Meet Graylen Brown | Texas Master Gardener

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

Hi Graylen, what inspires you?
I remember the first bite into a tomato that I had grown with my own two hands. It was the most amazing thing I had ever tasted and from that point on I was hooked. I first started gardening when I was a preteen with my grandmother back in my hometown of Baton Rouge. One weekend she decided that we would build a 4×6 raised bed garden and that my brothers and I would grow our own tomatoes. We set out to Lowe’s, her favorite store, and got our materials and plants. Then we went back home and got to work. My younger brothers and I each had our own plant to attend. Mine was a Roma tomato, which are great for making sauces.

…And that’s why, even though my Mawmaw is gone now, gardening will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was her way of passing down not just the hobby itself, but the deeper lessons of patience, responsibility, and appreciating nature’s cycles. These are the values I now get to impart to my own kids as we work side-by-side in our garden, getting dirt under our nails and sunshine on our faces. My grandmother motivates me everyday to get out in the garden and grow not just food, but as a person and as a business owner. Thus, I try to keep passing on that same knowledge to my children and customers alike.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In my professional life, I’ve been the ultimate career chameleon – an educator, mechanic, pharmacy tech, car salesman, financial adviser, designer, musician, you name it. Basically, if there was a hat to wear, I probably tried it on at some point. Which is likely why I ultimately decided to go full-on entrepreneurial mad hatter!
You see, I’ve spent years accumulating random skillsets like a real-world Highlander…minus the bloody beheadings, of course. With each stint, I’d gain invaluable experience, gradually becoming more of a Swiss army knife of talents.
Now in my younger days, this lack of focus used to really get me down. I felt like society was telling me to just pick a path and stick to it – kinda like trying to cram a bright, multi-faceted star into a rigid square hole. But for me, that monotonous existence never quite felt right.
It wasn’t until I met my wife Maya that I began to see my “randomness” as a superpower. She helped me understand that all my far-reaching talents and experiences could be formidable strengths when properly harnessed together into an entrepreneurial master plan.
With her vision and support, I’ve been able to alchemize my multi-potentiality into a thriving business that feeds all sides of my curiosity. One day an engine repair, the next handling marketing designs. Maya is the anchor that keeps me grounded yet fearlessly embracing my kaleidoscope of passions.
So while others may see my resume as a mess, I’ve discovered the beautifully controlled chaos of a life lived on my own dynamic, ever-evolving terms. All it took was finding an equally unique partner who celebrates and amplifies my unlimited self. Now I get to let my infinite array of talents soar daily as my own boss. And really, what could be more fulfilling than that?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are several locations in the DFW area that hold deep, cherished connections for me and my family. Let me take you on a little tour through some of our most beloved spots.

First up is Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Texas – a place forever etched in my heart. This serene body of water was the setting for my wife and I’s first date all those years ago. We strolled along the shoreline, sharing dreams and accidentally stumbling into our forever love story. Years later, we made it official by exchanging vows on Captain Scott Self’s stunning Seawolf catamaran, right there on those sparkling waters. Whenever I catch a glimpse of Ray Hubbard’s gentle waves, I’m transported back to those wondrous days of courtship and commitment.

Not far from the lake lies another gem – The Dallas Arboretum. As a proud Texas Master Gardener, this lush botanical garden is my own personal paradise on earth. I make an annual pilgrimage every spring to wander amidst the breathtaking floral displays and vibrant landscapes. It’s a feast for the senses and a balm for the soul.

When my family and I crave a more rugged, back-to-nature adventure, we pack up and head to Cedar Hill State Park for camping under the stars. We’re an insatiably outdoorsy bunch – if we’re not frolicking in water or hiking through forests, something just feels…off. Camping amongst Cedar Hill’s rolling scenery, cooking over an open flame, and losing ourselves in lively campfire tales is our definition of heaven on earth.

But of course, even die-hard nature nuts like us need an occasional break from all that fresh air and sunshine. For those lazy weekend days, you’ll likely find us sprawled in the plush, heated recliners of our beloved B&B Theatres. Sipping an ice-cold drink and munching buckets of popcorn while engrossed in the latest blockbuster – it’s one of life’s simple, unmatched pleasures for the whole family.

Finally, much of my time these days is devoted to The Historic Lancaster Theatre, where I’m a partner and creative consultant. This beautifully aged venue is currently undergoing renovations as we prepare for its 75th Anniversary Grand Reopening. When the curtains rise, Lancaster will become a premier destination for live music, theatre, comedy shows, art exhibits, and extraordinary events of all kinds. You can bet I’ll be behind the scenes every step of the way, helping to breathe new life into this majestic place. Stay tuned, because The Historic Lancaster Theatre is about to be THE hotspot for entertainment in the Metroplex!

So, that’s my whirlwind tour of some of my favorite DFW haunts. From natural havens to old-world theaters, these are the places that have woven themselves into the very fabric of my life’s most cherished memories and experiences.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
None of my successes would be possible without the radiant support of my wife, Maya Brown – my truly better half, my rib, and my soulmate extraordinaire. This woman is so much more than just a partner; she’s my personal life coach, vision catalyst, and number one cheerleader all rolled into one dazzling package.
Whether I’m chasing a wild new entrepreneurial dream or quite literally chasing racoons out of the garden, she’s always there with a listening ear, solid advice, and unshakeable confidence in my ability to thrive.
In fact, even as I was knee-deep in soil samples and Latin plant names while earning my Master Gardener certification, Maya herself was diligently pursuing her own academic passion – walking across the stage and snagging her hard-earned Master of Education degree. Yet through it all, she still found the time and energy to be my own personal master class in unwavering support and encouragement.
I’m talking motivational pep talks that would put any life coach to shame. Celebratory happy dances over my smallest victories that gradually whittled away at my own self-doubts. Reminders to nurture my ambitions with the same tender loving care I devote to nurturing my seedlings. My wife renews my creative soul and nourishes my dreams the same way sunlight renews and nourishes the leaves of a flourishing plant.
Maya is my safe haven from storms, my compass when I start to wander off track, and the fertile soil that allows my biggest, wildest dreams to take root and blossom into something beautiful and real. With her by my side, I know I not only can chase after the life I crave – I’m unstoppable. This unstoppable garden of goals and accomplishments I’m cultivating? It was co-created and lovingly tended by the sunshine of my life…my Maya. She is truly the sunshine on this plant’s leaves.

Website: https://Urbangardeningwithgray.com

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcet1bdtYvtBSFFcIC2QfpA

Image Credits
I am the sole photographer