021. Brynn Casey: Stay in Your Lane

While Brynn Casey didn’t author the Blue Ocean Strategy she sure does embody it. A coastal artist known for painting oceans. Oceans yall. For years. 

Don’t you ever get bored?

Don’t you ever want to branch out? 

These are questions Brynn is more than accustomed to hearing. Her answer floored me, “I’m a big believer in not going super wide, I want to go deep”. Alright Georgia O’Keefe. I hear ya. 

“Stay in your lane” may be a phrase we hear often but it’s not something I see often. 

Permission to go deep, to get really good at what you are already doing, stay true to yourself and keep the main thing the main thing. Today’s interview with coastal artist Brynn Casey is unique and special and I cannot wait for you to hear it!

WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : shannaskidmore.com/brynn-casey

Transcript

Brynn Casey (00:00):

I remember vividly Shanna, I had it my first month. That was a double digit like thousand month, like surpassing $10,000 in one month. And I remember telling my dad, I remember telling my sister and just being like, guys, guys. And then suddenly that wore off and the next goal came. And then the next goal.

Shanna Skidmore (00:22):

You're listening to Consider the Wildflowers, the podcast Episode 21. While Brynn Casey didn't author the Blue Ocean Strategy, she sure does embody it. A coastal artist known for painting oceans. Yes, oceans. For years. Don't you ever get bored? Don't you ever wanna branch out? These are questions. Brynn is more than accustomed to hearing her answer floored me. I'm a big believer in not going super wide. I want to go deep. All right, Georgia O'Keefe, I hear you. Stay in your lane may be a phrase we hear often, but it's not something I see often. Permission to go deep. To get really good at what you're already doing. Stay true to yourself and keep the main thing the main thing. Today's interview with coastal artist Brynn Casey is unique and special and I cannot wait for you to hear it. If you dig professional bios, here goes Brynn Casey is a Georgia based artist living just north of Atlanta with her husband, son Sawyer Gray, and daughter on the way. She received her BFA with the emphasis in drawing from the Lamar Dodd School of Art. And it was at this very school where she learned the discipline it takes to be a serious artist, the confidence it takes to accept criticism and the bravery it takes to try new things. You can find Brynn at her studio in Roswell, Georgia, painting the day away, getting lost in the waves. Okay, y'all formal introductions over, let's dive in.

(01:51)
Hey, it's Shanna and this is Consider the Wildflowers, the podcast. For the past 15 plus years, I've had the honor to hear thousands of stories from entrepreneurs around the world. As a former four to 100 financial advisor, turned business consultant, I have a unique opportunity to see the real behind the highlight reel. I'm talking profit and loss statements, unpaid taxes, moments of burnout, and those of utter victory. Or as my husband says, the content everyone is wondering but not many are talking about. And now I'm bringing these private conversations to you. Hear the untold stories of how industry leaders, founders, and up and coming entrepreneurs got their start, the experiences that shaped them and the journey to building the brands they have today. Stories that will inspire and reignite encourage to redefine success and build a life in business on your own terms. Welcome Wildflower. I'm so glad you're here.

(02:44)
Hi friend.

Brynn Casey (02:46):

Hello

Shanna Skidmore (02:47):

<laugh>. I'm so excited on so many levels to do this because we just have so much to catch up on. And B, you are just such a lovely human and I like hanging out with you.

Brynn Casey (03:00):

I know it's been since truly, I think I wanna say 2017, 2018.

Shanna Skidmore (03:07):

So yeah, the last time I saw you was at Blueprint Summit in Chattanooga and that would've been 2018 and you got up on stage and shared and that was so wonderful. And I'm like, it's funny, you got this stage fright. You got it.

Brynn Casey (03:23):

Yeah,

Shanna Skidmore (03:24):

Yeah. That's before you had your first little tiny person.

Brynn Casey (03:28):

That's right. That feels like a lifetime before 2020 and after. And I also threw a child into 2020 for us, which was just weird.

Shanna Skidmore (03:41):

You had your son in 2020.

Brynn Casey (03:44):

I did. He came January 28th though, so it was a strange before Covid, but then,

Shanna Skidmore (03:51):

Yeah,

Brynn Casey (03:52):

During postpartum it was a very strange experience.

Shanna Skidmore (03:56):

Right.

Brynn Casey (03:58):

But I we were very lucky cuz we could have a normal hospital experience and no fear there and stuff. So yeah,

Shanna Skidmore (04:07):

I had a friend who had a baby in early 2020 and she said it was such an interesting experience because you have this little tiny human, and normally it's a season where, I mean, of course all parents choose how much exposure they have differently. But I know for her it was quite isolating.

Brynn Casey (04:30):

Yeah, we could say that. And on top of, for me, I'm very open about this to anybody who wants to talk about it, but I just am naturally disposed or predisposed to anxiety and depression and postpartum was not my best, my best Brynn <laugh>. Yeah. It was not the beautiful, peaceful, sweet experience that maybe social media or movies make it out to be. It was hard and emotional and just a little scary for it. Just all of that. And then add in the pandemic. It was definitely not super, I don't know, peaceful and thrilling. So with that being said, as we expect another coming in March, I'm hoping it's a redemptive experience, even if it's just like, okay, I know what to expect now. Pandemic hopefully is not resurfacing. Yeah. So good things ahead.

