Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Wray.
Hi Simone, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Sure, I honestly think entrepreneurship was always part of who I was.
When I was little, I wasn’t really playing house like a lot of girls. I played office. I was filing papers, answering phones, and creating systems for things that didn’t even need systems. Looking back, all the signs were there.
As I got older, I realized I had a natural interest in both marketing and psychology. I’ve always been fascinated by why people think the way they do, what influences decisions, and how people connect with brands, ideas, and each other. That led me to study marketing at Alabama A&M University, where I was also a student-athlete.
From there, I’ve spent nearly two decades building my career at the intersection of sports, marketing, and leadership. I’ve coached track and field for 12 years, worked in brand strategy and marketing operations, and helped organizations solve problems and grow.
Today, as the Founder and CEO of Allure Brand and Media Agency, I get to do what I love most—helping businesses, athletes, and public figures gain clarity around who they are and how they show up in the world. When I look back, every stop along the way was preparing me for this chapter.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all.
I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have when they see someone running a business is that everything just came together perfectly. That definitely wasn’t my experience.
I’ve dealt with workplace drama, discrimination, toxic environments, relocating and having to rebuild my network from scratch, and moments where I genuinely didn’t know what was next. Most recently, I lost a role that I was incredibly passionate about because of decisions that were outside of my control.
I won’t pretend there weren’t moments of frustration, disappointment, or uncertainty. There absolutely were. But I’ve learned how important it is to stay grounded and keep moving, even when you can’t fully see what’s ahead. A lot of my resilience as a business owner comes directly from those experiences.
But what I’ve learned is that adversity doesn’t have to define your story. While I couldn’t always control what happened around me, I could control how I responded. I’ve focused on staying grounded, continuing to learn, and finding opportunities even in difficult seasons. Those experiences have strengthened my leadership, deepened my empathy, and reinforced my commitment to building something meaningful through ABMA.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At my core, I’m a strategist.
People usually come to me thinking they need marketing, but most of the time what they actually need is clarity. They need clarity around who they are, who they’re trying to reach, and how they want to be perceived.
Through ABMA, I work with businesses, athletes, and public figures to build brands that create opportunities. Sometimes that looks like brand strategy. Sometimes it’s NIL strategy for athletes. Sometimes it’s helping someone increase visibility or execute a campaign.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific campaign or project. It’s when a client leaves a conversation with more confidence than they had when they walked in. That moment when everything clicks for them and they finally have a direction.
I think what sets me apart is that I bring a unique combination of experiences. I’ve been an athlete, a coach, a corporate professional, and now a CEO. Those experiences allow me to connect with people from different backgrounds and help them see possibilities they may not see for themselves.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Marketing is more human than it’s ever been. Technology changes every day, but people are still people.
My advice is to spend time understanding people. Listen to stories. Have experiences. Be curious about what motivates others. The more you understand people, the better you’ll become at communicating, leading, selling, and building a brand.
I think early on I was focused on learning marketing tactics. Looking back, I wish I had spent even more time studying people. That’s where the real magic is.
Pricing:
- Brand Coaching Starting at $1,500 An 8-week one-on-one coaching experience designed to help entrepreneurs, professionals, and emerging leaders clarify their personal or business brand, strengthen their positioning, and develop a strategic roadmap for growth.
- Brand Strategy Development Starting at $2,500 A comprehensive strategic planning process that helps businesses define their brand identity, target audience, messaging, positioning, and long-term growth opportunities.
- NIL & Athlete Brand Strategy Starting at $2,000 Strategic guidance for student-athletes looking to build their personal brand, increase visibility, attract partnership opportunities, and create a sustainable platform beyond sports.
- Marketing Campaign Development & Execution Starting at $3,500 Custom marketing campaigns designed to increase awareness, engagement, and business growth through strategic messaging, content, partnerships, and promotional activities.
- Executive Brand Advisory Starting at $500/month Ongoing strategic support for business owners, executives, public figures, and organizations seeking guidance on visibility, brand positioning, and growth initiatives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://allurebrandandmedia.com
- Instagram: allurebrandandmedia
- Facebook: allurebrandandmedia
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allurebrandandmedia
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdwray
