Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Alcorn.
Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started Bright Beauty as a creative outlet while finishing my seven-year-long Ph.D. program. Burnt out from academia and tired of the isolation of research, writing, and juggling this all with motherhood, I felt compelled to do something completely different, fun, and totally unrelated to my dissertation and the cerebral world I had been living in for so long. I’ve always loved beauty, fashion and design, so Bright Beauty evolved naturally out of my own personal interest in those areas. I’m always the friend who loves to share things I’m excited about, whether it’s the cutest new shirt at Target, a candle that I’m obsessed with, or some crazy beauty tool that looks ridiculous but totally works. It’s very much an extension of my personality in that regard! Social media can be such a negative space, and I really wanted to add something upbeat and positive to my little corner of the internet, a place where women could let their hair down, enjoy some fun, and genuinely connect and inspire each other.
My husband Joshua and I began Ad Astra Designs in early 2019 as a “project of passion” together. We both love design and style, so this was a natural extension of that interest. Our first run of tees features the phrase, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” which is Latin for “to the stars through struggle.” We thought it was a fitting tribute and rallying cry for those who face adversity and overcome hardship only to rise. Courage and strength aren’t gained in a night or in a month. It grows over time. It overcomes. It perseveres. We wanted to create cool designs that inspire others to keep pursuing their dreams with tenacity.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Whose road is smooth? I’d love to meet them if you find them! Nothing that matters is ever “smooth.” It’s taken me a few decades to realize and accept this fact. The things most worth doing in life are easily the scariest. I’m naturally very risk-averse, so learning to embrace the uncertainty, the possibility of failure (and failure itself), the resilience built from picking yourself back up and trying again, has absolutely been a process for me (and I’m sure will remain so for the rest of my life). I never want to settle for mediocrity, and that means always living on the edge of comfortability and pushing myself to ask what I’m called to be and called to do, and then fighting for that dream. My biggest advice is that if you have a firm conviction to go in a certain direction, to GO and don’t give up. EXPECT resistance and adversity, don’t be surprised by it. Dreams are only achieved by those willing to fight for them!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bright Beauty, Ad Astra Designs – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Bright Beauty is all about inspiring beauty from the inside out, and that’s my greatest conviction. TRUE beauty comes from the heart and underlies it all. The cutest outfit and most Pinterest-worthy home don’t matter if you aren’t in tune with your heart and actively “tending” its garden. I wanted to add value to the social media space by encouraging women to look inside, to grow personally (emotionally, spiritually) into their own unique beauty. Outward trends and looks fade so quickly, yet at the end of our lives, what will truly matter? Did we leave a loving impact on those around us? Were we honest with ourselves and others? Were we a bright light in a dark world? These are the deeper questions I often ponder, and ones I hope to guide my pursuit of what’s important in life. My hope is that Bright Beauty fosters a community of women supporting each other in the pursuit of a deeper beauty that shines to those around us.
Our hope with Ad Astra Designs goes beyond just cool and comfy tees (although they are extremely cool and comfy, IMHO!) We want to encourage the fighters, the do-ers, the ones who face struggles and rise up to the challenge of chasing their dreams. Sometimes in life, the hill only gets steeper. We have to press on, hold on, and don’t give up. You will get stronger. And strength is its own reward. We want to encourage others to keep rising!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I’ve actually been extremely encouraged by how supportive the community of women I’ve personally interacted with has been. I know that isn’t always the case, and I’m blessed that it’s been my experience. I also think the energy you give out attracts certain people and distances others. I hope that my focus on inspiration and internal as well as external beauty draws other women who desire to live their lives in a similar way, even if practically that looks a little different for all of us.
That being said, life as a homeschooling mom, house manager, business owner with my husband, and blogger is always chaotic and there’s just never enough time in the day. I’m encouraged to see more and more women breaking through the stereotypes of “stay-at-home mom” or “full-time working mom,” and seeing how creative and resourceful women are juggling it all. Imperfectly (of course), because life is never easy or complication-free, but I love seeing women pursuing their passions on their own terms, in a way that works for them and their families. Women are truly amazing and I’m honored each day to be counted among them!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abrightbeauty.com, www.etsy.com/shop/AdAstraDesignShop
- Email: amandabrightbeauty@gmail.com, adastradesignshop@gmail.com
- Instagram: @abrightbeauty, @ad.astra.designs
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/abrightbeauty, www.facebook.com/adastradesignshop
Image Credit:
Amanda Alcorn, Joshua Alcorn, Jessica Feltman at J. Feltman Photography
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