Meet Brooks Whitney | Business Owner & Environmental Educator

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

Hi Brooks, how do you think about risk?

I view risk as a necessary framework for life. Without putting ourselves out there we have nothing to lose, but we also have nothing to gain. Healthy risks allow us to challenge ourselves and put ourselves to the test. With the kiddos I work with, I encourage them to take healthy risks such as climbing a tree to gain confidence and learn new skills.

Within my business, obviously there were the requirements for any new business: money, time, ect… However, all of these risks to me pale in comparison to the risk of ideology. The idea that the education and framework I would be providing to these young minds would be inadequate. One other risk that I think is very common among new, and especially young, business owners is self esteem. Risking what others think about how you do things or what works and what doesn’t. I found that one mantra helped a lot with this; “Your work does not define you.” In the sense that you are separate from your job and although you pour your heart and soul into it , this is just one aspect of yourself. If you are content with your work, that is all that matters. Risk helps project you into a new sense of self.

What should our readers know about your business?

My business was created to reconnect children to the outdoors. In an age so heavily focused on technology I started to notice a huge disconnect between us and the earth, which negatively affects our physical and mental wellbeing. Coastal Kiddos mission is to connect kids to the natural world around them. We hope that, by fostering a connection with nature at a young age, we will create life-long outdoorsmen and women. We believe that a symbiotic relationship with nature is important for our health and the health of our planet, and we want to pass this love and appreciation of the outdoors on to the next generation with the knowledge of our ancestors.

I am so proud of the kiddos I have been able to work with. They have shown strength, compassion, and capability for learning and trying new things. Just the other week, I had a group of kiddos that after learning about the oil spill and the devastation it was doing to our beaches formed a group to clean our beaches of tar – all while shouting “protect the earth”! It was heartwarming and inspirational.

Environmental Interpretation  is not a new idea. It was written by the people of this land. We do not aim to take away from these cultures, but lift them up. I do believe that the one thing that sets us apart from others in our field is the energy we bring. Each member of our staff offers a unique set of skills, accompanied with unmatched energy. We pride ourselves on being lifelong learners, which keeps our kiddos curious and growing. However, getting to where we are today was definitely not easy. We struggled with keeping our own voice with so many others giving their opinion, we struggled with envy from others trying to tear us down, we struggled with the city constantly telling us no and “if you don’t like it, that’s bureaucracy baby.” Starting a new business is a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days are amazing, and other days you question why you are even doing this. But it is those people that look you in the eyes and tell you the differences they have seen in their kiddos, or the smiles and laughs you hear that make it all worth it. Knowing that you are pursuing your passion for a better future for mankind.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in San Diego is great not only because of the beaches and weather, but because of the wide variety of things that you are able to do and see. My ideal day would be having an easy summer surf, and then going to Kate Session park to lay in the sun underneath the trees and play with my puppy Bandit. Once the sunsets over, my favorite night time activities are dancing to house music at live shows, laughing my butt off at American Comedy Club in downtown, grabbing drinks with friends at pacific beach pubs, or eating yummy food in North County overlooking the ocean, preferably seafood.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I truly believe that we as people are a culmination of our relationships. I want to start by giving credit to my mentor Jared Wells for truly inspiring me as a young adult and giving me the space and freedom to question why and allow me to be ok with getting things wrong. I also need to give credit to my second home in Santa Cruz that taught me how to be vulnerable, intuitive, and for showing me the beautiful interconnectedness and grace this world has to offer. For my love of nature was nurtured in this home. To my life partner who encouraged me to follow my heart and gave me the confidence to live my dreams. Last but definitely not least, I need to recognize my family for their love, support, and the never ending joy they bring to my life. They are the roots to my ever growing tree and I am forever grateful.

Website: https://www.sdcoastalkiddos.com/

Instagram: coastalkiddos

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coastal-kiddos/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastalkiddos

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/coastal-kiddos-encinitas?osq=coastal+kiddos