Shanna Skidmore (05:30):

I don't know Brynn, if you feel comfortable sharing, but with what you went through with your son, do you feel like it was exacerbated because of the pandemic? Was it a fear of something happening to you or to him or It was

Brynn Casey (05:45):

And answer's always gonna be yes. You're gonna be Brynn stop sharing so much <laugh>, I'm annoyingly an open book, but honestly that's, it's gonna sound funny. But I think it was more of a personality kind of not a smack in the face, but a little bit like, oh my gosh, did I just totally throw a bomb on our life? Our life was one way and then this little human came and now will I ever work again? Will I ever leave my house? It was just crippling anxiety. And honestly, this is gonna sound funny, but I don't know if I would've even been bumping in the city or leaving my house very much anyways if it weren't like with covid and stuff, it was almost like an afterthought, which sounds so weird, but I was just really immersed in just the, to be real, a little bit dark season of postpartum. And so it sounds weird to be like Covid was almost an afterthought, but I feel like it didn't affect me as much as maybe someone whose life, I don't wanna say newly bombarded or something, but yeah, I think there were just different shifts I was experiencing.

Shanna Skidmore (07:06):

Yeah. Do you feel like time helped that or what helped?

Brynn Casey (07:10):

My gosh, yeah

Shanna Skidmore (07:11):

Walk through.

Brynn Casey (07:12):

Oh, time. And also I have a really awesome counselor I've been seeing since 2018. I don't even know, she really helped me walk through it and some really safe friendships where I could just fully be myself and ask hard questions or explain fears or just a safe place. And of course time and hormonal shifting and physical healing and as well as sleep.

Shanna Skidmore (07:47):

<laugh>. Yes. The miracle of sleep. Exactly.

Brynn Casey (07:49):

That would really help <laugh>. Right. So the combination of all that, but I just try to be really honest and I think it's beautiful and so awesome when people have an awesome postpartum. But I also think it's worth talking about if you don't, and it's just not maybe picture perfect, but nothing in life really is.

Shanna Skidmore (08:14):

Yeah. And do you feel that in some ways, I mean every experience is gonna be different, every child's gonna be different, but maybe you feel maybe a little more prepared or equipped with baby number two on the way?

Brynn Casey (08:29):

100%. I even just being prepared, I was talking with my mom about it because my dad had a knee replacement surgery like a month or two ago and he gets his other knee done next week and we were talking about how while it's the same procedure, they're feeling so much more equipped as a couple just to, they know what to expect when it comes to how many, many ice packs I'm gonna need. Is this a normal amount of swelling? What about this weird bruise? Things like that. It's the stress of all of the newness hopefully won't be added on top of just the postpartum stuff. So I'm really prayerful and hopeful for a redemptive experience. And her name is Sunday, Sunday Jean Casey. And I just feel this sense that when we were naming her and when I've been praying about her and just thinking of her, I'm like, I feel like you are going to be a peaceful little presence. Kind of like a Sunday Sabbath. Yeah, yeah. Restful. So

Shanna Skidmore (09:41):

Hope comes on Sunday. Yeah. That's beautiful.

Brynn Casey (09:43):

Exactly. Yeah.

Shanna Skidmore (09:43):

Aw Brynn, Sunday. So beautiful. Well I know not everyone listening shares our same faith, but I know for me, God really teaches me a lot about trust because my anxiety is exacerbated when life feels out of control. Cause I like to control things, all things <laugh>. So yeah, having a little tiny human, there's no control there. And in some ways I know that's just a refinement of me, of God's saying, if I could just live in trust, then life would be less sharp on my edges. And so I know in those seasons I just have to speak truth over myself and that God is teaching me trust and I don't like that person person very much.

Brynn Casey (10:31):

<laugh>. I know. It's the same thing with my toddler. Now we're dealing with behavior and discipline and just new seasons. We're not as much in survival mode, but we're in a different mode where it's like still want control though.

Shanna Skidmore (10:48):

<laugh>. Yeah, I know. Ugh, that's so hard. I'm over here, but wait I don't control many things at all. Business, life, childhood, all the things. Oh, thank you for sharing that Brynn, I'm so excited for little Miss Sunday to share birth month with my Madeline girl. March is a great month. We were talking before we got on, but you never know what to wear. So bring layers,

Brynn Casey (11:11):

<laugh>. I will bring you maybe some blankets but also maybe no pants. Who knows?

Shanna Skidmore (11:17):

Yeah, you never know. You never know. <laugh>. Oh, that's so exciting. Okay, I wanna dig in to your business journey, but I definitely want us to get to, I'm so curious now in this last few years of having babies and I have no doubt that has shifted your business. I'm putting that in my back pocket because I want you just to share for those who might be listening and don't know who you are, who you are, what you do, and then just how it came to be. Like what were you doing life before business business and tell us about those early days. So let's start there.

Brynn Casey (11:57):

So I am a fine artist. I live just north of Atlanta, but I do exclusively coastal artwork. And it feels funny because I don't live by the beach, it's about five hours away, which is very sad. But our families are from here. And so yeah, it's just where we are. But I'm a coastal artist. I do paintings and drawings and commission work and I sell products like Aji Clay Print, which is a beautiful archival reproduction of my artwork. And I have note cards and journals, little gift products. I've got a calendar out right now, which is super fun. So that's what I do. I went to UGA, University of Georgia and got my fine art degree there. And I never really, and this might be a super naive comment, but I just never had any other plans besides something in the art world. Maybe I was naive and just thought I can do it. I don't know. Or maybe it was just hopeful. I considered doing art therapy, I considered maybe being an art teacher, but along the way I actually received a internship with a dear friend of both of ours, Shanna, Brittany Bass Turner, who is an abstract painter. And she for whatever reason, trusted me and kind of took me under her wing. And upon graduating college I was just like, well, I've got this job. Maybe when I'm not working for Brittany, I can do some commissions and I can learn from her what it's like to do this thing, run a fine art business. And at the time it was like, Instagram was newly blowing up. Etsy was a major thing. And Pinterest, and I remember Britney came to my dorm room once in college and was like, have you heard of Pinterest?

