By Emily Merrell
Imagine a place where business owners can come together and learn from one another. The power to give back to organizations can make a huge difference! Meet Carrie Murray, the founder of The BRA Network, an organization that brings together women of all backgrounds for community support and gatherings. Learn more how Carrie has made a difference in the lives of many – with some cheeky puns along the way.
SDS: You are the queen of puns— tell me, how did BRA get its start and did you know that you’d have such a wide range of pun appropriate offerings?
CARRIE MURRAY: BRA (Business Relationship Alliance) was born where most of my innovative ideas start from, happy hour with a friend. I was chatting with her about wanting to form a group for female entrepreneurs, something unique, feminine – but most importantly, FUN. Landing on the name of the group was actually pretty hard, I kept trying to come up with something that we all shared or had in common, no matter where we live, how we were raised or what we did professionally, and “vajay-jay” just didn’t lend itself to good branding.
Once I wrote the mission and core values of the network, I kept coming across the word, “support”. That got me thinking about things that provide “support” and I thought… ahhhh a bra does. And whether you are a woman who wears one or you decide to go commando, every woman or young teen has had an experience with a bra.
Then the puns just kept coming. I have a running tally of types of bras – strapless, balconette, training etc. Then I got into the parts of the bra – underwire, snap, cup and strap. The features of the bra – lift, support, plunge. It all came together with a great web designer, Ali Wright of Dapper Fox Designs, and Branding Coach, Hilary Hartling. I wanted BRA to be clever but also clear that I’m not selling bras, but the metaphor!
SDS: Before you were a community leader and founder you were a school administrator. How does someone make such an incredible pivot into entrepreneurship?
CM: Every business owner or entrepreneur should spend a day in a classroom of 5th graders. That is the most hardcore bootcamp I can recommend on how to run a business (minus the worry of cash revenue – the revenue exchange is the level of acquired knowledge, right?)
Running a classroom is just like running a business: you need communication, strategy, support, a plan, management skills and so much more. One way that it’s not a perfect plan: not every 5th grader can be your ideal client. Their needs and pain points have a WIDE range…and you can’t fire any of those clients.
Leading a group of teachers as a principal very much prepared me to be a community leader of entrepreneurs. I lead from a constructivist approach, by creating a shared and sacred space for facilitating rather than directing. I acknowledge that every entrepreneur understands, participates and approaches entrepreneurship according to their own needs and level of acquisition. BRA Network provides the container where growth can take place.
SDS: While your events were previously hosted IRL you gracefully pivoted your events to digital last year and I have to say from Drag Queen Bingo to Two Bits Circus and the Holiday Trivia, the programming is always top notch. Where do you find such clever event partners?
CM: This is such a good question and actually hard to answer. I’m a natural host and connector. I thrive when creating events or spaces where people can connect, feel heard and feel a part of something bigger than themselves. So when I put events together (IRL or virtually), I usually start with the FUN. I ask myself, “How can we get what we need for ourselves and our businesses, but also have some fun?”
I also can say most of the event ideas I get are from the numerous email lists I’m on. Believe me when I say email marketing WORKS. I was on Two Bit Circus’ email list for years and finally read one and thought BRA needed this and contacted them immediately. I also follow a lot of corporate event planners on LinkedIn and, although they are hosting events with thousands of attendees, I try to find a way to tweak it to a headcount of closer to 50. Planning events and seeing it all come together is one of my favorite things to do. I can’t say I do it alone; I have an amazing team that supports my vision and passion for creating unique experiences.
SDS: What’s been the most surprising learning from pivoting digitally?
CM: I never anticipated how much I was going to love attending digital events in yoga pants and slippers until now. Although BRA already had courses and meet-ups like The Fitting Room (which is the BRA Member Orientation), that were all digital prior to the pandemic, once everything in the world shifted to being 100% virtual, I became very aware of the need for community and I had this sense of urgency to provide it immediately. I changed everything over to a Zoom party and something magical happened.
Suddenly, I was now able to connect with members all over the country. My events were reaching more people than ever before; it no longer mattered where you were physically, you could be a part of something truly special from any time zone. Membership grew exponentially. I created additional offers that were included in the membership. The next step will be the development of local chapters all over the country, so when in-person events return, members will be able to connect with other local members, as well as still be a part of the global community at large.
SDS: How has community played a role in your life? For those that are just delving into finding a community, what recommendations do you have for finding one that fits?
CM: In some form or another, community has always been an important piece that has shaped me into who I am today, but community is also what BRA’s pillars of support are based upon. Since around the age of five, I was either in a ballet class, Girl Scouts, or attending large family gatherings at my grandparents’ home. I’ve always been surrounded by a lot of people, some who I adore and some who are more challenging, but all influenced the building of the foundation of BRA.
When searching for your own community, I would first look to the leadership and see how they interact with the community members – is the conversation one-sided, are members encouraged to share their opinions and are their opportunities for growth infused in their mission? I would also recommend looking at the current members – is it a homogenized group, or is diversity and inclusion evident?
SDS: Lastly, how can we learn more about BRA and your amazing offerings. Plus, any exciting things coming up?
CM: BRA Network can be found at www.bra-network.com or Instagram at @bra_network.
I am happy to respond to any questions in my direct messages or email at info@bra-network.com. The best way to keep in touch is by subscribing to The Underwire.
We also have many upcoming events! Some of them are open to the public and some are for Members only. Virtual ongoing events include:
- BRAmodoro Productivity Space – Digital co-working with accountability while we utilize the “Pomodoro Technique”.
- The Fitting Room (BRA Network New Member Orientation) – Get to know what we are all about as a network.
- Wisdom Wednesdays – Gain wisdom, share wisdom and network.
- NetWorkOut – A quarterly online virtual workout paired with networking.
- Our first intimate in-person event, Cocktails and Conversations, will hopefully take place in July 2021.
October 6, 2021 – Women on the Rise is our largest fundraising event of the year that honors women within our network who are truly Women on the Rise to greatness. Save your seat using this link.
