We recently had the chance to connect with Brandon Buckson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brandon, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’ve always been an early riser, and where I am in life now gives me the chance to really use that time with intention. My mornings start around 5am. A few minutes later my wife is up, and she’ll make me coffee and something light to eat. That quiet ritual — just the two of us sharing breakfast and catching the news — grounds me before the day picks up speed. By 6am I’m headed to PT formation, and by 6:30 we’re deep into drills, either running or strength training. What I love most isn’t just the workout itself, but the energy of training alongside people who push me to be better. The younger soldiers in my troop keep me sharp physically, and I try to give back by encouraging them mentally. Those first 90 minutes set the tone for everything else — discipline, teamwork, and showing up fully.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brandon Buckson, and I’m a visual artist, educator, and builder at heart. My work lives at the intersection of art, storytelling, and resilience. I’ve been through seasons of struggle — from battling addiction to starting over with nothing — and those experiences shaped not just the way I create, but why I create.
I’m developing a body of work that blends painting with fashion, exploring themes like survival, power, and transformation. For me, a canvas isn’t just a surface — it’s a place to work through chaos and rebuild it into something meaningful. My upcoming clothing line grows directly out of this process, turning the energy of my paintings into something people can live in and carry with them.
What makes my journey unique is that it’s not just about art or business — it’s about legacy. Everything I build, I build with my son in mind. I want him to see that even in the hardest conditions, you can carve out beauty, discipline, and opportunity. That’s what my brand stands for: the belief that resilience itself is a hidden gem worth sharing with the world.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My grandfather was the person who shaped my understanding of work. He had retired from GM, but what stood out most to me wasn’t the factory job — it was the old dump truck he used to run his hauling and demolition business. As his first grandchild, I was his shadow. I’d ride with him to jobs that could be anything from cleaning out dusty basements to scrapping metal at the junkyard, selling bottled water on a hot day, or unloading debris at the landfill. To me, those trips felt like adventures — stepping outside my neighborhood and learning how to hustle in any situation.
He carried himself with a mix of grit and style. He loved fashion, had this natural confidence, and somehow made even dirty, heavy work feel like something to be proud of. From him, I learned that work wasn’t just about getting the job done — it was about building something of your own, showing up with pride, and loving the people around you with a kind of fearless energy.
When he passed away in 2022, it left a hole in me, but also a fire. I think about him every day, and when I commit to something, I hear his voice pushing me to give 100%. That spirit of entrepreneurship, hard work, and confidence — that’s the inheritance he left me.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me things success never could — that when everything else is stripped away, the only constant is faith. For me, faith in God has been the anchor. Love is another lesson suffering sharpened for me; it turns even the hardest moments into something meaningful, almost sweet.
Hardship forced me to look for light in places most people wouldn’t, and to use those glimpses of hope as fuel. I know I’m not wealthy, and I know my circumstances might not look impressive to some, but I carry gratitude for every moment that shaped me into the man I am.
At 31, stepping into the military might look late from the outside, but to me, it’s just another chapter in the adventure. Every challenge I face now only sharpens me — for my passions, for my family, for my son, and for anyone who might draw strength from my story
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My wife’s ideas are gold to me — they shape the way I see the world. She’s not just creative, she’s magnetic. From the very first time we met, what stood out wasn’t just how beautifully she dressed, but how every detail seemed intentional. Her outfits weren’t about chasing labels or trying to impress anyone — they expressed moods, ideas, and pieces of who she was. It was like she was telling stories without saying a word, and that captivated me.
As we built a life together, that energy only grew. Now she’s my wife, and her influence runs through everything. She picks out my clothes, she brings warmth and character into our home, and she inspires me to live with a sense of artistry in even the smallest choices. She pushes me toward quality — in how I care for myself, how I spend my time, and how I treat the people around me.
But beyond her style or creativity, what I love most is her spirit. She’s strong-minded, passionate, and completely committed to her individuality. She reminds me every day that to live fully means to live authentically. She’s not just my partner, she’s my muse, and she teaches me how to match love with intention, to weave passion into daily life, and to bring beauty into even the hardest moments.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Coming from Baltimore City, it’s easy to feel counted out — like the odds are stacked against you from the start. What I want most is to leave behind a legacy that proves even an ordinary man can commit to extraordinary goals. My hope is that people remember me as someone who lived with integrity, perseverance, and tenacity, and who showed by example that discipline can turn struggle into something greater than anyone might have imagined possible.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bucksonbrandon
- Facebook: Brandon_buckson
