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Meet Brensley Knowlton of Durham & Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brensley Knowlton.

Hi Brensley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Neon Rainbow Creatives is the result of a journey I never expected—one of self-discovery, unapologetic expression, and creating something that felt like it had no rules but its own.

For so long, I felt boxed in. The world expected me to follow the same old playbook, and I realized I just didn’t fit that mold. But instead of fighting it, I decided to break the damn thing open. I wanted to create a space where people could truly live out loud and embrace who they are—no filters, no apologies. That’s when the idea for Neon Rainbow Creatives clicked: a creative business that’s about celebrating the bold, the unique, and the unconventional. It wasn’t just about planning events or creating brands—it was about making experiences where people could feel fully themselves, wild and free.

I started small, mixing event planning with my love for design and branding, but soon realized that I wasn’t just helping clients check off tasks—I was helping them express their truest selves. From weddings that break traditions to immersive, vibrant experiences, I wanted everything I touched to radiate energy and spark something special. Each project became a chance to create something that wasn’t just beautiful but deeply personal—a reflection of the people behind it.

Building Neon Rainbow Creatives has been a way for me to take the reins of my own story, to refuse to be anything but authentic, and to encourage others to do the same. It’s been about finding freedom in self-expression and offering a space where the “usual” doesn’t even exist. Now, Neon Rainbow Creatives is a full-blown creative powerhouse that mixes event planning, branding, and product development in a way that shouts you do you.

What started as a personal quest to live more authentically has turned into a movement where everyone can step into their own glow. Neon Rainbow Creatives is a place for big ideas, vibrant people, and bold designs that make sure every moment leaves a lasting impression. I’m here to make things shine brighter, louder, and more unapologetically than ever before. And I’m only getting started.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, absolutely not. The road has been anything but smooth, and honestly, that’s part of what makes this journey so damn beautiful. It’s been a wild, bumpy ride of learning, unlearning, and trying to figure out how to make it all work while still staying true to my vision.

When I first started Neon Rainbow Creatives, it was like jumping into the deep end with no floaties—a total leap of faith. I didn’t have a blueprint or a clear-cut path. I just knew I was tired of being stifled by expectations and that I wanted to create something that felt real, something that let people be themselves without fear of judgment. But with that leap came a whole lot of obstacles.

One of the biggest struggles was the financial uncertainty. Running a creative business means you’re constantly balancing between believing in the vision and dealing with the harsh reality of making the dollars line up. It’s hard when you’re still building your brand, and it feels like you’re pouring everything into something that’s not yet paying off. That’s the gritty reality of entrepreneurship: there’s no safety net, and no one’s going to hand you success. You’ve got to chase it down yourself.

Then, there’s the whole self-doubt thing. Being your own boss means you’re responsible for everything—every success, every failure, every little thing in between. And when you’re going against the grain like I was, it’s easy to feel like you’re alone in the process. I definitely hit moments where I wasn’t sure if I was on the right track or if I was just spinning my wheels.

But through it all, I learned. I learned how to trust my gut, how to push through the tough times, and how to pivot when things aren’t working. The struggles have taught me how to embrace uncertainty as part of the journey. I had to come to terms with the fact that success isn’t linear, and sometimes, the setbacks are the things that lead to the most growth.

It’s easy to romanticize entrepreneurship, but the truth is—it’s messy, unpredictable, and relentless. But it’s also wildly rewarding. Every struggle has taught me how to refine my vision, to become more resilient, and to stay true to who I am, no matter what.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Neon Rainbow Creatives, I see myself as an artist first and foremost. My work revolves around telling stories, but not in the traditional way—I’m all about capturing the spirit of individuality and creating spaces and experiences that reflect it. Whether I’m designing a greeting card collection, building a brand from the ground up, or diving into social media management, it’s all about channeling creativity in unexpected ways.

What I’m most passionate about are the moments that aren’t meant to be “perfect”—the ones that are raw, real, and completely unapologetic. In my card collections like Loudmouth and Loveline, I craft designs that speak to the people who refuse to fit the mold, who want to say something real, whether it’s sassy, heartwarming, or a little bit of both. I’m also deep into branding, helping businesses build a voice that feels authentic and powerful, one that’s about more than just selling a product but telling a story that sticks.

Recently, I’ve been diving into social media management, where my focus is on helping clients show up authentically and create content that feels as alive as the brands they’re building. It’s less about chasing trends and more about building communities that feel real, engaged, and true to who they are.

When it comes to weddings, I’ve been taking a step back from the traditional, cookie-cutter approach. Honestly, the wedding industry often feels wasteful, expensive, and focused on things that don’t matter. So, I’ve shifted my focus to creating experiences that reflect people’s true selves—whether that’s an intimate gathering, a celebration of love that’s more about the connection than the cost, or an event that captures the energy and vibe of the people involved.

What sets Neon Rainbow Creatives apart is that I’m not about making things look “pretty” just for the sake of it. I’m about creating authentic moments—whether that’s through design, branding, or experience—that feel as bold and unapologetic as the people I work with. It’s about giving space for people to truly show up as themselves, without the pressure to conform to any standards.

I don’t expect everyone to get it right away, but that’s what I love about this journey: it’s not just about what I’m creating—it’s about finding the people who resonate with it, and who are ready to build something that feels real together.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you’re just starting out, here’s the first thing I’d say: Don’t wait for permission. So often, we think we need to be “perfect” before we dive in. But let’s be real—perfection is an illusion. Start messy. Start with what you have, even if it’s just an idea and a little bit of grit. That’s enough. The journey will teach you more than any plan ever could.

One of the things I wish I’d known when I first started was that it’s okay to pivot. I spent a lot of time trying to force things into a mold that wasn’t right for me. And, honestly, that was draining. You don’t have to have it all figured out from day one. It’s okay to experiment, to fail, to change direction. Your business will evolve along with you, so don’t feel like you need to have a perfect, rigid path set up ahead of time. Let your creativity lead, and give yourself permission to grow.

Another big lesson is that self-doubt is part of the process—don’t let it be the end of it. There will always be that voice in your head saying, “Who do you think you are to do this?” But the truth is, if you’re waiting for that voice to go away, you’ll never start. Embrace the fear, lean into it, and keep going anyway. You’ll get better, you’ll get more confident, and, eventually, you’ll look back and laugh at how much you worried over something that felt so monumental at the time.

And lastly, don’t try to do everything yourself. You’ll burn out fast if you think you need to wear all the hats. Find your people—whether that’s a mentor, collaborators, or a support network. The creative journey is way more fun and sustainable when you have people who get it and who can help you build what you’re dreaming up.

So, to sum it up: Start messy, pivot often, embrace self-doubt, and build your tribe. That’s the secret sauce. And, trust me, if you’re willing to show up every day and keep pushing through the tough times, it’ll pay off in ways you can’t even imagine yet.

Pricing:

  • Greeting Cards: $6 each
  • Day-of Coordination: Starting at $2,200
  • Partial Planning: Starting at $4,400
  • Social Media Strategy & Management: Starting at $1,000/month
  • Wholesale Pricing: Available upon request for bulk orders.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Black Pepper Photography

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