Meet Kari M. Brooner | Landscape Architect, Business Owner and Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kari M. Brooner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kari M., let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I think about my legacy often, especially as a single mother raising three daughters. I really believe we are all uniquely made with gifts and talents for us to use to connect, impact, lead, help, grow and truly love others well. My titles are “business owner”, “landscape architect”, and “mother” but those titles carry so much more than that. I love that my courage to own a business inspires people to take risk and creates connection with clients and colleagues. My abilities as a Landscape Architect allow me to create beautiful and functional designs that provide space for others to enjoy as well as care for the world we live in. Lastly, my privilege to be a Mother refines my character daily and gives me an opportunity to impact others by raising brave, strong, compassionate girls that will continue this legacy.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
A firm foundation and a passion for what you do is a great start to owning a business. My foundation started at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where the motto is “learn by doing”. This allowed me to pursue my education and also intern in firms before I graduated. Upon graduation I had already gained work experience in three firms in Orange County and was ready to hit the ground running. I then worked in top design firms and was able to soak up everything I could from design and construction to time management and life balance and lastly client relations and business management. One of my biggest lessons I have learned and continually work on refining is healthy boundaries. Work will always be there, clients will continually ask you to jump through hoops, things out of our as control as large as Covid or a insignificant to rain delays come and go. But setting healthy boundaries, communicating and having integrity to follow up will always set you up for success. I also believe being uncomfortable helps you grow. I try to challenge myself every year with new projects and clients that might seem overwhelming but when things finish up I am always happy to see the outcome and thankful for the growth in the process. I often refer to it as “being refined by the fire”.

Life isn’t an easy road. I had my entire life turned upside down 5 years ago and had to rebuild. But I truly believed I was capable to rebuild myself, my family, my business and pursue this career that I love. I want to encourage others to see their worth and pursue their passions. You are more than capable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to experience new places and meet people, so this is hard to narrow down. If someone was visiting Orange County and California I would probably first take them to downtown Orange. I love history, architecture, well designed environments, unique food and walkability. Orange has character, a respect for the past and is currently in transformation to make it vibrant again. I would then take my friend on a hike at the Bommer & Boat Canyon trail above Laguna Beach where you have a 360 degree view of Orange County on a clear day. The temperature is always perfect, it’s just hard enough to make it a legit work out and there are amazing brunch options for after. Lastly I would pack the car for a road trip as this is my favorite way to see California. We would head to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is my favorite spot in all of California. We would pack mountain bikes to utilize their amazing bike trails, rafts to float down the Merced river and backpacks to fill with water and snacks to sustain our hike to Vernal Falls and pull my tent trailer so we could camp in the Valley and leave our car parked without use for the rest of the week.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I am uniquely made by God to be here now, doing what I am doing and living this life he has given me. This all started with my parents, Craig and Susan Anderson. My parents raised me in a loving and supportive home. They provided experiences to travel, enjoy art and culture, soak in the outdoors and natural beauty of our world, serve others and connect with people and grow awareness for others and our environment. They provided an education, pushed me to complete my degree and gain my license as a Landscape Architect. They continue to support me through encouragement and helping with my daughters as I run my business.

Website: www.kmbdesignstudio.com

Instagram: @kmbdesignstudio

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kari-brooner-2002

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

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/plantarch/_saved/

Image Credits
Kristasuephotography @kristasuephotography