How One Purdue Student Built a Fashion Brand While Earning Her Degree
When Purdue student Emily Brown launched her clothing brand, Maren Made, at just 16 years old, her “office” was a converted coat closet in her family’s basement. What began as a creative project during quarantine has blossomed into a thriving brand with more than 20,000 customers worldwide, and even a pop-up shop in New York City’s SoHo district.
Now a senior majoring in Organizational Leadership and pursuing the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Emily credits much of her motivation to her family. Her father, a business owner himself, encouraged her early on to “work for yourself and nobody else,” a message that fueled her drive to turn creativity into a career.
Before launching Maren Made, Emily spent months researching how to form an LLC, manage finances, and build a brand from scratch. Using money earned from babysitting, dog walking, and working at a local country club, she officially launched her business. Within a year, her preppy, event-inspired clothing line had reached customers nationwide, including Australia.
Eager to expand beyond the online space, Emily opened a booth at Lafayette’s Live Collective. By age 18, she purchased the entire boutique, rebranding it as Maren & More. With this new purchase, Emily managed multiple small retailers while balancing her senior year of high school. After selling the boutique in 2024, she turned her attention to the next phase of growth.
That same year, while studying full-time at Purdue, Emily achieved one of her biggest milestones: opening a storefront at The Fashion Mall at Keystone in Indianapolis. Managing a retail location while keeping up with coursework was no small feat. She commuted weekly, trained and supervised employees, and oversaw all financial operations. “It was challenging, but so rewarding,” she says. “Seeing my team grow and even write about Maren Made in their college essays was one of my proudest moments.”
After a successful year at Keystone, Emily shifted back to the online space and began exploring pop-up opportunities. Her summer 2025 pop-up in New York City marked an exciting new chapter. “I love to travel and meet new people,” she says. “Every time I step out of my comfort zone, new opportunities come my way.”
At Purdue, Emily says the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, and instructors Terry Robertson-Smith, Greg Finch, and Susan Woods, have played an important role in her development as a founder. “The guest speakers were eye-opening and inspiring,” she shares. “They reminded me that consistency and networking are everything.”
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Stay consistent, even when growth feels slow. Keep showing up, and the results will come. And never be afraid to talk to people. You never know who might open the next door for you.”
Today, Maren Made continues to thrive online, blending Emily’s eye for fashion with her entrepreneurial spirit. It’s a testament to how determination, creativity, and courage can turn a student’s idea into a global success story.
