Building A Brand And The Story Behind It

In the quiet of the evening after I’ve tucked the kids in, the dog settles down at my feet and the golden sunshine retreats behind the mountains my mind begins to wander. It is in these hours that I most often feel lonely. I’ve found many ways to occupy my mind: prayer, journaling, learning piano, reading, gardening in the warm season, working as I am tonight… but my most favorite way is to embrace my wandering mind. I set my creative spirit free and spread my wings. What ideas flow through me few could comprehend.

These visions to some would be mere day dreams, but to me they are possibilities that actually have a chance to become reality if I will put forth the effort and create them. There was a time I could share this with someone who was close to me. That season has been and gone for many years. For a while I toiled away at this life I started to create. I forgot the beauty in the visions and let the work get the best of me. I forgot my excitement with no one to share it with, except tiny pieces here and there with dear friends who were kind enough to lend a loving ear for a moment or two.

My soul longs for someone I can share these intimate and detailed visions with. To be able to sit by the candlelight and talk into the wee hours of the night, never growing tired for the passion and excitement of these dreams becoming reality keeps us going. While I could wait for someone to come…I realize I could be waiting an awfully long time. Instead I decided to face my fears of being misunderstood. To once again take a leap of faith and risk my heart. I let my guard down, became vulnerable and shared my passion and vision. What happened next brought me to my knees in thankfulness. Tears streamed down my face and warmth flooded to my heart as I saw it all unfold.

It all started with a simple prayer. God show me your path. Lead me.

Inspiration rushed into my spirit like a cascading waterfall.

Branding for Esthers Eden. A look. The feel. Colors. And an event to bring it all together. He even whispered the name of a photographer. Confirmation came swiftly when I was sitting in my chiropractor’s office the very next morning.

Ding. Went my phone with a text. I usually have it on silence… It was the photographer! She was in the next room. We reconnected and I booked her on the spot!!

And that was it.

A week before the photoshoot date I realized time had flown by and I was only 6 days from this event! I knew I could not bring this idea to life on my own. I knew I needed to be somewhat practical in order to carry this out. How was I going to vlog, be a second shooter, model, and tell the photographer what I wanted?

I prayed again and this picture came into my mind: a handsome bearded man with his foot on a log and an ax in his hand and pitch stick….

I had only one question. Where would I find a handsome bearded man that I could casually walk up to and ask to take pictures of him?

I presented my dilemma to a couple of my friends. One suggested I go “shopping” at North 40. A couple of them suggested I scroll through my social media and they offered to do the same. I just had to laugh. What else could I do??? Finally after realizing I’m not the kind of girl to just go “man shopping”, I made a decision.

I went onto my social media and made a post. “Friends, I need a handsome man with a beard” -If you ever need entertainment just make a post like this… I promise it won’t fail you. Realizing before I hit “post” that perhaps this sounded a little to crazy I added to the post “model opportunity for Esthers Eden” as well as several other model types that could be great.

This post did not disappoint. My phone was flooded with texts and messages. I had so much response I actually had to start being very selective. I had a vision in my mind and the looks needed to match up…. You must understand how I am feeling at this point. Never in my life have I actually looked at people for their outward appearance. Yet here I am being sent pictures of husbands, friends, brothers, pregnant ladies… for days!

Before the week was up I had another chiropractor appointment. As I was leaving the building I couldn’t help but notice a young guy in front of me. He was parked next to me in the parking lot. As he turned I caught a glimpse of the side of his face. He had the most perfect look for this photoshoot…. God gives me a little nudge and whispers “go ask him to come…”

“Ya, Uh HARD PASS. NO WAY!” I half laugh back at Him.

I get in my car, and get ready to start it and realize this guy is just sitting in his truck… again I hear God say “Go ask him”

“… nope. nope. nope. I don’t think so. Thanks though.” I respond

“Just go. What’s the worst he will do? Say no?”

“Ok. Fine.” I say shaking my head with a little smirk on my face… Thinking to myself how do I get into these situations? Seriously.

I riffle through my purse and find a buisness card. I get out and go knock on the guys window. He rolls it down and is very nice. I introduce myself and tell him that he would be a great fit for this modeling position I have open and I hand him my card… He actually accepts it! We chat for a second and he agrees to reach out to me.

I got back into my car and I just had to sit and laugh at the audacity of it all.

I needed more than just people and products to bring this whole thing together so I went onto pintrerst (who doesn’t love Pinterest?!) and searched for inspirational pictures that matched my ideas. I needed pictures I could share with others so they would somewhat know what I needed. I shared another post on my Facebook page about items that I needed. A couch, trunks, old English style chairs, a pitcher and wash basin… I could tell God was moving, because in a matter of a few hours I had every single item that I needed lined up for pick up and drop off!!!

Since all of this is taking place in a matter of days I was on the phone constantly. I was lining up pick up times, talking ideas and details with friends and doing my best to create a photoshoot that people would feel comfortable at and enjoy themselves. I was very thankful for my days as a conference administrator. The experience helped me be able to think through each aspect of the event. In the end I decided to build out several main areas. One area I would serve snacks, one for a “massage studio”, one for the foot soaks, one for the “family room” and one in my pine forest for the shots with the guys.

One thing was absolutely key to pulling off this event… and that was God’s hand in it all. Of course things went wrong! Big pieces of furniture weren’t able to be delivered, some models couldn’t make it, the day ended up being really windy… I could go on but instead let me share the things that blessed me. When someone dropped out of the shoot another would come in and fill the spot. I had a friend reach out and offer to be a second shooter FREE of cost! Another friend called and didn’t want to be in the shoot but wanted to help behind the scenes. Some of my friends were actually apart of the shoot and helped think through logistics.

There is this unique feeling that takes place when you spend a significant amount of time and energy on an event or creation and you watch it being birthed into existence. It is hard to put into words, but I know you’ve all felt it. Those moments when you watch a baby being born, a child graduate, a piece of pottery take shape or a garden come to life in the spring… This was one of those beautiful moments for me. Each person who came, every photograph taken, the atmosphere in which the event took place was like a birthing of something new and beautiful.

It was in the quiet calm moments after the models had left, the dog settled at my feet, my friends gathered around sipping wine and quietly discussing the day while the sun dipped behind the mountains I realized my vision had come to life. That others could see what I’ve been carrying in my spirit for so long. My soul lifted its wings and took flight and I knew that this was only the beginning.

What a beautiful beginning it is.

Thank you to the photographers, my dear friends, each of the models, everyone who allowed me to use their beautiful items and each person who offered a helping hand. It is you who I think of when I am feeling lonely. It is your presence in my life that whispers the deep truth to the core of my heart…. I am NOT alone.

When you come to Esthers Eden may your sprits be refreshed. May you feel like you’ve entered into a secret place where Gods presence can be felt and his abundance seen. May Esthers Eden inspire you to learn more and grow in many ways.

- Esther Munroe, Creator & visionary of Esthers Eden