We were lucky to catch up with Desiree Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.
Desiree, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Growing up a little girl staring out old farm windows at golden stalks of corn, row after row after row, in small town Illinois, I read and I wrote. I became a writer early in life, by sheer captivation to do so in my alone time. From a very very young age books were my escape and writing my life processing tool. I had little Lisa Frank diaries with a feeble little lock and key on them, my safe space. I said and wrote in those diaries, that which I dared not speak out as a child. Through many ups and downs in my life reading, writing and stories have saved me, healed me, moved me and brought me back to level ground. So I guess my purpose found me in some beautifully backwards way at a young age. I spent years not doing it in my early adult hood, and it’s really nice being back.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a writer. I am a musician. I am an entrepreneur. I am a dreamer. These all combine to manifest in an organic little entertainment company I co-found and co-operate with my best friend, my husband. Writing, songs and stories, as often as absolutely possible is one of our top goals as well as booking and playing concerts all over the United States, publishing novels all about it!
We’re a country folk duo, the Seth Brown Duo, with a positive energy and great music that we take with us where we go. Mostly, after five years on the road, we’re playing Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon, Arizona and the highways and byways in-between those states.
What we do is special because it truly touches the souls of others. Our very last show an elderly man was out with his wife who’s been ill, in and out of the hospital the last five years. He danced with her for the first time in years. They used to go out every Saturday and dance, he also shared. That’s why the stories and songs are special. Touching souls, aiding in authentic connection. To self and others.
It’s also special because it’s our real time life too. My husband, Seth, his songs speak of the journey we’ve taken. My book(s) speak of the journey, good and bad, sad and skyrocketing. Leaving our corporate jobs, custom built home and all we knew five years ago now, all we’ve learned and broke free from since. It’s special to me to affect others in such a beautifully positive way in life, as well as getting to live my own dream eyes wide open, real time. Plus the music and stories are good, even if it wasn’t me, I think I’d be interested.
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?
Honesty. Being brutally honest. Even when it hurts. A life skill that I was taught early on by my grandma, and it has faired me well. Not that I don’t have days I also struggle, especially in inner reflection, but I am very aware of the necessity for honesty and truth. You cannot solve problems if there isn’t complete open truth to work with. The advice I’d have for anyone on this is, once aware, start little by little. See where you’d maybe avert topics or not share your truth openly. Start with looking yourself in the eye and telling the truth, in a mirror. It’s humbling and hard, but worth it.
Positive affirmation. If you’re telling yourself the truth, start with “I am good.” We are all good. We don’t do good some days, but our essence is good. I believe that. In my adulthood I’ve learned to positively affirm myself and seen only beneficial outcomes by doing so. Practice affirming that in which you want to see in yourself. Say it. Believe it. And it will come.
Discipline. STAY THE COURSE. I’ve given in early many times, too many. Now I’m a published author because I kept going. Next step after next step and you’ll see results.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
All in on strengths, one hundred percent. Find that which excelling in comes easily and then run with it like the wind. Find and collaborate with those that have the differing strengths needed to complete your vision. You can focus on your ‘weaknesses’ and to some degree that is smart to work on and self improve, but as far as in a creative, you only live once, kind of way, I’d say the thing you do naturally and seem to love and feel right at home in, do that. Lots and lots of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sethbrownduo.com/
- Instagram: @desysdiaries
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desysdiaries
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sethbrownduo
Image Credits
Brooklynne Grover Madison Mundy
