Sophomore athlete and entrepreneur Bresner Austin has found the balance between work, school and sports. 

Austin said the importance of “keeping up” starts with a single planner. 

“Just like my business, I go old school. I keep up with everything I have to do in just about every aspect of life through a physical planner. I write down what needs to be done for the week before each week starts: assignments, practices, races, posts and personal daily life things. It’s just about getting one thing done at a time — slowly but surely,” Austin said.

Austin has been participating in the second year of his indoor track season — working his hardest to make good grades while also making personal bests. 

“My season has been solid, I’ve run just about every race, consistently getting better, and will be going to my first ASUN Championship meet in Virginia this upcoming Friday and Saturday. I have stents both ways when it comes to keeping up with posting new products on my different platforms. I get in a pattern after a few meets when I figure out my schedule and begin to post more often; once again, it’s all about the planning ahead,’’ Austin said.

He juggles school and his sport but also makes time for his Instagram account @boujie_bres where he sells vintage clothing and accessories. 

“My main goal has always been to recycle clothes and send them to new homes for people to enjoy for another 30 years. I love the excitement my customers get when I ship their orders, or when the locals come and pick them up in person. I get excited just having all the clothes; you can imagine my excitement when I have other people so fond of them that they’re willing to contact me and support my small business,” Austin said.

Austin explained the importance of recycling clothes and not falling victim to fast fashion and new trends.

“The best way to defeat fast fashion is to not buy in. I encourage people to thrift or find alternate routes to get used clothes, and if they want the convenience of having clothes found for them consistently … then that’s what I’m here for,” he said.

“I encourage people to remember to dress in a way that makes them happy, not in the way everyone else is. Dress to impress yourself, and the best way to do that is with the unique features that vintage clothes will always offer.”

Austin explained the success he’s had this season and explains the hard work he’s exhibited to gain his success. 

“The thing about hard work that’s so important to remember is that as you progress as an athlete, the training is never going to get easier; it’s not supposed to. If I want to get better than I was the season before, the race before, or even the practice before; I have to continue to work on every aspect of my craft. It’s about the work that people don’t see, the way you take care of your body and mind when you’re alone that will decide what kind of athlete you will become.’’

He has dreams of becoming a firefighter and continuing his business after college. 

“Firefighting has always been a dream of mine, I plan to be the 3rd generation of my family to do so. Simply put: I want to save lives and have a different story to tell every day after a shift. I believe it’s my calling; and with 24 hours on and 48 hours off in Little Rock, I plan to be able to keep collecting and selling the clothes,’’ Austin said.

He even keeps up with his body and mind, saying that people around him have to be positive and supportive. 

“Surrounding myself with the right people is by far one of the most important aspects of any success that comes my way. The upperclassmen have played a huge role in my more recent running success in my sophomore year; when our coaching staff got cleared out they were there to send us workouts all summer long.”

Austin explains that he’s excited about his future in academics, athletics, and career. 

“Overall, I’m excited to see how my college experience shapes me out to be as a man. I have many interactions with new people, places, and ideas every week; and I’m eager to see how I change and how that can make me a better man for the job of protecting people and their property as a fireman.’’