Meet Clarissa Brooks

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

Hi Clarissa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk-taking has been the driving force behind my life and career, pushing me to step out of my comfort zone and seize opportunities. Here’s my journey:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took a bold step by dropping out of college and moving to Dallas. With limited professional experience, I secured a position as a Patient Care Coordinator at a Harvard doctor’s plastic surgery center. Concurrently, I leveraged my background in amateur social media marketing to assist the business with their online presence, despite only being compensated for my coordinator role.

Through self-education and dedication, I grew their TikTok following to 47k and amassed over 10 million views, significantly expanding their reach and clientele across the U.S. I established partnerships with a recovery center and a hotel, facilitating the influx of out-of-state patients. This experience not only honed my skills but also built my confidence and expertise in social media marketing.

While working full-time at the plastic surgery center, I started taking on contract work for other clients. This led to a year-long, part-time contract with Brainstorm Shelter, where I managed their four truck yard locations across Dallas, Houston, The Colony, Alliance, and their Second Rodeo Brewing location in the Stockyards. I also consulted for a Dallas attorney and several medspas and recovery centers.

After a year at the plastic surgery center, I transitioned into a full-time marketing role. After two years, I sought to further my experience in the corporate world and now work full-time for one of America’s largest transportation companies. This role has significantly expanded my understanding and skills. Despite working full-time, I still manage Clarissa Brooks Media part-time, putting in 60-hour weeks. I offer consulting services to small businesses that cannot afford a full-time social media manager. Through consulting, I set their team up for success to run and expand their digital marketing to save the cost of a month-to-month social media manager.

My ultimate goal is to transition to Clarissa Brooks Media full-time. While I’ve had enough income from contract clients to make the leap before, I knew the timing wasn’t right. Risk-taking involves assessing the possibility of loss, and I’ve strategically chosen to wait for the perfect moment to take that ultimate risk. For now, it’s about making sacrifices and putting in the hard work to prepare for that transition.

Taking the risk to move to Dallas and seize these opportunities has led to a fulfilling career with a solid income, extensive networking, and invaluable experience. The key is to be patient and persistent—Rome wasn’t built in a day. Risk involves the possibility of loss or peril, but with determination and hard work, you can control and mitigate those risks.

In essence, risk-taking has been instrumental in my journey, enabling me to grow both personally and professionally, and it continues to pave the way for my future aspirations.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I addressed this in my initial response, but I’d like to add that in social media marketing, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that brands succeed when they make people feel understood, not when they try to make people understand their brand. This insight has been key in setting me apart in the field.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting Fort Worth, Texas, I would plan an exciting week-long itinerary showcasing the best the area has to offer. Here’s what our week might look like:

Day 1: Exploring Downtown Fort Worth

Morning: Start with breakfast at Ol’ South Pancake House for some classic comfort food.
Midday: Visit the Fort Worth Water Gardens and take a stroll through Sundance Square, enjoying the shops and art installations.
Lunch: Grab a bite at Reata Restaurant, known for its Texas-inspired cuisine.
Afternoon: Explore the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and then catch a show at the Bass Performance Hall.
Evening: Dinner at Del Frisco’s Grille, followed by drinks at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, which has an impressive selection of beers.
Day 2: Cultural Immersion

Morning: Breakfast at Yolk for a hearty start to the day.
Midday: Visit the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth to soak in some culture.
Lunch: Enjoy some Tex-Mex at Joe T. Garcia’s, a local favorite.
Afternoon: Walk around the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, one of the oldest major botanical gardens in Texas.
Evening: Dinner at Grace, a contemporary American restaurant, followed by live music at Scat Jazz Lounge.
Day 3: Historic Fort Worth

Morning: Breakfast at Brewed, a funky coffee shop and eatery.
Midday: Head to the Stockyards National Historic District to experience the cattle drive, visit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and explore the historic area.
Lunch: BBQ at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que.
Afternoon: Continue exploring the Stockyards with a visit to Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk.
Evening: Dinner at H3 Ranch, then enjoy some line dancing and live country music at Billy Bob’s.
Day 4: Outdoor Adventures

Morning: Breakfast at Righteous Foods for a healthy start.
Midday: Spend the day at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, hiking and enjoying nature.
Lunch: Pack a picnic to enjoy at the refuge.
Afternoon: Kayaking or paddleboarding at Panther Island Pavilion.
Evening: Dinner at Woodshed Smokehouse, with its beautiful riverside location and delicious smoked meats.
Day 5: Day Trip to Dallas

Morning: Early breakfast at home, then head to Dallas.
Midday: Visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Lunch: Eat at Pecan Lodge for some of the best BBQ in Texas.
Afternoon: Explore the Dallas Museum of Art and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
Evening: Dinner at Uchi for some amazing Japanese cuisine, followed by drinks and a night out in Deep Ellum, a vibrant neighborhood known for its live music and nightlife.
Day 6: Shopping and Relaxation

Morning: Brunch at Bird Café in Sundance Square.
Midday: Spend the day shopping at the Shops at Clearfork and Sundance Square.
Lunch: Casual lunch at Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen.
Afternoon: Relax at the spa at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel.
Evening: Dinner at Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, then catch a movie at the Coyote Drive-In.
Day 7: Final Day in Fort Worth

Morning: Breakfast at Fixture, a popular brunch spot.
Midday: Visit the Fort Worth Zoo, one of the top zoos in the country.
Lunch: Eat at Café Modern at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Afternoon: Spend some time at the Trinity Trails, biking or walking along the scenic paths.
Evening: Wrap up the trip with a farewell dinner at Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, enjoying a meal that showcases the best of Texas flavors.
This itinerary offers a mix of culture, history, nature, and fun, ensuring that your best friend experiences the very best of Fort Worth, Texas.

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?
As cliché as it sounds, I want to shout out my mother. From my earliest memories, I can vividly recall her wrist bangle bracelets clacking together as she passionately spoke on business calls, her hands moving expressively. As a kid, I often found those emergency business calls boring and struggled to stay quiet, but now I reflect on them and realize how much I learned from those moments and the incredible life she built for herself.

My mother set the bar high, and she continues to inspire me to reach for it. Her actions taught me the psychological aspects of business and the importance of perseverance—if you don’t know how to do something, figure it out. She has been my confidant and my voice of reason. Her unwavering support, mentorship, and example have played a significant role in shaping my journey, and for that, she deserves all the credit and recognition.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-brooks-3468661a0/