Back in December 2018, we got to meet the founder and director of Braw Beards, John Jackson. A mighty fellow, who found inspiration in his experience of rehabilitation for extreme sports injuries. The result? A world leading beard care brand, that’s attracted the love and attention from those of all genders, crafts, and interests around the world. 

Last month we got the chance to catch up with John, and find out a little bit more about his time up on the CMEdi stage, and becoming a member of our fab creative community! 

Photography by Ellie Morag 

What was the preparation for your talk like? Were you nervous about what to expect?

I was a little nervous in the build up to the talk. Myself and the CMEdi team sat down and discussed how to structure the talk so that definitely helped keep me focused. There is so much to the Braw Beard story and timeline it was tricky to fit into a 20min talk but CMEdi helped condense it nicely.

How did you feel up on the stage, in front of our CMEdi community? Did you find yourself easing into it once you got going?

I was nervous walking to the stage, but once the first sentence was out I started to relax. After I got the first laugh from the crowd, it reminded me I was in good company.

Were there any special responses and/or interactions before, during, or after your talk which stood out in your memory?

After the talk there were a lot of people thanking me for the talk and saying it was inspirational, which is always nice to hear. If someone takes just a little bit of inspiration from the talk, it’s a good feeling. I remember someone asking a question along the lines of  “How many employees do you have?” and they were stunned when I said none haha. I’m ALWAYS busy, that question opened my eyes, maybe I need to get some staff to help out!

We have loved having you as a speaker; but, also as a community member – you are now part of the family! Related to that… 

Would you recommend taking part in the CMEdi community and events, as a speaker and/or attendee?

100% yes. To be honest, I wasn’t too sure what to expect so I went along to the talk previous to mine to get an idea. Again everyone was friendly and there’s a relaxed atmosphere. Plus you’ll always learn something new. If you get the opportunity to do a talk at Creative Mornings, DO IT.

What aspects of both experiences stand out as particularly special/important?

As an attendee - the relaxed atmosphere and wealth of knowledge in the room. There’s a good chance there will be someone in the room in a similar position to yourself.

As a speaker - the preparation and promotion from the CMEdi team. They care about you and want to see you do well so they’re willing to help with any advice you need.

What positive things have resulted from your experiences, and connections made at CreativeMornings Edinburgh? Collaborations, projects, or simply an increased sense of optimism… they all count!

After doing the talk, it has made me keen to do more. I really didn’t enjoy speaking in public before but after doing a few talks (CMEdi being the most recent), the response from the audience has always been welcoming and enthusiastic.

Head on over to the Braw Beard Oils website, scroll to the bottom of the page, and get yourself signed up to their newsletter! With fun events, blogs, and general updates on the go, you’ll be glad to stay in touch!  Plus, check out the Braw Beard Championships film - a promo for the epic event held every year… could you be the 2020 Braw Beard champ?!