We were lucky to catch up with Kaitlyn Bracey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kaitlyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

The idea for GBRLIFE began with a passion for writing and a desire to share my experiences with the world. At the time, I was working in the technology industry as a project manager, and while I enjoyed my work, I craved a creative outlet. When I got engaged, my husband encouraged me to pursue my dreams. He said, “You should do anything you want,” and for me, that meant writing. I started a blog called Good Bad Real Life—GBRLIFE, and it quickly became a space for me to express myself and connect with others.

As my life evolved—getting married, having my son, and later my daughter—I realized that this was more than just a hobby. It had the potential to grow into something bigger. I wanted to take it seriously, so I formed an LLC and began treating it like the business I knew it could be. Life, of course, brought its challenges, and there were times when I stepped back to focus on my family or my mental health. But every time, I came back with even more determination.

At one point, I restructured the entire business, refiling legal documents and taking a deep dive into what I wanted GBRLIFE to represent. I created a logo, solidified my brand, and started asking myself the big questions: What do I want this to be? Should it just be a blog? Could it also include my podcasts, vlogs, and the clothing line I had been dreaming of? Could it even house the children’s books I’d written and published? Those questions guided me as I planned the future of GBRLIFE.

I created business plans and mapped out where I wanted to take my brand. I immersed myself in learning, researching everything from legal compliance to marketing and branding. I made intentional choices about how to expand, and one of the most exciting steps was launching Momma Koala, my clothing line inspired by my daughter’s constant attachment to me, like a little koala.

Every piece of the business reflects who I am, from the blog and podcast to the books I’ve written and the clothing line I’ve designed. Balancing my career as a project manager with running my business hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply fulfilling.

Today, GBRLIFE is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of my journey and my passions. It’s a reminder that dreams don’t have to stay dreams. With hard work, intentionality, and resilience, they can grow into something far bigger than you ever imagined.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Thank you for the opportunity to share more about myself and GBRLIFE. At the heart of my work is a dynamic lifestyle brand I’ve built from the ground up. GBRLIFE is unlike anything else out there—it’s a multifaceted platform that embraces the richness of a modern, multifaceted life. It’s not just a blog, vlog, podcast, clothing line, or authorship—it’s all of that under one umbrella. It’s a space where I share my journey while inspiring others to navigate their own.

How It All Began
I started GBRLIFE with a simple idea: to create a space where I could write about the good, the bad, and the real moments of life. Over time, it became so much more. My background in the technology industry as a project manager gave me the tools to build and innovate, while my personal journey as a mom and wife added depth and authenticity to everything I do.

What GBRLIFE Offers
GBRLIFE is a vibrant blend of content, products, and creativity designed for people who are juggling the complexities of life. Here’s what we provide:

Blogging & Vlogging: Our blog is divided into four main categories—Parenting, Life & Wellness, The 9-to-5, and Funland (pure entertainment). Through our vlog, I offer reviews, tutorials, and insights on everything from tech tools to family life.

Podcasting: GBRLIFE currently hosts a true crime podcast, diving into captivating cases. We’re also excited to launch a new podcast exploring parenting tips and intriguing curiosities, blending practical advice with fun trivia.

Authorship: As an author, I’ve published children’s books and journals, with more children’s books coming soon. These works allow me to connect with readers of all ages and explore topics in a creative and meaningful way.

Fashion: Under the GBRLIFE umbrella, we have Momma Koala, a clothing line inspired by my family’s values. The designs are stylish, comfortable, and made with families in mind.

What Sets GBRLIFE Apart
What truly sets GBRLIFE apart is that there’s nothing else like it. Most brands or creators focus on one niche, but I’ve embraced a multifaceted approach. GBRLIFE celebrates the intersection of career, family, and personal passions, recognizing that life doesn’t fit neatly into boxes. This authenticity and holistic approach make us unique. My tech background also allows me to leverage digital platforms creatively, connecting with my audience in innovative ways.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the community GBRLIFE has grown into. It’s no longer just about my journey; it’s about connecting with others, sharing experiences, and inspiring people to embrace the complexities of life. Whether it’s through a blog post, a podcast episode, or a Momma Koala design, my goal is to create something relatable, practical, and inspiring.

