Kelly Frye is more than just a friendly face for people and businesses seeking Austin inroads. PHOTO BY MATT KALLISH

Many celebrities move here to stay out of the limelight, yet Houston-born actress, director and philanthropist Kelly Frye has been jumping into the mix since she and her husband, renowned art advisor Nick Campbell, moved to Austin three years ago. Now, as the new vice president of BHB U.S.A., she is also actively working to help high-net-worth individuals build networks here.

Based in London, BHB Private recently unveiled its first Texas outpost in Austin. “It’s this elegant, sophisticated, behind-the-scenes global lifestyle management business,” Frye explains. “They just seamlessly make things happen for people.” If that sounds like wizardry, in a way, it is: Frye says BHB not only introduces people into new spheres of influence, but it also makes the impossible happen: obtaining last-minute reservations at in-demand restaurants, arranging entire travel itineraries, procuring tickets to major worldwide events or even planning entire weddings.

Luxury brands, hospitality companies and real estate developers also count on BHB Private when they are eager to enter foreign markets, host special events and connect with prospective clients. “It’s community building wherever you are,” she explains. Some of the aforementioned offer their customers BHB Private memberships as an amenity.

Frye, who incidentally holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and business law, says handling her new role from Austin is ideal: “There’s this collaborative underbelly energy to Austin that is just a really interesting, different, cool thing. Brands light up when they know I’m here. They’re like, oh, Austin’s where it’s at.” Besides, she adds, “I love connecting people.”