Shanna Skidmore (14:00):

Stop it. So this is what, 2013? Gosh,

Brynn Casey (14:06):

No, 2015.

Shanna Skidmore (14:08):

Okay.

Brynn Casey (14:09):

2014, 2015.

Shanna Skidmore (14:09):

Okay, got it. Yeah,

Brynn Casey (14:11):

But she was living in Athens and I was finishing up, I don't even, gosh, maybe it was 2013. Shannon, one thing you'll learn about me is I've got a really bad concept of time and direction.

Shanna Skidmore (14:24):

<laugh>. Yeah. So

Brynn Casey (14:25):

Forgive me. But sometime back then

Shanna Skidmore (14:28):

Pinterest.

Brynn Casey (14:30):

So yeah, Pinterest, Etsy. And it was really cool to be kind of a fly on the wall, packing up her prints and listening to her. I always say this, listening to her, having conversations on the phone with maybe a designer or her virtual assistant and how to pitch this, how to work that. And I just learned so much by watching her and absorbing like, oh, that's how you do that. Oh cool. That's how you verbalize that or how you speak about that or how to even present yourself. It was just invaluable. And I tell her all the time, I owe my career greatly to her. And so I was working with her. I was upgraded a little bit to be more of a studio manager. We moved a few studios, ended up in Roswell, it was awesome. And that's where I live now. And so it was a really cool season. And eventually she looked at me and she was like, Brynn, I think you're ready to do this. You don't need me anymore. I really think you're ready to spread your wings. And it was one of those movie moments, she was like, go build your empire <laugh>.

Shanna Skidmore (15:44):

I'm gonna have chills over here. That makes me okay. Yeah. So kicked out. Bye.

Brynn Casey (15:49):

And in the midst of that, I came to your blueprint retreat in the midst of working for Brittany and doing my commissions and stuff, I came to, how do you say that? Beaufort.

Shanna Skidmore (16:00):

Beaufort, yeah. I think people say, I say Beaufort, but I think people say Beaufort. Who knows? <laugh>, South Carolina. Beautiful on the coast. Such your place.

Brynn Casey (16:10):

I just came and that was all in the midst of that. Yeah. And now I guess six or seven years later, here we are. I'm still working for myself. I've got a few people now who work for me. And of course that ebbs and flows as seasons ebb and flow. But it's really cool to look back and be like, wow, I think I might be doing, doing it <laugh>.

Shanna Skidmore (16:37):

Yeah.

Brynn Casey (16:38):

So yeah, really humbling and really cool to look back on.

Shanna Skidmore (16:42):

So how did you find something I think that's unique about youre is you have a very strong, that's coastal art. I mean that's what you do. Ocean paintings beautiful. Did you always know it would be that? Did you try other things?

Brynn Casey (17:02):

Yeah, so in college, and this is something we'll talk about throughout the podcast, I'm sure I have always really struggled with fear of failure and fear of just, even now in the studio, if I start a new drawing or painting and it's not going well, it really gets to me, which stinks as an artist because you've gotta try and try new things and it's really easy for me to get stuck. And so I had a professor, I was doing these hyper realistic drawings, which means basically just copying a picture or basically I felt like, oh, if I do a drawing or a painting that gets a round of applause and people are impressed by it then great. And I had a professor who was like, Brynn, you can fail in my class and you're not gonna get an F, you can fail, but if you try you're still, that's an A in my book. And that was a interesting concept to me. And he was like, Brynn, I want you to try a a medium, which means painting material or drawing material that you feel really uncomfortable with and I want you to try subject matter that you feel really uncomfortable with. And I was like, oh my god. And I dramatically had on my headphones and did a dramatic experience in the studio where I was listening to Oceans by Hillsong, which was a brand new tune and it's just about walking on water and facing your fears. And I painted my first ocean and it was actually, I mean technically you could say it was a ink drawing mixed media moment, but I still own it to this day. And I made a collection of ocean drawings and I remember my professor, who I deeply respect, just say the word heroic. And it was just like a, oh my gosh, I can try something new. And it doesn't have to be perfect because ink drawings are not perfect and it can still be heroic or elicit a positive response. And then that was when Instagram started coming about and I started sharing my projects and I kind of leaned into that ocean theme and started sharing my projects on Instagram, started getting some commission work, which was really cool. And that was when I was a senior in college. We had our big thesis exit show and I did some giant ocean stuff and it just kind of grew from there. It was definitely not a planned thing, but I love looking back and how much it aligns with me as a person at my taste is very coastal. My preferred spot is the beach. Our family growing up, what we would do, I never have been skiing, I don't really care to try to go skiing. I'm not really into being cold means the, yeah, that's just my thing is the beach, the salt air and the whole culture of a beach town is just up my alley. And so it's cool how it aligns without me even realizing.

Shanna Skidmore (20:24):

Yeah, I love that. Has there ever been a point where you felt pressure to deviate from that subject matter?

