We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bryce Thompson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bryce below.
Bryce, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Risks let us know we are alive. They are the lifeblood to forward propulsion. Without them, we are destined to stay where we’re at, whether we like that space or not. Calculated risks can alleviate some of the fear of taking that leap with no safety net in sight. But you know what? Sometimes the best way forward is to strap in tight and enjoy the ride, leading with faith that the net will appear when it’s meant to. Some of the greatest feats accomplished have come from faith driven endeavors, knowing that fate, the cosmos, God, serendipity, or whatever your personal belief cup of tea may be, will intervene accordingly. My life has been salt and peppered with risks, some calculated, most not. You know what I’ve learned through this journey? The stronger your faith and ability to sustain fortitude, the greater the reward when the powers that be step in.
My latest risk brought my wife and I to Arizona from the lush, mystical ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest. There we had purchased our first home which was filled with love and magic. Our living room was home to 100 foot pathos vine that covered every nook and cranny, running up our stairwell. We spent our lazy days in a swinging whicker chair that was kept private from enough hanging plants that we never really had to close our curtains. The love we have for gardening lit up our backyard, where we had magnificent flowers and vines that guided you through paths opening up into the grass that was kept shaded under the canopy of three sprawling oak trees. We hosted costume parties, howled at the full moon around the campfire, and ate fresh from our vegetable garden most of the year. In this home, this space, we had everything that lit our souls on fire, until that yearning for something new presented itself. When that feeling comes, it must be fulfilled, or the risk is run of not finding your true purpose.
We set our sights on the desert, bringing with it new opportunity, close family, and a change that we didn’t quite truly grasp was in store for us. On the trip down I was accompanied by all our possessions in a 26 foot uhaul, towing our Ford Escape, my wife Jessie in the passenger seat, and our two dogs, Kopper and Enzo riding shotgun with my mom and her boyfriend in their RV. The 22 hour trip turned 34 hours really quickly when we found ourselves at 8,000 feet elevation in the middle of a blizzard, with no towns in sight for over a hundred miles. Creeping along at 20 mph, using the rumble strip as proof that we were still on the road, we made it through, with white knuckles, unkempt hair, and one hell of a story.
Our time here in the Phoenix area has been swift and full of growth. We moved twice in our first month here due to unforeseen events. We’ve explored as many corners of this valley as possible. There have been belly laughs, tears, and thoughts of “what the actual shit are we doing?!”. But, we’ve grown. We have a better understanding of that faith and fortitude that are so critical in life’s pivots. On April 16th, we added risk to risk. Sunshine Sparklefaced has been in motion for a few years, with my wife and her family selling their art from our house. With a strong desire to take it to the next level, we decided to open up to the possibility of having a storefront. Remember one sentence ago when I said on April 16th we added risk to risk? Well, my wife and I found a spot available for lease in Cave Creek, which, after our adventures around the valley, we had decided is where we want to be because the small town feel, smell of horse crap, friendly shops, and lively social scene remind us of where we grew up in Montana. The following week we had a signed leased and were elbow deep in creating magic once again. Our free hours were spent painting the colors of the rainbow on walls, sprinkling glitter on floors, wallpapering, and re-wallpapering our funky bathroom, and dancing in the middle of it all to Elderbrook or Jack Johnson. It didn’t matter who was playing.
One month into renovating our space and bringing a vision to life, we found out that we are expecting our first child. Our little baby boy, Larkin. This is one of those surreal moments, where the willingness to follow the omens in your path bring you to exactly where you need to be. We have been a solid no on having children for most of our 6 year relationship, only starting to open to the idea within the last 6 months. My birthday is May 14th. We were having a pool day, floating around catching rays. Jessie and I looked at each other and for the first time said aloud, with conviction, “we’re ready to start a family”. For those of you good at math, we found our lease April 16th, signed the next week, and one month later found out we were pregnant. 72 hours after verbalizing our readiness to each other, our path was set. Chills. I know.
There is a beauty in taking risks. Setting off into the unknown with nothing but a dream, determination, and magic. I’ll continue to live my life in the way I always have, deep seated in gratitude, adventure, and a knowing that it will turn out, no matter how many days I fall off the wagon and feel that hope is lost. Just one more step can be all it takes to break through.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I’ve mentioned that I live my life with gratitude and adventure, and I’ve been that way as long as I can remember. Sunshine Sparklefaced is part of an amazing journey that I have been on. I have a degree in Criminal Justice, which led to some dabbling in law enforcement. That wasn’t for me. I’ve been a chef, leading to Jessie and I opening our first business, Koprenzo, which was an Italian food truck with Montana inspiration, where we served dishes with game meats like bison, elk, and pheasant. It was an incredible experience that we learned so much from! I’ve been in real estate since 2019 and still am in that space on the side. With Sunshine Sparklefaced, I’ve found myself back in my power, next to my wife, creating love and bringing happy art for people to fill their lives with.
We are an art, decor, and gift shop that provides a collaborative space for artists and doers to come together and share. In our shop you will find unique gifts, art, furniture, mosaics, clothing, and much more that brings a new element of color and magic to any space. We do custom pieces and host classes and workshops that allow the community to enjoy the shop for an evening of laughter and fun with friends and family.
We believe that every color goes with every color, there is enough goodness out there for everyone to win, and through kindness we can create an environment that allows for growth and positivity in our community.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Two books stand out to me. First, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, which is the story of Santiago, a young sheep herder who journeys across the desert in search of treasure, ultimately finding his own personal legend, or purpose in life. It is a story of adventure, hardship, fortitude, and innovation that leads him to a life of gratitude, understanding of self, and love.
Second, The Wealthy Gardener by John Soforic, which share the lessons in life and business given from a father to his son. I’ve read this book numerous times and each time I gain something different, depending on what season of life I am in. It highlights everything from sacrifice in pursuit of a goal, to impact hours, building a dream in the spare hours given, patience, and sobriety. This is a book I will return to for the rest of my life.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
There is a war on art. Mass produced, pre-made products that lack magic and continue to push the fast-paced, half-assed convenience of our world today. Getting back to our roots in our lives isn’t just the clean products, healthier foods and connecting back to nature. It’s also surrounding our environment with depth in something that has an energetic connection – something that has a story, a purpose.
Art has the power to heal, to inspire, and to physically alter our brain chemistry, elevating consciousness. When you walk into Sunshine Sparklefaced you see the space and art from different artists – jewelry, wall and yard art, greeting cards, self-care products, clothing, furniture and more – all with a creativity and brightness that will make you smile. We hope it brings happiness to your day and remembrance of all things beautiful that are worth making, supporting and purchasing.
We look forward to welcoming you into our little shop. Whether you are out looking for your next home or office center piece, mosaics that will add to the wistfulness of your outdoor space, that perfect gift for a birthday or holiday, or simply perusing on a day for yourself, we have that next piece of magic for you to enjoy. Please come on in, say hello, get some puppy love if the shop dogs Kopper and Enzo are here, and enjoy that little find that we’re sure will the talk of your group.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunshinesparklefaced.com
- Instagram: sunshine_sparklefaced
- Facebook: Sunshine Sparklefaced
Image Credits
Nina Spitzer