Brittany Young describes herself as a “party-throwing, holiday-loving, craft-making, halfway homemade-cooking, modern-day hostess on a mission to encourage women all over the world to live a joyfully celebrated life.”
When Brittany and Brad Young married, they were searching for a hobby they could share, so they turned to crafting. They shared their projects on the internet and took them on the road to craft shows. Brittany, who was working for the University of Kentucky at the time, eventually turned her creativity and love for crafting into a full-time business in 2010. The business became known as CertifiedCelebrator.com in 2015 and continues to grow to this day.
Currently, the company employs seven people, including Brittany. Brad, who graduated from Daviess County High School, handles all the behind-the-scenes business affairs such as accounting and advertisement. The website, along with the Instagram and Facebook pages, have followers from all over the United States.
Brittany does not consider herself an “event planner.” Instead, after graduating from Owensboro Catholic High School, she earned her undergraduate degree in family and consumer sciences and graduate degree in Leadership Dynamics, both from Western Kentucky University, and turned them into a booming business.
The goal of that business, according to Brittany is to “share inspiration with followers and be a resource to take simple ideas and create affordable and doable parties and celebrations that any mom can use to create intentional celebrations.”
Certified Celebrator’s various social media outlets give moms realistic ideas, so they don’t have to spend hours poring over Pinterest. And, Brittany considers the business to be “content creators and social media influencers.”
In addition to her social media followers, Certified Celebrator has caught the attention of several national shows and publications.
Brittany’s party themes have been featured in publications such as Country Fair and Southern Living. The Rachael Ray Show, Pickler & Ben, Nashville’s Talk of the Town and Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family have also highlighted Brittany’s original and imaginative ideas to inspire opportunities for families to intentionally celebrate.
The “heart and soul” of the company, though, is its women’s community, “Celebrate with Sprinkles.” The mission is to provide members with weekly challenges for bringing joy to others in the hopes that sharing that joy will create a “ripple effect” of others continuing to share their own joyful and giving spirit.
For a nominal cost, members also have access to a digital magazine and a Facebook community of other women sharing their ideas for “being intentional about celebrating and building family memories.”
Brittany says these memories can lead to “deeper family connections without adding to the stress and chaos” that already exist in our lives.
In fall 2020, Brittany will add published author to her title as well. Her book, Celebrate with Sprinkles, currently in the content writing stage, will feature 24 fun chapters of what Brittany calls, “party inspiration.”
The book will include ideas for moms like making the most out of child’s snow days using simple items that can be found around the house or inspiration for girls’ night get-togethers.
Brittany credits her grandmother for inspiring her to maintain a home that is cozy and inviting for her friends and family and for reminding her to celebrate all the little things in life. She remembers her grandmother making a big event of her birthday with a day spent doing anything Brittany wanted — movies, lunch, shopping.
“My grandmother was the one who taught me how to intentionally celebrate,” Brittany said.
Her car was always loaded with gifts to congratulate a friend who was a new grandmother or to raise the spirits of a friend whose spouse was ill.
“She just always wanted to give joy to others through gifting. This is at the root of how I run my home, family and life,” Brittany said. “While I have my own style and personality, the roots for celebrating and creating joy came from her.”
Brittany, Brad and their 5-year-old son, Brady, currently reside in Bowling Green, but they frequently return to Owensboro, where their extended family still lives. They also enjoy coming to town to pick up chicken from Old Hickory or long johns from Rolling Pin.
To learn more about how you can intentionally celebrate to build memories and deeper connections with your own family, visit the Youngs at certifiedcelebrator.com or visit their pages on Instagram (@certifiedcelebrator) or on Facebook.
