July 29, 2024 • 51 mins
Morghan Ruggles is originally from Round Rock, TX. She attended Tarleton State University for both her undergrad and masters programs. She currently works at the R.A. Brown Ranch as their Social Strategist and Internship Program Coordinator. She shared with us her journey so far with her husband, Tell Ruggles, and all that she's learned thus far.
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(00:13):
Hurting her story is proudly sponsored by the
Florida Cattle
foundation.
The Florida Cattle foundation is dedicated to sustaining
a viable ranch industry in Florida through the
development of future leaders.
The foundation board is committed to raising and
distributing funds for a wide variety of projects
in the areas of research in the cattle
(00:35):
industry,
educational programs,
leadership development programs,
and the heritage in historical projects, such as
the ranch exhibit,
housed at the Florida State Fair and their
signature event of the Florida Ranch Rodeo state
finals and heritage festival.
Hurting your story is also proudly sponsored by
(00:55):
mister Dale and missus Beth Carlton,
along with mister Doyle e Carlton the third
of Roman 3 ranch is. We thank them
for their support and commitment to a sustainable
Florida by investing in future generation.
Welcome back everyone. We are here with another
special guest. We are actually at the Ra
(01:15):
brown ranch today.
In Brock, Texas. I know most of you
probably heard that name.
It's the first time I've ever been hit...
Well, we talked about this is my first
trip to Texas. So I'll super excited to
get get ra brown.
So we are with miss Morgan Rug.
Yeah. Welcome, Morgan. Thanks for having me. Yeah.
(01:36):
We're super excited to be here. Tell us
a little bit about yourself and how
you are connected to add. Yeah.
So I'm originally for a round rock, Texas
if you don't know where that is, that's
central part of the state we're just north
of Austin, and
grew up there. Very blue collar household. I
didn't grow up in a traditional
(01:56):
branching
background or in the industry per s. It
took ad classes all through high school, but
I really didn't dive in until I went
to college. So that's that's just a little
bit about my background. Awesome. Where did you
go to college? And I went to a
Charleston state in Steven Mill, Texas.
The Cowboy Capital
loved it there. It's a grown a lot
since I graduated. But
(02:18):
I moved there in
2014.
And
pursued my bachelor of science in at communications.
And then I decided I wanna get my
masters afterwards.
So I took the summer off and went
into my masters and got my master's of
science and agricultural consumer resources.
Okay. So did you always know you wanted
(02:38):
to do something with echo call?
No.
Actually, when I was in high school, our
school
transitioned into a academy program.
So
we had to take classes based on the
academy you were in to graduate. So if
you were the academy of medical, whatever you
had to take medical classes as your elective.
(03:00):
Kinda like a college. Like, your elective kinda
correspond with your major in a way? Yeah.
So it it's, like, specialized costs. Yes. Earliest.
And so I took I classes up until
my junior year, and then we transitioned
And, originally, I wanted to do linguistics. So
I wanted to do foreign languages and the
study of languages and translating. Yeah. So
(03:21):
I had taken
about 7 years of French
and 3 years of Spanish and in 3
years of sign language.
So they they pulled me from my language
arc from my classes into my language classes.
So, initially, that's what I wanted to do
with my life. Trains life. I know why
I geek out of our languages and stuff
like that. But it's really cool because stuff
(03:43):
doesn't always translate, but I feel like in
other languages. There's a lot more meaning. Yeah.
Behind different words and phrases. Yeah. And, like,
there's
words and phrases that describe things that they
don't have words for any. Yes. Yes. No.
A hundred percent. I did really enjoy it.
And when I graduated,
(04:03):
I went to Acc, which is Austin Community
College, and I went there just to get
my basics, and I was paying for my
college.
Myself. So for me, I wanted to get
as many basics out of the way and
not spend as much from you know I
transferred.
And
I just had, like, an epiphany moment where
I was like, I should have stayed an
ag. I should have stayed. That's where I
felt most fulfilled Yeah. For those ag classes
(04:25):
in high school.
And I had a girlfriend that lived in
Steven Bill and went to, and I went
to visit her, and I got to see
the campus in the college and Charles a
big ag school. Right. I got to meet
with a few professors and counselors and I
was like, this is where I need to
be. Like, I just knew. So I ended
up
finishing out my second year at the community
(04:45):
college. And I transfer to Toilet. And so
I switched from
french to academic kids.
Wanna trans I. Yeah. Because there's not a
lot of french speakers in Texas. So... But
but you have some Spanish background Yeah. So
that was on handy. Yes. No. It's super
helpful.
Everyone in Texas, like, you know, you almost
have to know, like, a unlimited unlimited of
(05:06):
Spanish. Yeah. And then we have deaf family
members. So, like, we always kinda new sign
language and stuff like that. My brother translate.
So
that was always something that interests me. I
don't know. That problem started when she.
Harsh. Awesome. So did you wanna never know
Yeah hope.
It's... Yeah. It's really good Right. Yeah.
Yeah. I really enjoy my time at To.
(05:27):
I it's grown. It's d 1 now. But
when I was there, it was still kind
of that
small college,
small town, but you felt like you're going
to University when you're on campus. Like, Right.
And it was, like, our classes are smaller
and the college of that was even smaller
than most of the other colleges is out
there, but I just
really enjoyed my time there. Yeah. It was
really intimate. Yes. Yes. I've made life while
(05:49):
friends there.
So how did you end up at ra?
Okay. So
I'm gonna have to backtrack and kinda tell
our story before
y'all can understand how we ended up here.
Yeah. My husband and I, since getting married
in 2019,
we've kinda made a goal to travel around
(06:10):
and work for different places and get out
of our comfort zone. I had graduated with
my masters.
We've just gotten married November of 2019,
and we had some friends in new Mexico
that were, like, hey, really want us to
come work for the ranch. Mh. And so,
February of the following year. We moved to
Cab dubai new Mexico, which is Southern New
Mexico. Right outside of the truth their consequences.
(06:32):
No way. Yeah. Yeah. I'm a friend truth
it's That's a town. Yeah. Mh. Literally like
I was called... So originally it was called
Hot springs, New Mexico. Mh. And then they
changed it to truth voices. So they call
it Tier either. What bad
Holly. So we were right. Our in Lost
priest to hours from Paso just Southern New
(06:55):
Mexico.
I call, like, desert with Mountains. That's how
I can describe it. But. It was literally
desert Mountains. It was beautiful. Yeah. But So
side note, we were driving up here. U.
And we're driving out of Fort Worth. And
I'm like, Texas really isn't that pretty. And
we're driving through, like, Rink Dink dance. Yeah.
Like, it's not really pretty.
(07:15):
And then we get... We get further out
and we get further out and I'm like,
Oh, yeah. But there there are Texas is
pretty. So many different parts 2, like, South
Texas versus, like, West, Texas panhandle east. It
is so all country. It's... Yeah. Mh. You
get... It's like a pot gum. It's just
like a little bit of earth thing. Just
like corona pot. Like that texas. Yeah. But,
(07:37):
yeah. We were in...
New Mexico we moved their February of 20
20, and then the following month is kinda
when Covid happened.
And New Mexico
was very different
compared to, like, when I've gone to Texas
a visit and stuff like that, just like,
how the state changed, all the businesses that
closed. It was just completely different and, different
(07:57):
culture too for us.
So that was my adjustment, but we were
in a really remote
area.
It was a really cool experience We were
there for a year and a half. And
more remote than mouse?
Yeah.
Was like, actual middle. Like, some of the
ranches
that my husband have to go to and,
like, different parts of the ranches. Like, you
(08:18):
drive, like, 2, 2 half hours in, and
to get to the cattle or, you know
what I mean? Like, it was... A, wow.
There's no service. They have, like, Walkie talkie
and stuff like that. And A lot of
the land up there was, like, B and
land too. So, like, we never random people
out there. Just, like, hanging out. Yeah. There
was a late on what other their properties
and people be fishing there and like trying
(08:39):
gather cattle. Stuff like you can't be yeah.
It's really
Oh, we don't have that in Texas. So,
like, that was a really different
for us, But really cool experience
my husband's gotten to travel all over and
work in all different
states. So that was kinda something on his
bucket list to go do. So I'm glad
we got to do that together.
(08:59):
We ended up having a job opportunity come
up in Ferry Texas, which is right outside.
It's like, 45 minutes from Seasonal. Yeah. For
registered Angus operation, and
we'd only worked for
commercial ranches. So this was our first... Receipts
are kinda, like, just very different.
We moved back to text that we were
ready to come back home. Mh. Yeah. And
(09:19):
just be closer to family.
So we ended up there, and we were
there for a year and a half.
I'm gonna I'm gonna talk about networking a
lot. And I'm gonna bring it up a
lot, but it's just something that's, like, connected
us in so many different ways. So
we had a friend that actually grew up
with Donald, and he'd had reached out. And
we weren't necessarily looking to leave where we
were at. We were really happy.
(09:42):
But we were also, like... But, like, we
couldn't grow anymore and challenge ourselves. And there
wasn't only room for me to grow where
I was out or tell.
I managed their beef sales and marketing, and
he was a manager. But again, it just...
We weren't gonna move up anymore. And we
really are the tech people that wanna challenge
ourselves. And, like, let's see how far we
can take this. Right.
(10:02):
We gotta call that Ari Brown was still
looking for foreman men.
And we're all like, my gosh, mckay. Like,
can I, like, throw your name in the
pot and we're like, absolutely? And so a
week later actually, a year ago tomorrow is
when we interviewed here? On the memorial day.
So hope was really cool.
We came out
nervous as All get out. I had come
(10:23):
toward the in 2015 with Tau. Mh.
But
it's just like everyone here knows their reputation,
just like, it was intimidating, and it was
probably 1 of the most grueling interviews.
Whatever
because we came out and it was Donald,
the bowl development manager at the time and
Tucker.
(10:43):
And they gave us a tour of the
ranch kinda like I gave y'all all and
talk about everything and they were asking questions
as we went, and then we went back
to their house for dinner. And they had
2 interns that had just come in that
day. Mh.
Miss Kelly Donald and tucker, and we saw
at dinner, and I mean, they grilled us.
So I remember then looking at me and
being, like, what's your husband's biggest weakness. And
(11:05):
then you're gonna tell me what's Morgan's biggest.
Like, just
very, like, challenging question or, like, if we
were to call your best friend,
what is something they say is, like, your
at least favorable quality.
Or, like, what is gonna be something you
struggle with if you could offer this job
or... I remember, I think it was
Olivia, who was an intern for Wyoming, Chad
(11:25):
Olivia. But I love her, but if she
had just gotten their tube and Was like,
miss the ball's on this girl. She
She literally was like, So
how can you make this ranch better than
audience is? Duh. And my own, how do
you look the owner of Our ground in
the face and say, y'all could do this
This better and I was like, oh no.
(11:47):
Good. Like, it was such a long, hard
and interesting interview, and I'm so great before
it because I think
it made us realize like, they're looking for
someone who's going to make a difference, and
someone who fits. They're not just trying to
fill spot. Late in, I appreciate that. And
it was her enhancement. We were there for,
(12:08):
gosh. I felt, like 6, 7 hours interviewing,
like, late Like, it was... I think, like,
9 or 10 I o'clock night have to
ref finish the interview. Yep. And then a
few days later, they called us and they're
like, we'd love for book the all to
come out. Kelly called me and interviewed me
just 1 on 1 with her because they
were looking to fill that marketing role too.
So Right. They hired both of us. So
it's, like, a dual
(12:29):
interview, which was really unique doing that with
your husband. Yeah. And,
yeah. And then we moved
July first, we moved out here.