Brynn Casey (20:34):

Oh yeah. I have. A lot of times people ask, are you gonna do something else or do you ever get sick of it? And I'm like, yeah, sometimes I get sick of it. But then I just do a new iteration of, it's hard because it's like this is what I've built my whole brand around. I'm not really interested in flowers or portraiture or it's just like, this is what I'm interested in. And I'm a big believer in not exactly going super wide. I would like to go deep for now. I'm like, yeah, but I've never tried doing this with this color or I've never tried doing this with that color. Or what if I did sea grass? That's something I'm into and I love that. Let's dive in there. For me, it's a little bit of an endless possibility, but I do sometimes feel pressure or I worry people are getting bored or I feel pressured to create something new out of something that already exists or I don't know. So

Shanna Skidmore (21:39):

Yeah, I love the brand how you said, that's such a awesome challenge and perspective to be like, there's more to be explored where I am some people, and I really love how you said go deep instead of why some people love to go wide, they wanna do new, new ideas, new revenue streams, new things. And you, you've added a lot of revenue streams, but you've kept this subject matter very, very specific. And in a way, I think of Georgia O'Keeffe, it's a different perspective on a flower. It's like, yeah, how do you quickly get done with flowers? We can be done with flowers, but she let's get really, really close to it. Or let's get really far. I just think that's so artistic. That's so artistic of you. <laugh>.

Brynn Casey (22:27):

Thanks Shanna. I really appreciate it. Cuz sometimes I see it as a negative, oh, you're just scared, you're scared to try something else. Or you're scared it won't be received by your audience because now they expect this. Or I actually have some ideas floating in my head and it's again, not even a deviation from the coastal theme, it's just a different possibly representation of it or it's kind of the way that my hands paint is my language. It's more of maybe a little bit of a new language of how I paint the ocean or just a body of water. And I've explored it in my head a lot and I just haven't put it on canvas. And so talk to me in maybe a year or two and we'll see.

Shanna Skidmore (23:14):

I'm pumped about it. I can't wait to see it. Let's see. A new language, a new brand language. You are so talented. And side note, we're gonna talk later cuz I need some Brynn on my walls, but okay. <laugh>, tell me about those early days and no, with Britt's help, I'm sure it was invaluable, but what did you learn in those early days about your offers and your pricing and just what went well and then what were some lessons you've learned the hard way or just lessons you learned?

Brynn Casey (23:47):

I would say a big lesson that I still have to learn is I am not necessarily my buyer as in I'm not over here purchasing fine art all the time. That's just not in our financial sphere and my audience or my ideal buyer isn't me. Yes, he or she would have my taste and maybe the same interests but maybe is a little further along in life or has a different spending threshold. And I used to feel like I couldn't price my work for that person. I had to price it for someone like me. And at the time, I mean I was like 21 <laugh> and 22 and I was like, I can barely, A big treat for me is getting a Starbucks or me and Patrick, that's my husband. Sometimes we would go to the Marietta Diner and get breakfast for dinner and that was a splurge. I mean it was a humble season for us. Just new and just not super spendy. So I would say my biggest lesson I learned, cause I would watch Britt so confidently price her work and people buying it. And I was just like, number one, who are these people? <laugh>? They are so wealthy and they can buy stuff that's so extravagant. But the way she presented it was from a place of confidence. And I think I had to learn not to present my work out of a place of insecurity because I can really rub off on your buyer and then I think it can kind of have a negative vibe on your business, if that makes any sense.

Shanna Skidmore (25:34):

<affirmative>. It does. Yes.

Brynn Casey (25:36):

So I know that was a bit more of an abstract answer, but I think I learned over time, especially with pricing, just to remember, just because I wouldn't be buying a $2,000 painting right now, doesn't mean that so-and-so in California isn't. In fact, they actually are and they have multiple. It's different. So anyhow, just learning to present work with confidence I think is something I had to overcome. And I'm still kind of searching for my, I think it's a process.

Shanna Skidmore (26:14):

<laugh>. Yeah. Oh yeah, no, so grateful that you shared that because I think if something comes easy to us or something comes natural to us, I remember Sweet Meredith Mejerle who does beautiful floral drawings, she just doodles. She would call them my flower doodles. And I'm like, you could sell those Meredith. And it was such a, natural thing mean now she has her whole business and,

Brynn Casey (26:39):

Yes, there's wallpaper

Shanna Skidmore (26:40):

And it's gorgeous. I mean, I'm gonna do my whole house and Kyle's like, whoa, with the flowers, <affirmative>. But it's something that comes easily to her. It's so hard to price something that is your gift and realizing that other people can't do it. So thank you for sharing. And I so agree with pricing. That's why for me, I go back to the numbers. I'm gonna start an analytically, take the emotion out by saying, this is all the time I put into it, the materials I put into it. And that helps me be more confident. I think sometimes people don't realize I have to do that for myself so I can charge people. I have to prove this is worthy to be charging for.

Brynn Casey (27:22):

And something I remember we sat down and had a little consulting session and I remember learning from you, yes, you have to pay yourself for your time, but then there has to be profit on top of that. And that was mind blowing for me. I was like, oh my gosh. Yeah, because then it's just breaking even.

Shanna Skidmore (27:43):

Yeah, right. <laugh>

Brynn Casey (27:45):

And there's no profit. So yeah. Yeah, lots of learning there. Lots of underpricing, but hey.

