Today we’d like to introduce you to Mina Brinkey .
Hi Mina, 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 backstories with our readers?
Back in 2005 I began to write and edit “Bohemian Vintage”, a design blog that would eventually become an online and brick-and-mortar shop selling vintage wares and furnishings to customers worldwide. In 2013, an editor at design giant, Houzz, reached out and asked if I’d be interested in becoming a contributing writer and photographer for their “My Houzz” series. The series entailed interviewing local Florida homeowners with magazine-worthy homes and then providing the reader with a house tour through the written word as well as a photographic feature of the home. This amazing experience led to a second business, Brinkster Photography, which offers interiors, products, and portrait photography to local entrepreneurs primarily working in the home design arena. While gaining experience in creating content for my very own blog and shop, as well as writing about and photographing homes for Houzz and other clients, I began to delve into digital marketing and opened my third business, Winter Park Digital Marketing, where we help local businesses create and maintain a productive online brand and presence. My experiences have all built up slowly over time and have provided me with a well-rounded “know-how” of content creation, marketing, graphic design, photography, writing, and most of all, people skills. And it’s important to note that I built up these businesses all while working a full-time job as an educator. So, I am a testament to the reality that side gigs can become one’s full-time career in time. Today I have the pleasure of working for a fantastic organization as their full-time digital marketing manager, while still running my photography business serving local Orlando entrepreneurs. I also run and edit my passion project, The Houseplant Chronicles, an Instagram account devoted to my love of plants.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road definitely hasn’t always been smooth. Challenges, such as the 2008 recession, took their toll on the business. We were forced to close the shop’s doors in 2010. Other factors, such as family struggles, illness and people not having my best interests at heart also surfaced in an attempt to derail me and bring me down. But truth is, I’ve always known my worth. Deep down. People on the outside just see the 40-hour work week you put in and think your dreams end there. The key factor for me has been to always dream and work on making my dreams a reality and never fall trap to being satisfied with only one thing. Dream bigger! Do bigger! Be everything you dream of being! The haters will always be there as will life’s challenges. But, pick up the pieces and keep moving forward. In time, those who appreciate and value you will stay by your side as you get back up stronger than ever before. And with each fall comes a bigger and better comeback.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional photographer, writer, and content creator. I’ve always been a creative spirit and have been involved in the arts since I was a little girl. It began with acting as a child and teenager and has evolved into the fields of design, writing, and photography as an adult. Today I run Brinkster Photography, where I photograph interiors, real estate and design projects, small businesses, products, and portraiture. I’ve received multiple awards by Houzz and VSCO, as well as mentions in multiple media outlets as a result. I believe that what sets me apart from others is that I am incredibly down to earth and can easily get along with pretty much everybody. Most people at my day jobs over the years don’t even know about my creative pursuits or my experience as an entrepreneur because I’m not much of a bragger, which I find to be a huge turn-off, to be honest. Ironic, being interviewed here! But, knowing that this could inspire someone to pursue their dreams, inspires me even more. I love people and getting to know everyone’s story. People inspire me. Even the haters inspire me. They teach me about the kind of person I never want to be. While the good souls out there show me the kind of person I aspire to be. Kind, genuine and loving.
What does success mean to you?
I believe success has absolutely nothing to do with money or the accumulation of material goods. True success comes from within. The proof of success is in the way you feel inside when doing what you’re doing. Are you living up to your gifts and talents? Are you elevating others? Are you making someone’s life better? Are you happy to get up daily and do the work you do? Are you being true to who you truly are deep inside? If the answer is “yes,” then I believe that’s the definition of success. We don’t get to take the big house, fancy titles, or expensive cars and college degrees with us when we die. But we do get the opportunity to leave a legacy behind that will be remembered for many years to come. That legacy is left behind in people’s memories of the life we led and those we inspired in the process. That’s true success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brinksterphotography.com
- Instagram: @thehouseplantchronicles
Image Credits
Mina Brinkey
