Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittni Lee.
Hi Brittni, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in the city of New Orleans; my birthplace. It’s the place where I first saw color— so many beautiful shades and hues, the place that showed me the meaning of energy and the essence of happiness. For about the first seven and a half years of my life, New Orleans was home. My dad is the 10th of 10 kids and I have 32 first cousins. Nearly every Sunday after church, we’d gather and my grandparents home to eat whatever meal my beautiful grandmother prepared. I admired the way she went to work using her hands and wit to cook for what seemed like a football team of people.
For me, being surrounded by my immediate family created a sense of community and belonging. Can you imagine my dismay when my dad told me that he got a job promotion and that we would be moving soon? Moving? To Texas? I couldn’t believe it. The year was 2001 and life as I knew it would change forever. We moved to Beaumont, Texas and truthfully so— I hated everything about it. No more vibrant colors illuminating the sky or walls, no more Sunday dinners surrounded by aunts and uncles, and familiar faces were far and few. It was just my brother and I in this new space as the ‘new kids on the block.’ Truthfully so, the transition was difficult.
The kids made fun of my accent, the way I solved math problems and mocked my petite plus size stature. It was then that life taught me one of the most valuable lessons: how to adapt. Initially, I wanted to do whatever it took to fit in so I learned how to speak like the Texas kids. After I picked up on their lingo, I observed how they interacted with one another and how they treated outsiders. My studies led me to find something very interesting— the key isn’t to fit in but to stand out! Slowly but surely, the wheels of confidence began to turn in my world.
As I matriculated through grade school, people became fascinated with me and the way my brain worked to process things. Both teachers and peers grasped on to my vibrant personality and intricate way of thinking. Doing my own thing became the standard, especially when I realized people rarely steer themselves in a particular direction— there’s always some sort of influence that drives to doing something. When we moved to Texas, I felt that I had to start building who I wanted to be seen as.
Self awareness started very early for me and as an adult, I am still very aware. I’m the only girl and the baby of the family. My parents always cultivated safe spaces for me to just be me. I’ve always enjoyed creating things from scratch, trying new methods and doing things the unorthodox way. Moving about life in this way has opened so many doors for me and I can definitely attribute that way of thinking to 8 year old me. Shout out to her— we’re still growing and evolving.
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?
What’s a journey if it doesn’t have any unexpected turns, bumps or blocks? As a creative entity, I have always felt misunderstood in some capacity. Crazily enough, I’m not one to particularly enjoy repeating myself in attempt to convey a concept or explanation. There hasn’t been much in life that didn’t come to me easily. In the times where I have been faced with challenges, it’s affected me mentally. It’s no secret that I have battled and constantly work to overcome the spirit of depression and anxiety. I was always so different from others and the way I processed hurt, pain, embarrassment, confusion and a host of other emotions has always been reflected in my writing.
At a young age, I began keeping a journal that housed everything I felt. Writing became my outlet for mental escapism. My business Konfident Life was birthed from that opposition. I needed to know what my purpose in life was to simply make everything make sense to me. On that spiritual journey, God instructed me with the mission to inspire. I began writing transparent and inspirational posts about my life and how I dealt with things on the Tumblr platform. Once my posts gained momentum and the number of followers began to grow- I realized that I was on to something. One thing I’ve learned is that there isn’t much that I can’t overcome. No matter what I face, I’m still here to tell my story and hopefully inspire others to keep going. Life can still be beautiful. You don’t have to be anything other than yourself and people will gravitate towards your energy. They will fall in love with who you are.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Multidimensional black female creator is what I’ve donned myself (I should probably coin that phrase). My love of the arts started at a young age. When we lived in New Orleans, my mom actually worked at NOCCA which was the New Orleans Center of Creative Arts. I loved being immersed in what the artists were creating. Seeing paintings, hearing horns and woodwinds and being able to feel sculptures opened up a new world of creative consonance for my adolescent mind.
Though I hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological and Chemical sciences from Texas Southern University, I have always loved visual art and multiple genres/ disciplines of music. I can recall being in New Orleans in my home church where I sang in the Sunbeam choir and sister Virginia (who was the director of music) instantly recognized my singing abilities. When I was 9, my parents thought it would be good to place me in formal piano lessons. I studied piano for about 3 years with 2 instructors until something interesting happened. With the knowledge I acquired from piano lessons, I learned that I could play by ear. I was gifted a piano and a keyboard where I was able to further develop my talent.
In fifth grade, I sang Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 at my school talent show. Lord knows I was shaking in my boots with nervousness but, I did it. Once I made it to high school, I played drums in the band— tenor drum to be specific and it was one of the most rewarding experiences ever. You build bonds and learn what it means to have discipline when in that environment. During this time, I became interested in doing makeup. I went through a few experimental phases where I’m sure my face looked 10 versions of crazy and those who allowed me to touch their face probably looked just as absurd. I wasn’t afraid to learn though.
Most of what I know about the art of makeup has been self taught. When I’m really interested in something, I naturally want to know everything about it— the how’s, what’s and who’s, I need to know it all. Photography was always an interest of mine as well. My mom always had a camera and bookshelves full of photo albums of pictures she took. I purchased my first Nikon when I was about 18/19 years old and began my photography journey. Amidst all of the aforementioned, writing still remains my first love. Between you and I, there are a few unreleased books and short stories that I can’t wait to share with the world.
As a creative, I have the power to see the world as it is and as I dream of it being. I can use my words as a muse or create music that reflect experiences from life.
I enjoy being able to choose a medium and thrive in it. My ultimate goal in whatever I create is to invoke thoughts and emotions from those who experience my art. I cannot be limited to one thing that contributes to my success in life because I house many gifts and talents. My primary focuses at this time are creative direction, songwriting, and makeup education.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. One of my best friends always jokes that I am a woman of many talents that can do a vast variety of things and… she’s not wrong. Once we were really in the thick of the pandemic and many businesses were closing, women who depend on others for beauty services were SOL. Not me though. About two years ago I tried my hand at doing acrylic nails and I still had the majority of materials needed to do it. I couldn’t access my nail tech but I also wasn’t going to have unkempt hands (even if I was the only one looking at them). So, I did my own nails.
Then, I came across a few packs of braiding hair that I never got to use and turned that into knotless braids (even though I’d never done braids a day in my life). I turned poems into songs, journal entries into books and idle thoughts into expository expression. There was so much time to try things that I had never done and enhance skills that I already had. I also don’t believe in being bored. There’s always SOMETHING to do and if you feel there’s nothing then, create something. I was able to turn a profit off of some ideas that I came up with as well. Mosquitoes are notorious in southeast Texas so I came up with a formula for an organic mosquito repellent and posted it on my website. It sold out the first day! Sometimes, all your ideas need is for you to get started. Never limit yourself because we live in a space where unlimited possibility exists.
Pricing:
- Photography $175/hr
- Creative Direction $175/hr based on project
- Music Feature $500
- Brand Collaboration $50-100 per post
Contact Info:
- Email: Brittniocean@gmail.com
- Website: Konfidentlife.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/Brittniocean
- Facebook: Facebook.com/BrittniOcean
- Twitter: Twitter.com/brittniocean
- Youtube: YouTube.com/brittniocean or Konfident Life
- Other: Unitedmasters.com/m/BrittniOcean
Image Credits
Brittni Lee
Charis Solutions
Douglas Martinez
Roland Baker