We've been here a whole year this coming
July. Yeah. That's how we ended up here.
I can't imagine getting curled with questions like,
we're dinner like like, I wouldn't be able
to eat. No. And with your husband, like,
to me, that's the best health. Yeah. It's
(12:51):
like you're in a relationship counseling your. Hey
What's great or... I appreciate the questions think
it's made me better at asking the right
questions even for, like, interns and stuff or
when we've
interviewed people, like, we recently hired a new
full development manager. Mh. And
again, with the networks, he went to Charleston
with me and we've known him for a
while. But having to grill him with quest
(13:12):
and stuff, Like, I asked different questions now
than what I would. Or even, like, I
love picking Tucker brain because I feel like
Tucker asked really, really good questions. Yeah. And
he asked them in a right way. They're
not bland questions, but it really makes you
get to know someone if that makes sense.
Like, it shows their true colors and you're
like, oh, like, Yeah. Like you know, You
know, like, very strategic. Yes. Mh. Yep.
(13:35):
So Mh and that goes to show how
much
you value the quality of people that have
work here, which is really important and it
makes a difference in a work environment know
hundred percent. Mh.
Hundred percent. Feel like it's really common in
our industry sometimes when we lose a teammate
or, you know, someone
or intern then when we've lost interns that
(13:56):
how to leave or have things stuff about
not just filling a role to fill it.
Yep. You know, like,
waiting and find the right person so you
don't get put in
the same position get where they're leaving or,
you know, because I feel like sometimes
it's scary whenever you lose, especially a manager.
Like, oh my gosh. Like, there's a whole
division that's not getting taken care of than
(14:16):
everyone else has to pick up the weight.
But I would rather take longer and find
the right person that's gonna fit the build
than just fill a hole, and then they're
not fulfilled. We're not fulfilled. It's not a
good working relationship. They end up not being
happy. And it's just... It erased everyone's. Time.
Yeah. Under still scrambling with.
And it's just no one's running there. So...
No.
Yeah. Yeah. So Well, as someone who kinda
(14:39):
helps oversee the interim program here, What are
the what are some things that you have
learned from the interns?
A lot. Yeah.
Wanna backtrack again. So when I was doing
my masters,
My thesis was an evaluation over the Tar
Ag block program.
I evaluated over 400 ag students and their
(14:59):
perceptions on internships, and I got very close
to all those kids.
It really taught me to open up and
listen to them and where their needs weren't
being fulfilled.
And I've tried to take that experience for
my research and apply it here and even
the ranch we were at before we had
1 in turn versus here we have 3.
But try to make it an experience for
(15:21):
them and not just trying to be politically
correct. Not just free labor. Like, they're here
to learn. Yeah. They're here to get an
experience
and I joke, like, I view them as
kids. View them as siblings honestly, like, I'm
not not older than them. But
for me,
I want them to get the most out
of it and when I invest in them,
they're gonna invest here. And I know my
husband
(15:41):
really follows that too because
if he's just asking them to clean feed
bumps or clean out the horse stalls or
do whatever
and not be right there with him doing
it. He's not gonna have their respect. And
it's not good leadership to, you know, and
I try to do that on a daily.
Like, I wouldn't ask them to do anything
I wouldn't do. Mh. So for me, I
guess, specifically here at ariana brown is just
(16:04):
to
put myself on their shoes and really see
what they're doing. You know, they're at 6AM,
if they're calvin, they're up every 2 hours
all night depending 2 to 4 hours. Mh.
They're tired.
They're getting intern pay.
Yeah. There's not a lot to eat rock
more.
O these are fathers or dollar general our
grocery store. So they're tired, they're hungry, and
(16:26):
I think the more respect
you give them an understanding the more they're
gonna give us. And we've been really fortunate
to have
2 really good groups of interns since I've
been here. Mh. We're actually getting our next
group next Saturday.
I'm really excited about it. But I would
say just investing in them and not treating
them just as
labor. Yeah. Like what I mean, like he
(16:48):
plays Yes. Literally.
And there's so many places that do that,
and it's really disappointing. It wasn't just in
the production side. It was the marketing.
It was the extension. It was in a
lot of areas or it's, like, you know,
go file papers or go do this, which
is important and they need to know, like,
that's a facet of the ranch that needs
to get done, Like, as much as we
don't like clean feed bumps here. It's someone's
(17:08):
gotta do it. Right. But... Yeah. There's a
way to go about it, or even do
it with them. Right. To show, like, it's
not just for a low man on the
toes. Right. It's just not how it works.
Yeah. So I think
some people don't have that perspective, and they
don't think about it in the eyes of,
you know, everybody talks about how we need
more new people in ag
(17:30):
and the way to get people to have
a spark to, like, wanna come back and
do it. Is making it a great experience
for them. And if you're just treating someone
like cheap labor,
and all they see is grunt work and
they'd never get to learn. Like, there's no
reason for them to wanna come and work
and continue pursuing ag because they were just
(17:50):
miserable. Yeah.
I feel like more so now than ever
we have people
like me who didn't grow up in it.
Yeah. You know, Like, outside of ad classes
in high school. Okay kids to have less
experience than that. And, like, I want as
many new people that that been a part
of that to be a part of it.
Because they're typically a little bit more motivated.
(18:11):
They're more eager. Like, they're typically the ones
that end up
not lining cleaning pumps and stuff because are,
like, anything I can do to just get
involved and get my hands dirty. Yeah. Versus
some of the people. Some of that turns
we get
born and raised on it but they're, like,
how much do that? Like I wouldn't do
that from my dad. Like, you know, like
so
I would say, like, it's just
(18:33):
overall it's important. No. But of more so,
like, for the new ones. And here, we
get so many people that our first generation
or branding, like, their experience is going to
college or this internship. Right. So for me,
I'm like, let's make a good first impression
and get them started on the right foot.
So they can go to the next place
and represent us well. Yeah. Because they're gonna
(18:54):
see that on the resume too is the
other side of it. They're gonna see brown.
They're gonna call Donald Tucker. My husband than
me for references, and I want them to
be proud, and I want, yeah, to be
able to give a good reference on someone
and their a reflection of us at the
of the day. So... Yeah. When you guys
have a great reputation.
Thank you always teaching interns and treating them
like family. No. Yes.
(19:16):
They are.
And I mean, out here it's...
Y'all sell the bunk house, But, like, they
live out here if they're not here that,
Don't on Kelly's house just on the road.
So Yeah. They wake up there here. On
Wednesday nights, we feed the interns of our
house. Just to be able to, like, have
a home cooked meal and just, like, relax
and just
Jill and get to know on a different
level because that's another thing I've I learned
(19:38):
too is you really don't know what's going
on in some of these kids lives like
their personalized lives and stuff. And it could
affect them at work, and it might not
be something they wanna communicate to you. So
just, like, giving them that kind of piece
of we're family here, Like, we wanna be
trans. If you're having a bad air something's
going on, like, let us know. You know
what I mean? And giving them the face
to speak about. Exactly. And
(20:01):
I mean, they do... Like, we... This on
I'm interns so much. Like, it's in saying
how much these interns do and just
their workhorse. So I'm like, you when you
have something nice you treat it well, You
know, and you take care of it. Mh.
And that's that's what we've strive do. So
for sure. So you mentioned a couple times
like,
network. And on the registered branching podcast the
(20:24):
tucker. Shout it to him, All the interns
mention how you always say your network is
your network worth? Yes. Can you elaborate on
where you got this from? Why it's so
important to you. So I heard this when
I was in college from 1 of my
professors, and she was basically trying to say,
you know at the end of the day,
it doesn't matter how many degrees you have
(20:44):
framed on your wall. If you don't have
a good reputation or if you don't network
with the right people, it could make a
break whether you have a job or not.
And I'll, like an example. I have 2
interns apply
with the same
education and same work history
but 1 of them,
we know 3 of their references.
And these references are people that Donald Tucker
(21:07):
Tell I, like, trust and that could make
or break whether they get a job or
not. Yep. So Mh. Leaving every job on
a good note and putting your best foot
forward with any of your networks, whether it's
a class, a professor, a boss, a neighbor,
whoever.
That is huge. And I keep finding it
time and time again just
(21:27):
how my networks are overlapping now. Like, we
had a Russell Carroll that was here last
week. Mh. And we got our masters at
the same time. That Charles and he works
for cargo now. And he came out and
he was on their podcast. And I'm just
like. It's like, every... Just Yeah. It's weird
how everyone, all your world are collided yes.
And It was really funny, grace or who
is an intern. I a lot anymore. She's
(21:48):
full time employee though. But
we when we were at the heritage.
You know, I was telling her, like, all
these people. I'm like, okay. So this is
so and so. This is who owns this
boot. They went to school here or they're
married to this person and
I was trying to introduce her as many
people as I couldn't and she's like, why
don't I walked.
And I was like well, it's not that
vibrant Steven Mill crystal all, but Yeah. It's
(22:10):
just networking, and I think I'll be 30
this year. La. Mh. Yeah. Yeah. How so
for me, I think it's coming full circle
because when I was in college a high
school 12 years ago, all these people are
now, like, in their career. They're, like, in
the thick of it. So for me, I'm,
a lot of those networks worsening sending interns
(22:30):
too or they're calling us about interns or
they're calling us about business deals and it's
just
it's crazy. Yeah. And I can say for,
like,
when we interviewed for this job, This is
another thing that comes to mind. My husband
used to take outside horses and train horses,
and he trained for a lady named Allison
Ball in Morgan Mill. And her husband, Tony
(22:53):
is an Ad rep for feed. Mh. And
we got to know them because Tal was
riding 1 of her horses. And we ended
up buying our stud cold that we have
now. Patch it. He's he's my buddy, but
he's not angel Muffin I love. So we
buying him and he ended up being our
feed rep at the ranch worked out ferry.
Yeah. And then when we came out here,
(23:14):
we found out he was cooperated for Ari
Brown. And so that was 1 of the
people that Donald Kelly called. We found out
when we were applying or, like, whenever they
interviewed us, Tony at Kelsey. Like, so I
just got a call from the brown because,
you know I'm a walker. Like, yeah. No
idea. Yeah. But, like, 4 or 5 years
prior to that. Like, my husband had rode
wife's horse, and we bought a horse from
them. I would have never thought our worlds
(23:36):
would have overlap as much as I do
And now my husband's helping.
Get their goals to the finish line on
our sales. So it's really cool Just knows
networks, not as that is why It's your,
network. You know? Like, that's how we know.
You. Comes us together. So... Yeah. As someone
who,
like I us, recently graduated college, everyone kinda
tells you about how important it is to
(23:58):
know your network, like, all the people around
you, all the people that you went to
college with and how
you need to
really think about your circle of people because
you never know who's gonna ask
about your worth and how you are as
a person for a job opportunity or if
someone's gonna come to you and be, like,
hey, do you know this person and how
(24:19):
are they as a person, what's their work
ethic like?
And
it's happened a couple times already. And I'm
like, I just graduated. Like, I'm know.
Yeah. I'm not important enough for people to
ask you about someone else.
I mean, even now, I mean, y'all grace
lawyer. Yes. She just She's just walked in.
But she's snuck in. I have my y'all
(24:41):
and done this pocket, we'll probably with never
of who I was until
she made that connection in that network. You
know what I mean? Like, just within that.
Yes. Just it truly is crazy how important
that is. And just...
Especially, this industry as big as it's getting,
it's still really small. It's so small work.
It is a very small 1. Mh. Yeah.
But.
(25:01):
So it's always a believe just skin impressions
and just...
