the journey
2014
The year it all started
There was a tugging in my heart to share a piece of my story in hopes that others would find freedom in their own, create a tee with meaning, and do some social good with a portion of the proceeds.
I thought this would be a one tee, one time thing. God had other plans, I just didn’t know or fully understand what they were.
2015
Leaning into what was becoming
After launching the initial tee, there was no plan for a next tee or really anything related to this for me. It took a bit for me to wrap my mind around what was happening and step into it all.
I never saw myself or what I was doing as a business — it was simply me, Brittany, creating and sharing from pieces and seasons of my life.
The name Know Purpose comes from a passage in one of my favorite books, “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. In chapter 3, he talks about how knowing your purpose simplifies your life. It defines what you do and what you don’t do. I resonated deeply with this, and still do. Hence the name Know Purpose.
2016-2018
finding my flow + struggling in the process
These were some pivotal years. They were years of the most extreme testing I’d ever faced. Fighting discouragement and depression, I was trying my best to still encourage others through the lessons I was learning. Though I trusted God, I had to learn Him and my trust for Him in new ways. I wouldn’t trade these years.
Remember Your Why and My Story Is Still Being Written were birthed during this time. Funny thing is, I’d never heard of the saying, “Remember Your Why” at this point in my life.
Up until 30 minutes before it went to print, the shirt was going to be something else, and at the last minute I felt the Lord changing my heart to these simple words.
2019
Grandma had a stroke, and overnight I became one of her primary caregivers. I lived with my grandparents from the time I was in ninth grade until the second semester of my freshmen year of college. I wanted to help support her and give back what she’s always given to me — love and support.
This year was a trying, yet beautiful year. My family and I rallied around Grandma and supported her the best we could.
a year of perspective
Honestly, I really didn’t have as much capacity as a I thought I had to run a company and be a primary caregiver. At this time we had grown to having products carried in 400+ stores. I was running on fumes and burnout was setting in.
I started neglecting self a lot. I was doing what I felt was necessary at the time. I have no regrets because what was poured from me was poured into Grandma, and she needed it most. Thankful she’s still here with us. I did learn though, that even while pouring, I still have to take care of me as well. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Taking care of others and taking care of self can coexist.
2020
This was such a pivotal year — for us all. A year of change, a year of redefining, a year of letting go of what no longer felt good or well in our souls. A year of no real movement, yet forward progress.
A year of change
2021
letting go and living simply
This year, I announced that Know Purpose was over and I was done creating as the Know Purpose brand after 7 years. Truth is, I no longer recognized what was being built and had mentally checked out. I had grown tired of just posting tees and lacking connection, and even neglecting other gifts. I craved more, or perhaps, less.
I was simply going through the motions. I felt more like a business than a person, and I missed, I craved, the simplicity and heart that started it all. I had to get back to ground zero, get back to Brittany again.
I never fully stopped creating during this time — I just left social media for nearly two years. Honestly, I was experiencing social media anxiety when it came time to post on the KP page. Internally, my body knew something was very off. I was out of alignment with my own purpose.
I didn’t know how to get back to the simplicity of it all without it being a drastic shift, but there needed to be a drastic shift. I have no regrets. I’m glad I walked away from what was supposed to no longer be.
2022
Rest and redefining
This is the first time I can remember intentionally taking time for just me. This was a year of stillness, and adventure. This year a lot more became clear and a lot more became simple. This was a year of clarity and redefining.
I knew deep down I wasn’t supposed to give up on Know Purpose — but welcome what was to come.
I took time away this year and solo traveled out of the country for the first time. It was an amazing experience that I’ll forever treasure.
2023
renewed purposed
Here we are. Purpose renewed, vision restored.