Hometown Girl Doing Great Things: Tyler Schuster’s Journey of Leadership, Service, and Giving Back

Brackettville native Tyler Schuster has always credited her roots in Kinney County for shaping the person she is today. “Growing up in Kinney County shaped every part of who I am,” she says. “The values of hard work, family, community, and faith were instilled in me early on and remain the foundation of everything I do.”

Now, Tyler is making waves far beyond the fences of her family’s ranch. She’s the founder of Brands & Blazers Inc., a nonprofit launching in Fall 2025 that will provide students ages 16–24 with professional attire and development resources free of charge. The idea was sparked after a Texas Tech student reached out to her in need of a blazer but had neither the resources nor the knowledge to find one. “There are thousands of students just like her,” Tyler explains. “Brands & Blazers Inc. is a way to bridge that gap and give students the tools and confidence they need to succeed.”

The nonprofit will offer gently used or new blazers, along with online modules covering topics like résumé building and interview skills. While open to students nationwide, Tyler is especially passionate about reaching rural communities. “My heart is rooted in serving small towns like Brackettville,” she says. “We want to remove barriers and open doors for students who might not have access to the same resources as their urban counterparts.”

Tyler is no stranger to empowering others. She’s the host of Basically Famous, a popular podcast celebrating extraordinary people in agriculture and western industries. Over 115 episodes later, the podcast continues to highlight individuals—especially women—who have impacted their communities. “The most listened-to episode is one featuring my mom, Donna Schuster,” she says proudly. “She embodies everything this podcast was created to celebrate.”

In addition to her nonprofit and podcast, Tyler’s career in agriculture advocacy has spanned roles with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and now Texas Tech University’s Davis College. Yet, she remains firmly grounded. “I come home six to eight times a year to help on the ranch,” she says. “This community raised me, and I feel their support wherever I go.”

Tyler’s mentors, like former ag science teacher Kris Ede, have played a big role in her success. “His belief in me changed the trajectory of my life. Kris encouraged me to get involved, helped prepare me for contests, reviewed countless applications, and became one of my biggest supporters,” she says. “Kris is one of just many people in the community who have supported me throughout the years. I remember the days Bonnie Brotherton drove me from a tennis meet to a track meet so I could participate in both. I remember taking mission trips with Barkley and Amanda Simmons and growing my faith. So many individuals who live in Brackettville or once did are part of that chapter in my book and I am forever thankful.

That same sense of community, support, and confidence is what Tyler hopes to instill in the students Brands & Blazers Inc. will serve. As she prepares for the nonprofit’s official launch, Tyler invites the community to support the mission. Donations of new or gently used blazers are welcome, along with financial contributions. “You can also pray for us,” she says. “And share our story so we can reach the students who need us most.”  For more information, visit www.brandsandblazersinc.org or follow @brandsandblazersinc on Facebook and Instagram. And be sure to catch Tyler's podcast, "Basically Famous," as she launches Season 8 on August 26.  Find out more about the podcast online here: https://www.tylerkschuster.com/podcast

“Brackettville will always be home,” Tyler reflects. “I’m proud to represent Kinney County wherever I go, and I look forward to giving back to the community that has given me so much.”

Editor's note:
Tyler wrote such thoughtful answers to our questions, we've provided the full transcript of Tyler's Q&A below.


Q: You’re a proud Kinney County native—how has growing up here influenced your career, values, and leadership style?

Growing up in Kinney County shaped every part of who I am today. From a young age, I was immersed in a community that offered endless opportunities each one helping me build a diverse skillset, a strong sense of self, and the confidence to chase my dreams. For over 26 years, Kinney County has supported my family and me in ways I’ll never be able to repay. No matter where life takes me, I know the community of Kinney County will always be my loudest cheerleaders. The values of hard work, family, community, and faith were instilled in me early on and remain the foundation of everything I do. It’s a rare blessing to be raised in a place where your pastor is cheering you on from the bleachers, and your fifth-grade science teacher doubles as your track coach. That’s the magic of small-town life everyone shows up for each other.

