Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Athena G of Calabasas, CA

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Athena G. Check out our conversation below.

Athena, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Yes, my 4 year old! She is silly, a toonnn of work, but brings so much joy into my life!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Athena — a mom, creative artist, and entrepreneur. I’m the owner of The Branding Suite, a female minority-owned business based in Calabasas, CA. I relaunched the company in 2022, the year after my daughter was born, with a clear focus on helping businesses grow their presence online.

Before The Branding Suite, I ran Pen & Paper Graphics, where I took on a variety of digital media and print projects. With this relaunch, I narrowed my focus to what I love most: social media marketing, branding, and website design & development.

What makes The Branding Suite unique is that we combine strategic marketing with creativity to help businesses not only look amazing online but also connect authentically with their audience. As a small, hands-on team, I get to partner closely with local businesses — helping them tell their story, build their brand, and grow their customer base through polished, professional, and effective digital content.

Right now, I’m focused on helping local businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding cities increase their visibility and engagement online, while continuing to expand our creative services and client base.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just me — curious, creative, and free-spirited. I loved exploring everything around me, asking questions, and figuring things out as I went. I was a natural leader in my own way, always chasing new experiences and seeing the world as full of possibilities.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most has always been worrying about what people would think if I did this or that. But over time, I’ve learned that it’s a muscle you can strengthen — and I can’t get to the places I want to go if I let those thoughts run the show. Now, I try to lean into prayer, positive self talk, and courage instead of hesitation, even when it feels uncomfortable.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
It’s definitely a part of me. I try to show up publicly as my genuine self — to inspire, entertain, and teach — while keeping some deeper layers just for my close friends, family, and loved ones. That balance keeps me real and grounded, and lets me share authentically without feeling performative.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when everything is in order — or at least as much as I can manage! (lol) When I can wake up early, journal, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee before the world wakes up. My thoughts feel clear and I can feel both calm and energized at the same time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.branding-suite.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandingsuite/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-branding-suite-llc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-branding-suite-calabasas