Life & Work with Robin Barnes of Conyers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Barnes.

Hi Robin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story began with a deep desire to help young girls see the beauty within themselves.

I wanted girls to grow up confident, secure, and grounded in who they are, not defined by comparison or outside pressures, but by the truth that their worth already exists inside them. That belief became the foundation for BRIMI, which stands for Beauty Resides In My Image. It started as a message for girls, rooted in identity and self-love.

Over time, that vision evolved.

I began to see that the need for emotional awareness, confidence, and kindness doesn’t start in the teen years, it starts in childhood. That realization expanded BRIMI’s focus to serve all children through storytelling. The Skyy and Brimielle children’s book series became a natural extension of that mission, stories filled with kindness, empathy, and life lessons that help children see themselves in positive and affirming ways.

The journey hasn’t been easy. I didn’t begin with major funding or a perfect roadmap, just conviction. There were seasons of uncertainty, but my passion for helping children love who they are kept me moving forward, even when I wasn’t sure what the next step would be. Today, we’re beginning with a pilot program to thoughtfully introduce these books into local youth communities, allowing us to grow with intention and impact.

I’m building this step by step, because I truly believe when a child learns to love who they are early, it shapes the rest of their life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

Building something from the ground up without major funding, a large team, or a blueprint comes with real challenges. There were seasons where progress felt slow and moments when I questioned whether I was moving fast enough or doing enough. Starting with a vision in your heart is one thing, building the structure to support that vision is another.

One of the biggest challenges was navigating uncertainty. There were times I didn’t know what the next step should be, whether to focus on programs, publishing, partnerships, or fundraising. When you care deeply about the mission, you want to get it right. There were also practical challenges, limited resources, balancing responsibilities, and learning how to grow strategically instead of just emotionally. But each obstacle forced me to become more intentional, more patient, and more resilient.

What kept me grounded was my passion for helping children love who they are. That purpose gave me the strength to keep building, even when the road felt unclear. Looking back, the challenges shaped me into a stronger leader. They taught me that growth takes time, and that when your mission is rooted in love and purpose, the road may not be smooth, but it’s always worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the Founder and Creative Director of BRIMI, I use storytelling as a way to help children understand who they are and grow in confidence.

At the heart of my work is a simple desire: I want children to see themselves in a positive light. The Skyy and Brimielle children’s book series, beautifully written by my mother, who began writing these stories at 75, reflects that same desire. Her stories are filled with kindness, warmth, and compassionate life lessons because that’s who she is as a person. I’ve had the privilege of building around those stories, helping shape how they are shared and experienced so they can encourage self-worth and emotional awareness in children.

One of the things I’m most proud of is watching my mom step into authorship later in life. Seeing her pursue something placed on her heart at 75 reminded me that purpose doesn’t expire. It strengthened my own commitment to keep building BRIMI, even when the path hasn’t been perfectly clear.

As Creative Director, my role is to thoughtfully guide the vision around these stories. We’re currently beginning with a pilot phase, intentionally starting small as we introduce the books into local youth communities. We want to listen, learn, and grow carefully so the work truly serves children in a meaningful way. For me, this isn’t about simply putting books into hands. It’s about planting something deeper. We hope these stories help children reflect on their feelings, recognize the beauty within themselves, and develop confidence that carries into real life. When a child sees themselves positively reflected in a story, it can quietly reshape how they see themselves in the world.

What sets this work apart is that it isn’t built on trends, it’s built on belief. BRIMI was born from a deep conviction about identity and worth. Everything we create is rooted in love, intention, and a genuine desire to help the next generation grow from the inside out. That’s the work I’m committed to, building something meaningful, step by step, with heart at the center of it all.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would say persistence rooted in purpose.

There were many moments along this journey where things moved slower than I hoped or where the next step wasn’t clear. What has carried me through isn’t perfection or resources, it’s conviction. I deeply believe in the message behind BRIMI, and that belief has kept me steady even in uncertain seasons.

I’ve learned that when something is placed on your heart, you have to stay committed to it, even when the path unfolds gradually. Being willing to build step by step, to adjust when needed, and to keep showing up has been essential.

Passion may start the vision, but persistence sustains it. And for me, that persistence comes from knowing this work is bigger than me, it’s about helping children grow up secure in who they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mybrimiinc.org
• Instagram: @skyybrimielle