If you’ve ever seen a music video from the band OK Go, that’s basically what it’s like hanging out with Brandi Shigley. Over there is the flamethrower, in this corner is a family of ferrets dressed in matching outfits, in walks a mailman with a green mohawk who is also her tattoo artist, and here you are sitting on a giant hand-shaped chair that smells of funnel cake. The whole thing is L-I-F-E, turned up to 11.
When you listen to Brandi’s story, you’ll understand; she eeks her way through college but becomes the hottest purse-maker circa Y2K (literally #3 on AOL), such that she has her bags showcased in Paris. Then, she becomes the de facto Fashion Queen of Denver by uniting, inspiring, and coaching dozens of CO-based fashionistas to take the plunge and “do what they love and love what they do” by becoming fashion entrepreneurs themselves. And then, she gave all these newly minted fashion entrepreneurs their first big breaks by selling their wares at her store (which she wrapped up like a burrito for customers).
But her life also smacks of realness and...even normalcy. She grapples with understanding how being an adopted orphan continues to shape her; she remembers her now-past mother through videos of her on Facebook; she experiences the questions of God’s character.
Enjoy Brandi and the authentic, whole-hearted joy she brings to every moment of life--and this episode.
Transcript
Question of the Day
What is a time in your life when you tried something, it didn’t go as expected, and you let it be the ending rather than a lesson? What would it take to revisit that moment, to reframe it as a step forward in the form of a lesson, and to transform it into something to be grateful for instead of a flop?
Links from the Episode
BrandiShigley.com
FashionDenver.com
Books
The Bible
The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
Naked by David Sedaris
Show Notes
[3:58] Born in Manila, Philippines
[15:36] Sold everything but a sewing machine and a skateboard to move and grow the business
[32:07] Purpose in your work beyond passion
[42:05] Viewing flops as lessons rather than bad endings
[47:51] Advice for folks starting a podcast
[50:29] Self-confidence from vulnerability
[52:10] Honoring a lost loved one