Shanna Skidmore (27:53):

Yeah. Would you say, so you started with original art commissions print. Yes. Tell me how it's grown over time. Yeah, it's

Brynn Casey (28:05):

Definitely blossomed.

Shanna Skidmore (28:06):

Yeah, tell me, just walk me through the growth over the last few years.

Brynn Casey (28:10):

Yeah, so it started out definitely just commission work, actually. It could be, I remember a friend who did custom woodworking was like, Hey, do you wanna trade a coffee table for a painting? And I was like, yeah, <laugh>. So it started out like that, which I still do fun trades every now, but then it was maybe a random person who found me on social media or a friend or whomever would commission a painting. And I did it in between school projects because it all started when I was, I think a senior in college or after I graduated, I would do it after work with Brittany or after dinnertime or working until really late. And I also had a nannying job at the time too. It was just a hustle season, part-time nannying running around, finishing a painting. And so I did that. And then after Brittany and I went separate ways and she kind of sent me off into the world, I launched a small print shop where I launched three prints and some of the prints were even drawings I made in college, our paintings, just ones that I was really proud of. So I launched three, and then a few months later I launched three more. And so then my print shop had six prints. And then I was like, okay, there's some artists out there who are launching collections of artwork and it's kind of a online gallery show that you invite people to. And so I was like, you know what? The holidays are coming up, why don't I make a collection and just see what happens? And my goal was to pay for our honeymoon with that collection. And it was so awesome because it totally did. And so, I mean, I don't even wanna speak of the prices that I price the work at. It was so, I mean truly doing the math now, I think I charge five or six times the amount that I was charging then now. But even then, it was such a cool experience. My first collection, people actually were shopping and orders came in and the Lord provided what we needed in that moment. So then after that collection I was like, I think I wanna do maybe quarterly collections. And that's like how I will present my work to the world. And since then, that's truly what I've been doing. I still do collections, kind of how my brain works. I'm pretty type A and I need kind of a plan. So I love working in the collection format. And every now and then I'll just add a new product if I feel inspired to. So I've got greeting cards or like I said, my journals or my calendars. But I pretty much heavily rely on the original artwork. And then in 2020, which was insane because it was 2020 and I had a baby, but there's something that came over me that was like, maybe I should do an education course for artists. I think I've, over the last five or six years, I've learned a lot, what if I taught people how to ship their paintings or how to market it? So I launched a course which is still available now, it's called Crash Course Academy. And it was a play on words with waves crashing. I thought it was creative crash courses, but <laugh>. So I still wanna try and keep the main thing, the main thing, which is always the artwork. I never wanna deviate too much from that because truly where I find my most joy is sitting at my painting wall that I'm staring at right now, listening to a podcast and painting the day away. That's what I want to do. So I'm gonna keep doing that. And if products pop up, then great, but if not, they'll come.

Shanna Skidmore (32:14):

Yeah, I love that Brynn. Would you say that what helps you stay on track and find this clarity in your business? So example for me, and I teach all my students this, I always have my financial goal, which I call my enough number and make my money plan. I think that just helps me because I am prone to, I'm an achiever and it just gives me contentment to know my goal and my number. What would you say for you? Is it that's just my personality or that helps you be like, this is the business I want and yeah, that's what I want.

Brynn Casey (32:57):

So I would say my personality, if you know the Enneagram, which I'm sure you do, I am a hardcore three. I used to joke that I did cross country, not because I liked running, but because I love to beat people

Shanna Skidmore (33:10):

<laugh>,

Brynn Casey (33:12):

Which I mean, it's kind of a joke, but it's true. My coach would put me in the front because I would I guess push girls outta the way. <laugh>

Shanna Skidmore (33:22):

<laugh> friend, I can't, I cannot picture this brand right now. I knows it. She's aggressive. I love that she's in there.

Brynn Casey (33:30):

Yeah, she's in there hiding. But I just really like to set not audacious goals, but I loved that aspect of cross country where it was like, okay, you see that girl, she's not on your team. You can just go and beat her. Okay, now there's another girl, go. So I'm naturally competitive. That's just a personality trait I have. And I'm naturally really, really goals driven. And so I used to base my business on, or my need on very, what's the word I'm looking for? Tactical needs like, oh, we need to redo our basement, then I'll do this. And then I can add up how much it would cost. Or if I sold 70% of the artwork, then we can afford, I didn't really consider it an entity of itself, it was more of just a, let's see what we need in this season and then I'll produce what we need for that. And then I met with you and I started giving myself a paycheck and I had a business bank account and we discussed how I can withdraw every two weeks. A normal business, a normal job, I can withdraw a certain amount and then set aside a certain amount for taxes. And ever since then, Shanna, we still do that. I still have my business bank account. And over time we've discussed and implemented a raise or a bonus structure where sometimes there's surplus in your business after a big sale or a big holiday season and you can do a bonus at that point. And we started, and I don't know if this was, cuz Patrick and I are a little bit more conservative, we're a bit budgeter, penny pincher ish. But we started my paychecks as really low. And it's just like, this is what we need because if we pay ourselves, we probably spend it. So let's not go too crazy. And we've subtly raised it over time as different costs come up, like daycare or health stuff or mortgage goes higher cuz we moved, or just things like lifestyle and we're growing up. And so over time we've shifted that paycheck, but we still do every two weeks and we budget off of that. And so I know at the end of the day, this is my bottom line and I have got to, this is what I provide for our family. And that to me is really, I don't know, that helps me a lot in the studio. Even if I'm having a hard day, it's like, yeah, but not a suck it up type of nature. But more of just like, okay, but sorry, you're not just doing this to pay off this fun thing or this trip. Now it's like this is our livelihood. So it's a job. And not to mention investments that I would love my business to be able to make. So anywho, it kind of blossomed from just a little more of a spontaneous income to a, oh, it's now a steady stream that we have to keep up with.

