A native of Stillwater, "Bryson" originally went to Oklahoma State University to seek a Pre-Med field of study. While at OSU Bryson discovered a passion for Acting. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Studies. He continued his studies in securing an Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting before continuing on to pursue a Master's Degree in Acting which he received in 2011. Bryson has been on faculty with the OSU Theatre Department since 2016.

While at OSU Bryson met Raychel while working a part time job at the Stillwater Public Library. They began dating and Bryson quickly discovered Raychel had a rare medical condition. As their relationship matured Bryson proposed at the Stillwater Public Library even as Raychel's condition continued to get worse.

Married in 2011, Bryson took a job at BestBuy and then later as a Bus Driver for Stillwater Public Schools. Raychel was able to get a job at Richmond Elementary where she worked as a Kindergarten teacher for several years even as her disease progressed.

Unable to conceive naturally Bryson & Raychel pursued Foster Care and Adoption to fulfill their desire to grow a family. In 2014 they got a call for a very sick little boy who had been in the NICU for over 2 months. They accepted the placement and drove from Stillwater to Tulsa daily to care for the little boy who would eventually become their first son. J Annson Ray Baker was officially adopted in late 2014.

Around this time Bryson began considering how he could put his creative spirit to work in an entrepreneurial way. Always a lover of reading plays he had recently read "The Summoning of Everyman". With a passion surrounding the fatherless, barbering, menswear, & coffee he quickly wrote up a small document outlining a business that combined all of his passions with a heart for giveback.

Having zero business experience Bryson began years worth of learning that continues to this day. For more details about his journey in forming EM check out the timeline below!

Bryson grew up in a small duplex on the north side of Stillwater with his mother, sister, and younger brother. In fact, he shared a room with his brother until his teen years! As a grownup Bryson is very transparent about the impact growing up without a father had on him. It was significant. His father was often absent, an alcoholic, and frequently abusive. Bryson was not unaffected. It impacted his view of relationships, women, and the world. He knew he wanted EM to address this issue in some way.

To date, EM makes donations to several organizations that directly mentor young men. You can learn more under the Giveback & Fatherless links. Long term, Bryson has aspirations to launch "Ganathair" from the Irish word meaning "Fatherless". This organization will specifically look to provide direct mentorship and curriculum to young men aged 8-18 who do not have strong positive male influence in their lives.

By 2017 Raychel's condition had gotten worse and she was mostly confined to a wheelchair. She required constant oxygen and was on a buffet of experimental pharmaceuticals. By 2018 the disease had progressed to a point where Raychel was bed bound. As Raychel's disease progressed her medical team made it very clear if Raychel did not receive a double lung transplant she would not make it to Christmas. 

In 2018 Bryson made the difficult decision to move away from his hometown and business to relocate to Oklahoma City to pursue lifesaving care for Raychel. At this time he considered closing EM, but in a commitment to the original vision, he knew Stillwater had to be home for the business even if it couldn't for him.

In April of 2018 after months of prep, class, and fundraising Bryson & Raychel received a call that lungs were a match for a transplant. They went to the hospital, Raychel was prepped all morning for the procedure, family came in, everybody gave hugs and well wishes as Raychel went in for the operation. Moments later the surgeon called off the procedure and Bryson & Raychel left the hospital Devastated.

Full hearts and relentless optimism helped propel them to August 16, 2018 when Raychel would receive a double lung transplant. The operation was successful and they are ever grateful for the donor and will always be advocates for transplant, transplant donors, and the recipients of these life changing organs. After a year of recovery Raychel began to live a different life. Able to walk and breath on her own she was experiencing a life she never knew!

Thoroughout the journey Bryson & Raychel has been surrounded by love and support. Family, friends, & clients rallied behind them to provide resources and positivity during a very dark season of life. They are forever grateful.

The Timeline below will continue to be updated each year with highlights. We're blessed you stopped by. Can't wait to see what's ahead!