I I really try to
drive that home for the interns, like, especially
out here, you know, there's customers. There's,
There's different businesses coming out here on the
daily, and I'm like you never know you're
gonna need. Mh And that could be your
next employer. That could be your next business
partner. Could be your next spouse. You really
(25:23):
don't know what it?
Your next spout.
I'm not
(25:46):
So
you talked a little bit about how y'all
just got a stud horse and tell used
to ride horses for... Or does ride horses
for other people.
And
so tell us a little bit about pre
our performance forces, and what your journey has
been like to start a business with your
husband.
Absolutely.
So prick our started in 2018.
(26:08):
It was
ripe for... Or or we got engaged in
2018.
And
tell us my, best for. I think my
husband is, like, that's that's my person. Oh.
And from the get go, we were always
very transparent about our dreams and our goals,
and just a little bit about him just
so y'all can understand.
He was born raised in Missouri. Yeah. Give
(26:28):
us an connection to him because earlier when
we met him that you told him to
give us an and then he said, no.
Hi. I'm her husband.
It's probably, like, that's a really good description
of him.
I did to talk and he's society.
He's originally for Missouri. He's from Northeast Missouri.
(26:49):
And
he had the opportunity to come work for
a horse trainer Tyler Magnus when he was
16. So he graduated high school early and
him and his mom moved out to the
living court trailer
to Hamilton, Texas
and work for Tyler Magnus at Ser, which
is not an opportunity a lot of 16
year old
kids get Yeah. So
(27:09):
he's always been very passionate about horses. His
family had a farm in Missouri, but they
didn't necessarily grow rich, and they have horses
and but it was mainly telling this dad
that had a passion for the 4 side
of things. But
from a young age, he knew, he didn't
wanna go to college, that's another difference between
us. It's he didn't go to school, but
he wanted to
(27:29):
work out as many places as he could
and get as much experience as he could.
So
whenever he graduated, and they moved out here.
He worked for them for a couple years,
and then eventually his whole family coming to
Texas, like his sisters and everyone moved to
Texas.
And
he just traveled around and worked for different
ranches, all around Texas. He got the opportunity
a day work all over the country, and,
(27:52):
work for different trainers. Mh. So he... And
I'm met his dad's a pastor are executable,
and his dad used to do college careers,
which is, like, a weekly bible study
that they would do for college kids, college
age kids at the Cabbage Church, and
his mom would Cook Dinner, and way I
broke the dummy play volleyball after. Like, it
was just a really chill thing moment. Yeah.
(28:13):
So that's how we met and started dating.
But
He always wanted
to stay involved in horses and stuff. And
he took outside horses and the ranches he
worked for usually. Have a dream wherever he
was working that he would start and train
and ride. But
in between my masters and us moving in
(28:34):
New Mexico,
he was just doing that full time. And
so he was taking outside horses, 1 of
them being like Toni and Allison Ba for
earlier. Mh.
And
Yeah. I mean, that's... I I took the
approach of marketing for him. So that was
something think he's not... My husband doesn't have
to... He's only linkedin in. And he's opposed
to it. Yeah. But he's not a big
(28:56):
marketer, and so I use kinda my background
and knowledge, and my photography and stuff to
promote him. And also help promote other people's
horses. So we have people that wanted to
sell horses, and I had sent them to
tell for, like, 36 today ride, and then
I'd kinda get good video, pictures and share
online, and that's kind of how we started
working together, and we developed our brand quickly
(29:18):
are
Yeah. We've... It's something we've always done, and
any branch we've worked for. We've used it.
Like we've worked as a team Mh. To
kinda come promote versus
I'm definitely the 1 that's like, very obsessive
about their appearance and what they're eating and
making sure they're all, like, looking good stuff.
And he's, you know, he's the that actually
turns on and delivery. But when we came
(29:39):
to Ari Brown. We were allowed to ride
their horses. Like, we can have personal horses.
I don't wanna get that, like, mixed up.
But we couldn't take outside horses, which is
really common
for larger ranches. They don't want you riding
other horses they've got.
A lot of horses to ride in amazing
courses at that. Yep. So here, that's kind
(29:59):
of how that transitioned. With hatch it, our
stud,
He's 3 this year. So he's still really
young, but that was the first horse we
bought together and invested in. And
I never wanted to study. I didn't wanna
mess with it. I had a bunch of
friends at had studs.
And I was, like, we are not. No.
We're not doing that. I don't want to
do that.
And opportunity to own and filled our lap
(30:20):
and
I'll never say never. Yes. Yes. I know.
Eating Cro now.
We ended up
investing in him, and he was our first
surgeon. He's the first 4 so we put
our brand all together. And so lot of
and all value there because it's been a
long process
of him riding other horses and, like, Us
(30:41):
waiting for the right 1 because
we could go in buy horses and flip
them and sell them, and we had a
lot of friends Do that better very successful,
but we kind of wanted to invest in
our own herd Yeah. Whether that be a
good mayor that, you know, could turn into
a group 1 day or a stud or
a gel that we keep and keep back
for kids or whatever. But Yeah.
Yeah. So we got hatch it, and he's
(31:03):
been awesome. He's kind of turd sometimes. He.
But as I do, but we've been very
impressed with him. And
that's kind of where quickly are is at
now. He's not taking outside horses. He is
riding horses for the browns, and
we're investing in that stud and kinda just
taking our time. We really don't wanna rush
it. Oh, I haven't really promoted him at
(31:23):
all. I don't plan on it until
he's established or he's made some money, and
I'm not too proud Yelled either. I'm, like,
I'm not like, like you're doing a little
bit of promotion of him right now.
I
So...
But I just... For me, I was, like,
I don't really wanna put them out there
and get posters made, like, start actually, like,
(31:43):
accepting greetings or contracts until I know, like,
we won't put our name on it. And
right that's why we waited so long to
brand him too, because we just ran up
a couple months ago. Because we were just,
like, we don't wanna put anything that we
aren't proud of. Mh. Yeah. And aren't a
hundred percent backing. So we're kind of perfection
and very, like nit picky about stuff that.
But, yeah. That's perfectly clear. That's kind of
(32:05):
our story in a nutshell. So that's awesome.
Yeah. So you also mentioned
photography. Mh. How did you get into it
and,
you know, what advice do you have for
anyone starting now? You have many irons in
the fire? Yeah. I apple.
So photography, it's kind of been all the
standstill since becoming pregnant, but
(32:26):
so photography started for me. I did take
photography class in high school has elected it
before we had switched over to the academy
stuff. Mh. And I enjoyed it.
But it really wasn't meant until college. I
a professor, doctor Ashley, who is a very
talented photographer. I took his intro to ag
photography, class, and I got hooked. And I'm
getting my first camera on 2015.
(32:48):
And it's the same camera I used today.
So I shoot with a Called d 700
and I've upgraded lenses, but that has just
been my tried and true. Yeah. I've been
obsessive about shooting in manual and learning every
single detail. That's kind of like, my big
stink is
I get a lot of girls out messaged
me in guys and be like, what camera
do I want? I'm like, you could go
spend 23 3 and get a perfect camera
(33:10):
that you can just turn on and shoot
and get beautiful photos. Yeah. But you can
also get a less expensive camera and get
the same quality. If you know how to
shoot manual and run the settings. Mh. Yeah.
So that's kinda of been. I mean, my
camera's is almost 10 years old now. And
long yeah. I've you know, just learn how
to use it. So You. I'd used it
for promoting the horses. I've done sessions throughout
(33:31):
college. Just kind of how I paid my
way through college too was offering part time
sessions, like, seniors
and things like that. Mh. Yeah. I started
getting more to the Western lifestyle and my
masters, so I was shooting a lot of
branding.
In Texas.
When I went to new Mexico, I started
doing weddings during Covid, like, allot. Just because
it was rough, ma'am. Yeah. Was like it
(33:52):
was hard Bet. So I I started picking
up weddings. I don't think Ever do weddings
again. Honestly you keep different breed for that.
I looks it just looks stress Google wedding
the photographer. The money's is great.
Was like, you're not just a photographer for
your, like, wedding planner that day. You are,
you know, If something goes wrong. They look
to you. Yeah. You're keeping everyone on schedule,
(34:14):
and it's somebody's perfect day. So it's so
much pressure on just this pictures and everything.
I'm a hire close girlfriends mine to come
assist me at weddings.
Just to help with stuff or, like, make
sure the bride dress look good, or grandma
was looking up camera or whoever. You know
what I mean? Yeah. And I'd always tell
someone like, okay. Listen.
You're gonna be hungover tomorrow. It's it's like
(34:35):
a photographer hangover? Yeah. And I don't know
if it's just a adrenaline rush you get
just because it's someone's wedding day, and you
just want to be perfect and you were
just like, on your toes and just but
you literally feel hungover. Yeah Stay. It's the
biggest. I don't know what that like.
It's biggest question burn and. I don't have
(34:56):
how explain.
But, yeah. I... I'm always taking photos, know,
for Ari Brown. I my camera on a
lot, that we do an amazing. Yeah. You
so much. I use it mainly to promote
social media and stuff for them or, like,
Kelly needs catalog photos,
I still do sessions for people here and
there. I've kinda backed off since being pregnant
just because
(35:17):
editing is very time consuming on top of
my job and just I'm selfish, and I
wanna have an evening to myself myself.
Just self care. I think it's something. I
don't think I'll ever completely let it go.
Like it's just been in a huge part
of my life. But I worked for a
western wedding magazine during Covid, and I did
a lot of content creation for them and
photography no way. And so that was...
(35:39):
I really enjoyed that, but that kinda helped
me out a lot in terms of catalog
development and content creation for magazines and stuff
like that, and especially catalogs like the browns
catalogs. Yeah. Mh. But I love about theirs
and Kelly does a much better job explaining
it the me it's almost like a coffee
table book is how they want it to
look. Right. They want really pretty pictures in
(35:59):
it. They want it to be appealing. They
want good stories. So and be user friendly.
Yes.
And so that's a really big deal. So
that's been something I've gotten to come and
tribute.
Here as well. Mh. I'm sorry. I went
on a really big side road. Just know
your
Like, I got something in my brain. Go
ahead. But that's it. No. That's basically it.
I just
(36:20):
photography just always been a big part in
their life. So
So
promoting the industry through photography. Mh. I think
there's some do's don'ts. That go with that.
Can you elaborate
on,
yeah. The right way to do that? Yeah.
Because I think a lot of people can
learn from us? Yes. Of this is a
good... We didn't have tucker hair for this
(36:41):
because he gets We wanna we wanna hear
from you. I know He gets... Not against
tucker, but we wanna hear from me because,
but she we've had a we we had
this conversation other they tucker I did. So
my biggest thing is transparency.
And I've dealt with a lot of people
online that
think we're not sharing the full story, or,
oh, you're just posting pretty pictures or, you
(37:01):
know what I mean? Like, you aren't seeing
the the other side of it or perceptions
probably like, the fact farming side of it,
like, the negative stories so they've been told.
Yeah. They're thinking that's what's being hidden. It's
like, oh, they're just posting that picture, But
I bet if I went out there. You'd
see x y and z. Right. For me,
I always try to stay transparent.
In fact, there was a class I took
in college called communicating act of the public.
(37:24):
And so I... That was a good class.
What is 1 of my favorite classes. Yeah.
So she would divide the class and happened
and we'd have to debate different things and
what class would be anti and 1 Proactive.
We'd have to argue it. Yeah. Or I
had to go interview random people that knew
nothing about Ag and ask their perceptions and
try to have a calm cool conversation that's
not just throwing dagger at each other. Right.
