Emily Brown became a business owner at just 16 years old. She invested her entire savings from odd jobs to buy inventory for what would eventually become Maren Made, a clothing store for teens and young adults specializing in fun statement pieces.
Maren Made started in a coat closet in Brown’s West Lafayette basement with just a handful of pieces in a variety of colors. It was a pandemic project born out of a household rule about extracurricular activities. Brown says her father encouraged her to stay busy during the COVID-19 pandemic while she was at home attending high school online. She spent her extra time researching social media marketing strategies and building the online store.
"I often found myself bored, but my dad always instilled in me the importance of staying productive," she said. "I didn't appreciate it much as a kid, but now, I'm incredibly grateful for that mindset."
Her father, Chad Brown, is an experienced business owner who helped her establish an LLC and get her Registered Retail Merchant certificate. He formerly played football and coached at Purdue and now runs a business that uses behavioral strategy to build strong athletic teams.
Brown always wanted something of her own—even though a boutique wasn’t her specific vision—and says Maren Made gave her the opportunity to incorporate her love of fashion.
"I love statement pieces. I love walking into an event wearing something bold and unique that no one else has," she said. "That was a vision I wanted to bring to this as well."
She knew the store was gaining momentum when she started seeing international orders come in, and she was right. Today, just a few years later, Brown and her team of eight employees have shipped merchandise to all 50 states and six continents.
Maren Made grew so much that she was able to move her merchandise out of the basement and into a storefront in Lafayette, Indiana. This growth came at a time when Brown was also at a crossroads, deciding where to go to college and what to do with her new, promising business.
"Not going to college was never an option," she said. "The way I was raised, I always knew I needed a backup plan. I've met so many people who want to advance in their careers but are held back because they don't have that degree."
At the recommendation of a friend, she chose the organizational leadership program at Purdue University and joined the Purdue Polytechnic, the college for technology studies. Brown considered leaving the state for school, but she knew it would mean difficult decisions about Maren Made now that it had a physical location. Going to Purdue meant she could stay present for her business and continue the family tradition of being a Boilermaker.
"I initially considered going into the business school, but I kept hearing great things about the organizational leadership program," Brown said. "I absolutely love it and have never once thought about switching majors."
Brown has an all-in approach when something interests her, and in 2024, she took a big leap. She had a rare opportunity to move Maren Made to her favorite mall in Indianapolis: The Fashion Mall at Keystone.
"Right now, Keystone is the only place in Indiana where I can truly see Maren Made thriving," Brown said. "Other locations were either too big, too small, or just not the right fit. And when I want something, I don’t like to wait—I focus on figuring out exactly how to make it happen."
The store officially opened at its new Indianapolis location in January 2024, which was an endeavor that required the whole team, including her family. The store’s personality and style are Emily Brown, but it has also been influenced and supported by her family, from getting her mom’s input on inventory to name suggestions from Brown’s grandma. She’s also had support from her Purdue community, including professors Chris Bittinger, Abrar Hammoud, and Terry Robertson Smith.
Brown says the store is also in good hands with her store manager while she’s earning her degree at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. She isn’t sure where the store will go next, but her customers often share their ideas and suggestions with her online.
"The hardest part for me right now is deciding the direction to take," Brown said. "Do I want this to be my full-time focus and go all in? I’ve gotten online comments about what I'm doing, but at the end of the day, it’s all about mindset. You have to stay confident in your vision."
Emily Brown is currently a junior at Purdue University studying to earn her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. Her store, Maren Made, can be found at https://marenmade.com or on Instagram at @marenmade.
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