Like many, I once couldn’t wait to leave and see what else the world had to offer. But these days, I find myself making every effort to return as often as I can. There’s nothing quite like the friendliness, the familiar faces, and the peaceful pace of Kinney County. It’s not just where I’m from—it’s who I am.

Q: When you think about your childhood in Kinney County, what moments stand out as most formative?

Growing up, my siblings and I were involved in just about everything. From rodeo to sports, our parents and the entire Kinney County community made sure we had every opportunity to try it all. When I think back to the moments that shaped me most, two memories stand out. 

The first was during my sophomore year of high school. Our varsity basketball team had made the playoffs, and while I can’t tell you who we played, I’ll never forget that it was in Hondo. I missed five free throws that night, and we lost the game by three points. It was the first time I truly felt like I had let others down. In rodeo or the show ring, a loss was mine alone to carry. But this was different; it was a team loss. My teammates never blamed me, but the feeling stuck with me like it happened yesterday.

The second moment came during my senior year. My mom and our county agent signed me up for the prepared public speaking contest much to my dismay. I hated it. I remember storming out of practice, insisting they were forcing me to do something I’d never use. What I didn’t know then, was that experience would plant the seeds for a future I couldn’t yet imagine. Today, I speak to audiences across the country and I credit that uncomfortable beginning with helping me find my voice.

There are countless memories from growing up in Kinney County, but these two moments taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of pushing through even when it’s hard. They’re the ones I come back to most often.

Q: What inspired you to launch Brands & Blazers Inc.? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the idea?

In the spring of 2025 I had a Texas Tech student reach out to me about purchasing a blazer. She mentioned she had no idea where to buy one or the means to do so. I immediately asked her to meet me for coffee and we ordered her a blazer. During that process and learning her story I realized there are thousands of her. Not everyone grows up as fortunate with a family that supports them like I did.

I have always loved professional attire and professional development. As I have gone through college and into my career, I have witnessed the gap in education and development students have. Brands & Blazers Inc. is a way for me to help students. I have a great group of supporters and board of directors who have been instrumental in getting this started. The goal is to be able to provide students a new or gently used blazer free of charge and then online modules on topics like building a résumé, interview tips and more. Students will never have to pay to partake in online education or get a blazer.

Q: How do you hope this nonprofit will impact rural students or students from smaller towns like Brackettville?

While communities like Brackettville are incredibly special, they often lack the resources and guidance needed to help students pursue higher education or professional careers. My greatest hope is that students from rural areas are the ones most impacted by the work of Brands & Blazers Inc.

This nonprofit is designed for students ages 16 to 24 across the United States, but my heart is rooted in serving rural communities. Growing up, I would have loved to have access to the very tools and materials we’re preparing to launch. Our goal is to provide resources that can open doors, build confidence, and spark ambition.

Financial barriers often hold rural students back from opportunities that could change their lives. Brands &Blazers Inc. aims to remove those barriers and ensure that every student, regardless of where they’re from, has the chance to grow, dream, and succeed without cost.

Q: What kind of response have you received so far from the community and your professional network?

The response I have received has been unlike anything I could have ever imagined. I will be honest, when I posted on my personal socials, I did not expect it to blow up. It blew up in the best way and we are now working harder than ever to get it officially launched. So many people recognize the value Brands & Blazers Inc. can bring to students and want to invest in the mission. We want to help students build their brands and wear their confidence.

Q: What can local readers do right now to support Brands & Blazers?

Soon you will be able to see www.brandsandblazersinc.org and learn more about us but there are a few ways people can support us.

To this day, my most listened-to episode of Basically Famous is the one featuring my mom, Donna Schuster and it’s no surprise why. She embodies the heart of everything this podcast was created to celebrate strong, passionate women in the agriculture and western industries who might not be household names, but who are “basically famous” in their own right. My mom has been a constant source of inspiration. Her dedication to our family’s ranch and to our community is unmatched. She’s shown me what it means to advocate for agriculture and to uplift other women along the way. Her heart for service and leadership is something I’m endlessly proud of.