What I Want You to Know
GBRLIFE isn’t just a lifestyle brand—it’s a mindset. It’s about finding joy in the chaos, celebrating the highs and lows, and living authentically. As I often say, “My Journey Is YOUR Journey.” Whether you’re a parent looking for relatable content, a professional navigating work-life balance, or someone who loves engaging stories and products, there’s something for you here at GBRLIFE.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience has been at the core of my journey with GBRLIFE. From the very beginning, I faced a serious lack of support from those in my life, except for my husband, who has been my constant champion. Many times, my business was seen as just a “little project” that should be on the backburner while I focused on everything and everyone else. I was often told I wasn’t giving enough attention to others, or that I should wait until the timing was “better.”

But despite these challenges, I never let them deter me. Every time my efforts were minimized or dismissed, it fueled my determination to push harder and prove to myself that I was capable. I kept reminding myself why I started—GBRLIFE was my way of embracing all aspects of life and creating something meaningful that could connect with others.

A pivotal moment in my journey came when I restructured GBRLIFE. I took on the process of reactivating my LLC, filed all the legal documents myself, and worked tirelessly to create a clear vision for my brand. It was a huge challenge, but it showed me just how resilient I truly am. I didn’t have anyone else guiding me, so I learned everything I could and moved forward, one step at a time.

Today, GBRLIFE is thriving. It’s a blog, vlog, podcast, clothing line, and home to my children’s books—proof that my commitment and passion have paid off. It’s more than just a business; it’s a testament to how hard work, belief in myself, and resilience can turn an idea into something extraordinary.

This journey has taught me that even when support feels distant, your belief in yourself and your dreams can carry you further than you ever imagined. GBRLIFE is a reflection of my resilience—building something powerful from the ground up, even when others didn’t fully understand it. And I’m proud that despite the obstacles, I’ve created something truly amazing.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that my dreams could be treated as secondary—or worse, as unimportant. For a long time, I allowed the way others viewed my work to shape how I treated it. When people in my life dismissed GBRLIFE as a hobby or “little project,” I found myself downplaying it too. There was this unspoken expectation that as a mom and wife, my time was better spent focusing on my family, visiting more often, or calling more regularly. Those things matter, of course, but what hurt was how easily my dreams were brushed aside, as though the time I spent building my business was less valid or meaningful.

That mindset seeped into how I viewed my own work. I found myself putting GBRLIFE on the backburner, feeling like I had to justify the time I spent on it. It was a turning point when I realized that people often treat your work based on how they perceive it. If they see it as unimportant, they won’t act like it matters. And if I allowed their perceptions to dictate my priorities, I was the one neglecting something that was deeply important to me.

It made me think about how we regard other people’s dreams. Would Picasso have become the artist we know if those around him dismissed his art as insignificant? What if the people closest to him viewed his time creating as time he should have spent on them? That realization helped me understand that while my roles as a mother, wife, and daughter are vital, so is the part of me that dreams big, creates, and builds.

Unlearning the belief that my business didn’t matter required a shift in mindset. I began to see GBRLIFE not as something I needed to justify, but as something that deserved my energy, focus, and pride. Once I stopped waiting for others to validate it and started treating it with the importance it deserved, everything changed. My passion and commitment began to shine through, and GBRLIFE grew into something bigger than I ever imagined. And it’s still growing!

The biggest lesson I’ve taken away from this is that your dreams are as important as you make them. The world won’t always see your vision, and that’s okay. What matters is that you see it and nurture it. Today, GBRLIFE stands as proof that when you believe in yourself and your work, you can overcome the doubts and dismissals of others. It’s not just my business—it’s my legacy, and I’m proud of the journey it’s taken to get here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gbrlife.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbrlife.llc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GbrLife.LLC/
• Twitter: https://x.com/GbrLife_LLC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gbrlife
• Other: https://mommakoala.com/