For Brandon Vandgrift, bird watching has never been just a hobby. It is a lifelong passion rooted in family memories, quiet moments outdoors, and an appreciation for the beauty of nature that many people overlook in their everyday lives.

Now, through his business Bird Brains LLC, Brandon is helping Louisville residents transform their backyards into welcoming spaces for birds while bringing a unique and first-of-its-kind service to the community.

Brandon grew up in Louisville and has spent most of his life in Kentucky, though he did spend seven years living in Florida. During his time there, he earned his bachelor’s degree and welcomed the birth of his oldest daughter, Olive. In 2014, he returned home to Louisville, where he has continued building both his career and family life.

After moving back to Kentucky, Brandon spent roughly 15 years working in the tech industry. While he enjoyed the field, he always carried a strong desire to one day work for himself. “I’ve always had a deep desire to be self-employed and be my own boss,” Brandon shared. “That goal really influenced many of the career decisions I made over the years.”

At the same time, another passion had quietly remained part of his life since childhood. “Growing up, my mother and great-grandmother helped instill a love of birds in me,” Brandon said. “They were always identifying the different birds in the yard, whether by sight or by song. That stuck with me as I got older and really helped grow the love of birds I still carry today.”

That lifelong appreciation for backyard birding eventually sparked the idea for Bird Brains, LLC.

One day, while filling his own backyard feeders, Brandon realized that maintaining feeders regularly could be difficult for many people, especially older adults, busy families, or anyone physically unable to keep up with the task. Curious whether a service already existed to help, he began researching and quickly discovered there was nothing quite like it in Louisville.

After discussing the idea with his wife, things quickly fell into place. “Within the next two months, Bird Brains, LLC was born,” Brandon said.

Today, Bird Brains offers a specialized service focused on feeder filling, cleaning, and creating healthy backyard environments where birds can thrive. According to Brandon, the business is unlike anything else currently operating in the Louisville area.

“As far as I am aware, there is no other business like it here,” he explained. “We are a first-of-its-kind service, which means we are also setting the precedents for businesses like this moving forward.”

While being the first comes with excitement, Brandon says it also comes with responsibility.

“We don’t really have examples to compare ourselves to,” he said. “We’re creating the standard as we go.”

Part of that standard includes educating customers about the importance of consistency when it comes to backyard birding.

“Staying consistent is key,” Brandon explained. “It can take time for birds to get comfortable coming to your yard.”

That understanding is exactly why Bird Brains asks customers to commit to a minimum three-month service plan. Brandon says creating a safe, welcoming environment for birds requires routine and patience.

“Based upon our expertise, we help create an environment with all the amenities birds need to feel safe,” he said. “Once they begin trusting the space, people really start to see their backyards come alive.”

For Brandon, Bird Brains is about more than simply maintaining feeders. It is about helping people reconnect with nature, slow down, and experience the joy that comes from watching birds gather just outside their windows.

As a Stroll sponsor and local entrepreneur, Brandon is proud to bring a fresh and meaningful service to Louisville while sharing a passion that has been part of his life for generations.