Have you ever wondered who is behind your favorite products?  Well, we’re trying something new here at HQ, with “Behind Bare Home”—a semi-regular series profiling our team members.  Our goal is to give readers a chance to meet the faces behind the brand and learn a bit about what makes us tick.  So, get your imagination ready because we are starting with our buyer, Brenna, who never fails to entertain.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN 10 WORDS OR LESS. 

Fun, product, purchasing, inventory analysis, trends, collaboration, research and math.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB GIVES YOU THE MOST ENERGY?

My co-workers give me the most energy, and I have made some really good friends working here. They always make my day better, no matter what.

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND HOW DO YOU USE THAT KNOWLEDGE TODAY?

I have a Fashion Merchandising degree, so my background is mostly in apparel, but I have worked on the home side before. I use that knowledge every day in some form. Each company is different, so I have learned to tweak my skills to fit into my position at each place to be the best I can be. I do a lot of retail math and collaborative thinking across many different teams to help make the best decisions for the company and for our customers.

WHEN YOU WERE A KID, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

My mom said I bounced around a bit, but fashion was always in the mix somewhere. I wanted to be a designer & be in the fashion world for as long as I can remember. From the fabrics all the way to the finished product, I love everything about it. One of my biggest hobbies is sewing, and I have made many things from start to finish, from creating my own patterns for a dress or piece of furniture to fixing up a beloved dog’s toy. It brings me so much joy and relaxation and is my biggest stress reliever.  Just put me in front of my sewing machine and let me create.

During the Covid lockdown, I felt helpless and wanted to do something for others. So I went through my fabric stash, sat down, and made over 500 masks to donate to those in need.  I gave them to first responders, group homes, senior homes- anywhere that would take them. In recent years, it has brought me satisfaction to be able to help out in my own way.

DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM JOB. THE SKY’S THE LIMIT!

Someday, maybe in a different life, I would love to work at a Koala Sanctuary in Australia. It might be their cute faces, or their fuzzy ears, or the fact that they need extra help to have a longer life, but I just love them so much!  Like many animals that need to be saved, they all deserve a chance to live and not become extinct.

I have always had a tender spot in my heart for most animals (sorry wasps). If I can help, I will do my best.  In this life, once I retire, I would be honored to own a sanctuary where I can rescue as many dogs as possible and let them live the rest of their lives feeling loved. I don’t believe anything should be kept in a cage, especially alone--no matter the animal.

THANKS, BRENNA

Thank you for sharing your insight with us!  Our future selves look forward to visiting you at the koala sanctuary.

Stay tuned for more glimpses Behind Bare Home.