Bri Leever Helps Leaders Build Thriving Online Communities

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

At Ember, we help coaches, consultants, and creators build thriving, paid online communities for their business. Founder Bri Leever is a Community Strategist by day and a Campervan host by night on the Big Island of Hawaii and you'll usually find her on, in, or under the water.

Who are your customers?

Coaches, consultants, creators, and other service-based organizations ready to create their group offer.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I got my start in the community spaces creating a brand ambassador community that became a multi-million dollar revenue stream for a social enterprise startup in Portland, OR. I did this for 6 years until I was burnt to a crisp and needed a change!

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I loved my work, team, and the community I built, but I knew something greater was calling. The first step was quitting my job (even though I didn't know what was next) so I could have the space to truly reflect on what I wanted to do next. After that, I committed to having 100 coffees with folks over 90 days and everything I needed to start my business slowly unfolded from there.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I've always been one at my core, but never really thought I would own my own business (other than a side hustle!).

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

When I first started I made it my goal to have 100 coffees in 90 days (because I had 90 days of savings to sustain me!). This was the best thing I could have ever done to get the word out about my work and it resulted in my first year and a half of client work.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

Once my initial launch and push was up, I really struggled to find the right methods and systems to trust to help me get more visible, build trust, and ultimately close new clients. It doesn't help that at the same time you're shifting, pivoting, and narrowing in on your ideal client. For me, that simultaneous evolution while trying to build systems with confidence was a big challenge!

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

My business brings in 6 figures every year and I'm able to sustain a lifestyle that's flexible and filled with joy and freedom to be in nature and be present here on Hawaii island. It's allowed me to start up a second campervan rental business while giving me a lot of meaning from the impact of creating spaces for belonging online. If I were to map out my dream life, I'm living it right now, and I'm really proud of that!

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Last year I launched my podcast Dear Bri: an advice column for community conundrums, fiascos and drama. With just 12 episodes in season 1, Dear Bri ranks in the top 5% of podcasts globally. I was also able to have production totally paid for by our sponsor. From start to finish, I'm so proud of this project and can't wait for season 2 coming soon!

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Well, you can look forward to season 2 of Dear Bri being bigger, better, and more dramatic than ever! My community for folks creating communities (so meta!) is always open with exciting new challenges and courses coming in all the time. And of course, for those who need a community built right yesterday, we have our consulting packages.‍

What is your top productivity tip? 

I use a tool called TextExpander to create shortcuts and snippets. I use it for everything! My templates, canned responses, links I want to have on hand. It saves me so much time and brain space!

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

Living in Hawaii helps! When I started my business, I was just as focused on building a dream life and finding thing I loved outside of work as I was on building my business. Because of that, my work couldn't help but take it's rightful place in my life (ie. NOT the top priority all the time!). When you start doing and discovering more things you love, work find a much more rhythmic and natural place in your life.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I approach work-life balance from a few different angles. First, there's the inner work of reprogramming my mind to derive value outside of what I'm able to produce. There's also the somatic experience, moving my body and allowing it to release and heal itself naturally so that I can do my best work. And my third angle is finding and nurturing community in my life and work. The people around me have always been my secret sauce to stay sane, ask for help when I need it, and make it all a whole lot more joyful.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had started connecting in circles of folks on the same journey with me earlier. It took me a few years to really find the folks I aligned with.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

My hiring interview process centers on storytelling and asking about their former experience. I ask what they liked and didn't like about their past roles and it helps me form a picture of if we'll work well together.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Probably my community platform, but just because it hosts my community who I live interacting with :) but truly, Heartbeat makes my life so much easier!

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Start getting on the phone with folks! Start interviewing other Entreprenistas and asking them what they like and don't like about this lifestyle. See what resonates with you and if it lights you up, take the tiniest step each day and slowly the path will unfold.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!