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

Hi Julian, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
First, I thought— Am I crazy? 🤷🏽‍♂️ But seriously,

w/ NotaryROAD:
… I’ve always been drawn to innovation, having dived into cryptocurrencies like bitcoin early on. My belief in Web3 and decentralization as the future led to the inception of NotaryROAD. The idea emerged from firsthand frustrations with the archaic notarization process, which is falling out of sync with the digital age. The thought of solving this accessibility issue and embracing the potential of Web3/ Decentralization and Blockchain fueled the creation of NotaryROAD.

w/ Brown Girl’s Brew:
The genesis of Brown Girl’s Brew unfolded organically during a conversation with my co-founder about paying homage to her mother’s bakery through crafted beer styles—an idea that sparked excitement from the start. Years later, after revisiting the concept and a trip to Europe, we wholeheartedly took action. Brown Girl’s Brew was born. I reached out to my friend from CAU (HBCU in Atlanta) and owner of Harlem Hops in NYC, and everything started moving. In less than a year, Brown Girl’s Brew has emerged as a trending craft beer brand, gracing over 35 locations in NYC with 4 SKUs. We’re expanding to NJ and MI, with intentional collaborations and new products on the horizon. The journey is real, and the momentum is unstoppable.

The driving force behind this journey was a determination to create opportunities for my family’s future, turning ideas into reality and making a significant impact in the process. It’s about staying coachable, learning, and executing with a big vision for success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has been a dynamic journey shaped by a commitment to innovation and a relentless pursuit of growth. What sets me apart is my dual engagement in groundbreaking ventures—NotaryROAD and Brown Girl’s Brew. In NotaryROAD, I am revolutionizing notarization, driven by a belief in Web3 and decentralization. Brown Girl’s Brew, a thriving craft beer brand, reflects my entrepreneurial spirit, turning a concept into an emerging success story.

What I’m most proud of is not just the accomplishments but the resilience to overcome challenges. From navigating the complexities of the notarization business to breaking barriers in the beer industry, every step has been a calculated risk. The lessons learned include the importance of unwavering determination, adaptability, and staying true to ethical principles.

Getting here wasn’t easy, but the challenges were stepping stones. I’ve learned that success is a journey, not a destination. My legacy is built on being coachable, staying innovative, and embracing a continuous learning mindset. What sets me apart is not just achieving goals but doing so with integrity and a commitment to making a lasting impact.

My brand is a reflection of this ethos—balancing innovation with humanity, making timely decisions, and remaining dependable. The world should know that my journey is about more than just entrepreneurship; it’s a testament to the power of faith, family, and a relentless pursuit of greatness. I look to inspire a legacy of growth, innovation, and continuous learning that echoes beyond my ventures into the lives of others.

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.
A week-long blast with my bestie would consist of following:

Monday:
* Hit up Lincoln Market Harlem to stock up on light bites, snacks and a Brown Girl’s Brew 4 Pack.
* Grab an official Chopped Cheese from MO’s Deli aka Grill 24 on 116th Street.
* Wine and dine at Trattoria iL Gusto Wine Bar Upper Westside.

Tuesday:
* Early dinner scene at Baekjeong NYC.
* Sweeten the day at Sundaes Best for ice cream.

Wednesday:
* Coffee/Tea session at Double Dutch, catching up and checking email in style.
* Night out at Brooklyn Chop House.

Thursday:
* Have an Uncle Waithley’s Cocktail at 67 Orange. Following it up with/ Brown Girl’s Brew.
* Check out a live band & DJ at Silvana’s.

Friday – Daytime Harlem Crawl:
* Hitting Silvia’s, Melba’s, Blvd Bistro, Row House, Victoria Hotel, Red Rooster, Ouaga Sports Bar, The Row.
* Brown Girl’s Brew and Guma pie at HarlemHops.
* Hot the dance floor at Shrine.

Saturday:
* Chill, lunch and check email at Pier 57.
* Get fly, then wine and dine at Milo’s in Hudson Yards.

Sunday:
* Keep it fresh with a salad from Fieldtrip.
* Brunch at Angel of Harlem
Game time on the big screens at Harlem Tavern or live at MSG/Barclays.

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?
Dedicated To: Christina Thomas and my incredible family—Trinity, Julian III, Juliette, Bryana, Jorge, Mom, Dad. Their unwavering support fuels my journey.

Recognition & Credit:
Big thanks to my clients, everyone who supports our brand, podcast interviewers, all the retailers that carry our brand, friends and business associates – John, Steve, Yaphet, Tori, Dave, Ron, Kim, Thomas, Ana, Pepsi, Carmen, Aunt Baby Mae, L, Kev, The Kirklands, The Dais Family, Randreta, Pitch, Monica, Tanyika, Trev, Kim, Harlem Hops, Maya, Adapt, Niche, Alementary, and Manny. Their impact and encouragement have been instrumental in my story.

Website: NYCountyNotary.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpw-vRnB3pD/?igsh=ZmtrcjBnZGE5NHk3

Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/julian-m-hill-notary-public-of-new-york-manhattan-3

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@browngirlsbrew?si=TF1N4VkWDB1_B56B

Other: Links: • www.NotaryROAD.com • www.NotayPublicofNY.com • www.BrownGirlsBrew.com https://devpost.com/software/notaryroad https://notary-public-of-new-york-signing-agent-julian-m.business.site/ https://www.browngirlsbrew.com/brown-girls-brew-story

Image Credits
Pic 1. @browngirlsbrew Pic 2. @officalmikelens

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