This is part of our “Small Business SaturGay” series in partnership with Everywhere is Queer highlighting Queer-owned small businesses. Bree Smith is the creator of Words from Within, a community using writing as a tool to go from the act of performing to the art of being. 

During the pandemic, Bree Smith’s life underwent dramatic changes. She came out, went through a divorce, and faced the collapse of her seemingly perfect life. But through writing, she found herself, a vibrant community, published her book “From Burn to Bloom” and started a thriving business. This is her story.

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Think of yourself as a child, maybe 5-7 years old. What activities sparked joy and ignited your creativity? For Bree Smith, writing was that spark. She would pick up a pencil and paper whenever she could, jotting down thoughts, ideas, and little stories. Even as a seven-year-old, she found joy in making to-do lists for the next day.

As Bree grew older, her time for writing diminished. Academic pressures and career aspirations overshadowed her creative pursuits. The belief that she needed a degree in literature to be a “writer” or that poetry must rhyme to be considered valid, silenced her inner writer. This narrative, imposed by her environment and internalized over time, caused her to abandon writing in her early adulthood.

Rediscovering a Passion

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, became a turning point. In an attempt to find normalcy, a friend suggested a 27-day “free writing” challenge. Free writing involves taking a prompt and writing continuously for 15 minutes without worrying about grammar or spelling. This practice allowed Bree to reconnect with her creativity and simply “be.” She was amazed by the stack of pieces she produced, realizing that some of her best work emerged when she silenced her inner critic.

From this challenge, Bree’s daily practice of free writing grew bolder. She began sharing her work with friends, whose emotional responses and words of affirmation made her realize the impact of her writing. This newfound confidence led her to publish a book of poetry and envision a bigger dream: building a business and community centered around her love for writing.

Launching a Business

Launching Words from Within was both a passion project and a necessity for Bree. She wanted to create a space where people could come together, write, and heal. She began hosting creative writing classes, both in-person and online, and coaching individuals on storytelling. Bree compares her writing journey to a seed that has grown into a tree with deep roots and expansive limbs. The seed represents the time she takes to show up for herself, allowing whatever is within her to flow onto the page. By putting her inner critic aside, she taps into her creative unconsciousness and rediscovers her creativity.

Coming Out, Self Discovery and Building a Community

Coming out as a queer individual was another significant part of Bree’s journey. Writing played a crucial role in her self-discovery, helping her process and express her identity. This practice of free writing allowed subconscious thoughts to surface, leading her to embrace her true self. Her business, Words from Within, focuses on moving from the act of performing to the art of being. Writing has become a tool for Bree to be herself, inspiring others to do the same.

During the pandemic, Bree’s life changed dramatically. Writing became a lifeline, helping her process her emotions and make sense of her experiences. She realized that many people go through similar challenges but lack the space to share their stories. Breeanna made a promise to herself to publish a book of poetry and create a community where people from all walks of life could come together to write and heal.

Launching her business was both a passion project and a necessity to reach a broader audience. Bree believes that the best teachers are those who remain students, constantly learning and growing. By facilitating spaces for others to write, she creates an equitable relationship where everyone learns and creates together.

Writing, for Breeanna, is a channel for healing and self-discovery. It allows her to embrace her colorful life, filled with changes and new discoveries. She hopes to inspire others to see that there is no right way to be a writer or to pursue any passion. The key is to start somewhere and build the muscle of creativity.

What’s Next?

Bree’s future projects include expanding Words from Within with more services, recordings, prompts, and community writing spaces. She is also working on storytelling events to empower people to share their stories confidently. Through these initiatives, Bree aims to create spaces where people can express themselves authentically and feel a sense of belonging.

In challenging times, Bree finds writing to be especially important. It serves as a means of processing discomfort and maintaining her creative practice. By committing to the ritual of writing, she continues to discover and express her true self, inspiring others to do the same.

Bree’s journey with Words from Within is a testament to the power of writing as a tool for self-expression, healing, and community building. Her story encourages us to rediscover the joy of creativity and to embrace our authentic selves while building a purposeful life around our passions.

Learn more about Words From Within on her website, take Bree’s writing classes, or purchase her book.