Corinne Brown, Author at The Fresh Expert

April 11, 2025

✨ Clean Roots & Fresh Starts ✨

I tried a new shampoo today.

One of those trendy bar soaps that are popping up everywhere—the environmentally friendly kind with less packaging and waste.

While I was massaging the lather into my hair, I couldn’t help but think about the parallels to where I’m at in life right now.

This month, I’m officially closing the doors of Be Refreshed Beverage Company.

It’s something I’ve been dragging my feet on for a while. I saw the potential. In fact, in January 2024, we did more in one month than in all of 2023! I went on to more than double my annual sales and partnerships. It was wild.

But 2024 didn’t end the way it started.

By spring, I was burnt out. Completely. I experienced a level of depression I had never felt before. The inner conflict was like a 747 taking off in my chest—loud, heavy, impossible to ignore.

That experience forced me to sit with a lot of hard truths. It challenged me to reflect—not ruminate (yes, there’s a difference; I learned that the hard way). Reflection helped me see how I’d been clinging to what I could do instead of asking what I should do.

I realized that just because I can doesn’t mean I must. And that every season has its reason.

Change is never easy. Over the past four years, I met incredible people who filled my cup and soul. The relationships built through this brand made a difference—raising awareness for the sober curious, building community, and helping people feel seen. That meant everything to me.

But deep down, I knew what it would take to grow this business further. And it didn’t match what I want in this next chapter of my life.

So today, using my new shampoo, I literally cleaned my roots to make way for what’s to come. I scrubbed away the buildup—the expectations, the pressure, the emotional weight—and rinsed it all down the drain.

A clean start, if you will.

So… what now?

Now, I’m taking everything I’ve learned from two decades in direct sales, from life, and from the wild ride of single motherhood—and pouring it into some exciting new projects (and some memory-making with my girls 💛).

I’ll share more soon. Until then, you can find me on TikTok most Tuesdays and on YouTube @TheFreshExpert.

Stay fresh,

December 1, 2024December 1, 2024

Operation 017 : PICK Your OWN Memories

This past week, we celebrated my oldest daughter’s birthday with a Pick Your Own Adventure Day, AKA Operation 017, complete with a Mario Party twist.

Inspired by the “Pick Your Date” flash cards I stumbled upon on TikTok, I wanted to create a day she’d never forget—a day full of laughter, surprises, and joy. So, with my co-conspirators in tow, we started plotting.

We planned multiple options for her adventure, sprinkled with detours and challenges to keep things exciting. She’d earn STARS throughout the day, redeemable for a SUPER prize at the end. Some stops came with gifts, while others featured lighthearted challenges—like ranking her top three perfumes at Belk and explaining why. I even brought blank cards and extra stars, just in case we felt like adding a spontaneous twist.

To set the vibe, I created a Mario Party-inspired playlist, and with everything ready, the stage was set.

For me, the success of the day wasn’t in the giggles and smiles as she tackled each challenge or in the moments she eagerly guessed the next stop. It wasn’t even when she said, “Thank you,” and told me how special she felt all day—though that alone would’ve made it worth it.

The real moment I knew the day was a success was when I overheard her retelling the story. First to her sister, then to her grandparents. She shared every detail with excitement and pride, her voice lighting up with joy. That moment cemented the day as a memory she’ll carry forever—and apparently, a new birthday tradition to uphold.

This past year, I’ve found myself reassessing my priorities, my goals, and what truly matters to me.

I’ve struggled to determine my next steps—what I want to do with my career, how I want to utilize my talents, and where I can make the most impact. At times, it’s been frustrating, especially when I catch myself comparing my path to others’.

But recently, I’ve shifted my focus inward. I’ve doubled down on being present at home, on being the best mom I can be, and on cultivating the unique rhythm of our family. I’m learning to let go of what society says I should be achieving and instead embracing what’s best for us.

Some days, I still find myself wrestling with thoughts of what I could be doing—where my attention could have gone. But Layla’s day? That wasn’t one of those days. This experience reminded me that the key to being present isn’t just intention—it’s preparation. By planning ahead, I created the space to fully immerse myself in the day. I wasn’t stressed, rushed, or distracted. Instead, I was able to simply be.

