Meet Lacey Brooker

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lacey Brooker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lacey , thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re very focused on here – improving our ability to make decisions. Everyday, we’re faced with decisions that can impact the future of our careers, businesses, relationships and more and so one of the most impactful areas for personal development, in our view, is decision-making. Can you talk to us about how you developed or improved your decision-making skills?

Decisions have always been hard for me. I don’t like the idea of closing a door, because let’s face it, that’s what making a decision does. Choosing one thing means I’m not choosing another. And that scares me. What if I’m making the wrong decision? What if it doesn’t work? What if I should’ve picked Door B? What if….?

At that point, when my mind has started racing with all of the possible and even improbable outcomes, I say: STOP. And I engage in very purposeful, very basic self-talk:

“If I make the wrong choice, will someone die?”
No.
“Then, it’s not a matter of life and death.”

“Have I made bad choices before?”
Yes.
“Did the world fall apart?”
No.

“Do I have a track record of making more good choices than bad choices?”
Yes.
“Then, this is more than likely a good choice.”

And if it’s not?
“Do I want to give up my ability to make hard decisions and go to work for someone else, becoming a cog in a machine that’s manufacturing their dreams instead of mine?”
No.

Having reminded myself of the above, I make a list of pros and cons. I try and think through the situation as best I can. I especially look backwards and analyze the results of previous decisions, trying to learn from my mistakes. And I make sure that whatever decision I’m making is one that I can feel passionate about. Because I can’t fake it. If it’s something I’m not truly on board with, or don’t truly believe in, I’ll never really get behind it and it’s doomed to fail before I even start.

And, then I close my eyes and jump.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a creative with a passion for all things antique. Don’t you just love the stories that come with well-built, time-worn pieces? I love putting together spaces that inspire, that make people feel something -whether it’s at the shop, at a show, or in a photo shoot.
At Piccadilly Prairie, we’re part antique/vintage, part handmade, and lots of local. We build picture frames from reclaimed wood, and focus on curating gift items that are unique and feel special. It’s a family affair, with me, Lacey, at the helm, my father-in-law, Art, in the workshop, and my kids often handling the register! I love that it allows me the flexibility to spend time with my kids, to try out new ideas in our studio, and to work with customers one-on-one.
Many people know us from the Minnesota State Fair, where we set up each summer for our biggest event. Others know us for our smaller events, like our warehouse sales and Paris Flea market. It’s always exciting for me when someone says: “I remember your very first store back on Xerxes…” It’s been a 12+ year journey til now, and I’m excited to see what lies ahead.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think three qualities that really make a difference are balance – it can be hard to maintain when you’re a one-man show – courage – not allowing failures to define you or make you give up on your dreams – and confidence – fake it til you make it, and you still might be faking it even then.

As far as balance, it’s important to set a schedule and then stick to it. You need quality time with your family, not just time spent in the same room while you’re working on your phone. And you need downtime for yourself, where you can unplug and recharge all at the same time. A good routine of sleep and exercise goes a long way.

As to courage, Churchill said that “success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” I love that. Failure can be demoralizing. But, it doesn’t mean that you’re a failure. It just means that maybe it wasn’t the best idea, or it wasn’t well-executed, or the timing was off, or a host of other things… But, you have to keep going. And you have to stay excited. So much of small business has to do with the individual, not the service they’re providing or the thing they’re selling. People want to be around you because you inspire them, you show them that dreams are possible, and that is your true talent. Not the myriad of ideas you’re trying that may or may not pan out.

Confidence – this is hand-in-hand with courage. Imposter syndrome is real. You might feel like you actually have no idea what you’re doing, and everyone is looking at you as though you do. But, what they’re seeing is the courage it’s taken you to get to this point. And remembering your own courage can give you confidence. You’ve got the dream. You’ve got the guts. Now, go get `em, tiger!

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

For me, the book that’s played the most important role in my development is the Bible. That may sound surprising, since it’s not a self-help book, per se, and it was written a long time ago. But, it has many helpful principles that guide me each day and it’s full of “nuggets of wisdom.”

A few examples:

Luke 14:28-30 talks about counting the cost before starting a project

Ecclesiastes 2:11 and 22-24 helps me to keep my work in perspective

Proverbs 14:23 reminds me that, when making a decision, after I’ve weighed all the pros and cons, I need to work hard to implement my plan; all the talk in the world isn’t going to get it done

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.piccadillyprairie.com
• Instagram: @piccadillyprairie
• Facebook: Piccadilly Prairie