How Brooke Briggs Built Two Heart-Centered Businesses While Raising Kids

What happens when you combine a deep love for children's development with an entrepreneurial spirit and the demands of motherhood? You get Brooke Briggs, a woman who has masterfully woven together her passions to create not one, but two thriving businesses that serve families and community in profound ways.

In this heartwarming episode of The Manage Her, host Aimee Rickabus sits down with Brooke to explore her journey as the founder of both Magic Steps Music and OC Farm School. This conversation isn't just about business success—it's about creating meaningful work that aligns with your deepest values while navigating the beautiful complexity of motherhood.

Finding Your Sweet Spot: Where Passion Meets Purpose

Brooke's story begins with a simple but powerful realization: children thrive when they're connected to nature, to rhythm, and to the authentic essence of childhood. Her work through Magic Steps Music demonstrates how early childhood development flourishes when families come together in joyful, music-filled environments. These aren't just classes—they're spaces where parents and children create lasting bonds while engaging in activities that support crucial developmental milestones.

What makes Brooke's approach so compelling is her understanding that learning doesn't happen in isolation. When families participate together in musical experiences, children absorb not just the rhythms and melodies, but the joy and connection that comes from shared discovery. This philosophy has become the foundation for everything she builds, proving that businesses rooted in authentic connection have the power to transform communities.

Growing Something Beautiful: The Birth of OC Farm School

The transition from music education to farm-based learning might seem like a leap, but for Brooke, it was a natural evolution. OC Farm School represents her commitment to reconnecting children with the earth and providing the kind of sensory-rich learning experiences that today's kids desperately need. In our increasingly digital world, the opportunity to dig in dirt, observe growing plants, and experience the cycles of nature becomes not just valuable, but essential.

Through OC Farm School, Brooke has created something that goes beyond traditional education. She's crafted an environment where children can develop authentic relationships with the natural world while building confidence, curiosity, and wonder. The farm becomes a classroom where learning happens through touch, observation, and genuine engagement with living systems.

This hands-on approach to education addresses a crucial gap in many children's lives. When kids can plant seeds, watch them grow, and understand where their food comes from, they develop a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of life. Brooke recognized this need and had the courage to create a solution that serves families in her community while building a sustainable business.

The Invisible Labor of Building Community

One of the most powerful aspects of this conversation centers on something that rarely gets discussed in entrepreneurship circles: the invisible labor required to build and maintain community. Brooke's work extends far beyond the official hours of classes and programs. She's creating spaces where families can connect, where children can thrive, and where community bonds are strengthened.

This kind of work—the emotional labor, the relationship building, the countless small actions that create belonging—often goes unrecognized. Yet it's the foundation upon which meaningful businesses are built. Brooke's willingness to embrace this aspect of her work demonstrates a mature understanding of what it takes to create lasting impact.

For women entrepreneurs, this conversation offers permission to value and price the full scope of what you bring to your work. Community building isn't a nice-to-have addition to your business—it's often the very thing that makes your work irreplaceable and transformational.

Balancing Act: Motherhood Meets Business Ownership

Perhaps the most relatable aspect of Brooke's journey is her honest exploration of balancing motherhood with business ownership. Running two purpose-driven businesses while raising children requires a particular kind of grace and flexibility. Brooke's approach shows that this balance isn't about perfect time management or having it all figured out—it's about creating work that feels so aligned with your values that the challenges become worthwhile.

When your business serves families and children, the line between personal and professional naturally blurs. Brooke has learned to navigate this integration in ways that enhance rather than complicate her role as a mother. Her children get to see her building something meaningful, contributing to community, and following her passions—lessons that extend far beyond any classroom.

This integration also means that Brooke understands her audience deeply. As a mother herself, she knows what families need, what children respond to, and what gaps exist in traditional educational approaches. This insider knowledge becomes a significant advantage in creating programs and experiences that truly serve.

The Ripple Effect of Meaningful Work

What emerges from this conversation is a beautiful picture of how meaningful work creates ripple effects that extend far beyond immediate business metrics. When Brooke creates a space for families to connect through music, she's not just teaching songs—she's strengthening family bonds and creating positive childhood memories. When she provides farm-based learning experiences, she's not just teaching about plants—she's fostering environmental stewardship and sensory development.

This kind of impact-driven approach to business offers a compelling alternative to traditional entrepreneurship models. Instead of asking what market you can capture, Brooke asked what community she could serve. Instead of focusing solely on scalability, she prioritized sustainability and depth of connection.

For women considering their own entrepreneurial journeys, Brooke's story provides both inspiration and practical insight. You don't have to choose between meaningful work and business success. You don't have to sacrifice family time for professional growth. What you do need is the courage to build something that aligns with your deepest values and serves a genuine need in your community.

Brooke Briggs represents the kind of leadership that emerges when women trust their instincts, follow their passions, and commit to serving others. Her journey reminds us that the most fulfilling businesses often grow from the intersection of personal passion and community need, creating work that nourishes both the entrepreneur and everyone she serves.