We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brittany Ference a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brittany, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Ever since I was a little girl I have always been a magnet to horses. I had horses and competed in hunter jumper and dressage through high school. I grew up on a farm and peach orchard and I thrived in the rural lifestyle. When I went to college I moved to the city and had to sell my horse. I was completely uprooted from what I had known my whole life growing up in the country. I was drowning in concrete, unfamiliar with the culture of the city, depressed… I wanted to quit school every semester, but my parents wouldn’t let me. They believed that my college education would support me to get a good job, and maybe it did. I went to school for Fine Art, I was passionate about art, but felt very disconnected to my environment.
It was the end of my freshman year of college and I was telling my mom that I missed horses. She sent me an ad to a ranch in Colorado that was hiring a summer position for a wrangler where I would be teaching kids how to ride in the backcountry. I applied and got the position. I spent my summer there and every summer after through my college years in the mountains learning natural horsemanship, training horses, and teaching kids. It was where I reconnected to myself after the long school year in the city. I wrote a letter to myself, promising myself that if I kept horses in my life then I would be listening to my calling.
I continued on with my art degree and received a Bachelor’s of Fine Art with a focus in Photography and Creative Writing. And I continued working on ranches in the west and dove deeply back into my roots. After I graduated, I bounced around to seasonal ranch and farm positions in the west, always leaning on my photography and writing skills and capturing moments in western rural life. I landed in Wyoming gentling untouched Mustangs. Their energy was captivating. I knew that they had existed from reading children’s books about them, but I had never witnessed them in real life. It was a pivotal moment and took my horse training and ranching to the next chapter.
About 2 years later I met the Founder of Great Escape Mustang Collaborative and with my multiple creative talents and deep passion for ranching and Mustangs, I took a part time position as a contractor supporting the nonprofit. 7 years later, I am now fully running the nonprofit organization and feel completely aligned with my life’s work and my life.
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 the Executive Director the the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization called Great Escape Mustang Collaborative. This position is extremely aligned with my life calling. Great Escape empowers formerly wild horses to thrive on their domestic journey through training, adoptions, sanctuary, education and collaboration.
Almost every part of this job lights me up. We have a training facility at our home in northern New Mexico, so I am immersed in my work as a lifestyle. Being around horses is powerful, but gaining the trust of a formerly wild horse is pure magic. This organization is expanding with new partnerships and I cannot wait to see the impact it will have in the next 5, 10, 15 years!
I am personally stoked about the new merchandise line I am creating! It blends all of my creative passions together to support the Mustangs with really well designed products. Not just your average logo on a t-shirt that you normally would get from a nonprofit.
And the Artisan Partners I am collaborating with to build out co-branded products with big brands to raise awareness about the huge problems Mustangs are facing and have a philanthropic partnership where the public can support with their dollar.
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?
Being introduced to horses at a young age and being able to follow through with that skillset through my adult years. Learning Natural Horsemanship training as a young adult was also a key point in my foundation.
Learning photography + creative writing -these 2 skills single handedly have given me the cutting edge in rural business.
Learning to get quiet and listen to your calling. Listen to your intuition and take the seasonal jobs or move to that place that is calling to you even if it doesn’t feel directly aligned and you will look back and all of those little twists and turns will makes sense. I have the perfect blend of creative and rural ranch life now.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Great Escape Mustangs is looking for Artisan Partners!
The Artisan Partner opportunity at The Great Escape Mustang Collaborative welcomes you to align your craft with our mission. By collaborating with us, your unique creations contribute to the well-being of Mustangs. This is a chance to intertwine your artistic expression with our cause, creating a meaningful impact and leaving a lasting mark on their legacy. Seize this chance to combine your artistry with purpose and become a driving force for Mustangs.
Meaningful Impact: Your unique creations contribute directly to the conservation and well-being of Mustangs, making a tangible impact on their lives and their natural habitats.
Community and Connection: Collaborating with us opens doors to connect with fellow artisans, enthusiasts, and advocates who understand the significance of your work and its role in supporting our mission.
Showcase Your Craft: This partnership provides a platform to showcase your artistic talents to a broader audience. Your creations become part of a movement that celebrates Mustangs, allowing your work to be a powerful vehicle for spreading awareness and appreciation for these iconic creatures.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greatescapemustangs.org
- Instagram: @great_escape_mustangs
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatescapemustangs
- Other: My personal instagram: @britt.ofthewild
Image Credits
Song Dog Media
