on business”—an invaluable lesson that keeps me focused even when emotions threaten to overwhelm me. You’ve shown me there is always a window to turn a loss into a lesson for growth. Your guidance not only strengthened me personally but also inspired me to share my story on a professional level because, in the end, the journey holds far more weight than the destination ever will.

Lastly, I want to thank Pastor Charles Johnson, my second father. You have been a pillar of love, protection, and unfailing support since you welcomed me into your life in 2009. I’ll always treasure the moment you met my father during my art opening and Sunday service at Cochran Avenue Baptist Church in 2011. Your spiritual mentorship, alongside the Making the Kingdom Prayer Line, offered a foundation of faith and resilience when my family and I felt backed into a corner. Your unwavering encouragement and belief have truly changed our story for the better.

Website: https://story2brand.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.ladybugofficial/

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

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

Other: https://www.believeinwhatyoudream.org/

Image Credits
S2B Creative Curation, A Division of Story2Brand
Believe In What You Dream
Yarn Movement
The 5D Shots