It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear colleague, mentor and friend, Sharon Berman, the Founder of Berbay Marketing & PR, on August 16, 2024. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate the indelible mark Sharon had on professional services marketing and the Los Angeles community.
Sharon began her marketing career with roles at Mattel (as Sharon called it, the house that Barbie built), Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Houlihan Lokey and Arthur Andersen, but her entrepreneurial drive led her to forge her own path. Channeling her expertise and vision, and with encouragement from her husband Jonathan, Sharon launched Berbay in Los Angeles. One of our favorite stories is how Berbay got its name – a story we’d laugh telling, but where Sharon may cringe, despite being extremely proud of the agency she created. Berbay was a love story. It derived from the nickname Berman Baby, which her husband called her. She would follow up with, “But that’s not how I would recommend anyone name their firm!” Beyond the name, Sharon built a successful marketing and public relations agency known for expertise, creativity and professionalism – a testament to who she was as a business owner and leader.
A true pioneer and visionary in the marketing industry, it seemed almost daily Sharon would walk into the office with a new business development idea for Berbay. You may remember receiving one of her unique cards with memorable drawings and messaging on holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day or Valentine’s Day. Others may have received an oversized postcard with her latest article signed, “Hope all is well. –Sharon B.” Or you may have attended her dynamic “Branding in a Box” presentation that made the rounds to countless organizations, teaching participants how to market a professional service. And if you had an in-person marketing meeting, you would surely receive a famous Berbay box stuffed with cookies, Sharon’s brilliant “leave behind” that carries on to this day.
Sharon also had a deep impact on her employees throughout the years. The admiration and respect employees had for Sharon are evident in the fact that many stayed with Berbay for well over a decade and often remained in contact when they moved on to other jobs. She was unafraid to impart her endless marketing and business wisdom and pushed everyone to reach their full potential. Sharon’s belief in us made all the difference in our professional growth.
When Sharon decided to step away from the helm of Berbay, she entrusted the company to Megan Braverman, a longtime employee who had been her partner for many years and dear friend for even more. Sharon took great joy in remaining an advisor and cheerleader to the Berbay team and its clients. Today, Megan, along with her skilled team, carry on the company’s legacy with the same passion and vision that Sharon had instilled.
Sharon was not just a business owner, but a prolific writer, speaker and networker. She also obtained her MBA from USC. As a longstanding ProVisors member, she led the West LA group for more than a decade with unmatched energy. In 2018, she launched the Law Firm Marketing Catalyst podcast, which published more than 100 episodes through 2023, featuring thought-provoking conversations with legal marketing experts. Her commitment to sharing knowledge and building connections will forever live on through the podcast.
While Berbay was Sharon’s “baby,” she had other passions—the arts and jewelry. She went on to become an avid jewelry collector, studied for her GIA Graduate Gemology diploma, wrote and spoke on related topics, and sat on numerous boards. Well-known in professional services marketing, Sharon became equally well-known in the antique art community.
When Sharon received her cancer diagnosis, it would have been easy to take a step back from all of this. But instead, like most things in her life, she moved forward with determination and vigor and launched her Jewelry Journey podcast. Throughout Sharon’s many health challenges in recent years, the podcast became her beacon, and she continued recording into her final days. The Jewelry Journey podcast will have a final episode, recorded about six weeks before Sharon passed, describing her journey, plus thoughts from others about Sharon’s journey. That episode will be published in about a month.
It’s difficult to capture Sharon’s incredible force in just a few paragraphs. If you were fortunate enough to cross paths with her, you know exactly what we mean. Her impact on all of us was profound, and she will be deeply missed. However, her inspiring legacy will carry on through Berbay’s work and the many lives she touched both personally and professionally.
Sharon, from all of us, we will continue to hold down the fort. We love you.
In remembrance of Sharon, her family kindly requests any donations be made to the Simms Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, which provided services and support as Sharon navigated her cancer journey. Please donate here.
