Today we’d like to introduce you to Breinn McDonald.
Hi Breinn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up on a beef hobby farm in east central, Minnesota, and am the oldest of 11 kids. Two of my siblings were adopted from Haiti, which I think was an incredible experience for a rural Midwestern white kid like myself.
Thanks to my amazing parents, I learned to appreciate many natural simplicities, including: the joy of being outside in nature, the art of growing and preserving organic food, and the delight of handmade items (though at the time I didn’t always appreciate the creative, what-can-we-find-in-our-closets Halloween costumes my mom made me). I have also always been drawn to learning and teaching, too, and believe it is important for all of us to be lifelong seekers.
After college and traveling the world a bit, I became an English/Theatre teacher for many years – first in Thailand, and then in Minnesota. It was a rewarding and exhausting job, and I met some sensational humans along the way. I felt compelled to change direction, however, and that direction was back to my “roots” of natural simplicity. I became a soapmaker, Breezy Bee, who finds great fulfillment in botanical, beautiful handmade products.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a small business owner is challenging! First of all, it’s hard getting past the idea (to yourself and others) that Making can only be a hobby, and not a “real job.” Then there is all of the financial organization and management. I was an English teacher before, not a Math teacher! I cried and almost quit it all after I did my first-year business taxes and realized I had more expenditures than sales. Luckily, I have a great mentor who talked me out of quitting and assured me that small businesses take a few years to grow. Fast-forward to year 2, and I quadrupled my sales. Blood, sweat, and tears, but it’s so fulfilling. I’m still trying to prove myself to myself and others, but I’m in a better place with Breezy Bee.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m starting my 3rd year with my small business, Breezy Bee, where I handcraft a variety of natural products for bath, body, and home. I use beeswax and/or our own bees’ honey in many of them (they have many skin-loving and air-cleansing benefits!). One of my most popular products is my solid dish soap. Recently, I’ve begun to create cement vessels and candles, too, and plan to have them for sale by this summer. They are so beautiful!
I also use some of our garden bounty and botanicals in my soaps whenever possible, because that adds an extra level of uniqueness. I am in the U of M’s Master Gardener program right now, so I am furthering my knowledge of botanicals and horticulture, which are such interesting topics to me.
I would say that I am known for making products that are not only beautiful, but also plastic-free and great for your skin. I make everything in small batches, putting a lot of thought and time into each one. Customers love to buy gift sets for themselves and for others; Mother’s Day and Christmas are especially busy times for these. I am proud that my products are pretty, practical, and fun to gift. 🙂
I am passionate about the environment, natural living, and making my products beautiful and earth-friendly. Running Breezy Bee is one way through which I seek to live a more satisfying, authentic, and sustainable life, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.
What matters most to you?
My faith is very important to me. The older I get and the more pain I see in the world, the more I feel like faith is the only thing that we have to cling to at times, especially when life is rough.
People and relationships matter to me, and I care about others’ mental and emotional health. I am a very empathetic person, and try to use that to understand others’ perspectives and experiences. I really love connecting to people at markets and events, and listening to their stories.
Family has always influenced me and will always be my priority. I was raised in a family with down-to-earth values, and will try to instill these values in our own 3 children, as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: breezybeesoap.com
- Instagram: @breezybee.mn
- Facebook: @breezybee.mn
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCueeOkuzNRnQVoE0ah61X0Q/videos
Image Credits
MJ Collins Photography
Breezy Bee
