Brandi Sims is the founder and CEO of Brandinc PR, a full-service Oklahoma-based public relations agency founded in 2020 focused on public figures and businesses in beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment. Sims worked in PR and marketing for 12+ years before launching Brandinc PR, representing small businesses, nonprofits, government sectors, public figures, and corporations.
The Interview
Q: What inspired you to start your PR agency during the pandemic?
A: To jumpstart my entrepreneurial vision, it took a leap of faith and years of working in the field. I left a corporate position after learning I was severely undervalued, both monetarily and professionally, which lit the spark to branch out. I've worked on behalf of businesses for more than 12 years in PR and marketing. I bet on myself to use the tools and knowledge I gained. Over the years, I've pivoted from representing small, boutique businesses and nonprofits to government sectors, public figures, and corporations.
Q: How did you grow your PR agency?
A: We heavily focused on word of mouth and digital communications. The more information we shared and the more active we stayed on outreach, the more prospects we reached. PR is about making connections and using your network to gain mutual benefits.
Q: Why should a business retain a PR specialist?
A: A PR specialist approaches your business with a fresh, objective perspective on developing your brand — which many businesses lack. With a higher level of expertise, you get an enhanced, strategic approach to PR outreach and reputation management.
Q: What are the biggest PR myths you've discovered?
A: One of the latest myths I've experienced is the expectation around social media followers. There is a vested interest in social media presence and visibility, which can equate to dollars spent on brands. Branding through media outreach is the primary focus of public relations. Social media is often displaced as a proponent for followers instead of genuine, organic exposure. I've had numerous conversations with prospective clients who've set goals around follower counts and verification checks — even paying outside agencies to solicit bots to boost numbers. PR is about building genuine relationships, not fake followers and inauthentic engagement.
Q: How has technology helped or hindered PR efforts?
A: Advances in technology have provided a significant opportunity for PR professionals to communicate the value of PR work through tech tools — a significant advancement for reporting and quantifying value. A consistent challenge of PR is the ability to show value because it's often difficult to track word of mouth. Technology has allotted PR a firm role in the new digitally driven world.
Q: How did you expand your service offerings?
A: I had to adapt and identify ways to grow by tapping into experts within key areas. We recently hired a social media consultant to assist with strategic planning and coordination of social media accounts for clients. During the pandemic, many businesses reduced marketing budgets and refocused on digital communications. The social media consultant provided a focused view on social media management and content development that helped elevate client brand images.
Q: Any advice for an aspiring PR professional or entrepreneur?
A: Never give up or lose your passion for PR. It took me 13 years to have the confidence to successfully launch and run my own business during a very uncertain time. Taking that leap of faith and staying passionate keeps me motivated each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brandi Sims is the founder and CEO of Brandinc PR , a full-service Oklahoma-based public relations agency founded in 2020 focused on public figures and businesses in beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment. Sims worked in PR and marketing for 12+ years before launching Brandinc PR, representing small businesses, nonprofits, government sectors, public figures, and corporations. The Interview Q: What inspired you to start your PR agency during the pandemic?
A: To jumpstart my entrepreneurial vision, it took a leap of faith and years of working in the field. I left a corporate position after learning I was severely undervalued, both monetarily and professionally, which lit the spark to branch out. I've worked on behalf of businesses for more than 12 years in PR and marketing. I bet on myself to use the tools and knowledge I gained. Over the years, I've pivoted from representing small, boutique businesses and nonprofits to government sectors, public figures, and corporations.
Q: How did you grow your PR agency?
A: We heavily focused on word of mouth and digital communications. The more information we shared and the more active we stayed on outreach, the more prospects we reached. PR is about making connections and using your network to gain mutual benefits.
Q: Why should a business retain a PR specialist?
A: A PR specialist approaches your business with a fresh, objective perspective on developing your brand — which many businesses lack. With a higher level of expertise, you get an enhanced, strategic approach to PR outreach and reputation management.
Q: What are the biggest PR myths you've discovered?
A: One of the latest myths I've experienced is the expectation around social media followers. There is a vested interest in social media presence and visibility, which can equate to dollars spent on brands. Branding through media outreach is the primary focus of public relations. Social media is often displaced as a proponent for followers instead of genuine, organic exposure. I've had numerous conversations with prospective clients who've set goals around follower counts and verification checks — even paying outside agencies to solicit bots to boost numbers. PR is about building genuine relationships, not fake followers and inauthentic engagement.
Q: How has technology helped or hindered PR efforts?
A: Advances in technology have provided a significant opportunity for PR professionals to communicate the value of PR work through tech tools — a significant advancement for reporting and quantifying value. A consistent challenge of PR is the ability to show value because it's often difficult to track word of mouth. Technology has allotted PR a firm role in the new digitally driven world.
Q: How did you expand your service offerings?
A: I had to adapt and identify ways to grow by tapping into experts within key areas. We recently hired a social media consultant to assist with strategic planning and coordination of social media accounts for clients. During the pandemic, many businesses reduced marketing budgets and refocused on digital communications. The social media consultant provided a focused view on social media management and content development that helped elevate client brand images.
Q: Any advice for an aspiring PR professional or entrepreneur?
A: Never give up or lose your passion for PR. It took me 13 years to have the confidence to successfully launch and run my own business during a very uncertain time. Taking that leap of faith and staying passionate keeps me motivated each day.
Written by
EPR Editorial Team
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