(37:45):
And and being in a screaming match. But
for me, I romanticized the western Lifestyle locks,
because to me is beautiful. So I guess,
for my style of photography or marketing,
I try to find the things that I
think are beautiful. I think my husband's
Dusty hat and mornings are beautiful. But, like,
you know, I seeing that and then see
him hold his son after that. And we
(38:06):
see how delicate it can be Yeah. So
I think sort shows that just people's or
personalities through that, like, old men, You know,
So you know, they're... The yeah, they're cast.
Yeah. You or yeah. Do you certain things
like that, but also, like, their dad's, their
husband. You know, You don't see them at
3 in the morning, cooling that calf. The
cow. Things like that. So I think telling
(38:27):
that full story
is what I try to do. And I...
I've leaned more towards video because I think
that gets that across better than probably pictures
do. For sure. And just this generation is
so big on video, but Grace is sitting
here, and I can tell Story about her
in the 2 interns.
Pulling a calf out of a frozen tank,
and then sitting in the Ar bar and
trying to warm it up, just this 1
(38:49):
calf, but, like, you know, the Internet doesn't
see that. No. You know what I mean.
So I'm like, you know what? As
probably appropriate as it is. I try to
be, like, appropriate timing on getting videos, because
there's a time in place for with their
certain of things, you probably shouldn't
video, but
trying to share that side of it, so
people can see. You know, these young people
care and they're up. On I trying to
(39:09):
keep these animals alive or, they're bottle feeding
calves
and
what that takes because I don't... I don't
see I know so. Yeah. Don't see the
time and the heart leg everything. Yes. And
and let's clarify something... When you said there's
probably some things you shouldn't video. Yeah. It's
because there's a whole story behind what just
a a second. I think it's monday.
(39:29):
Like that's where it can be taken right.
Yeah. Like, you probably shouldn't whip your phone
at your grandpa's funeral during the serve. Like,
I think there's a time in the place
to everything is what I'm getting at. I
think there's times where
we don't think to whip out our phones
because it's an emergency, and we're trying to
save Animal life or we're doing something that,
you know, not that we're hiding anything.
But it can be.
(39:50):
Exactly.
Exactly.
(40:14):
We're gonna take a quick break to hear
a word from 1 of our sponsors.
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Woods, water, wildlife and our way of life.
To check out how you can get involved,
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(40:38):
dot 0RG.
So you mentioned that you
are pregnant right now.
Belly
glow going
really.
Yes.
How are you balancing that while so fulfilling
your professional career
(41:00):
and all your mini irons that we've chatted
about.
So
when Tell I started dating, he has a
little boy named Brady,
And
when I started dating him, I knew that
was gonna gonna be part of my life
too. Like, Had to be okay with
Yes. Be at. Yeah. And
for me, all we knew,
(41:22):
I guess was working for rich or working
for different places and doing stuff.
So I guess I learned then how to
adapt with Young child. That wasn't my, you
know, like, not my blood child, but
trying to keep him involved in the industry
and get the job done too. And a
lot of times I would be on... Getting
photos and then brady there, and then tells
working, And so trying to find that balance
(41:44):
of when it's appropriate to have them out
there, you know, things like that. Mh. He
has taught me a lot. So I feel
really prepared for this pregnant see
because of it.
But I think
I just think we don't... I hate to
say we don't know any different, But, like,
we've worked for places that have been really
good about allowing us to bring family and
(42:04):
be, you know, like,
be involved with our families. Mh. Every place
we've interviewed at, are our personal questions we
ask is Ken Brady go to work with
Tel.
Because if he can't He can't take best
job. Yeah because, like, to... Like, especially because
he splits his time, he lives in a
northern state, like,
about 18 hours away. Mh. So we get
(42:25):
him summers and holidays now that he's in
school. And so when we do have them,
that time is very precious to us. And
so if he can't go to work, and
I understand there's certain times while she's not
appropriate for him to be there, or he
can't keep up or safe. But if he
can't be there, then this isn't a good
and we're not a good fit for you.
(42:45):
Mh. Because that's like, a non negotiable for.
So I think setting that boundary from, like,
get go with an employer,
has helped our family it as a whole.
Yeah. And so we've been very fortunate from
Steven Mill to Cab bio, New Mexico to
ferry Texas to hear. Every place has been,
like, absolutely. Y'all are parents, y'all all make
that call if it's safe or not, but
(43:06):
also, like, get the job done. You know?
So... Right.
Is a lot about an employer to yes.
Yes. A hundred percent.
And especially the browns here. I mean, they
raised their boys in the house. Rank story.
And so for me, I was very transparent,
especially with Brady, and really like, absolutely. And
it's not I'm uncommon for Donald to come
(43:26):
Brady when he turned to, like, he's gonna
come help me actually. I he'll, like, steal
Them He'll go ride with the interns, and
I can't imagine a more fun
atmosphere for kid growing up, then didn't to
just be feral and turn on rant for
the bunch of other, like, good people though.
So I would love to be brave. Yes.
Like, that's what telling Like we're kinda jealous.
(43:47):
So we didn't get... We don't get that.
But we want better for handling what we
had. So, yeah. For this baby, you were
having now. That's been something.
You know, I'm... I'm... It's so early I
haven't have this child yet. So Don't know.
I'm still learning. Yeah. But
I'm very fortunate in that our employers are
for my job specifically in terms of maternity
(44:07):
leave. They've been very understanding with that. How
much time need. Yeah. I can work remotely
fortunately with my job. Yeah. I'm planning a
lot of stuff out. Like, I think, April
is when I started scheduling post out for
July, which is what I'm do. So I
can pre schedule stuff in my job and
at least get it
squared away taken care of. Right. They've been
awesome just to work with and. The other
(44:29):
thing is, like, I know I can come
in here with the baby and Michelle's is
probably a still baby. Kelly's gonna steal the
baby. Yeah. Like it is a very family
apple atmosphere.
The other 2 managers out here, they have
a little bitty say have kids. So it's
it's awesome. Yeah. That's kind of how I've
been navigating it. First trimester,
I died. Like, I live be grace and
(44:49):
the other grace for my saving grace.
Literally was sick to my stomach. So every
day was, like, a battle.
I think 1 of the most common questions
we get is and 1 of jail like,
day to day life. And, like, I don't
have a normal routine. Like, I don't say,
I make up about 7, and, like, this...
I do this and this and this and
(45:10):
this, like, every everyday different what I'm doing,
my hours are different.
I think that's for everyone out here. It's
a match. Every everything's different. I mean, other
than the meeting at the saddle house and
knowing we gotta feed the deli at this
time and feed them in the evening at
this time, I think that's the only thing
that stays pretty routine. Other than that. It's
just
role with the chaos, I guess, yeah.
(45:32):
Through pregnancy managing everything has been really. And
once I got to that second trimester. I
mean, I think staying active and going out
and helping has really helped me mentally to
not getting a rut. Mh. Or some of
the
I don't know. Your hormones are changing so
much girls. Like, it is like,
it's easy to get in your head. So
being able to go out and help them
to hunt videos or pictures or even if
(45:53):
I'm not in the pen with the cow
but move them up and just being able
to be active.
I think it's kept me sane honestly.
So Mh. I'm hoping to continue now obviously,
late take time I need after I half
the baby, but just keep staying active. Because
that's just just keep your mind off yeah.
We're busy bodies. We like to... We don't
like be still very often.
(46:14):
Yeah. I think that helps me out a
lot. Yeah.
What are some challenges that you have faced
in your life either professionally or personally
and how did you overcome them?
I would say
there's been 2 main, like, struggles for me.
I would say
that really stick out to me.
(46:34):
And 1 of them was in New Mexico
when telling them I moved out there, and
I had said earlier, you know, it was
a month before Covid,
We were in a really remote area. Mh.
I was really struggling because I graduated with
my masters. So Was like I'm a healthiest
jobs. Like I wanna be able to do
this. And I was unemployed for a while,
and he was gone a lot of the
(46:54):
times. And so it was me in this
little Adobe house in new Mexico in the
middle of nowhere.
10 hours away from family. Yeah. It ain't
got to me really, really hard. And
when he was home,
you know, he was working. Like, it never
stopped. Like, we were constantly working. Yeah. And,
that can put strain on the marriage, And
(47:16):
it can, like, make it really hard in
terms of
emotional needs versus, like, I need this done
around the house or you know just things
like that. Yeah. And so I think 1
of the
best things that I did was really reevaluate
and be like, how can I
help him when he gets home? So, like,
when he was home, I was like, how
can we work as a team instead of,
like, just soaking and complaining about poor? How
(47:38):
can I make our situation different for the
better? Mh. And our long time might be
in a fee truck. Yeah. Our long time
might be riding and gathering and looking for
a bowl in the mountains of New Mexico.
Our time might
be, you know, like, that that might be
it. Yeah. But that's also the reality of
this industry. So I think once that clicked
for me that it doesn't have to be
us going the dinner or it doesn't have
(48:00):
to be, like, this picture perfect setting, like,
as long as we're together and we're getting
a gold done together.
That was something that I think once that
clicked for me, I haven't... I've been the
happiest assistant. Yeah. And I think that's beautiful
though too. Being able to And I think
to, like, we've been fortunate enough for where
I gotten into work a lot of the
same jobs with and so I'm out there
checking cab doing stuff. Is the first 1
(48:20):
I kinda, like, had my own
separate separate thing, like, my projects. I've worked
other places where I've been over beef and
Done so. Mh. But I've also helped him.
So it's, like, that's been a big part.
This is the first 1. I'm like, okay.
Like, he has his own stuff. He has
help. He has stuff that I can... I
don't always have to help him, but he
will call me maybe be, like, can you
can look can you come do this or,
like, can you do this while I'll do
(48:41):
this? And it's awesome. And we can work
as a team, but it is kinda cool
to have my own baby? Yeah. I'm like,
this is something I'm proud of that I
get work on I get to do. So
I would say that's 1 struggle.
The other 1
was
when we were trying to figure out where
we wanted to go,
(49:02):
where we wanted to grow more in this
industry. Mh. And having to
accept that, you know what? Like, sometimes having
a really nice paycheck in a nice house,
is great until it's not until you're not
fulfilled. Right. And
for us,
it was accepting... It's okay to move on
to bigger and better things. And it's okay
to say, let some things go so we
can be fulfilled in other areas. Mh. And
(49:23):
I think in previous jobs, we've been very
well taken care of Wanna not be grateful
for that.
But
I think if you think you're the smartest
in the room and you stop challenging yourself,
you go your 30 and 33.
You're never gonna be more than that.
I I don't think you should ever stop
growing or learning or, you know, get a
(49:43):
different room with different people, if you think
you know at all because there's people,
you know, got a different... Yeah. A different
room. So for me, that was something we
really struggled with because we were very happy
in a place that we were at and
content with paying content with our jobs.
But that was it. We were just... We
were, you know, we were good. It was,
(50:04):
like, a little stagnant.
Yeah. And then being very grounded and having
a good relationship with God and a good
foundation for that is important. And I think
when we finally kinda let go and, like,
opened our minds to that and prayed about
it.
We ought a call saying that Ari brown
was still looking for foreman. Mh.
And, oh, yeah. We need a marketing person
too. I know, Yeah. I like, y and
(50:24):
awesome some people. And it's just, like, everything
is just fallen into place in a way
that I can't explain. Yeah So... Mh. I
would say those 2 things.
Well, thank you so much. For having us.
Yeah. Really enjoyed our time with you. I
Guys, she's like, the sweetest fun person ever.
Thank you.
Know, we... Most of the time when we
(50:46):
do interviews either g... Gina knows the person
or out of the person, and then the
other
the other 1 of us is meeting them
for the first time. Yeah. And we can
get nervous about it sometimes. But we pulled
up, and Morgan has just been so sweet
since we pulled up here.
