Community Highlights: Meet Robin Brown of RYSE by Robin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Brown.  

Hi Robin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The vision of RYSE by Robin has always been in my heart but we went through a few years of “growing pains” and trying to figure out exactly who and what we were. The business began as Cowgirl Dreams Co. with its own logo, and it took a couple years to figure out that most people didn’t know that it was a brand getting behind women with mental health struggles…. everyone thought – because of the name and logo – that it was a western brand. 

The timing of that realization came when the mobile boutique got a little distracted by boutique-style clothing and we ended up pivoting to that for a couple years and putting the brand on the back burner. 

Then Covid hit. We had the mobile boutique full of cute trendy wear that nobody wanted because nobody was going anywhere. I spun my wheels and panicked for the first half of 2020 (just like most every other small business) and had no idea how I could possibly save my business. 

Then it finally hit me. It was the perfect opportunity (and I don’t really like using that word while talking about a pandemic, but it was…) for me to pivot back to the brand. Comfy graphic tee, sweatshirts, and joggers with sayings founded in the things most of us think when facing our struggles. 

We sort of re-invented the brand with a different name – RYSE by Robin – to reflect an enormous part of my own journey – my horse. When trying to come up with a name, a friend suggested blending his name – Ryleigh – with the word RISE – which is what we all have to do on a daily basis when battling mental health issues. RYSE by Robin was born. 

That was in August 2020, and we’ve been building ever since. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

In building a brand that people can relate to – especially one founded in mental health and all the ups and downs surrounding it – requires honesty. I want people to know that I – as the brand creator – truly understand what they’re going through because I’ve lived so much of it. Anxiety, depression, no self-worth, domestic violence, and so much more…. even a divinely intervened suicide attempt several years ago…those things are all part of my journey, and I talk about them. I’m open and honest, and I share them. 

I once read a quote that went something like, “tell your story. The mountains you have climbed might just be someone else’s survival guide,” and that hit me so hard. So, I chose to tell my story. And THAT can be scary! That part is a struggle because not only is it scary, but it also brings back old emotions + wounds that are usually pretty hard to talk about, but I’ll keep talking because if I can help even just one person to feel seen, heard and a little less broken…and give hope… then THAT is success. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about RYSE by Robin?
RYSE by Robin is literally for anyone that has ever struggled with anything! Whether it’s mental health issues like anxiety + depression all the way to maybe just finding the courage to live your truth. To be who you are – unapologetically! The graphics on the tees and sweatshirts reflect that. And every single one was created after I personally went through something. For example…the newest in our line is “Let that shit go,” and probably our most popular one – that can have so many different meanings, but for me personally, it was about choosing life every single day – is KEEP GOING. 

In addition to the brand shopping website, there’s also the sister site – the blog! At RobinSBrown.com I write about my journey, all things mental health, and most recently told me crazy 23andMe journey to finding my biological father and after about 10 months of knowing him, finding out he was a predator. Real-life stuff that for sure isn’t easy to own sometimes, but so many people can relate. 

Every single day we post inspirational and motivational stuff to our Facebook and Instagram to help remind people that they aren’t alone and someone out there gets them. 

I think the thing I’m most proud of as a brand is that it was created from a place of love and meant to be relatable…and when people learn the story behind the brand, they get behind it. 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m pretty much an introvert! I think the technical term is “extroverted introvert.” It’s super hard and scary for me to do some of the things that it takes to build a public brand based off my personal story and putting myself out there takes so much out of me. Telling my personal stories to let people know I’ve battled through some stuff and truly feel and understand them takes so much out of me. I literally have to psych myself up to do most of these things, and then after I’m done, I need a nap to decompress! 

But I keep doing it because I think it’s important. There’s so much stigma surrounding mental health issues, and most people don’t talk about their own issues… I hope to somehow be a small part of the fight to end those and get conversations going because in talking about it; we might just be saving the person sitting next to us. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rysebyrobin.com/ and https://www.robinsbrown.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rysebyrobin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rysebyrobin