We were lucky to catch up with Brandon Reynolds of B the Keeper recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brandon, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
From an early age—whether it was through books, video games or movies—I’ve always been inspired by characters who personify the Hero’s Journey: a template of stories where a protagonist ventures into the unknown, experiences trying circumstances and, ultimately, builds a team to overcome their struggles and return home triumphant and transformed.
Optimism is the hero’s secret sauce. They believe in a brighter future regardless of the circumstance, compel others to elevate their ideals and embrace danger and obscurity to craft solutions for the greater good. In my story, climate degradation is the “big bad boss” and B the Keeper’s band of misfits are the protagonists that’ll put the boss in its place. My optimism stems from how communities can mimic biodiversity and solve the world’s most complex issues through synergistic collaboration.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Professionally, I have a Marketing and Professional Sales degree from the University of Cincinnati (BBA ’15) and started my career in advertising. Working next to some of the most creative people in town, I wondered if we could translate our marketing success with goods and services into helping others think more mindfully about the planet.
I decided to leave the advertising industry and start B the Keeper to help others “advertise” sustainability by installing pollinator habitats (or, as we call them, “green billboards”) in urban spaces that increase curb appeal, sequester carbon and promote biodiversity. I love this work because it allows me to help the average person fight climate change by beautifying neighborhoods and engaging nature.
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?
Curiosity: is paramount because it requires that we get out of our own heads, ask good questions and survey the environment for clues on next steps. Too often, we think we’re the smartest in the room and make calls that miss the mark because we’re aiming at different targets than our audience. Starting the creative process with curiosity allows us to build with empathy instead of ego.
Structure: is critical for folks who naturally have a ton of energy and tend to focus more on execution vs. planning (I am one of these people). This approach often leads to us using more energy than necessary to accomplish our goals, whereas more planning could have charted a more efficient path forward. If creating structure isn’t your strong suit, don’t fret! You’re probably already friends with someone who takes great pleasure in world-building and would be honored to help you be a more organized problem solver.
Intentionality: is the magic sparkle you experience when leading with your heart. It’s the flutter in your stomach when the chef delivers a custom dish to your dinner table. It’s the sigh of relief you take when treated as an individual vs. “just another number.” In today’s world, we’re inundated with products created in surplus quantity but lack the personalized quality we seek. Blending intentionality into our lives showcases people’s humanity and draws quality opportunities our way.
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?
I think it’s best to go all in on our strengths because it helps build the self-confidence necessary to improve our weak areas. Of course, being well-rounded helps us find the perfect puzzle pieces for novel situations but focusing on our own unique “special sauce” is what truly moves the needle in our development. For example, I’m above average at beekeeping and landscaping but my sauce is connecting with people and introducing new ideas. Therefore, I spend most of my creative effort in business development and marketing because it fuels me and creates excess energy for growing new skills.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bthekeeper.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b_thekeeper/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/b-thekeeper