Feel like what get it. We're at home.
You y'all let everyone going. Yeah.
(51:08):
And with that, As always.
Be a lady legend.
See you all next time.
Hurting her story is proudly sponsored by the
Florida Cattle
foundation.
The Florida Cattle foundation is dedicated to sustaining
a viable ranch industry in Florida through the
development of future leaders.
The foundation board is committed to raising and
distributing funds for a wide variety of projects
in the areas of research in the cattle
(00:35):
industry,
educational programs,
leadership development programs,
and the heritage in historical projects, such as
the ranch exhibit,
housed at the Florida State Fair and their
signature event of the Florida Ranch Rodeo state
finals and heritage festival.
Hurting your story is also proudly sponsored by
(00:55):
mister Dale and missus Beth Carlton,
along with mister Doyle e Carlton the third
of Roman 3 ranch is. We thank them
for their support and commitment to a sustainable
Florida by investing in future generation.
Welcome back everyone. We are here with another
special guest. We are actually at the Ra
(01:15):
brown ranch today.
In Brock, Texas. I know most of you
probably heard that name.
It's the first time I've ever been hit...
Well, we talked about this is my first
trip to Texas. So I'll super excited to
get get ra brown.
So we are with miss Morgan Rug.
Yeah. Welcome, Morgan. Thanks for having me. Yeah.
(01:36):
We're super excited to be here. Tell us
a little bit about yourself and how
you are connected to add. Yeah.
So I'm originally for a round rock, Texas
if you don't know where that is, that's
central part of the state we're just north
of Austin, and
grew up there. Very blue collar household. I
didn't grow up in a traditional
(01:56):
branching
background or in the industry per s. It
took ad classes all through high school, but
I really didn't dive in until I went
to college. So that's that's just a little
bit about my background. Awesome. Where did you
go to college? And I went to a
Charleston state in Steven Mill, Texas.
The Cowboy Capital
loved it there. It's a grown a lot
since I graduated. But
(02:18):
I moved there in
2014.
And
pursued my bachelor of science in at communications.
And then I decided I wanna get my
masters afterwards.
So I took the summer off and went
into my masters and got my master's of
science and agricultural consumer resources.
Okay. So did you always know you wanted
(02:38):
to do something with echo call?
No.
Actually, when I was in high school, our
school
transitioned into a academy program.
So
we had to take classes based on the
academy you were in to graduate. So if
you were the academy of medical, whatever you
had to take medical classes as your elective.
(03:00):
Kinda like a college. Like, your elective kinda
correspond with your major in a way? Yeah.
So it it's, like, specialized costs. Yes. Earliest.
And so I took I classes up until
my junior year, and then we transitioned
And, originally, I wanted to do linguistics. So
I wanted to do foreign languages and the
study of languages and translating. Yeah. So
(03:21):
I had taken
about 7 years of French
and 3 years of Spanish and in 3
years of sign language.
So they they pulled me from my language
arc from my classes into my language classes.
So, initially, that's what I wanted to do
with my life. Trains life. I know why
I geek out of our languages and stuff
like that. But it's really cool because stuff
(03:43):
doesn't always translate, but I feel like in
other languages. There's a lot more meaning. Yeah.
Behind different words and phrases. Yeah. And, like,
there's
words and phrases that describe things that they
don't have words for any. Yes. Yes. No.
A hundred percent. I did really enjoy it.
And when I graduated,
(04:03):
I went to Acc, which is Austin Community
College, and I went there just to get
my basics, and I was paying for my
college.
Myself. So for me, I wanted to get
as many basics out of the way and
not spend as much from you know I
transferred.
And
I just had, like, an epiphany moment where
I was like, I should have stayed an
ag. I should have stayed. That's where I
felt most fulfilled Yeah. For those ag classes
(04:25):
in high school.
And I had a girlfriend that lived in
Steven Bill and went to, and I went
to visit her, and I got to see
the campus in the college and Charles a
big ag school. Right. I got to meet
with a few professors and counselors and I
was like, this is where I need to
be. Like, I just knew. So I ended
up
finishing out my second year at the community
(04:45):
college. And I transfer to Toilet. And so
I switched from
french to academic kids.
Wanna trans I. Yeah. Because there's not a
lot of french speakers in Texas. So... But
but you have some Spanish background Yeah. So
that was on handy. Yes. No. It's super
helpful.
Everyone in Texas, like, you know, you almost
have to know, like, a unlimited unlimited of
(05:06):
Spanish. Yeah. And then we have deaf family
members. So, like, we always kinda new sign
language and stuff like that. My brother translate.
So
that was always something that interests me. I
don't know. That problem started when she.
Harsh. Awesome. So did you wanna never know
Yeah hope.
It's... Yeah. It's really good Right. Yeah.
Yeah. I really enjoy my time at To.
(05:27):
I it's grown. It's d 1 now. But
when I was there, it was still kind
of that
small college,
small town, but you felt like you're going
to University when you're on campus. Like, Right.
And it was, like, our classes are smaller
and the college of that was even smaller
than most of the other colleges is out
there, but I just
really enjoyed my time there. Yeah. It was
really intimate. Yes. Yes. I've made life while
(05:49):
friends there.
So how did you end up at ra?
Okay. So
I'm gonna have to backtrack and kinda tell
our story before
y'all can understand how we ended up here.
Yeah. My husband and I, since getting married
in 2019,
we've kinda made a goal to travel around
(06:10):
and work for different places and get out
of our comfort zone. I had graduated with
my masters.
We've just gotten married November of 2019,
and we had some friends in new Mexico
that were, like, hey, really want us to
come work for the ranch. Mh. And so,
February of the following year. We moved to
Cab dubai new Mexico, which is Southern New
Mexico. Right outside of the truth their consequences.
(06:32):
No way. Yeah. Yeah. I'm a friend truth
it's That's a town. Yeah. Mh. Literally like
I was called... So originally it was called
Hot springs, New Mexico. Mh. And then they
changed it to truth voices. So they call
it Tier either. What bad
Holly. So we were right. Our in Lost
priest to hours from Paso just Southern New
(06:55):
Mexico.
I call, like, desert with Mountains. That's how
I can describe it. But. It was literally
desert Mountains. It was beautiful. Yeah. But So
side note, we were driving up here. U.
And we're driving out of Fort Worth. And
I'm like, Texas really isn't that pretty. And
we're driving through, like, Rink Dink dance. Yeah.
Like, it's not really pretty.
(07:15):
And then we get... We get further out
and we get further out and I'm like,
Oh, yeah. But there there are Texas is
pretty. So many different parts 2, like, South
Texas versus, like, West, Texas panhandle east. It
is so all country. It's... Yeah. Mh. You
get... It's like a pot gum. It's just
like a little bit of earth thing. Just
like corona pot. Like that texas. Yeah. But,
(07:37):
yeah. We were in...
New Mexico we moved their February of 20
20, and then the following month is kinda
when Covid happened.
And New Mexico
was very different
compared to, like, when I've gone to Texas
a visit and stuff like that, just like,
how the state changed, all the businesses that
closed. It was just completely different and, different
(07:57):
culture too for us.
So that was my adjustment, but we were
in a really remote
area.
It was a really cool experience We were
there for a year and a half. And
more remote than mouse?
Yeah.
Was like, actual middle. Like, some of the
ranches
that my husband have to go to and,
like, different parts of the ranches. Like, you
(08:18):
drive, like, 2, 2 half hours in, and
to get to the cattle or, you know
what I mean? Like, it was... A, wow.
There's no service. They have, like, Walkie talkie
and stuff like that. And A lot of
the land up there was, like, B and
land too. So, like, we never random people
out there. Just, like, hanging out. Yeah. There
was a late on what other their properties
and people be fishing there and like trying
(08:39):
gather cattle. Stuff like you can't be yeah.
It's really
Oh, we don't have that in Texas. So,
like, that was a really different
for us, But really cool experience
my husband's gotten to travel all over and
work in all different
states. So that was kinda something on his
bucket list to go do. So I'm glad
we got to do that together.
(08:59):
We ended up having a job opportunity come
up in Ferry Texas, which is right outside.
It's like, 45 minutes from Seasonal. Yeah. For
registered Angus operation, and
we'd only worked for
commercial ranches. So this was our first... Receipts
are kinda, like, just very different.
We moved back to text that we were
ready to come back home. Mh. Yeah. And
(09:19):
just be closer to family.
So we ended up there, and we were
there for a year and a half.
I'm gonna I'm gonna talk about networking a
lot. And I'm gonna bring it up a
lot, but it's just something that's, like, connected
us in so many different ways. So
we had a friend that actually grew up
with Donald, and he'd had reached out. And
we weren't necessarily looking to leave where we
were at. We were really happy.
(09:42):
But we were also, like... But, like, we
couldn't grow anymore and challenge ourselves. And there
wasn't only room for me to grow where
I was out or tell.
I managed their beef sales and marketing, and
he was a manager. But again, it just...
We weren't gonna move up anymore. And we
really are the tech people that wanna challenge
ourselves. And, like, let's see how far we
can take this. Right.
(10:02):
We gotta call that Ari Brown was still
looking for foreman men.
And we're all like, my gosh, mckay. Like,
can I, like, throw your name in the
pot and we're like, absolutely? And so a
week later actually, a year ago tomorrow is
when we interviewed here? On the memorial day.
So hope was really cool.
We came out
nervous as All get out. I had come
(10:23):
toward the in 2015 with Tau. Mh.
But
it's just like everyone here knows their reputation,
just like, it was intimidating, and it was
probably 1 of the most grueling interviews.
Whatever
because we came out and it was Donald,
the bowl development manager at the time and
Tucker.
(10:43):
And they gave us a tour of the
ranch kinda like I gave y'all all and
talk about everything and they were asking questions
as we went, and then we went back
to their house for dinner. And they had
2 interns that had just come in that
day. Mh.
Miss Kelly Donald and tucker, and we saw
at dinner, and I mean, they grilled us.
So I remember then looking at me and
being, like, what's your husband's biggest weakness. And
(11:05):
then you're gonna tell me what's Morgan's biggest.
Like, just
very, like, challenging question or, like, if we
were to call your best friend,
what is something they say is, like, your
at least favorable quality.
Or, like, what is gonna be something you
struggle with if you could offer this job
or... I remember, I think it was
Olivia, who was an intern for Wyoming, Chad
(11:25):
Olivia. But I love her, but if she
had just gotten their tube and Was like,
miss the ball's on this girl. She
She literally was like, So
how can you make this ranch better than
audience is? Duh. And my own, how do
you look the owner of Our ground in
the face and say, y'all could do this
This better and I was like, oh no.
(11:47):
Good. Like, it was such a long, hard
and interesting interview, and I'm so great before
it because I think
it made us realize like, they're looking for
someone who's going to make a difference, and
someone who fits. They're not just trying to
fill spot. Late in, I appreciate that. And
it was her enhancement. We were there for,
(12:08):
gosh. I felt, like 6, 7 hours interviewing,
like, late Like, it was... I think, like,
9 or 10 I o'clock night have to
ref finish the interview. Yep. And then a
few days later, they called us and they're
like, we'd love for book the all to
come out. Kelly called me and interviewed me
just 1 on 1 with her because they
were looking to fill that marketing role too.
So Right. They hired both of us. So
it's, like, a dual
(12:29):
interview, which was really unique doing that with
your husband. Yeah. And,
yeah. And then we moved
July first, we moved out here.
We've been here a whole year this coming
July. Yeah. That's how we ended up here.