Shanna Skidmore (36:48):

And I don't know if this happened for you, but I've worked in finance for 15 years, but after Madeline was born, it was like, okay, get serious.

Brynn Casey (36:58):

Yeah.

Shanna Skidmore (36:59):

It was that we pay our bills and we do all the things and we've made some really good decisions, but it stepped it up a notch.

Brynn Casey (37:12):

That is the truth, sister.

Shanna Skidmore (37:13):

And I really like how you said, because I think job can be, can be feel such a dirty word, but I actually seeing my business as this is also just my job and if I don't feel like it today, well better get in the better get in the office because boss is not gonna, and that's right. I like that because I'm, I like my job, but I really like it. And not all days are really fun. But that helped me. So I like how you use that word. It is also just my job. Show up

Brynn Casey (37:51):

<laugh>. I know I do have a lot of maybe hopeful artists or friends who have different types of jobs who are like, Ugh, it must be so nice to work from home in your studio or just paint all day. And it's like, that's just not how it is. And I know it can seem like all I do is just sit in my chair and look at my musings

Shanna Skidmore (38:14):

Dream of oceans.

Brynn Casey (38:16):

Yes. But it's so not that, and I can't emphasize that enough. It is so not that. It is so much more. And it's also very physically taxing. You wouldn't believe the physicality of my job. It's like it's just people don't, like I have to frame every single painting and they're heavy and then you have to pack them and they're up to 50 pounds. It's, there's a lot behind the scenes that isn't fun. But like we said, it's kind of like, yeah, but sorry that bill's still gonna come in. And so I had to kind of demystify the whole artist thing. Not in a sad way, but in a more realistic perspective way.

Shanna Skidmore (39:00):

And I just think it can be beautiful and dreamy and also be like, and there's a bill real realistic. And those don't have to be pitted against each other is what I have learned.

Brynn Casey (39:14):

Oh yeah. Coexisting.

Shanna Skidmore (39:16):

Yes. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. Talk through how the business shifted and as a new mom <affirmative>, as your family has grown, has anything shifted or do you feel like it's given you freedom to know this is my job and this is, I like my job, but I have to show up and pay the bills and giving you, just talk through how it's shifted in this new season?

Brynn Casey (39:42):

Definitely. Also, just the way I shared about postpartum. I also like to share about maybe how it's, I don't know, this feels not an elephant in the room, but maybe not as common of a gracefully talked about topic. But I love my job, I love what I do so much. And it, painting and creating, if I go a week without it, I can tell. And it's just something in me that God has given me. And it is, it's just a part of me, so is my child. And I just, for a really long time I struggled with feeling like I had to choose between one or the other. And it felt very paralyzing cuz one of them felt like I was cutting off one limb and the other was cutting off another limb <laugh>. And it was just like, okay. And then finally through his first year of life, through the Lord's Grace, we had an incredible nanny step in for us as we were gonna do maybe a part-time daycare, so I could still work. But then Covid and then a dear, dear friend from church stepped in and was a part-time assistant for me, a part-time nanny. And that season taught me, I can do both. And our son's name is Sawyer Gray. And I just truly, deeply, deeply believe that many things in life are not black and white. Gray is where we find most truth. I don't have to pick. I can be both and I can be an awesome mom and an awesome business owner. I don't know, I felt really paralyzed by that. So if that encourages anybody, I really hope it does. But aside from that, my business changing and growing, I would say this is not to be braggy, but my business has actually brought in more income since I've had him. And the funny thing is, we were conservatively planning, okay, Brynn's gonna bring in probably 75% of what she used to or whatever. And then 2020 was by far my highest grossing year. And that was due in part to my crash courses. But I worked really hard on those and just knew, I don't know, it was a really cool and empowering thing, like here we go. I am doing both. And so in a really cool way, I think subconsciously, I never was like, oh, let me double down and make even more money or somehow do both. I think number one, it taught me the true, true value of my time <affirmative>. And it helped me to just grow up in a new way where I was like, yeah, I'm gonna charge this much for my painting, and if you don't wanna pay it, somebody else will. And in a way that I don't wanna sound like a jerk, but more just a confidence of I'm taking time away from my beautiful son to make this, and so that's how much it's worth. And then suddenly people were paying that and then I was like, oh my gosh, it's working.

Shanna Skidmore (43:01):

<laugh> great. <laugh>. Yeah,

Brynn Casey (43:03):

It was cool. And again, it's not like I tripled my prices or something. It was just a, okay, Santa told me, I remember this, if I sell 70% have a 70% sellout rate, then I should raise my prices maybe by 15%. And so every so often I just raise them up a little, raise 'em up a little, and I'm just really proud of where my pricing is at now and that it's been able to be sustained. And I think that also had an effect on my bottom line, if you will. So yeah, I hope that answered your question.

Shanna Skidmore (43:40):

Yeah, no, I love that so much because you didn't dramatically, I mean, you added an education component, but it's not like you dramatically changed your business model. You still are focusing on original art. It's just through time and increasing prices incrementally, you're seeing more profit at the end of the day. So I love that shift of you're not adding more work to produce more money. You're just correct. Getting really good at the things you're already doing.

