Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Reid.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I often tell people I claim all of LA as home because my family moved around quite a bit. This had both positive and negative effects on me. My family is by no means perfect but, to me, they are the pillar of strength and resiliency when it comes to overcoming obstacles. During my growing up, there were times of instability which led to sibling separation. I chose to stay with my parents and my siblings went to live with my grandmother for about two years. Within that time, my parents and I were homeless—living in motels, relative’s homes, the family car, and eventually living in a women’s homeless shelter with my mother on skid row for approximately 4 months. Unfortunately, there were also times when emotional, verbal, and physical abuse occurred in our family. Despite these issues, what was constant was our family’s fortitude through spirituality and our commitment to remain a family.
I met/married my ex-husband at 23 years old and divorced 10 years later. During that marriage, there were a lot of hard lessons on growing up. There were incidents of domestic violence, an ectopic pregnancy, bouts of depression, and his adultery which also gave life to a child outside of our marriage. There were years that I had suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, and anxiety. Although I did love my ex-husband, I learned that I did not always love myself as I should have. Nonetheless, I do not regret this time in my life because, through all the up’s and down’s, I’ve become a stronger woman today.With the ‘lows’ there are also ‘highs’ and I can unequivocally say I have experienced many joys to which I am forever grateful for.
I am certain all my experiences were meant to build the foundation for my passion to help people. I have my mother to thank for that because she serves as the biggest inspiration to me. She embodies resilience and a nurturing spirit with grace. My father cemented in me the importance of education and giving back to those who are in need of advocacy. In 2008, I graduated with a B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Pan African Studies from California State University, Northridge. I then went on to obtain an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2011. I am currently entering my final year of my Doctoral Program in Organizational Management and Consulting at Phillips Graduate University. These degrees are badges of honor as I am the first in my family to earn these degrees. I am also proud of these achievements because I have used my education and experiences to shape the work I do professionally. Currently, I am a social worker for a multi-service residential agency serving court-ordered adolescent boys centered in Chatsworth, California. I started this impactful work in 2007 and have been committed to the agency for eleven years. The lessons of my experiences, good and bad, have shaped how I understand my connection to my mission on earth and as a result, Making Lemonade Daily was created!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been an easy path—at all. As I write this I am dealing with multiple facets of ‘Life’ throwing curve balls. My father was sent to the hospital and had a cardiac arrest. He was literally gone from us and a nurse (bless her heart) had to jump on top of him to beat his chest as well as shock him three times to bring him back. I have not always had a great relationship with my father but here I am faced with not being ready to let him go and needing to fight with him and for him so that he can continue to live. It is a scary reality when you know that phase of life is approaching. At the same time of dealing with this, there were other family issues arising from every direction. All while also addressing issues within my personal life, professional life, educational life, financial stability, preparation for future projects, and completing my first novel—How To Make Lemonade. Let me just say this — it has been heavy and I have stretched! However, the love of God, His mercy, and grace allow me to push through it all. This personal development, through trial and fire, could be seen as a series of unfortunate events; however, I know they are the experiences I needed in order to articulate how one can be set free through life’s un-welcomed events. Circumstances like what I am currently facing and those throughout my life are literally a blessing in the end. They enable my faith to overtake any fear I have. I know I walk through this to help those who also walk through trials that are similar. This is the exact purpose of my book How To Make Lemonade and my project Making Lemonade Daily.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Making Lemonade Daily – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
To me, success implies there was an overcoming of obstacles. I believe that faith, discipline, and love are essential to success. These three elements are needed no matter what you do or where you want to go. Success is subjective and truly has no value without understanding what it took to get it.
Making Lemonade Daily was born from my book How to Make Lemonade. Often in life, we are encouraged to see the bright side. We are also encouraged to take the sour things in our life and make something good out of it. I have made my life learning how to do this. In my professional life, I have spent years teaching youth how to take the traumatic, unfortunate, confusing, and all-around “suck-ey” things in life and find the growth, joy, or lesson in them. It has been rewarding to say the least. It is now my challenge and excitement to take that work to others through my upcoming book and podcast. Making Lemonade Daily is a platform to learn skills and find inspiration through transparency. How to Make Lemonade is a book about the process and actual steps it takes to turn bad things into something meaningful and tasty. These projects will be out this summer and I’m so excited to see how they bless people!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am preparing to launch Making Lemonade Daily’s platform which will develop into podcasting, consulting, and ultimately a development center. I am beyond excited for all the possibilities and opportunities to unfold!
Contact Info:
- Website: makinglemonadedaily.net
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @makinglemonadedaily
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