Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi Nicole.
Hi Brandi , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m 30 years old, a mother, and originally from a small northern Minnesota town where I first learned the value of family, community and hard work. My path has been anything but straight, but each step has shaped me into who I am today.
Art was my first love. I’ve always been drawn to creativity, whether it was painting, sculpting pottery, writing, or simply finding new ways to see the world. That same creative spark carried me into hospitality, where I spent years bartending and serving. Those roles taught me how to read people, anticipate needs, and create experiences that go far beyond food and drink.
Today, I’m proud to serve as the General Manager of The Better Half, a restaurant I’m helping guide into its next chapter. With our new After Dark concept, I’ve had the chance to reimagine our menu, alongside Chef Cosme and the amazing team who make this place possible, elevating it from casual daytime dining to an intimate, upscale lounge experience in the evenings. From refining cocktails and wine selections to curating playful yet refined seasonal dishes, the updates are all about transforming the familiar into something unforgettable.
Balancing leadership, creativity, motherhood and a personal life hasn’t always been easy- but it’s been deeply rewarding. I carry my small-town roots with me every day, blending that sense of warmth and authenticity with a modern, elevated vision for dining. At its heart, my journey has been about growth- taking each skill, each challenge, and each passion, and weaving them together to create something that feels both personal and purposeful.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t always been smooth. There have been a lot of hard seasons…. working a crazy schedule at times, juggling motherhood with long shifts, and trying to stay afloat when life felt heavier than I could carry. There were times I wondered if I was moving forward at all. But looking back, those challenges shaped me just as much as the successes, if not more. They taught me patience, resilience, and how to keep creating beauty even when the world felt ugly. Every stumble gave me a deeper appreciation for where I am now, and for the people and moments that helped me along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Being a General Manager is often seen as strictly operations. Schedules, budgets, and systems. But for me, it’s also deeply creative. I manage the structure of the restaurant, but I also get to shape its identity. Whether it’s curating the After Dark menu, designing seasonal cocktails, or creating the kind of atmosphere where guests feel transported, I get to blend strategy with artistry.
It’s a game of balance, logic and imagination. Making sure service runs smoothly while also asking, how can we make this feel special? My years of bartending and serving gave me an eye for detail and connection, and my background in art keeps me constantly inspired to look at things differently. Management, for me, isn’t just about keeping the wheels turning- it’s about building an experience that feels intentional, elevated, and memorable.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is definitely learning to garden and preserve what was grown on our land with my grandmother. She lived deep in the woods near the Canadian border and I spent most of my time there growing up, learning things from her that a book could never teach me. There are too many memories to choose from, but overall these important and impactful times I spent learning from her would have to be them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebetterhalfmn.com
