We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittny Ferguson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittny, what do you want people to remember about you?
Legacy is often defined as, “…anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.” I often reflect on my own legacy and what I want people to remember about me. I even dedicated a chapter about this topic in my book, Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself, where I challenged people to imagine being at the end of their life. If we all had the opportunity to sit in the back of our own funeral and observe everything, what would we like to hear people say about our life? What would we like to have accomplished? What kind of person would we like to have been? The day that I completed this exercise myself was the day that I truly started living each day to the fullest with the end in mind. Without fail, when my eyes open each morning, I say my daily prayers and then make an intentional plan to help create the change that I wish to see in the world. Some days this is an overwhelming task, while other days the puzzle pieces of life seem to just fall into place – but I embrace it all. My own legacy grows with every new experience (success or failure), and is directly tied to the impact that I make in the lives of others. Honestly, if we aren’t here to serve others, then what on Earth are we here for? Creating the change that I wish to see means never leaving the world the same as when I entered into it. In that regard, I want to be known (and remembered) as a leader who inspires others to live a life of purpose and intention by awaking their full potential, discovering their true calling and summoning the courage to live it. I am also incredibly mindful of my opportunity and responsibility to serve others and pay it forward. My hope is that consistently leading by example in these areas will also encourage those around me to do the same. We rise by lifting others and I have found that this holds true in every single role that I have stepped into – both personally and professionally. Legacy represents your body of work at each stage of your life, so based on where I am at this very moment in time, I would hope to be regarded as a mother, wife, business owner, community liaison and leader who SHOWS UP for others…every day and in every way, always and in all ways.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager by day, and the Founder of Once Upon Her Life by calling. In that regard, I see myself as a “Parallel-prenuer” based on having a 9-5 and owning my own business. I have been in the Banking/Finance industry for over 15 years now, and hold a BA and MBA as it relates to my career. I honestly love being able to help others succeed financially while simultaneously helping to meet my community’s total financial needs by maximizing company resources. One thing that I discovered by working at large, professional organizations and corporations is that in many cases, they have the ability to make a bigger impact where needed in our local communities. I am able to bring my passion for giving back into my 9-5 each day because I made sure that the company I work for also embodies the same vision and values that I do, especially as it relates to social responsibility and community development. One of the most beneficial lessons that I’ve learned over time is that I could utilize the proceeds from my career to help fund my bigger dream of being a business owner. Once Upon Her Life and my book, Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself might never have come into fruition if it wasn’t for some of the resources that I have been fortunate enough to obtain through my day job/career. I have also been able to maximize my legacy by utilizing the resources that the bank provides to make a difference within my local community through volunteerism and financial support, so it’s truly a win-win. Owning my own business for the past few years and writing my book has truly been life changing for me! The biggest highlight by far is when my clients reach out to me to express their appreciation for the impact, sustainability and growth that I helped to create in their lives. I don’t think there’s any greater gift than serving others, so being able to do that with something that started as a simple vision is honestly priceless. I also received the honor of being recognized as one of San Diego’s Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40 by the San Diego Business Journal last year based on the things that I have been able to accomplish through Once Upon Her Life, so that showcased to me that my work is both meaningful and necessary.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spot in the city is definitely the beach – specifically, Mission Beach!! I grew up in Kansas City, MO. so a big reason that I chose to relocate to the West Coast after finishing college was because I LOVE the beach and amazing weather here! One of my favorite things to do is walk along the Mission Beach Boardwalk, and have lunch at one of the restaurants (usually Draft because the drinks and food are great, plus it’s THE Ohio State University bar here and my daughter is a future Buckeye, lol). I usually grab a table outside so that I catch the amazing view of the water or just lay out on the sand and soak up a little sun depending on the weather. Belmont Park is also pretty close, so if I’m in the mood for nachos and cotton candy, the amusement park is just a few feet away. I also love going to the spa to indulge in a little self-care every now and then, so grabbing a facial with my BFF when she visits or a couples massage with my honey is always fun. Glen Ivy Day Spa and Resort is definitely one of our faves! From the mud pool to the massages to the steamy grotto underground, it never disappoints!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m an avid reader, and one book that really helped to motivate me to activate and continue building upon my own legacy was “The 5 Book: Where Will You Be Five Years from Today?” by Enid Blyton. This book is incredibly powerful as it serves as a guide and inspiration to maximize your life plan and live on purpose – times 1000!! It incorporates quotes and questions that sparked my imagination while helping me clarify what I wanted to accomplish over the course of a five year period. It then motivated me to continue creating a life plan every five years that would allow me to live with intention. This book truly served as a catalyst for me to become (or shall I say continue becoming) my best self!

Website: www.onceuponherlife.com
Instagram: onceuponherlife
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittny-ferguson-a9121835
Facebook: Brittny H. Ferguson @onceuponherlife