I can't imagine getting curled with questions like,
we're dinner like like, I wouldn't be able
to eat. No. And with your husband, like,
to me, that's the best health. Yeah. It's
(12:51):
like you're in a relationship counseling your. Hey
What's great or... I appreciate the questions think
it's made me better at asking the right
questions even for, like, interns and stuff or
when we've
interviewed people, like, we recently hired a new
full development manager. Mh. And
again, with the networks, he went to Charleston
with me and we've known him for a
while. But having to grill him with quest
(13:12):
and stuff, Like, I asked different questions now
than what I would. Or even, like, I
love picking Tucker brain because I feel like
Tucker asked really, really good questions. Yeah. And
he asked them in a right way. They're
not bland questions, but it really makes you
get to know someone if that makes sense.
Like, it shows their true colors and you're
like, oh, like, Yeah. Like you know, You
know, like, very strategic. Yes. Mh. Yep.
(13:35):
So Mh and that goes to show how
much
you value the quality of people that have
work here, which is really important and it
makes a difference in a work environment know
hundred percent. Mh.
Hundred percent. Feel like it's really common in
our industry sometimes when we lose a teammate
or, you know, someone
or intern then when we've lost interns that
(13:56):
how to leave or have things stuff about
not just filling a role to fill it.
Yep. You know, like,
waiting and find the right person so you
don't get put in
the same position get where they're leaving or,
you know, because I feel like sometimes
it's scary whenever you lose, especially a manager.
Like, oh my gosh. Like, there's a whole
division that's not getting taken care of than
(14:16):
everyone else has to pick up the weight.
But I would rather take longer and find
the right person that's gonna fit the build
than just fill a hole, and then they're
not fulfilled. We're not fulfilled. It's not a
good working relationship. They end up not being
happy. And it's just... It erased everyone's. Time.
Yeah. Under still scrambling with.
And it's just no one's running there. So...
No.
Yeah. Yeah. So Well, as someone who kinda
(14:39):
helps oversee the interim program here, What are
the what are some things that you have
learned from the interns?
A lot. Yeah.
Wanna backtrack again. So when I was doing
my masters,
My thesis was an evaluation over the Tar
Ag block program.
I evaluated over 400 ag students and their
(14:59):
perceptions on internships, and I got very close
to all those kids.
It really taught me to open up and
listen to them and where their needs weren't
being fulfilled.
And I've tried to take that experience for
my research and apply it here and even
the ranch we were at before we had
1 in turn versus here we have 3.
But try to make it an experience for
(15:21):
them and not just trying to be politically
correct. Not just free labor. Like, they're here
to learn. Yeah. They're here to get an
experience
and I joke, like, I view them as
kids. View them as siblings honestly, like, I'm
not not older than them. But
for me,
I want them to get the most out
of it and when I invest in them,
they're gonna invest here. And I know my
husband
(15:41):
really follows that too because
if he's just asking them to clean feed
bumps or clean out the horse stalls or
do whatever
and not be right there with him doing
it. He's not gonna have their respect. And
it's not good leadership to, you know, and
I try to do that on a daily.
Like, I wouldn't ask them to do anything
I wouldn't do. Mh. So for me, I
guess, specifically here at ariana brown is just
(16:04):
to
put myself on their shoes and really see
what they're doing. You know, they're at 6AM,
if they're calvin, they're up every 2 hours
all night depending 2 to 4 hours. Mh.
They're tired.
They're getting intern pay.
Yeah. There's not a lot to eat rock
more.
O these are fathers or dollar general our
grocery store. So they're tired, they're hungry, and
(16:26):
I think the more respect
you give them an understanding the more they're
gonna give us. And we've been really fortunate
to have
2 really good groups of interns since I've
been here. Mh. We're actually getting our next
group next Saturday.
I'm really excited about it. But I would
say just investing in them and not treating
them just as
labor. Yeah. Like what I mean, like he
(16:48):
plays Yes. Literally.
And there's so many places that do that,
and it's really disappointing. It wasn't just in
the production side. It was the marketing.
It was the extension. It was in a
lot of areas or it's, like, you know,
go file papers or go do this, which
is important and they need to know, like,
that's a facet of the ranch that needs
to get done, Like, as much as we
don't like clean feed bumps here. It's someone's
(17:08):
gotta do it. Right. But... Yeah. There's a
way to go about it, or even do
it with them. Right. To show, like, it's
not just for a low man on the
toes. Right. It's just not how it works.
Yeah. So I think
some people don't have that perspective, and they
don't think about it in the eyes of,
you know, everybody talks about how we need
more new people in ag
(17:30):
and the way to get people to have
a spark to, like, wanna come back and
do it. Is making it a great experience
for them. And if you're just treating someone
like cheap labor,
and all they see is grunt work and
they'd never get to learn. Like, there's no
reason for them to wanna come and work
and continue pursuing ag because they were just
(17:50):
miserable. Yeah.
I feel like more so now than ever
we have people
like me who didn't grow up in it.
Yeah. You know, Like, outside of ad classes
in high school. Okay kids to have less
experience than that. And, like, I want as
many new people that that been a part
of that to be a part of it.
Because they're typically a little bit more motivated.
(18:11):
They're more eager. Like, they're typically the ones
that end up
not lining cleaning pumps and stuff because are,
like, anything I can do to just get
involved and get my hands dirty. Yeah. Versus
some of the people. Some of that turns
we get
born and raised on it but they're, like,
how much do that? Like I wouldn't do
that from my dad. Like, you know, like
so
I would say, like, it's just
(18:33):
overall it's important. No. But of more so,
like, for the new ones. And here, we
get so many people that our first generation
or branding, like, their experience is going to
college or this internship. Right. So for me,
I'm like, let's make a good first impression
and get them started on the right foot.
So they can go to the next place
and represent us well. Yeah. Because they're gonna
(18:54):
see that on the resume too is the
other side of it. They're gonna see brown.
They're gonna call Donald Tucker. My husband than
me for references, and I want them to
be proud, and I want, yeah, to be
able to give a good reference on someone
and their a reflection of us at the
of the day. So... Yeah. When you guys
have a great reputation.
Thank you always teaching interns and treating them
like family. No. Yes.
(19:16):
They are.
And I mean, out here it's...
Y'all sell the bunk house, But, like, they
live out here if they're not here that,
Don't on Kelly's house just on the road.
So Yeah. They wake up there here. On
Wednesday nights, we feed the interns of our
house. Just to be able to, like, have
a home cooked meal and just, like, relax
and just
Jill and get to know on a different
level because that's another thing I've I learned
(19:38):
too is you really don't know what's going
on in some of these kids lives like
their personalized lives and stuff. And it could
affect them at work, and it might not
be something they wanna communicate to you. So
just, like, giving them that kind of piece
of we're family here, Like, we wanna be
trans. If you're having a bad air something's
going on, like, let us know. You know
what I mean? And giving them the face
to speak about. Exactly. And
(20:01):
I mean, they do... Like, we... This on
I'm interns so much. Like, it's in saying
how much these interns do and just
their workhorse. So I'm like, you when you
have something nice you treat it well, You
know, and you take care of it. Mh.
And that's that's what we've strive do. So
for sure. So you mentioned a couple times
like,
network. And on the registered branching podcast the
(20:24):
tucker. Shout it to him, All the interns
mention how you always say your network is
your network worth? Yes. Can you elaborate on
where you got this from? Why it's so
important to you. So I heard this when
I was in college from 1 of my
professors, and she was basically trying to say,
you know at the end of the day,
it doesn't matter how many degrees you have
(20:44):
framed on your wall. If you don't have
a good reputation or if you don't network
with the right people, it could make a
break whether you have a job or not.
And I'll, like an example. I have 2
interns apply
with the same
education and same work history
but 1 of them,
we know 3 of their references.
And these references are people that Donald Tucker
(21:07):
Tell I, like, trust and that could make
or break whether they get a job or
not. Yep. So Mh. Leaving every job on
a good note and putting your best foot
forward with any of your networks, whether it's
a class, a professor, a boss, a neighbor,
whoever.
That is huge. And I keep finding it
time and time again just
(21:27):
how my networks are overlapping now. Like, we
had a Russell Carroll that was here last
week. Mh. And we got our masters at
the same time. That Charles and he works
for cargo now. And he came out and
he was on their podcast. And I'm just
like. It's like, every... Just Yeah. It's weird
how everyone, all your world are collided yes.
And It was really funny, grace or who
is an intern. I a lot anymore. She's
(21:48):
full time employee though. But
we when we were at the heritage.
You know, I was telling her, like, all
these people. I'm like, okay. So this is
so and so. This is who owns this
boot. They went to school here or they're
married to this person and
I was trying to introduce her as many
people as I couldn't and she's like, why
don't I walked.
And I was like well, it's not that
vibrant Steven Mill crystal all, but Yeah. It's
(22:10):
just networking, and I think I'll be 30
this year. La. Mh. Yeah. Yeah. How so
for me, I think it's coming full circle
because when I was in college a high
school 12 years ago, all these people are
now, like, in their career. They're, like, in
the thick of it. So for me, I'm,
a lot of those networks worsening sending interns
(22:30):
too or they're calling us about interns or
they're calling us about business deals and it's
just
it's crazy. Yeah. And I can say for,
like,
when we interviewed for this job, This is
another thing that comes to mind. My husband
used to take outside horses and train horses,
and he trained for a lady named Allison
Ball in Morgan Mill. And her husband, Tony
(22:53):
is an Ad rep for feed. Mh. And
we got to know them because Tal was
riding 1 of her horses. And we ended
up buying our stud cold that we have
now. Patch it. He's he's my buddy, but
he's not angel Muffin I love. So we
buying him and he ended up being our
feed rep at the ranch worked out ferry.
Yeah. And then when we came out here,
(23:14):
we found out he was cooperated for Ari
Brown. And so that was 1 of the
people that Donald Kelly called. We found out
when we were applying or, like, whenever they
interviewed us, Tony at Kelsey. Like, so I
just got a call from the brown because,
you know I'm a walker. Like, yeah. No
idea. Yeah. But, like, 4 or 5 years
prior to that. Like, my husband had rode
wife's horse, and we bought a horse from
them. I would have never thought our worlds
(23:36):
would have overlap as much as I do
And now my husband's helping.
Get their goals to the finish line on
our sales. So it's really cool Just knows
networks, not as that is why It's your,
network. You know? Like, that's how we know.
You. Comes us together. So... Yeah. As someone
who,
like I us, recently graduated college, everyone kinda
tells you about how important it is to
(23:58):
know your network, like, all the people around
you, all the people that you went to
college with and how
you need to
really think about your circle of people because
you never know who's gonna ask
about your worth and how you are as
a person for a job opportunity or if
someone's gonna come to you and be, like,
hey, do you know this person and how
(24:19):
are they as a person, what's their work
ethic like?
And
it's happened a couple times already. And I'm
like, I just graduated. Like, I'm know.
Yeah. I'm not important enough for people to
ask you about someone else.
I mean, even now, I mean, y'all grace
lawyer. Yes. She just She's just walked in.
But she's snuck in. I have my y'all
(24:41):
and done this pocket, we'll probably with never
of who I was until
she made that connection in that network. You
know what I mean? Like, just within that.
Yes. Just it truly is crazy how important
that is. And just...
Especially, this industry as big as it's getting,
it's still really small. It's so small work.
It is a very small 1. Mh. Yeah.
But.
(25:01):
So it's always a believe just skin impressions
and just...
I I really try to
drive that home for the interns, like, especially
out here, you know, there's customers. There's,
There's different businesses coming out here on the
daily, and I'm like you never know you're
gonna need. Mh And that could be your
next employer. That could be your next business
partner. Could be your next spouse. You really
(25:23):
don't know what it?
