Meet Carolyn Brown | Founder

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

Hi Carolyn, how do you think about risk?
The impact of risk taking has been an influential force in my life; both in business and in my personal decisions. It did not come easy by any means; it was a skill and an approach to life that I had to nurture and develop. Having my business allowed me to make decisions that involved more risk because it affected my livelihood immediately. Of course, in life there are decisions that one makes where the outcome is uncertain, but then there are just some decisions that there is a clear linear connection to the impact it has. Risk involves making a choice where the outcome is uncertain. The bigger the risk usually means more to lose, or so, that is what I used to think. I learned that there will be choices where you will lose – usually financially if it is a business decision, but the loss of time, energy, emotions and everything in between is compromised. Loss is hard and making decisions that involve risk, usually when it means stepping in a direction that is unknown, uncomfortable or less secure, requires some sort of loss to incur. However, I have learned that through the loss, the most powerful key to life is gained: knowledge. Knowledge makes risk-taking more approachable, even exciting. I learned that taking risks involves understanding the bigger picture and the only time I have been able to see a more macro view of life has been when I have allowed myself to fail. Whether it is in business or in my personal life, I have learned that investing my time, energy and resources involved risk. Risk of being hurt, compromised or even taken advantaged of. However, through knowledge and growth through my failures, I have become more confident and clear-minded on which decisions have allowed me to move towards my intentions in life.

What should our readers know about your business?
THE CROWN COLLECTIVE is a Los Angeles based company that creates floral activations for events and parties, such as flower crown bars, bouquet bars and succulent bars. What is unique about TCC is that it is founded by a former Therapist and Life Coach, which means, the focus of the business has always been about the relationships created with our clients. We focus on taking care of our clients through learning about them, incorporating details that enhance who they are and their vision for their event and making sure that the quality of what we do is always at the forefront of our decision making. I am most proud of what we have accomplished over the past 7 years as a business. From under-selling ourselves and not knowing anything at all about business at the beginning to then traveling across the nation servicing over thousands of crowns for events is one of the best things to reflect on as events are on pause during COVID19. I am proud of my company for where it has come from and lucky to have a great team and clients that have helped TCC become what it is today. TCC is a company that I owe my life to. It has shaped me, changed me, and opened me up when I was unsure, naive, and was not confident in myself. I learned how to negotiate, take risks and depend on others to grow the company. TCC helped become a vehicle to not only provide services that people wanted, but also a company that gave back to our community through the resources and connections we made.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I appreciate the details and in LA, there are many details that are hiding amongst the obvious when it comes to what to do, what to see and what to eat. I love going into Japantown and going into the supermarket to get shrimp nigiri, lychee boba and tonkotsu ramen while stoppiong by Beard Papa for fresh cream puffs. I spent a lot of time in Malibu at a private beach hidden in a small stretch of homes that always had dophins swimming by and a rock stairway my daughter loved to go up and down on. I would have to take my friends from out of town to the flower market in downtown and introduce them to my vendor friends that I love talking to at 6 am on Wednesday mornings when I would go source my flowers for events.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my shout out to my thoughtful and supportive circle of friends, family and most importantly, the driving force of my everyday being, my two girls, Willow and Sedona. With the support of my parents and husband, I have been able to nurture my business and have the time to invest and share TCC with my community. With the support of my friends, I have been able to provide my services with care, thoughtfulness and clarity. With the inspiration from my children, I am able to approach my business in a way that one day acts as a vessel for them to have the confidence and community support to help them create something that they love as well.

Website: www.thecrowncollective.co
Instagram: thecrowncollective
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrownCollective/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-crown-collective-los-angeles-2

Image Credits
David Cano – Photographer Patricia Pena – Photographer (for picture holding baby in kitchen, no hat)