We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittney Mayes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittney, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think that risks are a crucial part of what helps people become successful. No one can 100% guarantee what happens tomorrow therefore I believe we can all attempt to contribute to what we believe we want our path to look like. Most importantly, no one understands your vision like you. Sometimes being the only person to see your bigger picture can be discouraging but taking the risks that are most uncomfortable often end up having the greatest reward. In reference to the lottery my grandfather always told me “If you don’t play, you can’t win.”

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I believe that my business exudes what Polished Concrete represents, resiliency. Concrete is matter of fact, grounded, imperfect, solid, often undervalued, and is bland. Polished is the glowing, shiny effect you get after being rubbed. It can also be described as refined and savvy. The juxtaposition between the two is the beauty of being resilient. That there’s light even in the darkest of times and that the harder we are rubbed, the brighter we can shine. Alzheimer’s Disease is a topic that is usually not spoken about due to its sensitivity however on the contrast, it IS something that needs to be talked about. There are a lot of people living through the disease on a daily basis and many do not have the proper resources. Our mission is to use the sale of our handmade jewelry to help fund creating better living environments for patients and their caregivers. We know that it can be a long process when you’re trying to create a lane that hasn’t been paved before, however overcoming challenges is something that we promote.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For me, LA is one of the best places for architecture and design overall. I especially love the Walt Disney Concert Hall by one of my favorites, Frank Gehry. For contemporary art ? The Broad Museum is a must. I graduated from FIDM so naturally I think the bookstore deserves a visit or at least a walk through the campus park for one of the most stylish people watching in all LA. Downtown is also home to the flower district. Can’t beat strolling through and definitely can’t miss a bouquet of sunflowers for $5!

West 3rd Street is another one of my favorite strips, with cool shops like Bead Boutique and Joans on 3rd. The Farmers Market is a definite must if you’re on that side of town -the food choices are endless.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Teamwork makes the dream work and I truly think that my story is the way it is because of the amazing support system that I have behind me. It’s a collaboration of different people – family, friends, and even people who I’ve never met in person – who share a common goal of wanting to create a bigger impact within the community.

Website: www.polishedconcreteshop.com

Instagram: @polishedconcrete_shop

Image Credits
Polished Concrete owns copyright. Original photos, photography by Brittney Lauren

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