Today we’d like to introduce you to Liana Brackett
Hi Liana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my career as a meteorologist, graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Atmospheric Science. From working in the federal government to working on national TV and also owning my own bead store, I never would’ve guessed my life journey would lead me to this point.
I spent seven years working for the National Weather Service as a meteorologist before making the jump into TV meteorology, starting in Portland, Oregon. After my stint there, I posted my resume reel on YouTube, which is what most professionals do in broadcast media, and I was discovered by The Weather Channel from this two minute long reel.
Staying with The Weather Channel, I hosted a weekend weather show briefly on Quibi while also freelancing with FOX 11 LA as a meteorologist, which brought me out to LA (and home for me. I grew up in Temecula). I ended up venturing out of weather and into the entertainment/lifestyle world, which is what I currently do with Allen Media Group.
I’m so excited to say this year, I can also add business owner to my resume! I wanted to make my own beaded necklace – I’m a jewelry lover – earlier this year and decided to stop by a local bead store near me, a little store called OC Beads. Inside, I was just stunned by the selection and quality of the beads and after seeing a little sign saying “Business for Sale” sitting on the counter, I just had a feeling this opportunity was just meant for my husband and I. Fast forward to May 2024 and we are officially bead store owners! The previous owner wanted to retire and this store is such a gem (no pun intended), I couldn’t imagine it not being a fixture here in Orange County.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I take things in stride. For my TV career, one of my biggest struggles was getting over a little stage fright. In my first TV job, I developed a stutter, but it was only when I appeared on camera. Talk about mortifying. I just couldn’t get out of my head and overthought everything which led to that stage fright. I knew I could do the job, so I hired my own performance coach and speech coach to help my overcome that. I ended up getting let go from that job actually, which was honestly a blessing in disguise. Because I was let go from that contract, it allowed me to get picked up by The Weather Channel and into one of my absolute favorite jobs ever.
I’ve only been a business owner for five months now and honestly, I’ve been having so much fun. So far, things have been smooth, it’s more learning how to manage a business at this point and learning the bead business. Because I pretty much inherited an established business (the previous owner was in business for 35+ years and wanted to retire), I’ve been learning about our customers and trying to get an online presence. There was no social media, no online sales, nothing online really before so I saw that as an opportunity. Especially since OC Beads has seriously the best selection of beads. I’m a little biased of course (insert winky face here), but the beads at my store are so unique because you’re finding a treasure trove of beads from the 90s on. I’m excited to continue the legacy the previous owner left in OC Beads. Unique, beautiful, high quality beads for all of your projects!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My belief is we have one life to live so why limit yourself to doing one thing only? Meteorology was my identity for some time and I still geek out about the weather. I feel like I am capable of so much, which is why I wanted to expand my abilities through entertainment and lifestyle. I always am a huge believer in tackling your fears. I normally focus on one goal each year, typically something that I always feared or at least was nervous about. So far, I’ve competed in pageants (I won my first Mrs. pageant ever, Mrs. Georgia America 2018 and was 1st runner up at Mrs. America), I’ve done ventriloquism, I’ve learned how to *really* swim, I’ve learned Spanish (but if you don’t use it regularly, you lose it so I’m pretty rusty now), and this year is learning how to act. I think that’s what sets me apart, really focusing in on one single goal for a whole year really allows me to master it and I feel pretty accomplished at the end of the year.
This year is acting and my goal was to audition for a local play, but life as a wife, toddler mom, working full time in TV and now as a business owner…I may have acting as my 2025 goal as well!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I love taking reasonable risks! I add in reasonable, because the risk has to make sense to me. I remember when I was thinking about leaving the federal government for my first TV job, a well meaning co-worker told me not to do it. It was mainly because it’s a very comfortable and secure job. She said, “you have a pension, you have security, don’t do it.” I heard her and appreciated her words because yes, at the time it did not really make financial sense to go into TV. I was going to take a major pay cut to get into TV with worse hours and working a lot more. However, I was like, “I’m young, why not take the risk and try it out! The worst thing that can happen is it doesn’t work out and I reapply for a job in the government. Thankfully, it’s all worked out.
And now, with owning OC Beads, who knows where this bead business will take me. I am so excited to take this risk and venture into a new world. I have always loved jewelry, so it just felt like a natural fit for my side passion to flex.
I’m grateful to say my faith in God also helps me take risks head on. I trust that He’s guiding me in the right direction every step of the way and when things get a little crazy or I try doing it my way, not His way, I trust He’ll get me back to where I need to be every time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ocbeads.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lianabrackett & www.instagram.com/oc.beads
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ocbeads
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/lianabrackett
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelianabrackett
Image Credits
Jenni Summer Studios
Bria Celest from Celest Images
