Brax Girl Ed 12: Kelly Dixon

From Classroom to Cookies: A Story of Resilience, Reinvention, and Sweet Success

Meet Kelly Dixon—a woman who transformed life’s setbacks into a full-time, family-rooted dream.

Kelly began her career as a first-grade teacher, with a passion for education and an early ambition to succeed as the first in her family to graduate. But when the Great Recession hit, Kelly was laid off—an unexpected challenge that became a defining moment. With two babies on her hip, she pivoted into stay-at-home motherhood. It was during those long, love-filled days that she discovered Pinterest... and with it, a new creative outlet.

What started as a hobby quickly became a calling. With encouragement from her husband, Kelly launched a blog and found her rhythm in baking, content creation, and storytelling. Today, that blog—Smart School House—is a beloved destination for recipes, crafts, and clever mom hacks.

A Cookie Legacy, A Jewelry Journey

One of her most famous creations? Her chocolate chip cookie recipe, viewed over 5 million times and passed down from her late mother. Years later, her daughter helped her photograph and revive the recipe—bringing it back to life in a way that felt beautifully full circle.

That same sense of legacy led Kelly’s family to Brax Jewelers, where her husband discovered a jeweler they could trust. From that first visit, Kelly found a home for her creative jewelry vision—and she’s now a proud Brax Girl, with pieces that reflect her journey and her sparkle.

Words of Wisdom from a Woman Who’s Done It All

Kelly’s advice to young women and fellow dreamers is as warm and thoughtful as her famous cookies:

“Visualize what you want your future life to look like and how you want to feel. Know that challenges are happening for you—not to you. Trust your heart and be grateful for everything you have, and for that matter, everything you don’t.”

With equal parts hustle and heart, Kelly Dixon reminds us that dreams baked with love—and paired with diamonds—will always rise.