Basically Famous originally started as a passion project with my sister while I was in graduate school. Over time, it evolved into a solo venture, but she remains my biggest cheerleader and continues to appear on episodes alongside our mom throughout the seasons. Every day, I’m inspired by women from right here in our corner of Texas and from across the globe. 

As we gear up to launch Season 8 on August 26, I can confidently say the stories just keep getting better. I feel so lucky to use this platform to shine a light on women and careers in agriculture and the western way of life.

If I could offer one piece of advice to any young person, it would be this: say yes to opportunities. Whether it’s through Texas Farm Bureau, Texas 4-H, or Texas FFA, students in our community have access to incredible ag-related programs that can open doors far beyond what they might imagine. Even if you’re unsure whether a career in agriculture is right for you, consider this 100% of the world depends on the agriculture industry, including you. These programs aren’t just about animals and crops they’re about leadership, communication, and building the personal skillset that will serve you no matter what path you choose. There are people, myself included, who are eager to invest in students from our area. So don’t be afraid to reach out, ask questions, or try something new. You never know where that “yes” might take you.

My second piece of advice - go and grow. Brackettville will always be home and you can always come back. But I encourage you to go live somewhere else, even if just for a while. Experience life outside your comfort zone. Learn from different people. Grow into the person you're meant to be. I still feel deeply connected to our community and come home 6–8 times a year, but I’ve also built a career in the industry I love and gained incredible experiences simply because I took a chance and moved. Say yes. Go far. And don’t forget—you can always come back home.

When I think about the people who’ve made a lasting impression on my life, one name always comes to mind—Kris Ede. Kris was my ag science teacher from 2015 to 2017, and he was the first person who helped me see that there was a place for me in agriculture—even if I wasn’t working on the ranch every single day. He introduced me to the world of ag policy and advocacy, and helped me understand how wide and diverse this industry truly is. His belief in me changed the trajectory of my life. Kris encouraged me to get involved, helped prepare me for contests, reviewed countless applications, and became one of my biggest supporters. Even now, as he serves as a field representative for Texas Farm Bureau, we still talk regularly and his mentorship continues to shape my journey. I’ll always be grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support he’s given me. Every student deserves a Kris Ede in their corner.

Kris is one of just many people in the community who have supported me throughout the years. I remember the days Bonnie Brotherton drove me from a tennis meet to a track meet so I could participate in both. I remember taking mission trips with Barkley and Amanda Simmons and growing my faith. So many individuals who live in Brackettville or once did are part of that chapter in my book and I am forever thankful.

Working in the agriculture industry, I’m constantly surrounded by people who remind me why I do what I do. While the hustle and bustle of city life can sometimes feel overwhelming, I spend about 80% of my time on the road traveling across the state, meeting people where they are, and hearing their stories. It’s one of the greatest privileges of my job. When time allows, I return home to help on the ranch, and not a day goes by without staying connected to my family. Their support, encouragement, and love are always with me no matter where I am.

I’m also incredibly thankful for the friends who walk through life with me. They keep me grounded and help me refocus during the chaotic weeks, always reminding me of my purpose. The Lord has blessed me with a calling to be an advocate for agriculture and a voice for students. It’s a responsibility I carry with deep gratitude, and one that inspires me every single day.

It is one of my greatest joys and honors to call Brackettville, Texas, home. I am forever grateful for the community that raised me and the countless opportunities it provided along the way. Even now, I continue to feel the unwavering support of Kinney County, and that encouragement means more than words can express. Brackettville is a special place full of heart, heritage, and people who show up for one another. I look forward to the many ways I can continue to invest in the place that gave me so much. There’s no place like home. Thank you for continuing to cheer me on!