It was a day of joy, connection, and unforgettable memories. And in the end, isn’t that what life is really about?

“At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling.” – Shanti

Learning to proactively prepare, so I can be present, is something I am working on everyday to carry into other areas of my life. Whether it’s parenting, work, or personal goals. When we take the time to prepare for what matters most, we free ourselves to experience the moment as it unfolds.

Until next time,

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

100 Days of Positivity: How Words Can Change Your World

100 Days of Positivity

In 2022, I set out to make some big changes in my life. Let’s just say, I wasn’t exactly living my best life. Physically, mentally, emotionally—I was stuck. Life had thrown some tough seasons my way, and I felt like I was still standing in the middle of a tornado. If you’ve ever been caught in a storm without an umbrella, you know that feeling. I knew I needed to get out of it, but I didn’t have a clue where to start. All I knew was that it had to begin with me.

They say mindset is the first thing that needs to shift if you want to see real change. Dr. Joe Dispenza once said, “Your personality creates your personal reality.” I love that quote because it reminds me that if you want to change your reality, you have to start with yourself. Now, I’m a lifelong optimist and a pretty quick learner, but I was having a really hard time shifting my own mindset. Sound familiar?

Every day, we get to make a choice when we wake up. We can either hit the snooze button and crawl deeper under the covers, or we can get up and choose to be grateful. So, I committed to 100 days of positive words. Why? Because I knew that if you change your words, you can change your world. (Yes, you can quote me on that.)

And let me tell you, it worked. Through that journey, I started to change. The world around me started changing too, like stepping into a new season—one with way fewer tornadoes. I made a commitment to myself. I committed to putting my health first—both physically and mentally. Growth came, and with it, struggle, pain, and obstacles (because why wouldn’t there be?). But I kept going.

The 100-Day Journey: The Good, The Bad, and The Funny

Before you get any ideas about me being a superhuman, let me be clear: this was not 100 consecutive days. It took me about nine months to get through those “100 days of positivity.” Yep, there were days I hit pause. There were highs and lows, moments of imposter syndrome, and times when quitting seemed easier (after all, no one was watching, right?). But I learned a powerful truth: repetition shapes our reality. Words, especially positive ones, can reshape the pathways in our brains. Just 10 seconds of repeating the same positive message can start to transform your mindset.

Words are more than just sound or text—they influence how we feel, think, and act. Research even shows that when you repeat positive affirmations, you can literally change the neuropathways in your brain. And this consistency creates a culture of positivity inside you. Crazy, right?

Optimism in Action: A Story from Eighth Grade

Flashback to eighth grade: I entered an Optimist speech contest at the last minute. Everyone else had three months to prepare. Me? I had about three weeks. My friends, I killed it. You know that feeling when you know you nailed something? Yeah, that was me. (Side note: I still remember the satin dress I wore from Hamrick’s. It was black with flowers—so cute!)

I didn’t win. I got runner-up. My family and friends still think I should’ve won first place (I totally agree), but holding onto that would go against everything I learned about positivity from that very speech. The subject? Optimism is Key. That experience sparked my love for quotes and shaped who I am today.

Back to the 100 Days

Positivity doesn’t just affect your thoughts—it has a real physical impact. It changes your vibration. And no, this isn’t some woo-woo talk, this is science! People who are positive actually operate at a higher frequency. It affects you both mentally and physically. Think about it: when someone is deeply upset or depressed, they don’t even have to say anything—you can feel it. It’s like their energy pulls you down with them. The same is true for positive energy.

If we’ve ever met in person, you’ve probably felt it. People tell me all the time that my energy gives them a jumpstart. (Is that a gift or a curse? We’ll call it both!) By changing your words, you change your vibration, and by changing your vibration, you change your world.

Oh, and as for that second lesson I learned along the way—what we want isn’t always what we need, and what we need isn’t always what we want.

We’ll dive into that next time.