Meet Bree Swezey of Authentic Edge Design & Co.!
Photo by Andrejka Photography
Ready to get to know an inspiring entrepreneur today?! Her name is Brianne Swezey and you can call her “Bree!” She’s a mom of two boys and set out to stop building someone else’s dream and start creating her own in 2016. Enter scene, Authentic Edge Design & Co., a graphic design & marketing strategy business that helps entrepreneurs in the health, wellness, and life coaching spaces design a brand and a business they love.
Before Bree launched Authentic Edge, she led brilliant teams and created award-winning designs for 15 years as a graphic designer and art director. But after her perfectly healthy mom, best friend, and “Nana” to Bree’s two young boys, was diagnosed with liver cancer, Bree realized “later” was no time to start chasing her own vision and living life on her own terms. Enjoy getting to know Bree through her own words and video interview and remember that “you got this, babe.”
Tell us about yourself and what you do!
I am a creative entrepreneur, mother, empath, Pisces, and above all things lover all things Health and Wellness. As founder & designer of Authentic Edge Design, I help holistic practitioners move out of DIY piecemeal marketing and build a recognizable, profitable Health & Wellness brand through targeted creative strategy and design.
How did your business begin?
After 20 years in design, leading brilliant teams, and created award-winning designs for agencies, design firms, and internal marketing teams, I knew I wanted more. More flexibility for my busy mom-of-two life. More control over my schedule and creative process. More purpose in helping others succeed.
My perfectly healthy mom, my best friend, and "Nana" to my two young boys was diagnosed with liver cancer. She lost her battle in 2015. Shortly after my mother passed away, I realized that it was time for me to stop building somebody else's dreams and start creating mine, so I started my own company. Cancer became a big part of my life, and Health and Wellness are now at the forefront of my passion and the clientele I want to serve.
What's 1 challenge you've faced and how has it effected your business? What did you do to overcome it?
One of the challenges I faced was the ability to gain clarity at the beginning of my business. I was moving on autopilot both from grief and just a state of overwhelm in the entrepreneurial world. I was operating on what I knew and not tuning into the passion that drove me to start my business. It's easy to get caught up in all the shiny things, especially in marketing. I discovered some grounding tools; yoga, meditation, journaling, and energy healing. I also stumbled onto the Japanese philosophy of the ikigai. I used that principle and exercise to help me center and ground myself to show up in my business authentically doing what I love and with who I love to serve.
What's 1 success you've had since you’ve created your business? How do you feel when you look back on it?
One success I will say while running the business is that I've still been able to be there for my family and make time for myself. It's an evolving process, and while I'm not operating at 100% on all levels, I feel like I've been able to balance things over the years in a way that has not led me to burnout or give up in my business.
Photo by Cristina Danielle Creative
What's the best piece of advice you could give someone looking to start a business?
Find a mentor, stay active with a community and find a space outside your home to increase productivity. Align yourself with those ahead of you to keep you pushing forward.
What's a pivot you've made in your business?
I pivoted to Health and Wellness only clients recently because ultimately, that is where my journey began. That is what I was most passionate about and when you're excited about who you're helping and what can be put out into the world, the work is better. I also have pivoted with my service offerings. As of late, COVID shifted the landscape of practitioners and their offerings, so I added online course marketing and design support to be fluid with the market as we navigate a constantly changing world.
Photo by Cristina Danielle Creative
When are you at your happiest?
I am the happiest when I am around water. I'm a Pisces, so naturally, as a fish, I need my water. I love the beach. I love the boat. I love a good hot shower or a long soak in the hot tub.
What do you tell yourself when things get difficult?
When life gets difficult, I always remember this magnet that my mom gave me. I used to live in a far more negative space than I am now, but it read, "Everything will be OK, and if it's not OK, it's not the end."
Whats 1 personal goal you've set for yourself this year?
My personal goal was to give myself grace and listen to my body and rest when needed.
What's 1 business goal you've set for yourself to accomplish this year?
One business goal I set for myself this year was to launch my online course on the ikigai. I felt a calling to do it, and I gave myself a pretty tight deadline, but I also gave myself some grace to know that it wasn't going to be perfect, but I needed to start somewhere.
What's the first thing you do on a Monday morning and why?
First thing I do Monday morning after I drop the kids off is head the local park and take a walk or sketch with some watercolors and do my daily devotions and meditations.
Where can you be found + what will you typically be up to on a Friday night?
On a Friday night, I can typically be found nestled up in my bed with my favorite Netflix on because it's been a long week. The kids are probably cashing in on their screen time, and Mama finally gets some time to herself, LOL.
Finish these sentences:
My go-to karaoke song is… Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” and it is probably one of the only songs that I know the entire lyrics to. My friends will attest that I was always horrible at getting them right. I sang it to my oldest son because I didn't know any lullabies when he was a baby, but I sure knew “Wonderwall.”
My signature drink is… a Moscow mule with Titos and fever tree ginger beer.
My favorite quote is... “Don't let the world change your smile. Change the world with your smile.”
Disclaimer: Bree is a member of Babe Crafted.
