In the Haven with Carrie Bankston

Written & Interviewed By : Hannah Corbett

We know her for the sidewalk outfit spins, the slow mornings, and thoughtful vlogs that feel a lot  like the coffee that's usually in her tikoks. But just a year ago, Carrie Bankston was closing her aesthetic studio and stepping into the unknown… no backup plan, no roadmap. Just an undeniable creative pull and a belief that there might be more out there for her.

Carrie didn’t necessarily set out to become a full-time content creator, she just couldn’t stop creating. “I would tell her…you could never imagine where this is going, and you’re just getting started,” she says, reflecting on her July 2024 self. That moment, of unknown but excitement, was the start of a chapter that feels less like a pivot and more like a return to herself.

At the heart of Carrie’s work is an authentic mix of intention and ease. Her videos aren’t over-produced or curated beyond recognition. They’re soft-spoken, cinematic and real.

“It’s totally bizarre to me, still, to just be able to get up and do what I want every single day,”

she shares.  Whether it’s a quick outfit of the day or a morning walk through Indiana, she shows up with quiet consistency.

Her growth hasn’t come from chasing trends, but from choosing alignment. Earlier this year, she checked off a goal she had written down: a collaboration with Oli Rose, one of her longtime favorite brands. “They reached out to me, and it’s crazy because Oli Rose, I literally had written down at the beginning of the year ‘I want to collaborate with this sock brand’,

It felt like a true manifestation.” 

She ended up flying to California to design a sock and shoot the campaign, proof that putting your goals on paper matters.

She also partnered with jewelry brand, Logan Tay, on a bracelet stack collection, another longtime dream brand turned into reality. Carrie flew to Florida to shoot the campaign, a trip that fit seamlessly into her routine of escaping the midwest winters. “I’ve followed Logan Tay for so long, so when they reached out, I knew I was going to say yes… it was such a great experience,” she says. “Everyone was so nice, and I’m so happy with how the Jewelry came out.”

Support came in another form too. Around the time she went full-time, she signed with a Talent Agency. “I would never, ever do this job without a manager,” Carrie says. “It’s nice, as someone who’s more creative, to have someone that manages and organizes it for me.” From deadlines to negotiations to strategy calls, her manager Ashley handles the backend so Carrie can stay rooted in her zone of genius.

Still, a content creator’s life isn’t all cute edits and golden hour.

“When you try to push through burnout, you’re not going to make anything good,”

she admits. Especially during Indiana’s long winters, the motivation isn’t always there. But she’s learned to lean into those slow days instead of fighting them. “I used to feel this rush to get content every day no matter what. Now, I know that if I’m not proud of what I’m making, it can wait.” She’s learned to pause when needed and believes creativity can’t be forced. 

Despite being surrounded by creators who flock to big cities, Carrie finds power in staying put.  In an industry where people often move to LA or NYC to find success, or think they need to move in order to have “that kind” of career, Carrie’s small-town roots are a refreshing change.

“I think people are drawn to the fact that I live in a normal place.”

It’s proof that you don’t need a major city skyline to create major impact.

Her style, effortless, easygoing, colorful, mirrors the way she moves through the world. With intention, without urgency. She’s not rushing to reinvent the wheel. She’s just making her version of it, day by day.

 As for what’s next, she’s keeping the dream big and the process personal.

“Hopefully, I am doing exactly what I’m doing now,”

she says with a smile. “Just on a bigger scale.” And that’s the magic of Carrie Bankston, she’s not chasing escape. She’s building a life she genuinely wants to stay in.

As our conversation came to a close, it was clear that Carrie’s journey isn’t just about chasing milestones, it’s about finding peace in the process and consistency in the everyday. From Day in the life videos to meaningful brand collaborations, she’s crafting a creative life that feels both inspiring and deeply real. And in a world that often demands hustle and noise, that calm confidence is exactly the kind of reminder we all need.