She Said She Needed a Team… But I Was the Team

From Branding to Booking: What a One-Woman Creative Team Actually Does

How I Helped an R&B Artist Go Global with No Budget, No Label, and Nothing But Vibes, Data, and Hustle

Before you ask — yes, I cooked food, styled the shoots, booked the press, and ran the analytics. And yes, we still made it work.

There’s this thing artists say when they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or on the edge of a breakthrough:
“I just need a team.”

That was the go-to line for the artist I was working with.
And I get it — she was an R&B singer/songwriter in her 20s, with major placements under her belt (Lady Gaga, Trey Songz, Keke Palmer), transitioning into her own artistry. She was making a name for herself in the industry, had the right energy, and a vibe that mixed earthy mystique with perfect driving, and vice-indulging-mood music.

But when we met, she wasn’t clear on how to step into the true artist version of herself. She had the talent, the style, and the growing fan base — but no solid infrastructure.
And no one to help her build the machine.
Except me.

I Was the Team — and the Blueprint

I don’t even know what to call the role I played. It wasn’t quite assistant even though that’s what I told people initially. It wasn’t manager. Truthfully, I was all of it. I was essentially a one-woman creative team managing every aspect of her brand rollout.

• I styled her for shoots and red carpets
• Booked photographers and studios
• Scheduled interviews and coordinated studio time
• Sent the emails, made the calls, handled logistics
• Filmed content — interviews, vlogs, BTS — and gave it structure
• Cooked meals, walked dogs, coordinated branding collabs
• Researched cities and venues for a completely self-funded international tour in London.

All while making sure her story felt cohesive and magnetic.

Branding Through Lifestyle: Not Just Pretty Pics

We didn’t just post “content.” We made storytelling moves:

• Creativity: Studio sessions, songwriting clips, creative routines
• Entertainment: Red carpets, performance prep, behind-the-scenes at events
• Wellness: On-set smoothies, cannabis partnerships, healthy habits woven into her process

Each scene had a purpose. If she was drinking a smoothie, or running the trail, it was a nod to her discipline. If she was in the studio, the footage also highlighted a local brand, a studio sponsor, or the vibe of the city.

She wasn’t just a singer.
We made her a whole experience.

The Data Didn’t Lie — So We Took It Global

Here’s where my nerdery came in:
I took her Spotify, SoundCloud, and IG analytics and used them to reverse-engineer a European tour.

• Mapped the cities with the most listeners
• Found local photographers, presenters, and intimate/small venues
• Reached out to local press and blog platforms
• Pitched her story (with receipts!) and booked interviews
• Turned a DIY idea into a working press tour

She didn’t have a label. Or a travel agent. Or even a stable budget.
But she had reach. And I knew how to move with that.

What Worked, What Didn’t

We created buzz.
We curated her first headlined show overseas, and SOLD OUT the event. What we didn’t have? Infrastructure. There was no real income stream built into the brand. And we were both too deep in the grind to really tap into monetization. I can name 10 things I’d do differently now — but back then, we were winging it with purpose, and I’ll always be proud of what was accomplished during that season.

Eventually, life shifted. My mom became sick. I had to step back. After nearly 2 years of building this from the ground up, we parted ways. Evidently, the proof of concept was clear:

With the right person, you don’t need a full team.
You need someone who knows how to build like one.

Takeaways for Creatives

This experience shaped the way I support artists and creatives today.
I don’t just help you post cute content. I help you translate your identity into opportunity — and back it up with strategy, storytelling, and clarity.

Whether you’re:

• A creator with momentum but no system
• A performer who needs help monetizing the energy you’ve built
• Or someone trying to bring your brand to life without selling your soul…

I’ve been in the room. I’ve worn every hat. And I know how to turn a vibe into vision.

Let’s Work

Lastly, If this story resonated, or reminded you of where you are now, definitely reach out to book a discovery call. Let’s make your brand more than just aesthetic — let’s give it life!.