Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Bell-Brege.
Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I would be happy to share my wild, fun journey with you! I was working in corporate communications and had studied at Second City in Chicago, and then started an improv troupe at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak. We had been running for about 2 years, and needed to hold an audition for some additional performers. Darrin had just moved back from Los Angeles and decided to try out. He was hilarious and a perfect fit for the troupe. Within two weeks we were dating…and shortly after that engaged and married. We just celebrated our 30th Anniversary and have a son we adore. While performing improv we did commercials and voice overs, and I did improv training and motivational speaking, and Darrin worked as the impressionist on WDFN. He also worked as an artist/illustrator during the day, and I was a writer and communications specialist in my day job. I would join in with some impersonations on air, and we did voice overs for computer games (Universal, Hasbro, Disney). Darrin had started doing some book covers and we decided that him being an artist, and me being a writer – we should do our own children’s books…Which leads us to our book business. We have 16 books out – nine chapter books, a sketchbook, a gift book, and three picture books – including the bestselling ‘Bigfoot and the Mitten,’ and, soon to be released ‘Bigfoot, Birdie and Bob’ – a ‘Read to Dogs’ picture book. Last year we came out with a Bigfoot plush to match our books. We have won awards for our books and were chosen as the 2021 Gwen Frostic Award Winners (the first duo to win) from the Michigan Reading Association for inspiring literacy in Michigan. We visit countless schools and do family nights where we include art, reading, writing and comedy and inspire our audience to create, read and follow their dreams. We have recently partnered with Northwoods Soda to support literacy in Michigan and will have a flavor to go with our books – ‘Bigfoot’s Butterscotch Cream,’ which we are super excited about. It’s been an amazing, fun journey with lots of hard work – but we would do it all over again.
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?
Not always, being in the arts can have it’s challenges…When we had our son I left the corporate world to raise our child and continue with the improv troupe – but at times I would have to pick up part-time jobs in the evening (selling furniture, selling home stuff). At that time Darrin had his full-time art job, but it barely paid enough to support a family, so he would do freelance art…So there we were performing weekly at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, doing corporate gigs, public speaking, radio, voice impersonations, plus side jobs and freelancing, etc… We were working like crazy to support our little family, while trying to keep our dreams alive. I do think that’s how it is for most artists and creatives – unless you come from a family that is able to support your dreams, it’s a never-ending hustle. But, if you are wired that way there is no other choice – you have to pursue your dreams and you do what you can to keep them alive.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what sets us apart is our sense of humor…you just have to have it to run this type of business. I mostly run the business (Team B Creative), which includes the writing, publishing, marketing, selling, shipping, booking, performing and schlepping aspects of it. Darrin does the art, layout and design and heavy lifting, including performing, too, and is a full time VP of Creative for Merkle. One of our strong suits is presenting, and we are always booked solid for Reading Month, and the rest of the year we do many Family Nights. We really love the performance aspect of what we do, which includes art, reading, writing, comedy and voices – and it’s fun for all ages. Since we came from a performing background, and we love humor and know the importance of it, nothing is more exhilarating for us than entertaining and inspiring our audience – and making people laugh. We are very proud of winning the Gwen Frostic Award from the Michigan Reading Association for doing so. Our little company is made up of the children’s book’s – Mick Morris Myth Solver (chapter books #’s 1-6, for ages 7-10), Ghost Board Posse (chapter books #’s 1-3, for ages 10-12), Sketch the Myths Sketchbook (all ages), Monsters First Day at School picture book, Bigfoot and the Mitten – a Michigan based picture book, Biggie and Birdie are Different (so what) a picture book, Bigfoot, Birdie and Bob – a Michigan based picture book, and Your True North Michigan gift book. Also, our adorable Biggie the Bigfoot plush that goes with the books. And, now – Northwoods Soda, Biggie the Bigfoot’s Butterscotch Cream.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Humor. That is what has gotten us where we are – being able to laugh at ourselves and life, while inspiring others to have fun and laugh as well. That, and of course being kind. It seems like our society is losing the ability to laugh, especially at ourselves. We are all just to serious and judgmental, so when we make people laugh with our stories, comedy and voice impersonations – and bring some humor and joy to their day – then we have succeeded.
Pricing:
- Picture books – $9.95, $15.95, $17.99
- Chapter books – $6.99
- Gift book – $12.95
- Sketchbook – $7.99
- Bigfoot plush – $22.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karenanddarrin.com
- Instagram: @ Karen and Darrin
- Facebook: Karen & Darrin Author & Illustrator
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSMzzjeF-13CvtldzbLrVjA
