NEA Women in Business: Brandi Schultz

Residence: Cave City

Education: Associate of applied science degree

What was your dream job and why? Since high school, I carried around a blue Kodak point-and-shoot camera everywhere. I loved capturing moments and writing stories, and I’ve filled over 100 photo albums and journals over the years. Being a photographer was the dream.

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far? Hitting the 10-year milestone with my photography business was deeply rewarding. It gave me space to reflect on building something from scratch, writing a business plan, transitioning to full-time self-employment, and now stepping into the chamber role. At the chamber, our rapid member drive — 50 in nine days, 100 in a month — was especially rewarding after the months of work put in to make it happen. It’s been hard work, but incredibly fulfilling.

What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? I’m still in the thick of the last challenge, accepting the chamber director position.

What character traits have benefited you in your success? As a creative, I bring resourcefulness, vision, and an intuition for marketing to everything I do. Those strengths helped me build a photography brand and now serve me in community development. I’m passionate about entrepreneurship, especially for women and youth, and I love connecting people and ideas to create momentum.

How do you spend your time away from work? My joy is our farmhouse full of boys, a black lab, two cats, and a yard of chickens. We have a small cattle farm down the road where my sons are third-generation to work the land. I love designing our home life, reading, writing, yoga, birdwatching, hiking, and traveling.

What are some unique aspects of your job or business? I get to work with passionate entrepreneurs and bring joy and strategy to their marketing. I thrive on making business fun, helping others shine, and using social media for real community impact.

What advice would you give young women who are at the beginning of their careers? Women bring so much heart and power to entrepreneurship. The sooner you embrace who you are, the more magnetic and effective you become. People want what you bring. Authenticity is a true commodity.

How did COVID impact your business? In 2020, I was seven years into photography. March is usually the spring launch, but that year I used my online platforms to keep creativity alive with community photo challenges. It helped us all feel a little more creative and connected during an uncertain time.

If you have a bucket list, what are the top three things on it? Write a book and go on tour, see Bob Seger in concert, and a whole list of places still to see!

What’s the last good book you read? The last fiction was “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah and nonfiction was “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown.

What’s your favorite app at the moment? Merlin Bird ID; it’s my morning ritual on the porch swing.

Do you have a favorite podcast? Brené Brown’s “Dare to Lead and Unlocking Us.”

What are your future career plans moving forward? I’m committed to growing a thriving Chamber in Cave City and plan to earn my PCED certification and Entrepreneurial Development Certificate from the International Economic Development Council.

Do you have a significant other and/or children? My husband Bart is our state representative and general manager of Spring River Ambulance. We have four sons, Briley, Jonah, and twins Sam and Jack. We love beach trips, Ponca hikes, lake days, kickball games with our extended crew of nieces and nephews, and dinner around the dining room table.