Meet Brynn Johnson | Founder ~ Raise for Rowyn

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

Hi Brynn, how does your business help the community?
Raise for Rowyn, a non-profit, serves the community by providing financial relief and emotional support after families suffer the loss of a child. This is something we founded shortly after the loss of my daughter Rowyn Leea Johnson. Her light is still shining bright serving families all over the west coast and Arizona. We not only focus on raising funds for these families but offering hope and support when they need it most.

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.
My work has changed drastically year after year as Raise for Rowyn has grown quickly. I started out with no prior experience in the nonprofit industry. I just had a broken heart after losing my daughter and wanted desperately to give back to our community that helped my family in our time of need. We ran solely on dedicated volunteers for the first two years, myself and others working full time other careers and racing home from work to plan fundraisers and reach out to families that needed our assistance. It was a passion that grew inside of my heart and grew the organization quickly. We have now grown to serve many states and over 500 families with assistance after the loss of a child. We host three major fundraisers throughout the year to raise funding, partner with Corporate Sponsors, sell merchandise, and partner with Angel parents that want to host beneficiary events in honor of their child. I have got to be creative in the fundraising process over the years, that makes the job exciting and brings the fun to our somber mission. All of our events are memorable, from the heart and over the top.

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.
Currently living in Washington state, I come to visit Arizona every few months with friends and family to stay in our vacation rental home in Tucson. We love it there! So naturally we would stay there at our home Desert Dreams.

I am a foodie at heart and love trying new places when I visit. Some of my favorites this far have been Prep & Pastry or Oink Cafe for breakfast. Prep and Pastry had to die for pastries and iced coffee and the Oink Cafe had a bacon flight, specialty mimosas and a great full menu of options. Lunch fave has been El Charro. I have tried the location downtown Tucson as well as Catalina side and they both were excellent service and great fish tacos! Dinner options are endless. I think there is so much to choose some but that’s the fun of vacationing and trying new places.

I would definitely plan a few hikes while there. I love to get an early start and one of my favorites was Seven Falls in Sabino Canyon. It’s so rewarding to get to the falls and jump in the pool before heading back out.

I love all the western history throughout Arizona. I love researching the old mining towns and exploring a new one whenever I can. I especially love good turquoise jewelry and authentic souvenirs so I usually find some treasures in places you would least expect it. I bought some handmade pieces from Turquoise Joe out at the San Xavier del Bac Mission and listened to his old stories about the old western movies he used to act in. It was so interesting, and I loved his jewelry.

Lastly, I have been wanting to book a sunset horseback ride. I have seen so many great ranches in between Tucson and Pheonix so I think there are so many great options. This is on my bucket list for an upcoming trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to personally dedicate my shoutout to Co-founder, friend, and sister in Christ, Cassie Miller. We started Raise for Rowyn together through blood, sweat and tears in 2015 and have grown our sisterhood even stronger over the years. I am so thankful for the bond that has withstood things most friendships could not overcome. Her faith and perseverance after tragedy has been a rock in my hard times and an inspiration to continue healing, growing and thriving. She is a true blessing to me and the organization.

Website: www.raiseforrowyn.org

Instagram: @raise4rowyn

Facebook: @RaiseforRowyn

Other: raise4rowyn@gmail.com

Image Credits
Bergswife Photography