With Agency Spotlight, we’re featuring the independent PR and marketing agencies that Fashionista loves to work with. Meet the hardworking professionals behind them and discover what it really takes to make it in fashion publicity.

If you’re looking to work with an industry vet, as well as an agency that specializes in platforming founders of color, Tenique Bernard Consulting makes a well-vetted option. After working for KCD for upward of four years, Tenique Bernard, 40, left to pursue freelance in 2020. But she quickly received so much interest from previous clients that she launched her own agency in 2021.

“I started my agency slightly by accident. I essentially bootstrapped my agency and made numerous financial sacrifices during those first two years. I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone. I funded the agency from my savings. I didn’t have any funding or investments,” Bernard tells Fashionista in an email interview.

Bernard explains how she saw firsthand the pitfalls of starting one’s own agency independently and how financial planning can make or break you early on. “I made early missteps, such as having a too-large of an office and a full staff, before properly assessing what the business actually needed.”

Bernard majored in Black Studies and Fine Arts, gaining insight and understanding that helped set her apart from other agencies. Some of her current clients, many of whom are founders of color, include Brandon Maxwell, Atelier Ndigo, Accorda and Recho Omondi. 

Bernard has intentionally grown her brand while keeping her roster manageable in order to prioritize each client appropriately. “While I can’t speak for other agencies, we genuinely function as an extension of your team. I intentionally keep our client roster small so that we can focus entirely on our daily client work and offer each client personalized guidance and support,” she says.

Based in New York City, Bernard hopes to expand the agency to the West Coast in the future and shared words of wisdom to those seeking similar careers. “It requires sheer will, determination and self-belief. Having a clear vision of what you want to create is essential. You don’t need all the bells and whistles. Don’t be too hard on yourself! Things are working out as they should.” 

Interested in working with Tenique Bernard Consulting? Contact Tenique at tenique@teniquebernard.com. 

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