UNOH Alum Brian Williams Builds His Own Career Path

Posted on Friday, May 08, 2026

UNOH Alum Brian Williams with Country Artist Julie Roberts

Written by Contributing Columnist Melanie Barnas-Simmons, VP of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs

For many students, the path after graduation can feel uncertain. For UNOH alumnus Brian Williams, that uncertainty became an opportunity, not to follow a traditional career path, but to build one entirely his own.

A Lima native, Brian began his journey at UNOH studying IT before quickly realizing it wasn’t the right fit. He pivoted to marketing, a decision that would ultimately shape his career in ways he never could have predicted. “It was a complete 180,” he shared—but one that aligned with his strengths and interests.

After graduating, Brian launched his career in marketing, eventually spending nearly a decade with a Lima-based agency. But he never lost sight of a dream he’d had since high school: working in the music industry in Nashville.

That dream didn’t come through a traditional job offer. In fact, it came through relationships, initiative, and a willingness to try something new.

A chance connection with country artist Julie Roberts back when he was 14 years old, and the relationship he built with her over many years, turned into an incredible opportunity. What started as helping her with social media marketing quickly evolved into something much bigger. Around the same time, Brian noticed a concert photographer at a show, and a light bulb went off. With no formal training, he bought a camera, taught himself photography, and began building a portfolio.

That decision changed everything.

Within a short time, Brian was traveling to photograph concerts, creating promotional content, and capturing major moments, including a newborn photo shoot for Roberts that ultimately led to a feature in People Magazine. His work also appeared in industry publications like Billboard and Music Row, marking a full-circle moment for someone who once dreamed of simply being part of that world.

Perhaps the most compelling part of Brian’s story isn’t where he ended up, it’s how he got there.

Despite applying to traditional roles in the music industry and hearing nothing back, Brian refused to let rejection define his path. Instead, he built his own.

“I created my own job in my own lane that still got me to where I wanted to be,” he said. “Every record label in Nashville told me no or never got back to me—but I still made it happen.”

That entrepreneurial mindset, identifying opportunities, developing skills independently, and leveraging relationships, was the foundation of his success. Today, Brian balances marketing work, photography, and content creation, proving that careers no longer need to fit into a single box.

What began as a curiosity has grown into a lucrative source of income and creative fulfillment. From concert photography to senior portraits and brand content, Brian has turned a self-taught skill into a thriving business.

Equally important to him is maintaining balance. While he had opportunities to stay on the road full-time in the music industry, he made a conscious decision to build a life that allowed for both professional success and personal fulfillment. Brian moved back from Nashville after a few years, as he really wanted to be close to family.  He is working full-time in a marketing position while traveling on occasion to work for various music artists.

“I realized I didn’t have to chase everything,” he said. “I could still do what I love and have the life I want.”

For current UNOH students, especially those studying marketing or considering entrepreneurial paths, Brian offers simple but powerful advice:

 - Build relationships. “People want to do business with people they know, like, and trust.”
 - Take every opportunity to gain experience, especially internships.
 - Teach yourself skills beyond the classroom.
 - And most importantly: Bet on yourself.

“If you want something, go after it,” he said. “There are always ways to open a window or build your own door.”

Category: Business, Health, and Occupational Professions

Keywords: Alumni, Brian Williams, Nashville