We recently had the chance to connect with Bryana Dunn and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bryana, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately I’ve been having fun exploring new hobbies that are just for me, outside of what I share online. I recently tried wine bottle painting and got back into little creative things like crafts and scrapbooking it’s been a way to slow down and tap into my playful side again. I’ve also been enjoying making my house feel more like home with my kids and my partner, which has been such a joy-filled project. On top of that, I’ve been leaning into movement and new experiences: I picked up pickleball for the first time, tried Pilates, and even joined a walk-and-HITT club. All of these things have been filling my cup in different ways and reminding me to prioritize joy outside of work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Bryana Dunn, the founder and creative force behind TravelwellDunn, a brand where food, travel, and storytelling come together in one delicious story. I call myself a “traveling foodie” because my mission is to encourage people to ‘travel with their tastebuds.’ Live life out loud, and embrace the experiences in between. From travel getaways and family adventures to everyday eats and home projects, I share the moments that make life feel full and worth savoring. At its heart, TravelwellDunn is an invitation to explore, have fun, and live life well.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up, I believed that in order to be seen as capable or respected, I had to act a certain way. I knew I had confidence, I knew I had the ability, but I also learned quickly that showing up too bold, too loud, or too direct could make people uncomfortable. So I started masking parts of myself playing small, second-guessing, and trying to soften my edges in order to be perceived as “acceptable” in certain rooms. It’s never usually about you doing too much it’s that some people aren’t ready for your full self.
The shift came when I became a mom, a young one at that. Motherhood forced me to see myself differently. I realized that if I wanted my children to walk in their truth unapologetically, I had to model that for them. It became less about how others perceived me and more about the example I was setting. That’s when I started reclaiming the parts of myself I had tucked away. The voice, the confidence, the matter-of-fact energy and using them as strengths instead of something to hide.
Now, I no longer believe in dimming my light to make others comfortable. I show up as my full self, and I’ve learned that the right people and opportunities will embrace that. And most importantly, my kids get to see their mom embodying exactly what I hope they’ll carry into their own lives.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I believe there are always defining moments where you have to choose a road, and the road isn’t always as clear as you’d like it to be. For me, it often feels like one path is a bumpy dirt road filled with potholes and rocks, while the other is a smooth, paved path that seems easier to glide on.
One of those moments came after the pandemic. There was a year where content creation felt heavier than ever the money slowed down, the emails went quiet, and I found myself questioning if it was all worth it. I don’t like to use the phrase “giving up” because I don’t believe it’s always negative to walk away from something. Sometimes, it just no longer serves you. But in that season, I was ready to let go of everything I had built.
What kept me going was the reminder that the bumpy road has lessons the smooth one doesn’t. Entrepreneurship is never a straight line, it’s full of pivots, pauses, and moments of doubt. That time taught me that choosing to keep going isn’t about avoiding struggle, it’s about embracing the resilience it builds in you. And I’m grateful I stayed on the road, bumps and all.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! the public version of me is absolutely the real me. I know that can sound like a hot take in this industry, because there’s often a big conversation about whether people online are truly who they appear to be. I get complimented all the time that I’m the same in person as I am online, and that’s something I take pride in.
That said, I understand how it can be different for others. Some people are naturally more introverted in real life and feel freer expressing themselves online. Social media also creates this layer where people believe they “know” you just from what you share, when in reality, it’s still a curated glimpse of someone’s life.
For me, the difference isn’t about being two different people it’s about context. Online, I invite you into the parts of my life and story that I choose to share. In person, you’ll find the same personality, the same voice, and the same energy just without the edit button.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me is that I lived life out loud, with love, laughter, and purpose. That I was someone who said yes to adventure, whether it was across the world or around my own kitchen table, and that I invited others to do the same.
I want people to remember me not just for the trips I took or the meals I shared, but for how I made them feel seen, inspired, and encouraged to create joy in their own lives. I hope my kids can say, “My mom showed us how to dream big and still made space for play.”
At the end of the day, my legacy isn’t about content or accolades, it’s about impact. I want my story to be that I helped people explore, connect, and savor life with faith, joy, and intention one adventure at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.travelwelldunn.com/social
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/travelwelldunn
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/travelwelldunn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelwelldunn
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/@travelwelldunn
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/travelwelldunn
