Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryn Carden.
Hi Bryn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in Houston, I attended CyFair High School with dreams of making a difference and impact from as young as grade school. My parents always exposed me to how life “could be” – with trips to the Houston Food Bank, unique opportunities to volunteer through National Charity League, and “sponsoring” a family’s holiday season through our church at Christmas.
I was Miss Houston Teen 2nd runner up growing up, leading me to then land as Miss Kemah Teen USA and eventually Miss Texas Teen USA first runner up. From there, I was around role models of all ages – in all different fields – who allowed me to see the impact of inner beauty triumphing over what is displayed on the outside.
As I began to enter the Miss Universe pageant system, I was always inspired by the connection that the Miss Universe Organization has with volunteering with the Smile Train Organization. Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, certainly held the Smile Train Organization close to her heart, and I was always amazed, watching her give back with an international impact. With a mother who works in the medical center of Houston, I grew up surrounded by children with disabilities, which always struck with me to never take my health for granted. I knew when I was older; I wanted to give back when I was able. Combining these factors, I was then inspired to independently create my own business, Bryn’s Styles for Smiles, in August of 2017. Styles for Smiles- selling bracelets to support the Smile Train Organization. With the kindness of community members, I soon saw my bracelets on the arms of students and members of the community. It is an amazing feeling to connect with the stranger in Kroger as I explain that I am a young girl who started the foundation in which the bright blue bracelet they’re wearing supports. From there, I knew I wanted to be able to ultimately give back and have fun while doing it. All in all, my ultimate goal is to expand my now company of BF hats and continue to give back to others through a portion of proceeds being donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Throughout all stages of life, I keep 3 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 of,” 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.
Attending TCU – I started BF hats with my best friend and freshman roommate Fran Jabbour- https://tcu360.com/2021/02/09/from-best-friends-to-business-partners-tcu-students-launch-hat-company-to-raise-money-for-charity/
Creating my second design brand, BF Hats, donates a portion from every purchase to The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas- combining my love for others with fun style.
BF hats is a fun trucker hat company that has sold now over 5,000 hats, with proceeds donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
But to me, leadership goes far beyond a title; instead, it is always taking the high road no matter who is taking it with you, which is what I strive to do. This year and always, I have placed an emphasis on helping every incoming TCU student that I can feel welcome and as if they found their home away from home. Through touching everyone with a kind word of encouragement and support always, I have strived to lead by example through my strong ambition, passion for people, and generosity.
I am in the process of finalizing the second launch of another wellness e-book after publishing my first PDF style book, “Vitamin B,” a guide on navigating healthy living, beauty & wellness, and finding one’s true inner confidence. I have always been one to constantly jot down words that inspire me and lists throughout the day, so formulating everything into a small book has been a goal of mine for the past few years. I am no expert writer, just a health and beauty guru who has done a few recipe, beauty, and health experiments. Another main focus of this book was to expand upon certain struggles that girls may encounter throughout their early teens through grade school and college years. These pages of encouragement and wisdom are the words that I wish I could have told myself and known as I was of that age.
I now work in the commercial real estate world helping retail companies find space and lease out our properties. It is rewarding and eye-opening to help brands build their presence through expanded space. I am involved with ICSC, The Real Estate Council as a Young Guns member, a board member, and Bubbly Q gala member for Young Texans Against Cancer here in Dallas – an ACS group – spending time volunteering for Hope House.
I further am an ambassador for the Texas Rangers and recently was in the HOME video to display and launch their City Connect jerseys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EfcEdBbQPY
In my free time, Bryn can be found modeling for brands ranging from Hotel Swexans new promo photos to Rachel Allen designer gowns, traveling, skiing, paddle boarding, exercising, and spending time with her friends and family.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It certainly was not always a smooth path. My mother was touched by breast cancer my sophomore year of college, which led me to recenter, take time to be with family, and most importantly, support her and her needs. She is the strongest woman I know and is a warrior, but it was a rocky time. It launched us to become even closer than we already are… as we enjoy non-engaging in Susan G. Koman events and walks for BC…
We all have challenges and ups and downs of starting a business, life, and everything in between. I cannot sit here and say that I did not have times where I doubted risks taken, my path or was far too hard on myself. I’ve learned to take challenges and look at them with a cup half full… spoken about in my e-book Vitamin B. https://uploads.strikinglycdn.com/files/bf57fff7-5a03-407b-bc0c-d3310884b506/Vitamin%20B.pdf
Take stress and turn it into – motivation amidst the stress of work-life-business owner-self balance.
1. Vision Boards – Motivate meon tough days
Keeps three vision boards: Weekly Board (Sticky note, scratch paper, goals for week), a year Board, and a long-term goal (Life whenever I achieved everything she could achieve such as net worth, where does she live,
Dream big and write your goals down
Focus on big picture
Secret to Success is hidden in your daily routine
Goal oriented mindset
2. Time to Myself
Devotional and Journaling
Spend time with the Lord, look at bigger picture will keep your eyes above rough waters
Take time for what is best for you:
3. Realizing that You can Do all that you can and what you cannot do is totally okay
Take walks → Where I comes up with my best ideas.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Please see the following links attached for my company websites, etc. https://linktr.ee/bryncarden
Author – https://uploads.strikinglycdn.com/files/bf57fff7-5a03-407b-bc0c-d3310884b506/Vitamin%20B.pdf
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am a huge book nerd and love non-fiction reads. From there, I am able to find role models and dive deeper into their stories and pathway to where they are today. I believe it is important to not only have role models your own age, for me being Danielle DuBoise and Whitney Tingle – founders and co-CEOs of Sakara Life; To the women you admire from all ages… from… Angelina Jolie to Barbara Sturm and Podcasts such as How I Built This play in my ears more than music, as the best background noise is inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bryncarden.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryncarden/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryn-carden
- Other: https://linktr.ee/bryncarden
Image Credits
Jose Luis Photo
