09/05/2026
Our team was scheduled to shoot at Falls Park Farmer's Market this morning, telling the story of Brain Beauty Co. When we called to check in with Mandie, it was raining cats and dogs, so we decided to reschedule.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still a story there. Maybe just not the one we had planned to tell.
So I grabbed my gear and headed out into the rain.
Sure enough, when I pulled up, a beautiful story was already unfolding.
A powerful downpour had just moved through, and now winds were gusting upwards of 50 mph. Every vendor at the market was doing everything they could to keep tents, tables, and products from blowing away.
But what caught my attention wasn’t the storm.
It was how everyone responded to it.
Shane from Kindt Family Farm was holding onto Brain Beauty’s tent pole while Mandie held onto Shane’s. His son Taden was farther down the row helping another vendor secure their tent. Everywhere I looked, people were lending a hand, doing whatever they could to help one another weather the storm.
There wasn’t an “every man for himself” mentality anywhere in sight.
It was, “How can I help?” and “We’ve got this.”
Mandie and her husband, Drew, were rain-soaked and wind-blown. Not exactly prime-time conditions for a filming session, but the more I watched them, the more I realized this IS part of their story.
The resilience. The grit. The willingness to persevere when circumstances are less than ideal.
That is part of what has made them who they are.
Here they were, through thick and thin, making the most of what they had and continuing to show up for something they believe in.
And then came the cherry on top.
The moment the winds died down and the rain began to let up, the community showed up. In droves.
People from all walks of life came out, willing to brave the weather and support their local farmers market. Within minutes, Brain Beauty was bustling with customers wanting to smell this, learn about that, and hear the story behind the products.
And Mandie did what she does best.
She educated. She shared. She spoke from the heart about why she created each product and why this work matters to her.
Even after the storm, she and Drew simply kept going because they believe in what they’re building.
Next door, Shane and Taden were pulling out a backup tent they already had packed in the trailer, ready for just such a moment, and getting right back to work selling amazing meats from their farm.
That’s what makes these stories so meaningful.
Because in the end, this isn’t only the story of Kindt Family Farm, Brain Beauty, Maple Drip, or any one business.
It’s the story of all of us.
It’s about people showing up. Helping one another. Weathering storms together. Building something worthwhile with the people beside them. These are the people and stories that form the fabric of a strong community.
And we're looking forward to telling many more of them.