Your next spout.
I'm not
(25:46):
So
you talked a little bit about how y'all
just got a stud horse and tell used
to ride horses for... Or does ride horses
for other people.
And
so tell us a little bit about pre
our performance forces, and what your journey has
been like to start a business with your
husband.
Absolutely.
So prick our started in 2018.
(26:08):
It was
ripe for... Or or we got engaged in
2018.
And
tell us my, best for. I think my
husband is, like, that's that's my person. Oh.
And from the get go, we were always
very transparent about our dreams and our goals,
and just a little bit about him just
so y'all can understand.
He was born raised in Missouri. Yeah. Give
(26:28):
us an connection to him because earlier when
we met him that you told him to
give us an and then he said, no.
Hi. I'm her husband.
It's probably, like, that's a really good description
of him.
I did to talk and he's society.
He's originally for Missouri. He's from Northeast Missouri.
(26:49):
And
he had the opportunity to come work for
a horse trainer Tyler Magnus when he was
16. So he graduated high school early and
him and his mom moved out to the
living court trailer
to Hamilton, Texas
and work for Tyler Magnus at Ser, which
is not an opportunity a lot of 16
year old
kids get Yeah. So
(27:09):
he's always been very passionate about horses. His
family had a farm in Missouri, but they
didn't necessarily grow rich, and they have horses
and but it was mainly telling this dad
that had a passion for the 4 side
of things. But
from a young age, he knew, he didn't
wanna go to college, that's another difference between
us. It's he didn't go to school, but
he wanted to
(27:29):
work out as many places as he could
and get as much experience as he could.
So
whenever he graduated, and they moved out here.
He worked for them for a couple years,
and then eventually his whole family coming to
Texas, like his sisters and everyone moved to
Texas.
And
he just traveled around and worked for different
ranches, all around Texas. He got the opportunity
a day work all over the country, and,
(27:52):
work for different trainers. Mh. So he... And
I'm met his dad's a pastor are executable,
and his dad used to do college careers,
which is, like, a weekly bible study
that they would do for college kids, college
age kids at the Cabbage Church, and
his mom would Cook Dinner, and way I
broke the dummy play volleyball after. Like, it
was just a really chill thing moment. Yeah.
(28:13):
So that's how we met and started dating.
But
He always wanted
to stay involved in horses and stuff. And
he took outside horses and the ranches he
worked for usually. Have a dream wherever he
was working that he would start and train
and ride. But
in between my masters and us moving in
(28:34):
New Mexico,
he was just doing that full time. And
so he was taking outside horses, 1 of
them being like Toni and Allison Ba for
earlier. Mh.
And
Yeah. I mean, that's... I I took the
approach of marketing for him. So that was
something think he's not... My husband doesn't have
to... He's only linkedin in. And he's opposed
to it. Yeah. But he's not a big
(28:56):
marketer, and so I use kinda my background
and knowledge, and my photography and stuff to
promote him. And also help promote other people's
horses. So we have people that wanted to
sell horses, and I had sent them to
tell for, like, 36 today ride, and then
I'd kinda get good video, pictures and share
online, and that's kind of how we started
working together, and we developed our brand quickly
(29:18):
are
Yeah. We've... It's something we've always done, and
any branch we've worked for. We've used it.
Like we've worked as a team Mh. To
kinda come promote versus
I'm definitely the 1 that's like, very obsessive
about their appearance and what they're eating and
making sure they're all, like, looking good stuff.
And he's, you know, he's the that actually
turns on and delivery. But when we came
(29:39):
to Ari Brown. We were allowed to ride
their horses. Like, we can have personal horses.
I don't wanna get that, like, mixed up.
But we couldn't take outside horses, which is
really common
for larger ranches. They don't want you riding
other horses they've got.
A lot of horses to ride in amazing
courses at that. Yep. So here, that's kind
(29:59):
of how that transitioned. With hatch it, our
stud,
He's 3 this year. So he's still really
young, but that was the first horse we
bought together and invested in. And
I never wanted to study. I didn't wanna
mess with it. I had a bunch of
friends at had studs.
And I was, like, we are not. No.
We're not doing that. I don't want to
do that.
And opportunity to own and filled our lap
(30:20):
and
I'll never say never. Yes. Yes. I know.
Eating Cro now.
We ended up
investing in him, and he was our first
surgeon. He's the first 4 so we put
our brand all together. And so lot of
and all value there because it's been a
long process
of him riding other horses and, like, Us
(30:41):
waiting for the right 1 because
we could go in buy horses and flip
them and sell them, and we had a
lot of friends Do that better very successful,
but we kind of wanted to invest in
our own herd Yeah. Whether that be a
good mayor that, you know, could turn into
a group 1 day or a stud or
a gel that we keep and keep back
for kids or whatever. But Yeah.
Yeah. So we got hatch it, and he's
(31:03):
been awesome. He's kind of turd sometimes. He.
But as I do, but we've been very
impressed with him. And
that's kind of where quickly are is at
now. He's not taking outside horses. He is
riding horses for the browns, and
we're investing in that stud and kinda just
taking our time. We really don't wanna rush
it. Oh, I haven't really promoted him at
(31:23):
all. I don't plan on it until
he's established or he's made some money, and
I'm not too proud Yelled either. I'm, like,
I'm not like, like you're doing a little
bit of promotion of him right now.
I
So...
But I just... For me, I was, like,
I don't really wanna put them out there
and get posters made, like, start actually, like,
(31:43):
accepting greetings or contracts until I know, like,
we won't put our name on it. And
right that's why we waited so long to
brand him too, because we just ran up
a couple months ago. Because we were just,
like, we don't wanna put anything that we
aren't proud of. Mh. Yeah. And aren't a
hundred percent backing. So we're kind of perfection
and very, like nit picky about stuff that.
But, yeah. That's perfectly clear. That's kind of
(32:05):
our story in a nutshell. So that's awesome.
Yeah. So you also mentioned
photography. Mh. How did you get into it
and,
you know, what advice do you have for
anyone starting now? You have many irons in
the fire? Yeah. I apple.
So photography, it's kind of been all the
standstill since becoming pregnant, but
(32:26):
so photography started for me. I did take
photography class in high school has elected it
before we had switched over to the academy
stuff. Mh. And I enjoyed it.
But it really wasn't meant until college. I
a professor, doctor Ashley, who is a very
talented photographer. I took his intro to ag
photography, class, and I got hooked. And I'm
getting my first camera on 2015.
(32:48):
And it's the same camera I used today.
So I shoot with a Called d 700
and I've upgraded lenses, but that has just
been my tried and true. Yeah. I've been
obsessive about shooting in manual and learning every
single detail. That's kind of like, my big
stink is
I get a lot of girls out messaged
me in guys and be like, what camera
do I want? I'm like, you could go
spend 23 3 and get a perfect camera
(33:10):
that you can just turn on and shoot
and get beautiful photos. Yeah. But you can
also get a less expensive camera and get
the same quality. If you know how to
shoot manual and run the settings. Mh. Yeah.
So that's kinda of been. I mean, my
camera's is almost 10 years old now. And
long yeah. I've you know, just learn how
to use it. So You. I'd used it
for promoting the horses. I've done sessions throughout
(33:31):
college. Just kind of how I paid my
way through college too was offering part time
sessions, like, seniors
and things like that. Mh. Yeah. I started
getting more to the Western lifestyle and my
masters, so I was shooting a lot of
branding.
In Texas.
When I went to new Mexico, I started
doing weddings during Covid, like, allot. Just because
it was rough, ma'am. Yeah. Was like it
(33:52):
was hard Bet. So I I started picking
up weddings. I don't think Ever do weddings
again. Honestly you keep different breed for that.
I looks it just looks stress Google wedding
the photographer. The money's is great.
Was like, you're not just a photographer for
your, like, wedding planner that day. You are,
you know, If something goes wrong. They look
to you. Yeah. You're keeping everyone on schedule,
(34:14):
and it's somebody's perfect day. So it's so
much pressure on just this pictures and everything.
I'm a hire close girlfriends mine to come
assist me at weddings.
Just to help with stuff or, like, make
sure the bride dress look good, or grandma
was looking up camera or whoever. You know
what I mean? Yeah. And I'd always tell
someone like, okay. Listen.
You're gonna be hungover tomorrow. It's it's like
(34:35):
a photographer hangover? Yeah. And I don't know
if it's just a adrenaline rush you get
just because it's someone's wedding day, and you
just want to be perfect and you were
just like, on your toes and just but
you literally feel hungover. Yeah Stay. It's the
biggest. I don't know what that like.
It's biggest question burn and. I don't have
(34:56):
how explain.
But, yeah. I... I'm always taking photos, know,
for Ari Brown. I my camera on a
lot, that we do an amazing. Yeah. You
so much. I use it mainly to promote
social media and stuff for them or, like,
Kelly needs catalog photos,
I still do sessions for people here and
there. I've kinda backed off since being pregnant
just because
(35:17):
editing is very time consuming on top of
my job and just I'm selfish, and I
wanna have an evening to myself myself.
Just self care. I think it's something. I
don't think I'll ever completely let it go.
Like it's just been in a huge part
of my life. But I worked for a
western wedding magazine during Covid, and I did
a lot of content creation for them and
photography no way. And so that was...
(35:39):
I really enjoyed that, but that kinda helped
me out a lot in terms of catalog
development and content creation for magazines and stuff
like that, and especially catalogs like the browns
catalogs. Yeah. Mh. But I love about theirs
and Kelly does a much better job explaining
it the me it's almost like a coffee
table book is how they want it to
look. Right. They want really pretty pictures in
(35:59):
it. They want it to be appealing. They
want good stories. So and be user friendly.
Yes.
And so that's a really big deal. So
that's been something I've gotten to come and
tribute.
Here as well. Mh. I'm sorry. I went
on a really big side road. Just know
your
Like, I got something in my brain. Go
ahead. But that's it. No. That's basically it.
I just
(36:20):
photography just always been a big part in
their life. So
So
promoting the industry through photography. Mh. I think
there's some do's don'ts. That go with that.
Can you elaborate
on,
yeah. The right way to do that? Yeah.
Because I think a lot of people can
learn from us? Yes. Of this is a
good... We didn't have tucker hair for this
(36:41):
because he gets We wanna we wanna hear
from you. I know He gets... Not against
tucker, but we wanna hear from me because,
but she we've had a we we had
this conversation other they tucker I did. So
my biggest thing is transparency.
And I've dealt with a lot of people
online that
think we're not sharing the full story, or,
oh, you're just posting pretty pictures or, you
(37:01):
know what I mean? Like, you aren't seeing
the the other side of it or perceptions
probably like, the fact farming side of it,
like, the negative stories so they've been told.
Yeah. They're thinking that's what's being hidden. It's
like, oh, they're just posting that picture, But
I bet if I went out there. You'd
see x y and z. Right. For me,
I always try to stay transparent.
In fact, there was a class I took
in college called communicating act of the public.
(37:24):
And so I... That was a good class.
What is 1 of my favorite classes. Yeah.
So she would divide the class and happened
and we'd have to debate different things and
what class would be anti and 1 Proactive.
We'd have to argue it. Yeah. Or I
had to go interview random people that knew
nothing about Ag and ask their perceptions and
try to have a calm cool conversation that's
not just throwing dagger at each other. Right.
(37:45):
And and being in a screaming match. But
for me, I romanticized the western Lifestyle locks,
because to me is beautiful. So I guess,
for my style of photography or marketing,
I try to find the things that I
think are beautiful. I think my husband's
Dusty hat and mornings are beautiful. But, like,
you know, I seeing that and then see
him hold his son after that. And we
(38:06):
see how delicate it can be Yeah. So
I think sort shows that just people's or
personalities through that, like, old men, You know,
So you know, they're... The yeah, they're cast.
