Picture this:
A broom in my hand. A shop floor under my feet. And a Graphic Design degree gathering dust somewhere in the background.
That was me.
Not creating. Not designing. Just sweeping. Managing metal waste.
The interesting part is that I applied for and was hired on as a graphic designer! After designing for about 3 months, I was told that, for about 2 weeks that it would be appreciated that I "help out" in the shop for 2 weeks and being that I didn't have any other options, I agreed. I was befuddled because my designs were selling. I asked them if my designs were not meeting expectations and they said my designs were great and were selling. Me, being a team player, begrudgingly agreed.
Two weeks came and went. The following monday came. "Uh, I'll let you know some time this week." That week came and went. Then, the next one and the next one.
As you can tell by the pattern, the weeks turned into 7 months!
And every time I asked, the answer never changed:
"Well, maybe next week. Don't worry. We'll get you designing", "Really soon, were just figuring some things out and we'll get you back in there.". I became very frustrated and anxious about even commuting to my job. Everytime I asked about the status, I just got the runaround. I became very angry and had to pretend that everything was just fine while I was there.
Then one ordinary afternoon, mid-sweep, something cracked open inside me. Call it clarity. Call it the exhaustion of F's. Call it the universe finally tapping me on the shoulder.
I froze right there in the middle of the floor and asked myself one honest question:
"What the F am I actually doing here?"
• I'm educated.
• I'm talented.
• I love design.
• I'm good at it
And I'm standing here… waiting on someone else to give me permission to use it? A pawn in a silly squeeze out game??
That was the turning point.
Right then, I made the decision:
I'm done waiting.
I'm walking away.
I'm building something of my own.
Because the truth is simple — there's only so much time anyone can stay where they're being overlooked, underused, and disrespected.
....I REALLY DISLIKE BEING DISRESPECTED.
That frustration became fuel.
That fuel became focus.
And that focus became Brantley Decor & Design.
Every piece we create is created with the mind of an artist. A passionate artist that strives for improving the experience of people's spaces.
Now, what do you do with that story? Stop waiting. The permission you're looking for was never theirs to give. It was always yours. Brantley Decor & Design wasn't born from perfect timing or ideal circumstances. It was born from a decision. I decide to offer my passion directly to you. Feel free to browse and stay logged in to view the new Mother's Day collection.
-Charles S. Brantley