A Step into the Life that Created Brandi Raines Beauty - Part 1

It’s really easy when we find ourselves watching someone online, to assume we know everything about them. Maybe we don’t actually think that to ourselves, we’re not sitting here thinking I’ve got this one figured out. But it’s a natural habit as humans, to make assumptions we believe are true or paint a picture that makes sense to us. I pray you know my heart is incredibly humbled sharing this-I get numerous messages daily telling me how inspired I have made someone feel, or the motivation I’ve provided for them has helped change the direction of their life. There have been messages I’ve received that have brought me to tears, people sharing with me that my videos have helped their love for him get through cancer treatments. Even heartbreaking messages from loved ones telling me someone has passed that loved following along with my journey, and letting me know the impact I’ve been able to have on their life. Complete strangers. But because of social media it doesn’t quite feel like strangers to me, and probably not to you either. I absolutely love that God is giving me a platform to connect with people on a level like this, I’ve always said my business is more of a ministry to me than anything. It’s giving me more purpose in life than I could’ve ever imagined, and if you would’ve asked me a decade ago I probably wouldn’t have believed you if you told me this would be my life. I thought it would be nice to give you a little background on me, get you a better understanding of what brought me to where I’m at and how I have the mindset and mentality and work ethic I do now. If you’re still with me, I’d also like to thank you. Because without you- yes YOU-every single one of you I would not be able to do this. So thank you. 🙏🏻💗🥺

I was born in Arizona, and still have family there. However I don’t know much about yeah, seeing as how I haven’t visited for any significant amount of time. One thing I have been able to see is the Grand Canyon, an absolute wonder that would make you stop in your tracks and remember just how great our God is. My family and I moved around a lot in my early years. I actually do not know my biological father-And anyone who’s ever known this about me usually asks if it bothers me. My brothers das adopted me when I was born, he’s my dad and I wouldn’t change it for the world! If I’m completely honest, I don’t quite know the whole story of what happened or why this is how the scenario played out. But I’ve also never really asked, I think sometimes we do that with situations we don’t truly want to know about. We accept what they are at face value, and trust the bigger picture!

My dad was in the military but ended up getting out after an injury, we settled in the great state of Michigan. The mitten state! ✋🏼 my husband loves holding his hand up when we talk about Michigan, if you’re from there than you know we use it as a map to let people know where we’re from! 😜 my parents divorced when I was in elementary school and remarried quickly. Elementary and middle school were incredibly hard for me. I’ve never done well at just following the rules and going with the flow. But that doesn’t surprise you! But where I grew up there wasn’t many people I went to school with, that looked the way I did. I’m half Filipino, Polynesian, German and Irish (my DNA test I took says I’ve got like 16 other ethnicities, your all American mutt!) 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ From as early as I can remember I was bullied being called “the Chinese girl”, or Donald Duck lips. Jokes on them -because apparently duck lips are all the rage now. When I was a kid I don’t really feel like bullying with some thing that was talked about, it was just excepted that’s how things were. In middle school my parents both divorced again, It took both of them a few years but eventually they remarried again. This time I was old enough to really understand what was going on, and actually be affected by it. This is right before going into high school, and we had some major life changes going on while I was entering into the biggest transition of my life at that point. Freshman year of high school.

There wasn’t much motivation for me in high school. Anybody that went to school with me would tell you I wasn’t very nice all the time, and I “got by”. Looking back now on my high school years I realize there are a lot of lessons that I had to learn during that time. Life had to be hard, I had to struggle. I remember thinking to myself often why can’t my life be like my friends. I had so many friends who seem to have a “normal” life. Married parents, encouragement to do good in school, capability to do the fun things. Now I’m understanding that my work ethic came to me because I have no other choice. In high school we definitely struggled with finances. My parents definitely did the best they could with what they had, and I’m forever appreciative. They instilled a lot in me that has helped me grow to who I am today. But during that time I didn’t always understand. Not being able to buy a prom dress or go on spring break trip with everybody never seemed fair. The one amazing thing I always had going for me, was the competitive dance team I was a part of for over 8 years. The HPAC Starlites ✨ it was the one thing I was naturally good at, I loved dancing and letting my cars go for those three minutes on stage. We won many awards and traveled all over the East Coast competing. It was something I could be proud of, and man was I! Especially making it as senior team captain, it made me realize I was born to lead.

I came out of my teen years with a chip on my shoulder, and after high school I tried the whole college thing. Really briefly. The government had provided me with a full Pell Grant to go to college with. I enrolled in a local community college, and after receiving a refund check from the amount unused I booked a flight to Florida. Michigan no longer had anything for me, and I felt God pulling me to do something bigger. I found an audition at the happiest place on earth! Walt Disney World. 🙌🏼 Within four weeks of my audition I had landed the position of Pocahontas at Animal Kingdom, quit my job and dropped out of my classes at the local college, moved all of my things down to Orlando to start my next chapter.

I’m gonna let your imagination run for a while, and continue this one later 💗✨ don’t miss the next post, because I’ll be honest it’s going to include some of the hardest times of my life that really shaped who I am today. Thanks for hanging with me today, and know that I’m forever grateful for your love and support.

XO

-Brandi