Meet Brianna Ikner | Teacher & Handmade goods business owner

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

Hi Brianna, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
When I think about taking risks I immediately get anxiety. Change is scary for everyone ! Every risk I have taken has benefited tremendously. For starters, in 2017 my life was in shambles, in my opinion. My mother had been begging me to move from Houston to Arlington to be closer to her but I was stuck in my comfort zone. Too scared to take a risk, well hurricane Harvey hit in October and I took that as my sign to take a risk and move. Which is exactly what I did, since moving I’ve been so blessed. Another risk taking situation was when I decided to start my business, Butterfly Muse. I knew I wanted to make money doing something I love. I was working at a health care call center and moving up in the company, until my daughters daycare closed due to COVID. Being that I am a single mother and limited additional help I needed a schedule change. They were not willing to accommodate me. It was then I knew I needed to do something different. I realized I needed to take a risk and get uncomfortable to prove my worth to myself. Eventually they let me go and that same day I used money I had been saving up to start my business and purchase my LLC. Not too long after starting my business I got another job opportunity working at a school with great benefits. Life is good,, thanks to those risks. Every risk I have taken has proved to me that when I get anxious that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just a feeling & feelings do change. I am only focused on being the best me, risks have to be taken to reach your full potential.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My dream growing up was to become a teacher. I’ve always wanted to help others. My professional experience started with tutoring, doing community service while in highschool. Then I graduated and started my assistant and customer service positions which gave me skills to work in high stress environments. I currently work in the education field and I’ve acquired so much knowledge and patience that help me coast through the day despite the tantrums or any adversities that may be thrown my way. I have so much insight on how things are not always what they seem and to roll with the punches.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Me and my bestfriend find joy in being organized and having fun. We would start the day with coffee & breakfast then head out to shop for cheaper items that we can remodel or bedazzle. By that time it would probably be lunch time so we would most like catch someone’s happy hour for a great deal. Then get to work and play music while burning incense and working on a craft. While I have my candle business my bestfriend has a skincare business. We love to work with our hands.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely had the help of my close friends and family, Thank God. Ofcourse I made the decision to finally take the leap of faith but the continuous support from my loved ones keeps me going.

Website: Butterflymuse.com

Instagram: Butterflymusellc

Facebook: Brianna Muse