Bryn Carden is a young entrepreneur and philanthropist with a passion for real estate and design. Bryn Carden is currently studying at Neeley School of Business, pursuing a major in Finance with a Real Estate Concentration.
Along with studying for her degree, she’s also started her own business adventure. She helped start BF Hats and created Styles for Smiles, a company that sells bracelets to raise money for surgeries for kids with cleft palates in poor countries.
Tell us about yourself?
“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.”
I live by the rule of making everyone around me happier. I was born in Houston, Texas, to two amazing parents, Mike and Lori Carden. Growing up, I tried a lot of sports but didn’t really like any that involved a ball.
I found my thing in cheerleading and running track and field. In high school, I started Styles for Smiles, selling bracelets to help the Smile Train Organization. It felt great to see people wearing my bracelets, even strangers at the grocery store.
I got into the Miss Universe Organization by just showing up with a dress and heels, having learned everything from watching pageants on TV. My first try was at Miss Houston Teen USA, where I got Third Runner-Up and got really excited about it. It gave me a goal to work hard for.
After a lot of training and healthy living, I won Miss Kemah Teen USA. Winning let me speak at schools and events, and even on local radio about building confidence.
Preparing for Miss Texas Teen USA made me really focus on my mental and physical health. Working with my trainer Arnold Vasquez, eating healthy, and getting the right nutrition made me feel better all around. I ended up being First Runner-Up at Miss Texas Teen USA 2019.
At Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, I’m part of the Delta Gamma sorority. I’ve had leadership roles there and my sorority sisters inspire me every day.
We motivate each other and share uplifting messages. I’m also involved in several clubs and programs at school.
I co-founded BF Hats with my friend Francesca this February. We donate part of every sale to The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. For me, being a leader means always doing the right thing, even if you’re doing it alone.
This year, I’ve focused on making every new TCU student feel welcome and at home. I try to lead by example with my ambition, love for people, and generosity.
What are some of the projects you are working on?
I’m about to launch my first PDF stylebook called “Vitamin B.” It’s a guide about healthy living, beauty & wellness, and boosting your confidence. I’ve always loved writing down inspiring words and ideas, so creating this book has been my dream for a few years.
I’m not a professional writer, but I know a lot about health and beauty. I’ve tried out different recipes and beauty tips. This book also talks about the challenges young girls face from their early teens to college. It’s full of advice and encouragement that I wish I had when I was younger.
Also, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be launching new hat designs for BF Hats next month. Two groups, Texas A&M Southern Darlings and TCU Delta Gamma, have asked me to make big orders of hats, and I can’t wait to start working on them.
Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years?
Driven. Motivated. Ambitious. This summer, my internship at Allie Beth Allman, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate in the heart of Dallas, has advanced my love of Real Estate to a new level. As I consider my career options, I constantly find myself becoming fascinated with real estate and the process of buying and selling a home. The team, culture, and leadership at Allie Beth is a complete representation of success through kindness and dedication to succeed.
In three years, I envision myself as a Dallas luxury real estate agent while leading an organization on the side that would help economically disadvantaged families purchase adequate housing. With a core message of providing joy and passion to the process of purchasing a home, I will impact both the economically disadvantaged market and families by putting my client’s needs first and making sure they are informed and ready with every decision. I also see myself continuing and expanding both of my self-made companies, Bryn’s Styles for Smiles and BF Hats, into something with an even greater impact.
What has been the most important part of your college journey so far?
Personal growth is influenced by the phenomenal women I surround myself with. College is a time for a young woman to find herself in the world and find what she stands for…I consider myself constantly learning, constantly growing. One of the best things about life is that your capacity for knowledge is endless… Finding my forever people that support, love, and care for me is so important.
But I also am thankful for them as not only do they encourage me, but they have given me the opportunity to positively encourage THEM. Your circle should want to see you win… your circle should constantly wish the best for you… The college has taught me the power of true friendship.
What are the best and worst purchases you’ve ever made?
The best “purchase” is not much of purchase – but deals with investing money. A savings account for a future investment property is what is held close to my heart. I consider it my “piggy bank” for a fun future project… as I said, keeping those long-term goals in mind gives you something to look forward to!
My most regretful purchase is one to think about… I try to consider every mistake more of a growing/learning decision… But airplane wifi comes to my mind. I don’t want to know the total spent after a year of traveling, and I thought I couldn’t take an hour-long wifi break. Pathetic.
What takes up too much of your time as a college student?
Prioritization has been key in making sure that certain tasks do not fulfil more time in my schedule than they should. If it won’t matter in five years, do not take more than five moments of stressing upon the matter. My productivity is maximized with structure. Trello, an organizational list-making, archiving, and prioritization website, is a key part of my daily routine.
I find my days to be the most productive when scheduling them out the night before, but having a go with a flow mentality still. All in all, I really can’t say that something takes up TOO much time. With studying, prioritization is key – do all you can, and what you cannot do – it is not the end of the world. Don’t spend every college hour studying. Take a study break and walk… fill your dorm with fresh flowers in between classes. Making time for self-care and mental health is just as important as scheduling time to write a paper.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“You give Life What you Give Energy to.”
Certainly, this relates to the large-scale ordeals in life, but also with putting energy into everyday things! When placing emphasis on gossip, negative talk, and negative thoughts, your cup of energy slips into a dwindling path to an empty life. Place your energy in what your heart needs.
This also relates to the world of social media that my generation (myself as well, yes) has become consumed with. I detox my energy from social media by phone detox, social media detox, and realizing that you cannot compare one’s life with a positive, perfectly put-together scroll of another’s social media profile.
Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished?
My grandfather, “Din-Din,” filled his house full of books on every subject, highlighted and read from cover to cover. His brain was a living Wikipedia; he knew everything about anything. He was humble on top of it.
What drives you to keep going when it’s really tough?
Throughout all stages of life, I keep three vision goal boards: a weekly board, a vision board for the full year, and a long-term board. Hanging on my bedroom wall (not the most aesthetically pleasing – but they do the job), these keep me focused on the bigger picture for the week, year, and life. Relating to the well-known quote, “The secret to success is hidden in your daily routine,” keeping a goal-oriented mindset allows me to combat struggles that come with the roller coaster of life.
I find my comfort in my devotional. Time spent with the Lord reminds me to look forward… think of the bigger picture… and keep my eyes above the rough waters. He only throws those tough battles to those who can handle them. I promise YOU – YOU CAN!
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