Creativity flows through my veins, shaping my identity and life experiences. As a kid, I was told that I was joyful, gifted, talented, and artsy.

As an adult, I spent my early career ignoring my desire to create art and taught kindergarten. At the time, I loved what I did! I filled each day with playful accents, expressive tones, and animated movements. The classroom was my stage, and in some small way, I was creating art. However, the confines of traditional teaching eventually stifled my imaginative spirit, and I knew that there was something else I was meant to do.

Then, my school shut down. It was at this moment that I felt free enough to follow my dreams and live creatively. It was time to stop ignoring and fighting what I was designed to do. I started a greeting card shop on Etsy as a way to pay for acting school, and I started a YouTube channel as a way to use my skills from acting school. I am very proud of what I’ve accomplished with Happy Nuggets & Cards on Etsy and Storytime with Ms. Brown on YouTube, but the world still needs more joy. And I’m just the person to bring it.

Welcome to Joy Under the Sun where we prioritize joy and embrace the limitless joy-filled possibilities ahead. Thank you for being here.

Shanda Brown