Brynn Casey (44:12):

Thanks, Shanna. It feels really cool. Yeah, I had a moment the other day in the car where I was just like, oh my gosh, I haven't really, it's not like I'm producing double the work or something, but it's so cool to see, you know, you have a little analytics app and you can check, how am I doing this year? Yeah, what's going on? And it's like, oh my gosh, I've still maybe surpassed last year's gross income, but I haven't done significantly more backbreaking work to get there.

Shanna Skidmore (44:45):

I like Brynn too, bringing up those numbers because there's so many numbers we can look at in our business, and I think some of them make us feel good <laugh>, like some of them are truly just vanity metrics, but that's a number that it's like I'm working the same amount and making more yay me. That is a true indicator of really good things happening. Yeah, that's amazing. Would you feel like with your son getting older now, number two coming, that you are just feeling like the business and this truly is a good harmonious season?

Brynn Casey (45:24):

Yeah, I think for now I would say yes. I don't ever want to, who knows, maybe my postpartum will also hit me like a tornado and I'll need to take some time. So I wanna make space for that. But I'll say overall, yeah, I feel really at peace with where it is and where it's headed. And with my collectors too, they love the work, but also love the artists behind the work. And they're just really, really good people. And they would want for me to take time away if I needed time away. And so my biggest fears would be if people forgot about me or something, if I took a break and over maternity leave, it's still scary. I'm like, I'm still here. But I have a lot of peace about where it's headed. And my workflow, we've found a school for our son that we really love and he really loves it. Well, it's a daycare, but we call it school right down the street. And we just feel really at peace with that. And that's really helped me take business hours and work on my business and then family hours and work on my family. And we kind of have a childcare plan for Sunday set up. And so I think setting realistic expectations also helps me to stay at peace and to just feel good moving forward.

Shanna Skidmore (46:58):

Yeah, I'm the same. I feel for me, I've had to figure out, really truly define what I want in this season with a little tiny and fine boundaries and balance. And I think for me, just identifying and really putting words to it, saying, this is what I want it to look like. And of course it doesn't always look like that, but that helps me be like, okay, yes, I feel in harmony here, or no, I don't feel aligned. So that's really getting clear picture. I love that. So I wanna go into kind of the quick far round, but before we do, I always like to ask, what would you say is the best thing that you have learned about money?

Brynn Casey (47:41):

Aside from my comment earlier about you are not necessarily your buyer. I would say money has a sneaky way of telling you that once you have a certain amount, you're gonna feel like it's enough or you're gonna feel like you've finally cracked that ceiling. Money has just a sneaky way of, for me, having a hold on me in that way. And I've learned over the last, I think it's been seven years, I'm like, how long have I been in business <laugh>? Seven years that no matter, I remember vividly Shanna, I had my first month that was a double digit like thousand month surpassing $10,000 in one month. And I remember telling my dad, I remember telling my sister and just being like guys, guys <laugh>. And then suddenly that wore off and the next goal came and then the next goal. And it was just, I guess this sounds a little bit more like woo woo or floofy than you a practical tip. But I would just say defining your enough number and maybe even writing it down or just keeping it in your heart somewhere is really important because money has a way of telling you, oh, once you reach this, you're gonna feel like you finally made it. But then that kind of disappears and there's a new ceiling and it's hard not to get caught up in that. So that's what I've learned is just a, okay, tone it down, girl. I don't really desire to be a million dollar empire entity with warehouses. That's not what I want. So let's stay in our lane and we don't have to do that. Just, that's what I would say.

Shanna Skidmore (49:30):

Yeah, that's so good and so true. It's money is a moving target and more is a moving target. And I think so often I'm so grateful for the unique place that I'm in where I get to hear from people making $10,000 and people making a multimillion dollars and <affirmative>, you are so true. It creeps the amount of need creeps up, your lifestyle creeps up. And I have met so many people making so much money who are like, I still feel poor <affirmative>. And it's like we have to create habits in the beginning and with little income to still to actually fill those things as our income increases. That's so good. Brynn, thank you for sharing. Thank you. All right, let's go into kind of a quick fire. I'm gonna put you on the hot seat.

Brynn Casey (50:24):

All right.

Shanna Skidmore (50:25):

Alright. Okay. What would one thing you would be embarrassed if people knew?

Brynn Casey (50:30):

Oh goodness. I would be embarrassed if people knew how much coffee I drink and how little water I drink <laugh>, and just how poorly I've treated my body <laugh> in the past in the name of hustle. Yeah. That's what I would say.

Shanna Skidmore (50:49):

Yeah. Ooh, that hits <laugh>.

Brynn Casey (50:51):

Yeah. Ew. Ouch. Yeah.

Shanna Skidmore (50:54):

Okay, let's keep moving. Second. Are there any regrets or wish you could do over moments?

Brynn Casey (51:01):

Oh, I don't have any do overs. My regrets are still ongoing regrets of not trying new things out of the fear of disapproval or rejection. I would say those, and that's an ongoing regret that I'm still climbing out of. But yeah, I would say overall I wouldn't do anything over because I've learned, but I regret not doing things just out of fear.

Shanna Skidmore (51:30):

Yeah. Yeah. That's good. Okay. Tell me about a big win or a pinch me moment.

