A Seat at the Table: Celebrating Vision and Leadership

When vision and leadership come together, the impact is unforgettable. That spirit filled the room at CREW Tucson’s 2025 event, A Seat at the Table. Our co-founder, Brandy McLain, joined six other dynamic speakers to share her story of entrepreneurship, leadership, and the wisdom she’s gained along the way.

The CREW Network is a global organization dedicated to advancing all women in commercial real estate through networking, leadership development, and career outreach.

Our local chapter, CREW Tucson, plays a vital role in connecting and empowering leaders while creating spaces where ideas and mentorship are shared. A Seat at the Table did just that, bringing together Tucson’s entrepreneurs, creatives, and executives to exchange ideas and strengthen community ties.

Brandy’s insight into design and entrepreneurship, along with her talent for building meaningful relationships, made her an inspiring presence on stage. Modern House Numbers was proud to be part of an event that celebrated how collaboration and shared ideas drive progress in Tucson and beyond.

Shared Insights from Brandy

On stage, Brandy shared the mentorship wisdom and guiding principles that guide her work at Modern House Numbers. She spoke about her journey from architectural training to entrepreneurship and how those experiences continue to shape the company’s values today.

• Start with the end in mind. Brandy finds inspiration in the work of architect Glenn Murcutt, who encourages designers to begin every project with the outcome in mind, a philosophy that guides both her business and personal growth.
  

• Design with purpose. Every Modern House Numbers product is something she’d be proud to display on her own home. That personal connection ensures quality, authenticity, and longevity.
  

• Build with resilience. From the early days of creating address numbers in her carport to leading a team of 25, Brandy emphasized the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and perseverance.
  

• Embrace new adventures. Looking ahead to 2026, she reminded fellow entrepreneurs:
  
  “We don’t know what the future holds, so take risks, they just might open doors you never imagined.”
  
  

From the Carport to the World Stage

Trained as both an architect and urban planner, Brandy grew up in a ranching family, where she learned industriousness, creativity, and self-reliance by solving problems with whatever was available.That resourcefulness became the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey.

While remodeling their first home in Tucson, she and her husband Rick McLain couldn’t find large, modern, high-quality address numbers, so they designed and made their own. Neighbors began asking where to get them, revealing a clear unmet need in the market.

From those humble beginnings, a simple website, a single product line, and numbers made one at a time in their carport, Modern House Numbers was born. Today, 17 years later, the company has grown into a team of 25 and has shipped nearly one million address numbers worldwide.

At its core, Modern House Numbers remains dedicated to combining thoughtful design with practical function while staying true to the values of creativity, self-reliance, and resourcefulness that started it all.

Finding Balance: Aesthetics Meets Practicality

When asked how she balances aesthetics with practicality, Brandy shared with attendees that the answer came naturally, by focusing on quality from the start.

“Many people value products that are well-designed, well-made, and built to last,” Even though house numbers are small, they make a big visual impact. They’re often the first thing people notice when arriving at a home and can reflect the homeowner’s style and personality.

Guided by Glenn Murcutt’s advice, “Start the way you want to finish,” Brandy and Rick made a commitment early on:

• No shortcuts on design.
  

• No compromises on quality.

That decision shaped the company’s path, helping Modern House Numbers build a brand with lasting value and integrity.

Growing Through Leaps of Faith

Reflecting on the company’s growth from their home workshop to a global operation, Brandy quoted one of her favorite sayings:

“Leap, and the net will appear.”

She explained that growth often required trusting intuition and taking leaps of faith, moving forward even without every answer.

Her advice for young entrepreneurs:

• Don’t get stuck in the “what ifs.”
  

• Mistakes are inevitable, it’s how you respond that defines you.
  

• Approach challenges with curiosity, openness, and adaptability.
  
  

That mindset, leap, learn, adjust, has been the key to Modern House Numbers’ sustainable growth and continued success.

The Power of Connection

Brandy’s story echoes the mission of CREW Network, to connect and empower women across industries through shared experiences, leadership, and support. Her journey from the carport to the global stage embodies the same spirit that CREW champions: vision, collaboration, and the courage to take the next leap.

Modern House Numbers is proud to celebrate her leadership and to be part of a community where organizations like CREW Tucson continue to create opportunities for women to lead, inspire, and shape what’s next.