Yeah. You or yeah. Do you certain things
like that, but also, like, their dad's, their
husband. You know, You don't see them at
3 in the morning, cooling that calf. The
cow. Things like that. So I think telling
(38:27):
that full story
is what I try to do. And I...
I've leaned more towards video because I think
that gets that across better than probably pictures
do. For sure. And just this generation is
so big on video, but Grace is sitting
here, and I can tell Story about her
in the 2 interns.
Pulling a calf out of a frozen tank,
and then sitting in the Ar bar and
trying to warm it up, just this 1
(38:49):
calf, but, like, you know, the Internet doesn't
see that. No. You know what I mean.
So I'm like, you know what? As
probably appropriate as it is. I try to
be, like, appropriate timing on getting videos, because
there's a time in place for with their
certain of things, you probably shouldn't
video, but
trying to share that side of it, so
people can see. You know, these young people
care and they're up. On I trying to
(39:09):
keep these animals alive or, they're bottle feeding
calves
and
what that takes because I don't... I don't
see I know so. Yeah. Don't see the
time and the heart leg everything. Yes. And
and let's clarify something... When you said there's
probably some things you shouldn't video. Yeah. It's
because there's a whole story behind what just
a a second. I think it's monday.
(39:29):
Like that's where it can be taken right.
Yeah. Like, you probably shouldn't whip your phone
at your grandpa's funeral during the serve. Like,
I think there's a time in the place
to everything is what I'm getting at. I
think there's times where
we don't think to whip out our phones
because it's an emergency, and we're trying to
save Animal life or we're doing something that,
you know, not that we're hiding anything.
But it can be.
(39:50):
Exactly.
Exactly.
(40:14):
We're gonna take a quick break to hear
a word from 1 of our sponsors.
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Woods, water, wildlife and our way of life.
To check out how you can get involved,
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(40:38):
dot 0RG.
So you mentioned that you
are pregnant right now.
Belly
glow going
really.
Yes.
How are you balancing that while so fulfilling
your professional career
(41:00):
and all your mini irons that we've chatted
about.
So
when Tell I started dating, he has a
little boy named Brady,
And
when I started dating him, I knew that
was gonna gonna be part of my life
too. Like, Had to be okay with
Yes. Be at. Yeah. And
for me, all we knew,
(41:22):
I guess was working for rich or working
for different places and doing stuff.
So I guess I learned then how to
adapt with Young child. That wasn't my, you
know, like, not my blood child, but
trying to keep him involved in the industry
and get the job done too. And a
lot of times I would be on... Getting
photos and then brady there, and then tells
working, And so trying to find that balance
(41:44):
of when it's appropriate to have them out
there, you know, things like that. Mh. He
has taught me a lot. So I feel
really prepared for this pregnant see
because of it.
But I think
I just think we don't... I hate to
say we don't know any different, But, like,
we've worked for places that have been really
good about allowing us to bring family and
(42:04):
be, you know, like,
be involved with our families. Mh. Every place
we've interviewed at, are our personal questions we
ask is Ken Brady go to work with
Tel.
Because if he can't He can't take best
job. Yeah because, like, to... Like, especially because
he splits his time, he lives in a
northern state, like,
about 18 hours away. Mh. So we get
(42:25):
him summers and holidays now that he's in
school. And so when we do have them,
that time is very precious to us. And
so if he can't go to work, and
I understand there's certain times while she's not
appropriate for him to be there, or he
can't keep up or safe. But if he
can't be there, then this isn't a good
and we're not a good fit for you.
(42:45):
Mh. Because that's like, a non negotiable for.
So I think setting that boundary from, like,
get go with an employer,
has helped our family it as a whole.
Yeah. And so we've been very fortunate from
Steven Mill to Cab bio, New Mexico to
ferry Texas to hear. Every place has been,
like, absolutely. Y'all are parents, y'all all make
that call if it's safe or not, but
(43:06):
also, like, get the job done. You know?
So... Right.
Is a lot about an employer to yes.
Yes. A hundred percent.
And especially the browns here. I mean, they
raised their boys in the house. Rank story.
And so for me, I was very transparent,
especially with Brady, and really like, absolutely. And
it's not I'm uncommon for Donald to come
(43:26):
Brady when he turned to, like, he's gonna
come help me actually. I he'll, like, steal
Them He'll go ride with the interns, and
I can't imagine a more fun
atmosphere for kid growing up, then didn't to
just be feral and turn on rant for
the bunch of other, like, good people though.
So I would love to be brave. Yes.
Like, that's what telling Like we're kinda jealous.
(43:47):
So we didn't get... We don't get that.
But we want better for handling what we
had. So, yeah. For this baby, you were
having now. That's been something.
You know, I'm... I'm... It's so early I
haven't have this child yet. So Don't know.
I'm still learning. Yeah. But
I'm very fortunate in that our employers are
for my job specifically in terms of maternity
(44:07):
leave. They've been very understanding with that. How
much time need. Yeah. I can work remotely
fortunately with my job. Yeah. I'm planning a
lot of stuff out. Like, I think, April
is when I started scheduling post out for
July, which is what I'm do. So I
can pre schedule stuff in my job and
at least get it
squared away taken care of. Right. They've been
awesome just to work with and. The other
(44:29):
thing is, like, I know I can come
in here with the baby and Michelle's is
probably a still baby. Kelly's gonna steal the
baby. Yeah. Like it is a very family
apple atmosphere.
The other 2 managers out here, they have
a little bitty say have kids. So it's
it's awesome. Yeah. That's kind of how I've
been navigating it. First trimester,
I died. Like, I live be grace and
(44:49):
the other grace for my saving grace.
Literally was sick to my stomach. So every
day was, like, a battle.
I think 1 of the most common questions
we get is and 1 of jail like,
day to day life. And, like, I don't
have a normal routine. Like, I don't say,
I make up about 7, and, like, this...
I do this and this and this and
(45:10):
this, like, every everyday different what I'm doing,
my hours are different.
I think that's for everyone out here. It's
a match. Every everything's different. I mean, other
than the meeting at the saddle house and
knowing we gotta feed the deli at this
time and feed them in the evening at
this time, I think that's the only thing
that stays pretty routine. Other than that. It's
just
role with the chaos, I guess, yeah.
(45:32):
Through pregnancy managing everything has been really. And
once I got to that second trimester. I
mean, I think staying active and going out
and helping has really helped me mentally to
not getting a rut. Mh. Or some of
the
I don't know. Your hormones are changing so
much girls. Like, it is like,
it's easy to get in your head. So
being able to go out and help them
to hunt videos or pictures or even if
(45:53):
I'm not in the pen with the cow
but move them up and just being able
to be active.
I think it's kept me sane honestly.
So Mh. I'm hoping to continue now obviously,
late take time I need after I half
the baby, but just keep staying active. Because
that's just just keep your mind off yeah.
We're busy bodies. We like to... We don't
like be still very often.
(46:14):
Yeah. I think that helps me out a
lot. Yeah.
What are some challenges that you have faced
in your life either professionally or personally
and how did you overcome them?
I would say
there's been 2 main, like, struggles for me.
I would say
that really stick out to me.
(46:34):
And 1 of them was in New Mexico
when telling them I moved out there, and
I had said earlier, you know, it was
a month before Covid,
We were in a really remote area. Mh.
I was really struggling because I graduated with
my masters. So Was like I'm a healthiest
jobs. Like I wanna be able to do
this. And I was unemployed for a while,
and he was gone a lot of the
(46:54):
times. And so it was me in this
little Adobe house in new Mexico in the
middle of nowhere.
10 hours away from family. Yeah. It ain't
got to me really, really hard. And
when he was home,
you know, he was working. Like, it never
stopped. Like, we were constantly working. Yeah. And,
that can put strain on the marriage, And
(47:16):
it can, like, make it really hard in
terms of
emotional needs versus, like, I need this done
around the house or you know just things
like that. Yeah. And so I think 1
of the
best things that I did was really reevaluate
and be like, how can I
help him when he gets home? So, like,
when he was home, I was like, how
can we work as a team instead of,
like, just soaking and complaining about poor? How
(47:38):
can I make our situation different for the
better? Mh. And our long time might be
in a fee truck. Yeah. Our long time
might be riding and gathering and looking for
a bowl in the mountains of New Mexico.
Our time might
be, you know, like, that that might be
it. Yeah. But that's also the reality of
this industry. So I think once that clicked
for me that it doesn't have to be
us going the dinner or it doesn't have
(48:00):
to be, like, this picture perfect setting, like,
as long as we're together and we're getting
a gold done together.
That was something that I think once that
clicked for me, I haven't... I've been the
happiest assistant. Yeah. And I think that's beautiful
though too. Being able to And I think
to, like, we've been fortunate enough for where
I gotten into work a lot of the
same jobs with and so I'm out there
checking cab doing stuff. Is the first 1
(48:20):
I kinda, like, had my own
separate separate thing, like, my projects. I've worked
other places where I've been over beef and
Done so. Mh. But I've also helped him.
So it's, like, that's been a big part.
This is the first 1. I'm like, okay.
Like, he has his own stuff. He has
help. He has stuff that I can... I
don't always have to help him, but he
will call me maybe be, like, can you
can look can you come do this or,
like, can you do this while I'll do
(48:41):
this? And it's awesome. And we can work
as a team, but it is kinda cool
to have my own baby? Yeah. I'm like,
this is something I'm proud of that I
get work on I get to do. So
I would say that's 1 struggle.
The other 1
was
when we were trying to figure out where
we wanted to go,
(49:02):
where we wanted to grow more in this
industry. Mh. And having to
accept that, you know what? Like, sometimes having
a really nice paycheck in a nice house,
is great until it's not until you're not
fulfilled. Right. And
for us,
it was accepting... It's okay to move on
to bigger and better things. And it's okay
to say, let some things go so we
can be fulfilled in other areas. Mh. And
(49:23):
I think in previous jobs, we've been very
well taken care of Wanna not be grateful
for that.
But
I think if you think you're the smartest
in the room and you stop challenging yourself,
you go your 30 and 33.
You're never gonna be more than that.
I I don't think you should ever stop
growing or learning or, you know, get a
(49:43):
different room with different people, if you think
you know at all because there's people,
you know, got a different... Yeah. A different
room. So for me, that was something we
really struggled with because we were very happy
in a place that we were at and
content with paying content with our jobs.
But that was it. We were just... We
were, you know, we were good. It was,
(50:04):
like, a little stagnant.
Yeah. And then being very grounded and having
a good relationship with God and a good
foundation for that is important. And I think
when we finally kinda let go and, like,
opened our minds to that and prayed about
it.
We ought a call saying that Ari brown
was still looking for foreman. Mh.
And, oh, yeah. We need a marketing person
too. I know, Yeah. I like, y and
(50:24):
awesome some people. And it's just, like, everything
is just fallen into place in a way
that I can't explain. Yeah So... Mh. I
would say those 2 things.
Well, thank you so much. For having us.
Yeah. Really enjoyed our time with you. I
Guys, she's like, the sweetest fun person ever.
Thank you.
Know, we... Most of the time when we
(50:46):
do interviews either g... Gina knows the person
or out of the person, and then the
other
the other 1 of us is meeting them
for the first time. Yeah. And we can
get nervous about it sometimes. But we pulled
up, and Morgan has just been so sweet
since we pulled up here.
Feel like what get it. We're at home.
You y'all let everyone going. Yeah.
(51:08):
And with that, As always.
Be a lady legend.
See you all next time.
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