Meet Brandy Bickham | Notary Public, Wedding Officiant and Home Health Care Proprietor (Lean on Hearts, LLC)

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

Hi Brandy, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Giving up for me isn’t an option. I have kids, they are older but I want them to see the hard work and dedication into something you call your own. I remove the option to give up. Being a small business owner, life happens, and working for yourself isn’t easy at all. How can you truly be successful if you decide to give up? I came from poverty, and homelessness as a child, my life was not a walk in the park. So today, that drives me to keep going.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I truly believe what sets me apart from others is providing a service that people need. Anyone can provide a wanted service but I provide what is needed. People need notaries. People need to know that someone is available to marry them without judgment or critical steps to the altar. I am a safe space for that.

I am most proud of how I do my weddings. I set them apart from the competition by making sure the wedding ceremony and or vows aren’t the typical “I do”. I make sure my clients have free range to place whatever they want in their ceremony without feeling like someone won’t approve or will dislike it. I make them feel like this is truly their day and they can have their ceremony how they want. With my unique style, you are going to laugh and cry.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy at all. I had no direction. Everything I learned, I had to self-teach. I did the research, I did the work. And I did it alone because if it failed, I would take that disappointment alone.

Overcoming challenges is one of my strengths and weaknesses. Everyone doesn’t agree with what and how I run my business. There is a lot of kickback and a lot of opinions in this day and time that can be crucial to growth. As I have grown, one of the biggest lessons I have learned was to separate personal and professional life. That was one of the challenges that I have had to overcome privately to increase my flow of business. Learning that your private life can affect your professional life was a lesson learned from trial and error. I am so glad that I have that knowledge today.

I want the world to know that I am a workaholic. That can be good or bad. I have had several businesses during my nine years of being a notary that I have started and sold. I wanted to find my niche. Something that I love doing while removing my want for financial gain.

To know that I am just a small business on the rise and that as of today, I have a new business venture that I am adding to my list of accomplishments. I came from humble beginnings, I have worked myself like crazy to have anything that I do have and I have no plans on stopping here! Be on the lookout!

Also check out my business pages on Facebook and Staples Local Small Business Directory

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places to visit in Greenville with friends, family or just a date night are very simple, but most will almost always include good food and drinks!

Downtown Greenville is one of my favorite places to go for a long walk and peace of mind. Most of the time, that walk ends at Jamaica Mi Irie. That is a Jamaican restaurant that serves some GREAT oxtails and cabbage and rum punch. Downtown also has a rooftop restaurant called Juniper with great drinks, great vibes, and ambiance. If I am in the mood for adult fun, I go to Main Event in Greenville. They have bowling, games, laser tag, and GREAT drinks.
For a great steak, I always suggest Halls Chophouse in downtown Greenville. Great five-star experience. My friends and I like to hang out at some of the local sports bars, I am a huge pool player (no I can’t play but I like to pretend) and I always like to grab some good wings. I don’t hang out as much as I used to, but when I do we have a great time or we create a night out.

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?
Oh, yes! I have a few people I want to shout out. First and foremost, GOD. Next, my late mommy. She was the light of my happiness in more ways than one. ANYTHING I ever wanted to be, create, or discover she was always in my corner. Although she is no longer with me, she deserves all the praise. She was an amazing support system that is missed dearly. I wouldn’t be half the woman with as many titles as I have if it wasn’t for her. My mom also had six children, I am the youngest of course. My siblings have helped guide me in every way possible while having my back on any avenue I have chosen to explore. If I had the world to give them, I would. My children… who motivated me to move as a mommy. Move my feet and keep going. I have no idea what my identity would be without being their mom. They are amazing people and knowing I have them makes any business venture a good one. Last but certainly not least, my wife. She is the light of my chaotic world it seems. She has always had my back when I wanted to start something new, invest, and dedicate time and money. I have never been told “no”. She provides me with clean slates to be creative. So, all of these people deserve a shout-out along with extended family. I love them

Website: notaryservicesbybrandy.com

Other: bewedbyb.com https://www.staples.com/stores/small-business/directory/sc/greenville/be-wed-by-b.html