Brynn Casey (51:36):

There was a time, and I mean, I don't remember when this was again with the time thing, maybe 2018, and I submitted my work to a website called Artfully Walls where artists can submit files of their work and basically license their work to be printed and they get a percentage. It's a really cool thing. And they emailed me and asked if I would be okay selling one of my pieces on Anthropologie. And I was like yeah, take everything, do it all. And so yeah, that was a big pinch me. To this day, my work is on Anthropologie and being sold there and that was just a really cool pinch me moment.

Shanna Skidmore (52:21):

Yeah, I love it. I'm gonna find Brynn on Anthropologie and link it.

Brynn Casey (52:25):

Go.

Shanna Skidmore (52:27):

Okay. Tell me about the best advice you've ever received or just really good advice.

Brynn Casey (52:33):

Oh, I would say lots of artists question how to find their thing. How do I find my style? How do I find my thing? And I would say the best piece of advice is reaching within and not outside of yourself. I think it is really important to become inspired by other artists. And maybe they're like, Ooh, that's a really cool color, or that's a really cool way to approach the landscape or whatever. But at the end of the day, ask yourself, what is it more you flowing out of you? This ocean worked so me flowing out of me. It's so natural. Don't look at someone else who might be successful and say like, oh, well they sell a lot of garden paintings, so I guess I should do gardens. No, look within and do an assessment of what makes you, are you super bubbly and energetic. Maybe do really bright artwork and that will come natural.

Shanna Skidmore (53:36):

Yeah. I love that. So good Brynn, because it's like your work is, but as you mentioned, you're not your buyer. And I think people get tripped up in that differentiate like, well, nobody's gonna like what I like or that, and I just like how you said, but if you're trying to paint something just to sell it, it's gonna be hard to paint it. Keep painting it. Yes.

Brynn Casey (54:01):

And it's not gonna have your soul. And this is a little bit more artsy girl coming out, but I'm like, oh, you can so see it. When a painting is dead versus an alive painting, you can just see it. And so you want your paintings to be, or whatever creations you're making, you want them to have life and your heartbeat. Yeah.

Shanna Skidmore (54:24):

That's how I feel about my spreadsheets,

Brynn Casey (54:26):

That's right. They all are your babies.

Shanna Skidmore (54:28):

They're my creations.

Brynn Casey (54:30):

Yeah.

Shanna Skidmore (54:31):

Though I need to add more pie charts that would make me happy, but in neutral, muted colors.

Brynn Casey (54:36):

<laugh>. Yes. Beautiful.

Shanna Skidmore (54:38):

Yeah. Oh, bless Kyle. Because I'm like, listen, aesthetics matter. Okay. Even with a spreadsheet. Yeah. All right. Last quick fire question. What are you working on now or one resource you would like to share?

Brynn Casey (54:54):

Well, we are chatting the week before Thanksgiving right now. And I am currently busting my booty on my holiday collection, which is a really fun collection for me because usually I do a theme where it's like, oh, summer skies, it's all very summery, beachy, like sunsets, or I do this color palette or whatever. But from a holiday collection, I just kind of do whatever I feel like and create a small, well, actually it's kind of big, but a group of artwork of just like, this is stuff I made that I felt like making that day. And this one's gonna be a lake and this one's gonna be a sunset and just a bunch like a variety. And so I'm working on that collection to launch on December 9th, and there's gonna be beautiful framed drawings and we have a big photo shoot coming up. And so trying to get the work done before that photo shoot <laugh>. Ooh.

Shanna Skidmore (55:51):

Race until the end.

Brynn Casey (55:53):

That's right.

Shanna Skidmore (55:54):

That's exciting. Yay. Well, yeah, I will look at our editorial calendar and figure out if we can get this out before then, cuz that would be fun. And I need some Brynn Casey on my walls. We'll make it happen.

Brynn Casey (56:08):

Yes.

Shanna Skidmore (56:08):

Yeah. Okay. I wanna send it off with Brynn Go all the way back to when you were a student working in Brit t'sstudio and she kicked you out. What would you tell yourself on day one of your business?

Brynn Casey (56:23):

I would say stay true to yourself and stay in your lane in more ways than one. Stay in your lane with your goals. Stay in your lane with what makes you happy and what you wanna do. And stay true to your convictions. And this is your business and you don't need to do what Sally down the street is doing just because it's working for her. You can be confident that you can make your own your own thing. Yeah, that's what I would say.

Shanna Skidmore (56:55):

That's so good friend. Yeah.

Brynn Casey (56:58):

This

Shanna Skidmore (56:58):

Is so fun. I just wanna hug, wanna come and Sunday because,

Brynn Casey (57:04):

Oh,

Shanna Skidmore (57:05):

March babies. Thank you so much for sharing your story and your heart and you just, yeah, and your beautiful work. I just, you are like a little light in the world. And I'm just grateful to know you.

Brynn Casey (57:19):

Well, the same goes to you.

Shanna Skidmore (57:21):

Okay, thank you. Bye

Brynn Casey (57:23):

<laugh>. Bye.

Shanna Skidmore (57:25):

Hey, wildflower, you just finished another episode of Consider the Wildflowers the podcast. Head over to considerthewildflowerspodcast.com for show notes, resource links, and to learn how you can connect with Brynn. One final thought for today from Brian Goss, "We live in a culture that encourages success, not fulfillment. If you want fulfillment, you'll have to work for it and risk feeling like the odd duck sometimes". As always, thank you for listening. I'll see you next time.