CELEBRATING

Owensboro Native Has Reason to Celebrate

Written by JACQUELINE RUSSELL

Brittany Young believes in celebrating every day. For the past 12 years, the Owensboro native has been known as the Certified Celebrator—teaching others how to celebrate intentionally.

With an Instagram following of nearly 100,000 people, a popular book and another on the way, Young is touching lives around the world by sharing realistic, affordable ideas for making memories and building connections.

It all started when she was an undergraduate, sharing her love for decorating her porch and celebrating those around her on social media. “People started showing up,” she said. “It was just me sharing my life on social media and videos that started everything.”

Her first book, Celebrate With Sprinkles, focuses on big holidays and how to make them extra special. “We want to help you make your family feel a little extra loved, in ways that they’re talking about it months down the road,” she said. The book offers easy recipes and decor, and its beautiful photos offer lots of

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CELEBRATING INTENTIONALLY AND TO KEEP UP WITH YOUNG, VISIT HER WEBSITE AT CERTIFIEDCELEBRATOR.COM, OR ON INSTAGRAM AT @CERTIFIEDCELEBRATOR.

inspiration. It’s available through Amazon and Target, and her second book will be coming soon.

Young said the brand’s success comes from making projects simple and relatable. “Something may look over the top when you see it, but it has smaller pieces you can pick and choose from and make your own.” For instance, followers may not be up for creating a whole room of themed decor, but they can pick one or two items from the idea and make it work for them.

While 2020-21 has been a curveball, she hopes to get back in front of an audience soon, hosting annual events in 2022. Each event will be a chance to experience a party that’s a chapter from her new book. She also plans to launch a product line of goods that will help families celebrate.

But celebrating is as much about relationships as it is decorations and parties.

“Our mission is creating memories and deepening relationships,” she said. Intentional celebration is looking for little things in everyday to throw confetti about. It’s about sharing love with people and building relationships.”

Her best advice to start intentionally celebrating is to start with things that bring you joy. “Not all things are about decorating your porch,” she said. “It’s about sending that text message or having lunch with a friend you haven’t seen. You don’t have to throw a party, just do what you’re comfortable with and connect realistically.”

Young and her team of eight use Instagram stories to reach and inspire followers. She also has a monthly digital magazine with printable items to use, as well as a private Facebook group for sharing ideas.

“We’re just obsessed with our content and our followers,” she said.

The 2006 Owensboro Catholic High School graduate may live in Nashville now, but she has fond memories of home. “I think about my high school memories and being on the dance team a lot. I loved it,” she said. “I’m in Nashville now but I love where I come from.” OL