How does a 14-year-old from the suburbs of Minnesota go from cold-calling agents in the Yellow Pages to starring in cult classics like Freaks and Geeks and major films opposite Chevy Chase?

In this episode of Making Business Personal, I sit down with actress and entrepreneur Brianna Brown Keen for a raw and inspiring look at the power of resilience.

Brianna opens up about her "foundational moment" surviving relentless middle school bullying and a mental health crisis, and how that experience severed her need for external validation, fueling a fearless career in Hollywood.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Hip Pocket" Strategy: How Brianna landed a top L.A. agent before she even moved to California.
• Overcoming Stage Fright: From being rejected for middle school plays to singing in the prestigious St. Olaf choir.
• The "Figure It Out" Mentality: Why a Midwest work ethic and a history of rejection are actually competitive advantages in business and acting.
• Divine Intervention: The vivid 14-year-old "awakening" that led Brianna to realize actors can have a more powerful voice than politicians.

Whether you're navigating the entertainment industry or trying to build a business with "balls-out" tenacity, Brianna’s story is a masterclass in turning pain into purpose.

Connect with Brianna Brown Keen:

• LinkedIn: Brianna Brown Keen
• Instagram/TikTok: @briannabrownkeen
• Websites: briannabrownkeen.com, manifestingyourmission.org, and thenewhollywood.org