Meet Micah Brown | Events Venue Owner/Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Micah Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Micah, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk-taking has played a huge role in my life and career. As someone who grew up afraid of everything, I always followed the safe path. When my dad passed away in 2005 from cancer, I realized that time is precious, and everything in me changed.

In 2006, I left a corporate career to tour full-time playing bass guitar with my band and essentially live in a 1991 Dodge conversion van and feed off a $5/day per diem for years. Terrifying to shake up life like that at the time, but it was the best decision I ever made.

The right risk-taking formula for me is a healthy mix of dreaming, drive, persistence, and logic/practicality. I remained as responsible as possible within risk-taking, but I learned to never give up on your gut. Eventually I landed back in the corporate world, but with no regrets.

Fast forward to 2018 when starting my venue business. I liquidated everything I had & acquired new debt to make it happen, which was risky and scary. But I knew/hoped that even if this all blew up, I could once again run to the cocoon of corporate land, which has its benefits and joys. So I had a contingency (aka responsible risk), but hoped with all of my might & believed in my gut that I could become my own boss and launch a cool and successful venue.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business, Heartwood Acres, is a modern luxe rustic wedding and events venue near Lake Oconee, an hour east of Atlanta.

It existed first as a daydream. An idea to have a place where people could gather to collaborate or celebrate. It would be a place off the beaten path, where nature and modern amenities work in harmony to create a simple, cool, accommodating, and inspiring environment.

And then the perfect property showed up on the market. It was even on a road called Harmony Rd.!

Once the property purchase materialized, my best friends and I renovated, updating it from a great country barn to a modern, luxe barn. At the time, this was still a passion project, not knowing if what we created could become a viable business. So I was still working a corporate job and creating the venue business on the side.

With a corporate background in Marketing and Brand Development, largely focused on creative services, I had enjoyed working on existing brands for over two decades. Where would my mind go if it were to create a new brand from scratch? The challenge was thrilling.

Luckily the Field of Dreams theory worked– If you build it, they will come! The intention was never to primarily become a wedding venue, however, the updated property lent itself perfectly to hosting weddings, and one by one, the venue calendar was filling up with wedding clients. I was able to really lean into this with branding. Connecting with the community also became an important focus.

Once all these elements started taking on a life of their own, I finally had the confidence to make Heartwood Acres a full-time business.

I believe the key to my business’ success (or maybe just the key to my sanity) is this: Keep it simple, be accommodating, and be kind. I like to say “yes” and at least try to make all things possible (within reason!). My prices and policies are clear, posted on the website. I always appreciate, as a consumer, when a business sets expectations clearly and has thorough [but easily digestible] communication. I want all our clients to feel in the loop every step of the way.

For branding, I feel the success comes from consistent and clean visual representation. As unoriginal as it sounds, I design with the most basic color palette– soft black, white, & golds, with pops of usually-muted color (think rose gold or dusty blue). I want the vibe to translate through the website and social media– It’s luxe and inviting, engulfed in nature, with a hint of rock n roll. And of course, the most essential element is showcasing photos and videos on social media and websites so potential clients can get a good feel of what it’s actually like to be in the space.

I would want the world to know that Heartwood Acres is just a cool and beautiful place to come celebrate, or use the space as you wish. No micro-managing. No difficult processes to trudge through. We just make it happen– your event, your way. It’s my little slice of heaven.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I split time between Atlanta and the area where my venue is (an hour east of Atlanta), I would spread the love between these places.

We’d start light with a Beltline stroll, maybe from Krog St. Market down to Ponce City Market, stopping along the way at anything that jumps out. Over the next couple of days, we’d hit the High Museum and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. We’d eat at Eats and Gaja and Marcel. We’d drink coffee at Academy or Perc or The Daily. Cocktails at Kimball House or Ticonderoga Club. We’d go see live music at The Earl or 529.

Then we’d make our way out towards Lake Oconee, spending an afternoon in Madison, which is adorable. Coffee at The Sinclair (ok, maybe a cocktail instead), visit the antique/consignment markets, stop by the patisserie for some freshly baked goods… The next day, we would rent a pontoon boat and spend a lazy day on the lake!

If we have time for a jaunt up to Elijay, we’d try to squeeze in a mountain hike and a visit to one of the wineries up there.

Great. Now I’m hungry & thirsty and really want to be on a boat on a lake!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout easily goes to family and close friends. It’s never lost on me how lucky I am to have such a supportive and inspiring inner circle. My mother, the kindest, most creative and loving person has been my cheerleader, whether it was attending high school marching band shows, or acting interested as I worked my way up the corporate ladder, or coming to hole-in-the-wall bars to watch my loud rock band play shows, and now showing me so much love and support as I own and operate my venue. My dad is with me in spirit, I can feel it. My brother is a rockstar dad and business owner himself, so he inspires me daily.

The shoutout continues to my best friends and bandmates– Lauren, Cregg, and Jeremy. They’re the reason I was able to live my dream of being a touring musician. Together, we navigated the most bizarre of experiences and learned that anything is possible. Taking risks is often way more fun when you’re doing it with people you love!

Similarly, Lauren & Cregg were a huge part of the venue’s beginnings, and I wouldn’t be such a proud owner of such a beautiful place without them.

I’ve also been fortunate to work with some amazing women who I consider mentors and role models. Badass women who are brilliant and fair and clever and wise. Quick shoutout to Annica, Missy, Meghann, Diane… Whether they know it or not, they have informed much of my business self, and personal self too. I’m a lucky girl.

Website: https://heartwoodacresga.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartwood_acres/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahsilvermanbrown/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartwoodacres

Other: HeartwoodAcresGA@gmail.com